Cheng will report to Mark Patterson, GroupM's Asia-Pacific CEO, and will take sole charge of all strategic, operational and P&L responsibilities, working with agency leaders and his core management team, according to the company.
In addition, Kelly Huang, general manager of MEC Taiwan since Barry Chang's departure in April last year, will be promoted to managing director, and Amber Chung, Interaction general manager of MEC Taiwan, will be promoted to Head of GroupM Interaction.
As chairwoman, Yu will act as strategic support and counsel to Cheng and will also report to Patterson. Yu will also develop longer-term growth initiatives, according to the agency group.
Cheng has been with MEC since 2004 as managing director and the company credits him with diversifying MEC's capabilities and services significantly while helping deliver several regional and international awards, including Cannes Lions and Agency of the Year.
“It is safe to say that without Vince, MEC would not be the top media agency in Taiwan today," said Stephen Li, CEO of MEC Asia Pacific. "His leadership, client-centricity and charisma have been the cornerstone of who we are and how we behave as an agency."
Added Patterson, “We have had a great run under Sandra’s stewardship over the last eight years, but it is now time to reallocate roles and responsibilities and to tap the strengths and potential of Vince and Sandra in different ways."
Huang has worked for MEC for more than seven years in Taiwan and Shanghai, and also served as marketing director at Youku. Huang "epitomises" the new generation of MEC leadership: "young, dynamic, media-neutral and passionate about success" for MEC and its clients, Li said.
Chung possesses a broad view including traditional media and more than 15 years of digital experience, Cheng said, adding that she will lead the whole group’s digital direction and product development, including search, online video, mobile, e-commerce, social, and online measurement tools.