Publicis Groupe makes a slew of creative team promotions across Asia Pacific

Publicis Groupe has promoted Jason Williams (pictured left) to a newly created regional role as head of creative excellence, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APAC and MEA). Alongside Williams, Andy Fergusson (pictured right) has also been promoted to the role of national executive creative director at Leo Burnett Australia. Williams will report to Natalie Lam, chief creative officer at Publicis Groupe, APAC and MEA, while Fergusson will work closely with Emma Montgomery, CEO at Leo Burnett Australia, and Catherine King, chief strategy officer, Leo Burnett Australia.

Williams will be responsible to elevate the creative output of the groupe’s most significant and ambitious clients, according to Publicis Groupe. He will continue to collaborate with Publicis Groupe Australia by connecting creatives, technology, media and data experts to global brands and opportunities. Working together with a regional team led by Lam, Williams will contribute to initiatives that connect, inspire and strengthen the creative community as well, such as monthly creative sessions, mentoring programs and inspiration sessions.

Williams has been with Leo Burnett Australia for over 15 years, where his last helmed role was as its chief creative officer. He is also behind highly awarded projects such as Bonds Out Now, Reword, #MyFamilyCan, BYO Cup Day, and many more, which have shaped the entrepreneurial culture and progressive creativity that Leo Burnett Australia is now known for.  Williams also co-founded the YoungGuns International Awards, an annual global award show for young and emerging creative talent in the advertising and communication industry.

“Williams is a creative heavyweight in Australia and the global Leo Burnett network, now we are lucky to share his creative firepower with all of Publicis Groupe APAC and MEA and with many more markets, clients and teams,” Lam said.

According to Williams, his new position is his dream role. “When Lam first mentioned the possibility of moving into a role that champions creative bravery and business changing ideas across the over 60 agency brands, it seemed too good to be true,” he said. 
Montgomery added that Williams has been foundational to the creative success of Leo Burnett in Australia.

Meanwhile, Fergusson joined Leo Burnett Sydney in 2020 and will work together with King and Montgomery to lead the agency’s growth. According to Publicis, Fergusson has been instrumental in the agency’s new business and creative wins, including the launch of ‘Feel New’ for Destination NSW and the Suncorp campaign, ‘One House to Save Many’. Prior to joining Leo Burnett Sydney, Fergusson led accounts across the US, Asia and Australia during a 10 year stint at Droga5. His last held role at Droga5 was as its group creative director. Prior to joining Droga5, he was TEQUILA / TBWA as its art director. 

Additionally, Montgomery said: “We are delighted to have Fergusson expand his creative leadership to take on the national ECD role. Fergusson’s progressive thinking and generous style, partnered with our borderless creative team, sets the scene for an exciting next chapter.”

Fergusson added that currently, there is “a great creative momentum” across both its offices. He said: “And with a bunch of truly ambitious clients, and a really strong talent pool, I think we are well placed to continue that momentum. Jason leaves us with a strong culture of creative consistency, and I look forward to building on that. We wish him nothing but the best as he steps up to bigger and better things in the Groupe.”

In March, Publicis Groupe appointed Ajay Thrivikraman to the role of chief creative officer for Southeast Asia, joining the Southeast Asia leadership team reporting in to Amrita Randhawa, CEO of Publicis Groupe Singapore and Southeast Asia, and Lam. Thrivikraman was previously chief creative officer global clients leading the work for the Groupe's dedicated units across P&G and Tiger Beer. 

Meanwhile, Publicis Groupe China promoted its global client partner Andy Ho to chief growth officer recently. In the newly created position, Ho continues to manage the groupe’s global client business, lead groupe’s new business development, Power of One accounts expansion, and manage the groupe's marketing and communications.

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