ZenithOptimedia promotes Malcolm Hanlon and Steven Chang

Chang will also oversee ZenithOptimedia's offices of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Hanlon will also represent the ZenithOptimedia's new business development, as well as overseeing senior client relationships. Both Hanlon and Chang will report to Philip Talbot CEO of ZenithOptimedia Asia-Pacific.

The changes are effective from January 2010. 

As part of the China restructure, Derek Kwok, MD of Zenith China, will be promoted to head of Zenith China and Terrence Yung, currently MD of Optimedia China, will head up Optimedia China. Both Kwok and Yung, along with Ada Wong, GM of Hong Kong and Robert Hsieh, CEO ZenithOptimedia Taiwan, will all report directly to Chang.

Commenting on these changes Talbot said: “Steven has been part of our management team for 15 years, and has always played a broader role outside of the Mainland, especially in new business, so I am delighted to be able to promote Steven to this new Greater China role. I know that with his knowledge and insights of our clients business, backed with a strong team who he knows well, Steven can lead ZenithOptimedia to further success.”

He added: “Malcolm has been in China for over three years and has reconfirmed Zenith’s position as a leading media brand in China, and in doing so has developed a strong and capable team. I am delighted that we can reward our success with the promotion of Malcolm to the new role of managing partner – APAC. Now we will be able to use his considerable talents across the region as a whole, whilst maintaining key client contacts in China."

Steven Chang said: "The Chinese community and the media environment in the region have a lot of similarities, but they are at various stages of development that should have good synergy. Greater China also allows a bigger talent pool usage and resource that will benefit clients and staff in the region. It's encouraging to see this region turning into a strong business market.'

Malcolm Hanlon added:  “With APAC being a key driver of global growth for the next decade, there is no more exciting place to live and work. At ZenithOptimedia we continue to go from strength to strength in APAC with our powerful ROI proposition and I look forward to my expanded regional role to further build on our leading market position and help to capitalise on the growth opportunities in APAC.”

Earlier this month, BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, appointed ZenithOptimedia as its media buying and planning agency for the UK and international markets.