Havas Malaysia names new general manager

Havas Malaysia has elevated business director Bowie Tiong to the role of general manager, effective January 2026. She succeeds Liew Wai Sim, who served as GM from March 2024.

Tiong, who joined Havas Malaysia in 2023, previously spent two years as business director. She brings over a decade of agency experience, including seven years at Ogilvy, where she progressed from account manager to account director, as well as stints at Naga DDB Tribal and BRC Group.

“I’m deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to step into this next chapter at Havas Malaysia,” Tiong told A+M. “The past year has been incredibly transformative working alongside a talented team, strong clients, and a leadership group that truly believes in building people, not just businesses." She shared that as general manager, she will be focusing on strengthening the agency's culture, "sharpening how we partner with clients, and continuing to grow Havas Malaysia as a place where meaningful work and great talent thrive together.”

Don't miss: Fernleaf reimagines P. Ramlee's 'Ibu' song in new full cream milk campaign

Meanwhile, Nizwani Shahar, CEO of Havas Malaysia, added: “Bowie’s promotion is a reflection of her leadership, consistency, and the respect she’s earned across the business. She brings clarity, strategy, and strong commercial thinking to the table, and she leads with both empathy and accountability, qualities that matter deeply to us at Havas." She further explained: "As we continue to build Havas Malaysia for the long term, investing in leaders such as Bowie is central to our growth and the creative culture we’re committed to creating.”

Tiong’s appointment aligns with Havas Malaysia’s natural succession plan and ongoing focus on leadership development. The promotion also comes against the backdrop of Havas Malaysia’s 2024 rebranding, when the agency dropped “Immerse” from its name to consolidate its vision and values under the global Havas brand. At the time, the agency expanded its leadership team to champion women in senior roles, with Tiong previously appointed as business director to spearhead client growth and new business development.

Since then, Havas Malaysia has secured major client accounts, including PRO-NET, Arnott’s (Campbell’s and Prego), Fernleaf, Drypers, and Jotun, as part of its drive to become a creatively celebrated agency. Last year, A+M reported that the agency was tasked with leading Jotun Malaysia’s creative and social efforts, as well as media through Invictus Blue. Following the appointment, Jotun partnered with local beverage brand ZUS Coffee on a lifestyle collaboration, "Home is where the brew is", combining the charm of home brewing with the comfort of thoughtfully curated spaces.

In October, Havas also spearheaded PRO-NET’s livestream campaign for bookings of the Proton e.MAS 5, transforming what is usually a closed-door media announcement into an interactive nationwide event. The livestream allowed Malaysians to experience the debut of the country’s most affordable electric vehicle in real time, with hosts and motoring influencers engaging directly with viewers.

More recently, Havas led creative for Fernleaf’s latest Full Cream Milk campaign, reimagining the iconic “Ibu” (mother) song in a contemporary tribute to motherhood that spans generations. First introduced in Fernleaf’s 1989 commercial and inspired by the legendary P. Ramlee, the melody is now reframed for today’s mothers without losing its emotional resonance.

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