Publicis HK bolsters creative leadership with senior appointments

Publicis Groupe Hong Kong has bolstered its creative leadership with Halo Cheng and Stratos Efstathiou stepping into bigger roles as executive creative director and head of art respectively, alongside four key creative hires, effective immediately.

Cheng began her career as a copywriter at Leo Burnett Hong Kong in 2004. As a creative leader, she’s been crafting captivating campaigns for world-leading brands ever since. Raised in Cape Town and living in Hong Kong for the past 10 years, Efstathiou has years of international experience working for some of the world’s biggest brands.

Cheng and Efstathiou both report to Christopher Lee, chief creative officer at Publicis Groupe Hong Kong. Lee said, “It’s an exciting time for Publicis Groupe in Hong Kong with Cheng and Efstathiou stepping into broader leadership roles, and the arrival of four incredible talents who not only add to our creative calibre – they’re an amazing booster to an already thriving creative playground." 

Meanwhile, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong is also welcoming Soenar Santoso, Kawa Wong, Ethan Chu and Bernice Chin to its creative department, building on the groupe’s phenomenal growth and momentum. Four of them report to João Braga, global executive creative director at Publicis Groupe Hong Kong

Santoso, who is originally from Indonesia, brings 12 years’ experience to her role as creative director. As a visual storyteller, she loves teaming up with everyone from artists to creative coders to mad scientists to create work that blends skills and perspectives for startups and global brands alike.

Wong entered the advertising industry in 2020, and brings diverse experience across tourism, finance, FMCG, retail and more, where as Chu, senior copywriter, has a background in film and philosophy and delivers meaningful work that not only turns heads, but changes minds.

Chin is also joining the team as Copywriter, having recently returned to Hong Kong from Chicago. She brings a passion for social media strategy, trend analysis and content creation to the role, along with a flair for digital marketing, product collaborations and contagious ideas. 

Braga said: “Santoso, Wong, Chu and Chin are the nicest, most talented humans, and we’re thrilled to have them on board. With Cheng and Efstathiou’s expanded new roles, we’re now more than ready to elevate our craft and push the boundaries of our creative offering.”

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

In fact, Publicis has been strengthening its creative offerings with new hires, with Braga joining the agency in November 2024 as global executive creative director, a role created to strengthen the agency's creative standards and its abilities to develop work that impacts beyond 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.

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