AKQA promotes Sam Sterling to managing director of Greater China and Japan

Experience design and innovation agency AKQA has promoted Sam Sterling to managing director of Greater China and Japan. Sterling, previously the managing director of China, will now additionally oversee AKQA’s Tokyo studio, replacing Aika Sawai who is stepping down because of personal reasons. The promotion is effective immediately, with Sawai staying on through to the end of September for a smooth transition.Sterling has been working within the APAC leadership team, responsible for ensuring AKQA maintains its position as a future-ready agency with innovative, integrated offerings.Since taking over the reins at AKQA China in February 2018, the agency has grown under Sterling by 22%, most notably taking on several new clients, including Evian and Ford Motor Company. Under her leadership, AKQA China has achieved the highest staff retention rate on record in the region.According to the agency, post its inception in 2012, AKQA’s Japan office has undergone tremendous growth, with the new wins of Lion, MQA, Amazon Echo, Evian, and Google in 2018 alone. In her new position, Sterling plans to create cross-border synergies that provide clients in both countries with broader, industry-leading design and experience innovation offerings.“Over the past 18 months, Sam has demonstrated an ability to live and breathe AKQA’s values,” said Brian Vella, managing partner of AKQA Asia Pacific.“Under her leadership, we have witnessed tremendous business growth, as well as the development of a strong, innovative and collaborative working culture that delivers work beyond our clients’ expectations.“Her appointment to managing director of Greater China and Japan was a natural decision, with her passion for Asia, strategic design and technology experience supplementing this.”“I would like to thank Aika for her dedication to AKQA over the past seven years. As one of our founding staff members in the Tokyo office, she has left a strong legacy. We wish her the very best.”Sterling added: “China and Japan represent two of the most innovative and culturally interesting markets in the region, and there couldn’t be a more exciting time to be working with our ambitious clients and partners to drive their businesses to the next level across both markets.”More recently, AKQA China tripled the size of its experience strategy and design team, in addition to launching its MVP Studio – AKQA’s latest proprietary product. AKQA China has also upscaled its consumer incubation model, providing clients with a cost-effective and bespoke pulse of the Chinese consumer.