Vacant Y&R China CEO position filled after almost two years

Y&R has promoted Annie Boo to chief executive officer for its China operations, covering its offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

Charles Sampson, who had a larger remit as Greater China CEO, left the agency in 2015.

Boo became the agency's youngest leader when she was named managing director of Y&R Shanghai in April 2015, managing clients like Danone Water, Gap and Burger King. She will work alongside Ong Kien Hoe, who was named national executive creative director in December.

Having started her career as an account person at Saatchi & Saatchi Malaysia on the Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) account, Boo moved rapidly up the ranks to become the regional account lead for Tiger Beer, led out of Y&R's Malaysia office. 

“[Boo] is renowned for her passion and bravery, as someone who will always fight for what the agency believes in," Y&R’s Global President David Patton said. "She has ably demonstrated her leadership qualities at Y&R Shanghai which, both creatively and revenue-wise, has been growing strongly."