Ogilvy hires Louise Kuegler as regional business development director

Kuegler joins from Colenso BBDO in Auckland, where she was running the agency’s signature national and international client businesses.

In her new role, she reports directly to David Mayo, president Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Asia-Pacific, who runs Ogilvy’s Coca-Cola and Diageo business across the region.

Kuegler’s core focus will be on developing the work and business for those clients and their myriad brands across the region. She will also be charged with the agency’s core business development role.

Mayo said that Kuegler has a keen eye for the product, “and as we all know, creativity drives effectiveness.

"Our clients demand the best in creative but it is the impresario at the centre of the process that makes complex IMC work really come to life. Louise is one of those people and I am convinced she will be a massive success.”

He also told Campaign that Kuegler is just one major hire in a new team he is putting in place to support him in his new role.

It was recently announced that Mayo was to become president of O&M’ Asean (Southeast Asia), across all disciplines. He also assumes the new role of Asia-Pacific leader for O&M’s new business and corporate communications.

He said that the focus moving forward is twofold: to grow Ogilvy’s marquee stellar business, and to have "grade-A" new business development credentials.

Ogilvy said that Kuegler is understood to be the most awarded account management person in the region, having worked closely with Nick Worthington on several Cannes Gold-winning campaigns over the past six years.

She started her career as a brand manager in the early 90s and has held a range of client and agency positions in the years since in London, the US, Australia and New Zealand. It is understood she was in talks with a number of major agencies in Asia, including BBDO.

Ogilvy has also announced the appointment of Samantha Burgess as its Singapore-based head of corporate communications for Asia Pacific.

Previously the PR Director for Ogilvy MEMEC based in Bahrain, Burgess has held several key communications positions with the Olympic and Association for Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Games, The London Marathon and the Asian PGA Tour.