Starcom creates new leadership structure in Asia

Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) has announced a new leadership structure in Asia. Ravi Kiran (pictured), CEO, South Asia, has been given the additional role of emerging market leader of specialist solutions to drive growth of specialized communication capabilities throughout emerging markets. 

Jeffrey Seah will be CEO Southeast Asia. He will manage SMG's operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. He will focus on driving digital expansion in these markets. Seah will be responsible for accelerating digital growth across Southeast Asia and act as primary lead on the network's technology client accounts throughout Asia.  Seah will work along with Pushkar Sane, chief digital officer, south and north Asia.

Seah returns to SMG after spending two years with WPP's Mindshare in Asia, most recently as its sub-CEO overseeing Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and concurrently as its EXCO leader responsible for digital integration. 

Seah, Kiran and Paul Maher, who remains CEO of SMG's North Asia operations will comprise the SMG Asia Leadership team and report directly to Andrew Swinand, president of global operations.
 
"Given the importance of growth in China and India along with expanding our digital footprint in the region, I felt strongly that all three areas receive top-level leadership focus. Empowering our operations in Asia is my primary mission and with this new structure in place I feel we've strongly fortified our operations and are poised to deliver the innovation and growth that have become trademarks of the global SMG story," said Swinand. 

Kiran said, "Seizing new opportunity to expand our offering as we have done with our OOH, entertainment and rural marketing practices is something I've always been passionate about and I look forward to building onto the successful foundation we've laid in India. With access to the entirety of VivaKi resources and specialized communication capabilities, I'm confident we can develop the key initiatives that will drive client growth in India, and create models that can be recreated in other emerging markets."