Social Mixer 2024 Singapore
marketing interactive Content360 Singapore 2024 Content360 Singapore 2024
Dentsu Aegis Network names regional operating officer for APAC

Dentsu Aegis Network names regional operating officer for APAC

share on

Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed George Patten (pictured) as regional operating officer for APAC, as part of the continuing transformation of the business.Patten was previously with Accenture as managing director, Accenture Interactive Operations ASEAN and portfolio lead. He spent 15 years with the agency, leading the Accenture Interactive Operations business. Patten was based in Singapore during his time with Accenture and has also worked in the UK region. Prior to his stint with Accenture, Patten was with OMD and PHD in the early days of his career.“I am excited to be joining Dentsu Aegis Network and driving operational excellence across their suite of network brands and long term client relationships. The power to continue to harness these capabilities together across each country, region and globally, will continue to set the network apart in the market as we drive long term marketing-led business outcomes for our clients,” Patten said.Meanwhile, Lauren Walker has been promoted to the role of regional operating officer for EMEA. She joined Dentsu Aegis Network in 2017 from IBM, and as chief data officer, EMEA. Walker was responsible for leading the region’s transformation as a data-driven organisation, with an integrated team of over 500 people across market research, social science, digital and data science and engineering. She was with IBM for 10 years, helming lead strategy and marketing roles.In addition, Neil Gissler, who joined Dentsu Aegis Network’s Merkle in 2016, will take on the role of regional operating officer, Americas at Dentsu Aegis Network. Gissler was previously with Accenture for over a year before joining Dentsu Aegis Network’s Merkle. He will be based in Chicago. All three will report jointly to the global president business operations, Volker Doberanzke, who joined Dentsu Aegis Network in March this year and respective Dentsu Aegis Network regional CEO. This includes Takaki Hibino, executive chairman Dentsu Aegis Network APAC; Giulio Malegori Dentsu Aegis Network CEO, EMEA; and Nick Brien, Dentsu Aegis Network CEO Americas & US.Doberanzke said to be the market leader in serving its clients and helping them win in the digital economy, the agency must always be looking for smarter and better ways to serve their needs. “In Patten, Walker and Gissler, we have three proven leaders with the ability to change the way businesses work through a focus on execution and continuous improvement,” he added.Hibino said it is the ideal time for Patten to join the agency as it creates a new chapter for Dentsu Aegis Network. According to Hibino, Patten brings with him extensive management and digital experience to put in place best practice operations and spearhead the agency’s data-driven, ideas-led and tech-enabled approach.Earlier this year, the network split its Asia Pacific regional business into three clusters from the original five. The restructure saw Susana Tsui exit her role as CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network China after joining last year. Shortly after the split, Dentsu Aegis Network promoted Dick van Motman to global CEO, creative, with a remit to develop and grow the creative proposition for Dentsu Aegis Network globally. During the same period, Phil Teeman, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network SEA was said to be exiting the company, according to sources close to Marketing.Meanwhile in January, its restructured its media and performance business in Singapore, settling on two verticals – Brand Solutions business and One Singapore Media Group. A DAN Client Solutions virtual team was also formed to sit across all brands to drive best practice.

share on

Follow us on our Telegram channel for the latest updates in the marketing and advertising scene.
Follow

Free newsletter

Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top marketing stories.

We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's marketing development – for free.

subscribe now open in new window