Creative agency Superson hires 2 former APAC marketers

Specialist creative agency Superson Singapore has appointed Anne Karumo (pictured left) and Shi Ho (pictured right) as client partners for the APAC region.

Karumo will be responsible for building Superson’s fintech and sustainability expertise. Prior to joining Superson, she was senior director for marketing at Visa, in charge of partnerships in APAC. She brings experience working with fintech companies both on client and agency side, including Bloomberg, Wall Street Systems, marcomms agency Cognito and forex company OANDA, across various markets in APAC, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Karumo said the team at Superson see themselves as the architects of creative collaboration, working with disruptive companies building services that stretch the boundaries of digital and physical. “With the help of technology, societies can develop solutions such as carbon and plastic off-setting, sustainable investing, financial inclusion, and digital farming to solve major environmental and social challenges. This requires the expertise that can’t be found in most traditional agencies. Our network of independent specialists work side by side with the innovators to create an impact for a sustainable future,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ho will be responsible for building Superson’s disruptive technology, consumer products and entertainment arms. She last helmed the role of APAC head of marketing at BBC Studios, managing 11 markets and over 50 clients. She has also led teams in creative agencies including BBDO and R/GA, and worked with companies including P&G, Unilever and Visa. Previously she was with Nokia, and also held several marketing roles in the entertainment and music business in Singapore, Helsinki and London.

According to Ho, marketing teams need to rapidly adapt to customer dynamics and technologies that are constantly evolving, while trying to build brand experiences that last. As ex-marketeers, she explained that both Karumo and herself are able to recognise the realities of doing business in this current age as budgets shrink and sales target climb. She also said that there is a growing need for skill sets such as data, analysis, its application, and how to crack programmatic and AI for more growth.

"Superson’s specialist model means when we curate a team, top creative and tech talent are in the room with our clients to tackle a business problem with an audience-first approach. Clients come to us because they know we won’t feed them yet another agency solution. We can’t. There are so many dynamics at play," she added.

Superson launched in Singapore in May 2019, and has clients such as manufacturing company Wärtsilä, Google and Unilever CLEAR Haircare. Antti Toivonen, managing partner of Superson Singapore, said with the agency's specialist model, the team is nimble and is able to respond to unique challenges CMOs face today. “We are thrilled to add such heavy-hitting marketers, both Anne and Shi, in our global client partner team. Senior client experience is what makes Superson different," he added.