Bowling bows out of Asia for New York

Singapore - Starcom MediaVest Group's (SMG) regional VP and head of consumer context planning and insight development, Mark Bowling, will relocate to New York to take up a global role at SMG.

Bowling leaves Singapore this Sunday and will be promoted to SVP global planning director to work primarily on the global Samsung account which the agency won at the end of 2007.

"Winning the Samsung business was a great testament to the Asian or regional operations. We've gone from, probably, a handful of researchers throughout the region to having real strong research capabilities in every office now - and we have 17 offices in this region. It's time to let new blood in," Bowling said.

His current responsibilities will be divided between Ranga Somanathan, VP of research and insights for SE Asia and India, and Tanu Goyala, who takes the same responsibilities for North Asia.

Following the April departure of Asia-Pacific CEO D Sriram, SMG split up the region into two with Hong Kong, Taiwan and South China CEO Paul Maher, and South Asia CEO Ravi Kiran taking charge of NE and SE Asia respectively. Somanathan will now report to Kiran while Goyala reports to Maher.

Bowling came to Singapore over four years ago, from Initiative Media London, and in his new role reports to Andrew Swinand, president of client services for SMG.