TSLA beefs up team with key hires across departments

The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) has bolstered its team with three key hires across departments. On the business front, TSLA brought on board former BBDO Singapore head of account management, Rachel Tan (pictured left), as its second head of mothering, helming TSLA’s growing portfolio of clients which include Netflix, StarHub, Mandai, DBS, KFC, and National Heritage Board, among others. In this role, Tan will work together with the first head of mothering, Ariel Lee, overseeing the mother and nannies at the agency. 

With a decade's worth of experience under her belt, Tan first helmed the role of account manager at BBDO Proximity Shop for more than two years before taking on the role of head of account management, senior account director, account director and senior account director. During her time there, Tan was responsible for career progression, recruitment, resource management, and mentoring for the full account management department, said her LinkedIn. Additionally, Tan has led brand communications for local and global clients such as Singapore's Ministry of Health, Visa, AIA, and J&J.  

Joining TSLA’s T-Studios, TSLA’s in-house production arm is Brandon Ellison as content creator. Ellison’s experience spans across various special effects and film companies in Hollywood, where he spent 15 years working as a practical special effects designer, and voice and motion capture actor, which led him into directing and producing. Prior to TSLA, Ellison worked as a stunt performer and choreographer in Japan and Singapore.

“The creativity of others is one of the most inspiring facets of working at TSLA. It’s amazing to see so many different disciplines coming together in our studio team” said Ellison.

On the strategic end, TSLA has appointed former political scientist, Kifaya Taha (pictured right) as its senior strategist. Taha joins from independent creative agency, Mother, which is currently in a global partnership with TSLA. According to Taha's LinkedIn, she is a generalist with a diverse research portfolio, travel experience, and unique expertise in cultural capital. During her time at Mother Los Angeles, Taha led the strategy for new businesses and clients such as American fast-food chain Sonic and Uber-owned food delivery service Postmates. 

When thinking of TSLA, Taha said she thinks of pure creative chaotic goodness. According to her, TSLA is a team that is daring enough to care about the culture at all times. Living in an era where culture is such a hot commodity, popular culture" is increasingly challenging the Western influence that has in many ways limited how people experience and understand the real world, she said. MARKETING INTERACTIVE has reached out to TSLA for additional information regarding the roles of the key hires.

Sorcha John, TSLA's managing partner, said: "Plural and diverse leadership is a very good thing. Adding talented and passionate people to our leadership table ensures that both our future direction and work we create is continually elevated and challenged by new voices, new perspectives and new abilities."

Aside from beefing up its team, TSLA recently rebranded its design practice TSLA Design as Anak.  Following the rebrand, Anak continues to focus on branding and design development of brands rolled out at scale regionally or globally from Singapore. The offering extends end to end visual design consulting that includes identity design, UX and UI design, packaging and sensorial design.

Leading the charge is Hanyi Lee, Anak’s creative partner, who is concurrently the chief creative officer of TSLA. Lee joined TSLA in 2009 and is responsible for the agency’s global creative output. Commenting on the re-brand, Lee said: “Anak is an evolution of our vision and ambition where we hope to be a destination that the next creative generation, whether its clients, partners or employees, would proudly call home.”

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