CCO Valerie Madon exits McCann after two-and-a-half years in top creative role

Valerie Madon, one of Asia-Pacific’s most prominent creative leaders, has stepped down as chief creative officer, Asia Pacific, McCann Worldgroup, following Omnicom's acquisition of IPG. Madon will remain through a transition period; her final date has not yet been confirmed.

Her departure comes amid a wave of senior restructures across the region in the past two weeks. (Full APAC leadership breakdown here.)

Sean Donovan, president of Omnicom Advertising Asia, confirmed Madon’s departure to Campaign Asia-Pacific, and said: As we transition to a new operating model to best unlock growth for our clients, the current regional creative structure that Valerie led will be retired, and with this change, Valerie will be leaving McCann. She has been a tremendous ambassador for the agency and for creativity across the region, shaping work, teams and culture with heart and conviction. We are deeply grateful for her impact and leadership through a period of transformation."

He added: "Going forward, creative leadership will sit fully within the Singapore model under Daniel Kee, augmented with additional Omnicom Advertising talent where appropriate. Daniel is one of the most awarded ECDs in Singapore over the past decade, with a strong record of success in driving both creative standards and growth for local and international clients.”

Madon is widely regarded for her blend of creative craft, cultural fluency and integrated leadership across global brands. Across more than two decades, she has been a consistent champion of APAC creativity and an advocate for nurturing emerging talent.

Madon joined McCann Worldgroup in May 2023  as CCO for Southeast Asia, before being elevated to APAC CCO in August the same year. In March 2025, she also took on the dual remit of chief creative officer for McCann Worldgroup Singapore to oversee regional and local creative leadership simultaneously. She exits after two and a half years with the network.

Madon’s career spans more than 25 years across major holding groups and platforms, including leadership roles at Meta’s Creative Shop for SEA and emerging markets, VMLY&R as chief creative officer for Asia, and Havas Group Singapore, where she served as chair and CCO for Southeast Asia. Earlier roles with JWT, Leo Burnett and Publicis helped cement her reputation as one of Singapore’s most influential creative leaders.

At Cannes Lions 2025, where she served as a Film juror, Madon told Campaign Asia-Pacific that entertainment remains the currency of modern advertising: “If it doesn’t entertain, don’t even enter,” she said, noting that nearly 80% of Film Lions winners leaned on humour. She also stressed on the widening craft gap in short-form: “Short-form is a fantastic canvas, but it requires discipline and precision. Only a handful stood out this year.”

Her exit comes as the structural changes at McCann Singapore take shape, where McCann and MullenLowe Singapore will merge under the leadership of Paul Soon, previously CEO of MullenLowe Singapore and now CEO of McCann Singapore. He will be joined by Gonzalo Olivera, who will take charge as president of the combined entity from January 1. 

Brandon Cheung, CEO of McCann Singapore and Southeast Asia, will support the transition into early 2026.