The Brand Agency Perth has appointed Ali Shabaz as its new executive creative director. Shabaz, who is relocating from Singapore, brings extensive experience leading creative teams across Southeast Asia, having served as chief creative officer at Publicis Group, M&C Saatchi, and Grey Group Singapore. He is a highly awarded creative leader, with multiple Cannes Lions, Effies, and D&AD awards, and has also judged the Cannes Lions three times. Shabaz’s appointment follows a rigorous six-month search and will help elevate the agency’s creative output and client partnerships as part of its growth strategy.
Thinkerbell Melbourne has promoted Jonny Rands to executive creative tinker, recognising his 14 years of multidisciplinary experience in branding, copywriting, art direction, photography, and design. Since joining Thinkerbell three years ago, Rands has brought a well-rounded creative vision shaped by his work at leading UK agencies and The Monkeys in Australia and New Zealand.
Colony Group Australia has appointed seasoned strategist Tracey La Spina as lead strategist across its portfolio, leveraging her 27 years of experience with iconic brands like Disney and McDonald’s. With a strong client-side background, La Spina will drive a fresh, client-first approach to strategy, helping Colony Group strengthen its reputation as a growth-focused agency that bridges consultancy and creative services.
Independent brand experience and engagement agency Banter has appointed Andie Crawford as its first-ever head of PR and social, marking a new phase of fully integrated, high-impact brand engagement. With extensive experience leading consumer PR, influencer strategy, and content marketing-including founding Alt/Shift Sydney-Crawford will drive deeper cultural relevance and engagement for Banter’s clients across physical and digital channels.
Research platform Ideally has appointed Neville Doyle as strategic client partner to lead growth among its Australian enterprise customers. Doyle, a seasoned strategist with over 20 years’ experience working with global brands, will focus on helping clients embed real consumer insights early in innovation to create more effective, insight-driven ideas.
Christopher Daguimol has left his role as head of corporate communications at Zalora Group. Over two phases-as Head of Brand Communications and later Head of Corporate Communications, Daguimol shaped ZALORA’s brand identity, launched key initiatives like the Influencer Programme and TRENDER Report, and strengthened corporate messaging.
Sujatha V Kumar has stepped down as head of marketing for Visa India and South Asia, where she led consumer, retail, and digital marketing initiatives across the region, driving the shift toward cashless payments post-pandemic. With over two decades of experience at major companies like Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Coca-Cola, and Google, Kumar expressed gratitude for her six years at Visa and the opportunity to lead its marketing function.
Grey Malaysia has been appointed as the new brand agency partner for
CelcomDigi, following a competitive review that began in Q3 2024. The agency will lead brand and corporate communications for the telecom giant. Grey joins Growth Ops and M&C Saatchi on the refreshed agency roster, with each agency supporting distinct areas of CelcomDigi’s business.
R3 has appointed
Li Shan Lim as principal consultant for Asia Pacific, where she will lead media advisory and consulting initiatives across the region for both R3 and MediaSense. Lim brings nearly 20 years of experience in media strategy and client leadership, having held senior roles at Publicis Groupe, WPP, and IPG. Over the course of her career, she has partnered with major clients including Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Australia, Singapore Airlines, Nestlé, and NTUC FairPrice. In her new role, she will focus on media agency reviews, operational models, performance management, and audit capabilities.
Team Lewis has been appointed to lead PR and influencer strategy for Shangri-La Group in Australia following a competitive pitch. The remit includes press office management, campaign development, influencer engagement, and media famils, aimed at strengthening the luxury hotel group’s presence in the local market. This win builds on Team Lewis Australia’s recent consumer growth, with new accounts including Stoov, Solotel, and Elecbrakes.
Sojern has been appointed as one of five official global marketing partners for The Ascott Limited following a six-month competitive review. The partnership will see Sojern support Ascott’s digital marketing efforts across its global portfolio of over 980 properties, with a focus on increasing direct bookings and marketing efficiency through its AI-driven platform.
Ooh Media CEO Cathy O’Connor will step down in the second half of 2025 after more than four years leading the company. Both O’Connor and the company's board agree that with the company’s current momentum and a strong leadership team, it is the right time for new leadership to guide the next phase of growth. O’Connor will remain with the company until her departure to ensure a smooth transition, while the board has begun a global search for her successor.