McCann Worldgroup strengthens APAC leadership

McCann Worldgroup has strengthened its regional leadership structure, designating separate leaders to run Asia Pacific and South Asia. Prasoon Joshi assumes the role of president McCann Worldgroup South Asia (represented by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh), and Charles Cadell assumes the role as president of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific (including China, Japan, Korea and Australia). As per the agency, this move recognises the vast cultural diversity and business complexities of the broader APAC region. The joint leadership roles for Asia Pacific are designed to maximise collaboration across this key growth region.

Joshi and Cadell's new roles will be effective 1 January; they will report directly to Nick Brien, chairman and chief executive officer, McCann Worldgroup.

“McCann Worldgroup is obsessed with creative excellence, strategic innovation and performance measurement. I am delighted both Charles and Prasoon have accepted the challenge to collaborate and lead the Asia Pacific and South Asia regions, as both are critically important roles for the global group,” said Brien. “McCann Worldgroup has positioned itself for an ambitious growth strategy and realigning the region under Charles’ and Prasoon’s leadership will drive deeper collaboration plus allow us to accelerate investment opportunities in a more cohesive manner.”

On his elevation, Joshi said, "I've always fulfilled the responsibilities McCann Worldgroup has given me, and will do my best in the new role as well. South Asia is a very important market, and along with India, there are good signs in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. I see new opportunities coming from these markets that we can leverage to grow them."

Asked about whether other McCann people in India would be also be assigned additional responsibilities for these markets or for India itself, Joshi said, "There could be some structural changes because of this new responsibility, and I might assign new roles. But we'll announce that when it's decided."

Another part of this development involves Michael McLaren, chief executive officer and chairman, McCann Worldgroup Japan. He was to return to New York effective 1 January 2012, to assume the newly created role of president of MRM East and chief client solutions director. In this new role, McLaren will assume executive leadership for the company operations across New York, Princeton and Detroit, including oversight for creative excellence, talent development and growth goals. In addition, McLaren will become executive owner of MRM’s top 20 client relationships, with global leadership across these key accounts as well as driving collaboration across McCann Worldgroup.

On McLaren's new role, Brien said, “Michael has done a terrific job in Japan and this provides an excellent opportunity to build on that experience within MRM. Michael shares our passion for creative excellence, innovation and performance and I have every confidence in his ability to successfully help Bill Kolb to build MRM into a world-class powerhouse.”