Publicis Greater China fully geared up with new top management structure

With immediate effect, CH Yang is promoted from Shanghai MD to CEO of the Shanghai/Guangzhou offices, and Sue McCusker is elevated from GM to CEO Hong Kong.

Heidi Zhang, currently Shanghai planning director is also promoted to national planning director, China. At Publicis Beijing, the agency appointed Narelle Hicks, ex MD of Wundferman Beijing, as CEO on 1 April, and Sansoni Au Yeung, previously deputy MD for Publicis’ Nestle team, has been promoted as managing director for the Beijing operation.

Commenting on the promotions, Yu (pictured) said: “CH has been a loyal member of Publicis returning to us since 2007. He has made significant contributions to our growth in Shanghai as recently evidenced by the Haier and Citroen wins. He has also been instrumental in turning our Guangzhou operation into a major force in Southern china.”

He added that McCusker, also a loyal Publicis veteran, has built a very competent operation in Hong Kong with regional and global capabilities. “I see the Hong Kong office as a regional lighthouse which will bring an international dimension to our China offerings.”

Yu said that as Zhang is a Chinese national, who spent years with Publicis as planning director in Hong Kong before returning to China, she has both genuine local insights and international exposure.

Completing the new management structure is the appointment of former Wunderman Beijing MD Hicks as CEO and the promotion of Au, previously the Beijing office's deputy managing director for the Nestle team. to managing director for the Beijing operation. 

The agency stated in this annoucement that it has 'huge growth plans' in Beijing. It has a strong management team, with Nicks's strong digital background and Au’s in-depth knowledge of FMCG client needs in China would help to deliver that promise.

Yu concluded, “I have great confidence to work with this Management Team, partnering with Sheena Jeng as China chair and chief creative officer. Publicis Greater China is now fully geared up to make a big leap in 2012! ”

Publicis China's clients include L'Oreal, Nestle, Pernod-Ricard, Whirlpool, Sanofi, 999 pharma, Airbus, while Hong Kong client portfolio have regional clients like Citibank, Marriott, UBS and AXA.