M&C Saatchi names creative chairman of Asia

M&C Saatchi has appointed Ben Welsh, formerly executive creative director at M&C Saatchi Sydney as creative chairman of Asia. Welsh’s focus will be on pitching for both international and national brands in each region, attracting creative talent and developing the creative output of the agencies.Welsh will start his new role on 1 October.  His appointment follows the departure of Chris Jacques who was regional CEO.  He will be based in Sydney but regularly travelling to Singapore, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Tokyo. Welsh joined M&C Saatchi Sydney in 1997 as a senior writer and was then promoted to creative director in 2003.According to M&C Saatchi, the appointment of Welsh marks a change in emphasis for the Network as Asia changes dramatically in recent years."China took over as the largest economy from the US in 2014, India has the fastest growing advertising industry in the world and Japan is the second most innovative country in the world.  The addition of Welsh demonstrates the Network’s spotlight on Asia," said the company in a press statement.Moray MacLennan, CEO Worldwide at M&C Saatchi said:“This appointment underlines our commitment to the core of our business – the creative product. Ben is the best combination of strategic thinker and creative leader. Add in his boundless energy and Asia will be hugely strengthened. He is also an excellent brand ambassador for M&C Saatchi having worked for us for the last 18 years.”Welsh added: ‘I’m really excited at the thought of what we can do in the region. We have some brilliant people and I look forward to working with them to create an impact in such a diverse part of the world’.