Naga DDB Tribal names new business director

Naga DDB Tribal has appointed Sharon Woodford as business director, marking her return to the Malaysian agency as it continues to strengthen its client leadership team.

Woodford rejoins the agency after gaining experience across both agency and brand-side roles. She most recently served as head of marketing at Evolution Wellness Group, where she led the marketing function for a portfolio of fitness brands across digital and in-club channels, working closely with leadership and operational teams on brand and marketing initiatives, according to her LinkedIn.

Before that, she spent five years as head of marketing communications at SG Support, overseeing brand, marketing and communications for the organisation and was instrumental in leading the organisation's rebrand, shaping its communications strategy and strengthening its thought leadership and employee engagement efforts.

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According to the agency, her experience on both sides of the business has equipped her with a strong commercial perspective and a deeper understanding of clients' business challenges, enabling her to build partnerships that extend beyond communications to drive business outcomes.

Andrea Ma, general manager of Naga DDB Tribal, said the return of former employees reflects the agency's culture and long-term vision.

"There's something incredibly meaningful about welcoming talent back to Naga. One of the strongest validations of our culture is when talented people leave, broaden their experience, and choose to return because they believe in our vision and want to help shape what's next," she said.

Ma added that Woodford's commercial mindset, strategic thinking and understanding of the broader business landscape make her a valuable partner to both clients and internal teams.

"As we continue strengthening Naga's position as one of the industry's leading creative and strategic agencies, investing in experienced talent such as Woodford is fundamental to delivering the business impact our clients expect from us while building an agency where great people choose to stay, grow and return," added Ma. 

Meanwhile, Woodford said returning to the agency felt both familiar and refreshing after spending several years building her career across different agency and brand organisations.

"Naga shaped a significant part of my career, and I was fortunate to work alongside some truly talented and passionate people. Coming back, there's a lovely sense of familiarity, but also so much that feels new and fresh," she said.

"I've had the chance to work in very different environments since I was last here, and I'm excited to bring some of that back with me into the work we do, the teams we grow, and what we build together from here," added Woodford.

Woodford's appointment follows Naga DDB Tribal's continued investment in strengthening its leadership team. In late 2025, the agency appointed Allison Jong as head of social to lead its social media offering and creative storytelling capabilities, underscoring its focus on building specialist leadership across key disciplines to support client growth. 

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