Top 5 job shuffles that had our Malaysian readers hooked in 2019

In 2019, across the Malaysian marketing and advertising industry scene, we have seen a number of key movements. This came as no surprise as recruitment firm Robert Walters said that in 2019, within the B2C space in Kuala Lumpur, marketing professionals with strong profit and loss management skills were in demand as companies looked to build expertise in driving profit margins, cost savings initiatives and campaign execution and implementation over creativity.

The study added that recruitment would be active and competitive across consultative sales, corporate communications, digital marketing and professional writing throughout. Individuals with strong skills in digital marketing and digital solutions sales were specifically highly sought after, due to continued investment in digital and the increased adoption of technology. Meanwhile, job seekers can expect an approximate 20% to 30% salary increase in 2019.

Here’s a look at the five biggest moves that our Malaysia-based readers were keen to read more on:

1. VJ Anand

Malaysian bred creative VJ Anand leaving his SVP of creative title at Gojek Indonesia struck a chord  with our readers. Anand was wit the Gojek team approximately one and a half years where he grew the internal creative team to about 120 people, according to Marketing's sources. Anand recently joined VaynerMedia in Singapore as executive creative director, SVP. In this role, he will oversee the agency’s creative product in the Asia Pacific region.

Anand told Marketing in an interview, "It’s funny that I chose to come back to an agency, when many people are saying that agencies are dying, and when most agency folks are trying to jump into a tech company or client side. But I don’t think agencies are dying; I think the wrong kind of agencies are. So, I’m not just shifting back to an agency – I’m shifting back to the right kind of agency."

2. AirAsia's leadership shuffle

AirAsia's shuffle of its leadership team as it transformed into a travel and financial platform created a fair bit of buzz. The move saw the company building  airasia.com, the airline’s lifestyle eCommerce platform, into a lifestyle brand. As part of the reshuffle, group CEO Tony Fernandes doubled up as CEO of airasia.com. Spencer Lee, AirAsia BIG Loyalty’s CEO, joined Fernandes as airasia.com’s chief operating officer, managing the online business portfolio.

Meanwhile, AirAsia’s chief commercial officer Karen Chan, also joined airasia.com’s chief commercial officer to drive all commercial functions. Aireen Omar, AirAsia Group deputy CEO (technology and digital), took on the role of AirAsia Group president (RedBeat Ventures) and also heads up the corporate venture capital arm.  Meanwhile, Bo Lingam, the airline’s deputy CEO will helm the new role of AirAsia Group president (airlines) and will also head up AirAsia SEA, formerly known as AirAsia Global Shared Services.

3. Eugene Chan

Next on our list is Nestlé Malaysia’s Eugene Chan, who stepped down from his role as regional head of communications, marketing services and innovation and renovation for Malaysia and Singapore in March. He was with the company since 2016. Replacing him is Chow Phee Chat, current marketing communications and corporate affairs director for Nestlé Singapore.

Chan was a veteran at Nestlé having worked and built his career over a span of 15 years. He tried his hand at numerous roles such as sales, marketing and communications across six global Nestlé markets. The company said Chan was recognised for his commitment towards building a performance-driven marketing culture and credited with strengthening Nestlé Malaysia’s marketing and media ecosystems.

4. Grace Chan

Over the course of the year we also saw Celcom Axiata part ways with its head of brand marketing Grace Chan, who then joined TIME dotCom as marketing head. She reported to CEO Lee Guan Hong and was said to manage a team of approximately 30 to 40 individuals. Among her list of duties include marketing, digital, brand, corporate communications and business transformation in selected business functions.

She was with Celcom for approximately two years. Prior to that, she was VP and head, group brand and communications at Axiata Group, according to her LinkedIn. Chan was also global head of brand for Malaysia Airlines.

5. Lee Lim Meng

Keeping our readers hooked was L’Oreal Malaysia CMO Lee Lim Meng who joined Abbott Malaysia as marketing director. In her new role as Abbott’s marketing director, Lee replaces Richard Schneider and will oversee the marketing department. She reports to general manager Robert Cleveland.

In a statement to A+M, Lee said she intends to “continue the good work” of Schneider in driving the business and the growth that Abbott has registered over the past years, as well as connecting with Malaysian consumers through relevant products that she hopes will enrich their lives. Lee  spent approximately three years with the company, reporting to managing director Malek Bekdache. She told A+M that she is very proud to have worked in L’Oreal and looks forward to learning new categories, and see how they can influence and enrich consumers’ lives. “I think I will remain passionate about the L’Oreal business for a long time. Hence, there is no push factor in leaving,” she said.