VML Malaysia unveils dual creative leadership with co-ECD appointments

VML Malaysia has appointed Wendy Chiu (pictured right) and Suryadipura Salleh (pictured left) as co-executive creative directors (co-ECDs), signalling a shift towards a more collaborative creative leadership model.

The move marks a new chapter for the agency as it looks to strengthen its creative output and build a more agile, connected approach to leadership. Under this structure, Chiu and Suryadipura will jointly oversee key portfolios while mentoring the next generation of creative talent.

The appointments sit alongside the agency’s broader leadership bench, including chief creative officer Didi Pirinyuang and ECD Phoecus Lee, forming what the agency describes as a “connected” model spanning brand experience, creative commerce and customer experience.

According to Pirinyuang, the shift reflects how creativity is evolving in an increasingly fragmented landscape.

Don't miss: HYP Global taps ex-VML creative director as new managing partner

“Creativity has never been a solo sport, so why should creative leadership be? In a world that’s increasingly more fragmented, collaboration and connection are the keys to realising the shared ambition of producing work that doesn't just win awards, but wins in the real world,” she said.

Chiu joins from Ogilvy Malaysia, where she most recently served as head of art and creative director. She spent over three years at the agency, and brings with her more than a decade of experience across leading networks. Prior to that, she was previously at VML Malaysia as head of design and creative director, and earlier held roles at Geometry Global, Grey Group, as well as stints at McCann Erickson Malaysia and BBDO Malaysia.

Suryadipura, meanwhile, steps into the co-ECD role after serving as executive creative director (ECD) at VML Malaysia since September 2023. He brings a strong background in integrated and digital creativity, having previously held leadership roles at Naga DDB Tribal, Geometry Global and BULB Havas, as well as earlier experience at BBDO.

The dual leadership structure underscores VML Malaysia’s ambition to scale its creative capabilities while maintaining closer oversight across its growing portfolio of clients. It also reflects a broader industry shift towards more collaborative, less hierarchical creative models.

With Chiu and Suryadipura at the helm, the agency is looking to deepen its “Human first” creative approach, blending data, technology and storytelling to deliver work that connects culture, brand and business outcomes.

In other recent Malaysian creative agency movements, brand consultancy HYP Global has named Abby Tai as its new managing partner for creative, strengthening its core leadership team as it looks to further evolve into a design-led, culturally sharp creative consultancy focused on building brands that stand out across regional and global markets.

Her work spans brand transformation, integrated campaigns and digital storytelling, with past roles at agencies including Naga DDB Tribal, Dentsu Creative, Wunderman Thompson, Bonsey Jaden and Leo Burnett. She was most recently a creative director at VML Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Cheil Malaysia has appointed Andy Poon as creative director, in a move aimed at strengthening the agency’s creative leadership and expanding its business portfolio.

Poon, who joined in March, reports directly to Derek Cheong, client services director. The role is part of the agency's broader push to elevate its creative output while driving new business opportunities across its client base, which includes brands such as Samsung and Dusit Hospitality. Earlier in his career, Poon built his creative foundation at agencies including Dentsu, Publicis, Ogilvy and Ensemble Worldwide.

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