Publicis Groupe appoints new CEOs in Japan and Korea

Publicis Groupe has appointed new CEOs for Japan and Korea at the holding group level. Gareth Mulryan, formerly the CEO of Publicis Media Singapore is relocating from Singapore to Japan as the new CEO for Publicis Groupe Japan. In Korea, Nicole Roe, the former managing director of Leo Burnett Korea has been promoted to CEO of Publicis Groupe Korea. Both new appointments are effective immediately and will report to Publicis North Asia CEO Jane Lin-Baden.

Mulryan is replacing former Japan CEO Floriane Tripolino who is leaving Asia. In Korea, Roe fills the CEO role left by YouMi Cho, who left Publicis Groupe in January. 

L to R: Floriane Tripolino, YouMi Cho

Earlier this month, Mulryan stepped aside as Publicis Media Singapore CEO for a then unnamed role within Publicis, while Starcom and Spark Foundry Singapore MD Ian Loon was promoted to take his place. Mulryan has spent the last 15 years with Publicis Media agencies, mostly at Zenith where he was managing director of digital before being promoted to Southeast Asia CEO by 2015.

Roe has been with Publicis Groupe for more than a decade, with management experience in account services and strategic planning for key clients including McDonald’s, P&G, Sanofi, Coca Cola and Volkswagen.

“We are moving fast to transform our operation in North Asia. I am thrilled with the appointments of Gareth and Nicole on these two very important Groupe roles," Lin-Baden said in a release. "Gareth and Nicole are respected leaders in our network and fully committed to client-centric operation model. Gareth and Nicole will focus on further expanding our offerings in responding to the rising demand for digital, performance marketing and commerce and digital business transformation services.”

Some of Publicis Groupe’s key accounts in Korea and Japan include McDonald, P&G, ABI, BMW, and GSK. In a release, Roe said that with five top ten global brands in Publicis' portfolio in Korea, she's aiming to grow their business with new creativity and efficiency through media. Mulryan added that Japan is an exciting place to be right now and he looks forward to learning from the Japanese culture as he helps grow the business.