WPP Media taps Winnie Chen-Head as Malaysia CEO

WPP Media has named Winnie Chen-Head as CEO for Malaysia, reinforcing the network’s ambitions to drive growth and innovation in the market.

Chen-Head officially stepped into the role on 6 May, bringing with her more than 24 years of experience spanning e-commerce, aviation, telecommunications, tech startups and media agencies.

In her new role, she will oversee the Malaysia business as the agency network sharpens its focus on integrated, business-driven media strategies and future-ready capabilities for clients.

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Prior to joining WPP Media, Chen-Head was the CEO of OMG Malaysia, but departed following the completion of Omnicom's global acquisition of IPG in December 2025, which led to the appointment of Darren Yuen as the new CEO of Omnicom Media Malaysia.

Chen-Head had also been the managing director for media at dentsu Malaysia, overseeing three agency brands Carat, dentsuX, and iProspect.

She also spent two years as the head of product and growth at dentsu, leading the media function's transformation and innovation agenda. She had also been the head of iProspect for two and a half years; head of product, strategy and innovation at Mindshare for over two years; GM at Fave; and business director at MediaCom for one and a half years.

According to WPP Media, Chen-Head is recognised for her expertise across strategy, operations and capability development, as well as her focus on innovation, talent and measurable business outcomes.

Announcing the appointment, Helen McRae said Chen-Head’s passion for media and growth made her a standout leader for the Malaysia business.

“Winnie’s passion for media and our clients’ limitless potential for growth in the region set her apart as an inspirational leader. She is a strong advocate for rigor and craft and has a unique ability to drive marketing integration across media, culture, and creativity,” said McRae.

“She will be instrumental in helping us deliver intelligent growth and unparalleled value to our clients in the region,” she added.

Meanwhile, Chen-Head said returning to the WPP network felt both professionally and personally meaningful, given her earlier years in media agencies were shaped within the group.

I’m delighted to be returning to the WPP network and helping to shape the next chapter together with my colleagues in Malaysia.

“My formative media agency years were spent here, and that experience provided me with not just a strong foundation, but a deep respect and genuine affection for what makes this place special, the people, the ambition, and the craft,” she added.

Chen-Head also said she aims to strengthen capabilities while evolving a culture that balances ambition with accountability, alongside deeper integration across talent, creativity and technology.

Her appointment follows the departure of Arshan Saha, who was the Malaysia and Singapore CEO of WPP Media. He had been with the network for 13 years. 

Speaking on Marketing Connected's Agency Agenda prior to his resgination, Saha reflected on a period marked by consolidation, leadership shifts and evolving client demands. But rather than viewing it as a company-specific challenge, he frames it as an industry-wide reset.

In March, WPP Media also announced a change in its China leadership, appointing Tina Chen as its next chief executive officer for the China market, succeeding Rupert McPetrie, who will step down from the role at the end of June. She will report to Mark Patterson, global president - markets and business operations, WPP Media.

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