Ogilvy's Asia senior regional business director departs after 21 years

Ogilvy's Asia senior regional business director Greg Carton (pictured) has left the company after 21 years, as confirmed to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. Carton will take a short break before relocating to Hong Kong to take on his new client-side role in mid-October. 

In conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Carton said he decided to leave the agency as he wants to push himself to explore something new, an evolution of his career. While details of his new role are not disclosed, he said the new role is within the global gaming and entertainment industry. 

Carton's journey with Ogilvy began in 2004 when he joined in Hong Kong as an account director looking after a portfolio of international brands – The Economist, Delta Airlines, and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts – in addition to local brands – SmarTone and Swire Properties.

In 2011 he was he was promoted to director of client growth for Ogilvy Hong Kong – where he was responsible for new business development for the Ogilvy network in the territory. He was later promoted to head of marketing and communications for Ogilvy in Asia Pacific – responsible for the overall reputation management of the agency network across 37 offices in 18 markets.

From 2018 he held a dual-role as global business director looking after Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, responsible for biannual executive briefings with a focus on Huawei’s core global strategy objectives in the premium, fashion, and technology sectors.

Following a global pitch in 2021 – the biggest of its nature for the global industry in over three decades – Carton has since moved to Singapore to establish and run WPP’s Open X business for The Coca-Cola Company. His stewardship of WPP Open X is responsible for all of Coca-Cola’s 100+ brands across 14 countries in ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific.

Carton said, "These years have shaped me in more ways than I can count. The work we’ve done — and continue to do — has always inspired me. Even this past week, I found myself reflecting on how incredibly lucky I’ve been to work alongside such talented, creative, and passionate people. This is, without doubt, a company of giants."

"Leaving was not an easy decision. But this business has a way of instilling a restlessness — once you’ve had a taste, you can’t help but want to keep pushing boundaries and blazing new trails. It’s equal parts exciting and terrifying — just as it should be. This isn’t goodbye. Just a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for the memories, the friendships, the lessons, and the laughs. I’m deeply grateful," he added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Ogilvy said in a statement that the company deeply appreciates Carton's dedication and contributions during his tenure, and wishes him well in his future pursuits.

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