Publicis Groupe HK bolsters creative leadership with new global ECD role

Publicis Groupe Hong Kong is bolstering its creative leadership bench with the appointment of João Braga (pictured) as global executive creative director. This is a newly created role to continue to strengthen the agency's creative standards and its abilities to develop work that impacts beyond Hong Kong.

In his new role, Braga will work closely with Christopher Lee, chief creative officer at Publicis Groupe Hong Kong, and report to Tom Kao, CEO, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong.

Braga brings 20 years of experience across four continents to Publicis Groupe Hong Kong’s diverse creative teams and global client portfolio.

Originally from Brazil, he has lived and worked in São Paulo, Lisbon, Singapore, Bangkok and Sydney, expertly navigating local nuances in each market.

Braga relocated to Hong Kong after three years at Wunderman Thompson Australia, where he was the national chief creative officer across three offices. This followed six years based in Southeast Asia, where Braga led a diverse client portfolio across six markets. He joins Publicis Groupe Hong Kong in November 2024.

Kao said: “Over the past two years, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong has enjoyed incredible momentum. Now is the perfect time to elevate our team and keep driving results for our clients through world-class creativity.”

“With Braga’s ability to bring different backgrounds, skills and perspectives into the room to create unexpected business solutions, and Lee’s infectious energy and passion for ideas, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong will continue to be an unstoppable creative force in our region,” he added.

“There’s a real sense of opportunity, ambition and optimism here at Publicis Groupe Hong Kong, and those ingredients combined make an incredible magnet. Kao and Lee have been doing a stellar job, so my remit is to build upon the already strong culture and impressive set of capabilities to help them shape a world-class playground for creativity and innovation out of Hong Kong. For me, this was also the perfect opportunity to partner with some amazing brands and do work that drives fame and impact on a global scale,” said Braga.

Lee added: “Braga and I share the same vision to elevate the work here in Hong Kong so that it will be noticed on a global stage. With his experience and pedigree, we'll create an environment that nurtures our teams to continue creating big ideas that can burst into popular culture. I can't wait to show the world what we are capable of.”

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Publicis Groupe for more information. 

Don't miss: Publicis Groupe to acquire influencer marketing platform Influential

Back in July, Publicis Groupe announced it will acquire Influential, a global influencer marketing company and platform, authentically connecting brands to audiences by developing, deploying, and optimising creator-driven digital campaigns. 

Influential’s proprietary AI-powered technology platform has over 100 billion data points, coupled with its network of over 3.5m creators, including access to and data on 90% of global influencers with over a million followers, currently serves more than 300 brands around the world, according to the release.  

This comes as influencer marketing is revolutionising the media and advertising industry and has become a ubiquitous growth driver for brands due to the channel’s unique ability to meaningfully connect with their customers.  

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