DAN changes APAC leadership at Carat

Dentsu Aegis Network today announced that Sean O’Brien, CEO of Carat Asia-Pacific, will become CEO of the network’s experiential marketing unit MKTG and out-of-home specialist agency Posterscope in APAC.

His position at Carat will be taken over by Kevin Walsh, previously managing director Carat APAC.

O’Brien spent six years as Carat CEO, in which time he tripled the size of the business. He has twice won Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Agency Head of the Year.

In his new roles, he will oversee Posterscope’s digitisation across the region and the launch of “Liveposter”, the firm’s dynamic digital out-of-home asset that allows clients to change their OOH messaging throughout the day. For MKTG, O’Brien is responsible for boosting its presence across APAC, with a particular focus on growth in China, followed by Japan and Korea.

O’Brien said it has been “a privilege” to work as Carat CEO and that the business “is in great hands with Kevin”.

“MKTG and Posterscope are focused on how we communicate with people outside the home,” he told Campaign Asia-Pacific. “Liveposter gives us a competitive advantage in the space. For MKTG, APAC is the fastest growing opportunity around the world. We want to increase our ownership of assets in sport, music and entertainment, and develop our experiential work.”

Walsh has more than 20 years’ industry experience, having previously been with iProspect before moving to Carat as chief digital officer for APAC. He was promoted to managing director last year.

“I’m picking up the reins at a very good time,” he told Campaign Asia-Pacific. “Under Sean, Carat has seen tremendous growth and momentum, and there’s nothing like growth and momentum to attract new business and the very best talent.”

Walsh added that as Carat CEO, he will continue using data to drive more value for clients from media, creating engaging content, and developing the agency’s e-commerce capabilities.

Nick Waters, DAN APAC CEO, said: “Sean will now focus on the development of two agencies with outstanding growth opportunities in Asia Pacific – MKTG and Posterscope. Kevin’s promotion represents the smooth execution of the Carat leadership succession plan.”