Iris poaches MD from Bates 141

Singapore - Iris Singapore has appointed Bates 141's general manager of activation Craig Mapleston as its managing director, stepping up its expansion strategy in Asia Pacific.

Bates 141 GM Advertising, Edward Pank, is now GM across all businesses.

Mapleston takes over from Dan Saxby, who has been promoted to global client director for the agency's long-standing client Sony Ericsson.

This hire is keeping with the slew of high-profile appointments this year by Iris, including Richard Bleasdale as regional CEO for Asia Pacific, board directors Andrew Dowling and Chris Martell and most recently Tom Ormes, who joined as joint creative director for Iris Singapore from Y&R.

With nearly two decades of experience in integrated communications, having worked with clients such as Nokia, Heineken and Sony, Mapleston will be charged with leading the agency and growing its clientèle.

"Iris is growing at an incredible rate and I am very excited to have the chance to contribute to that growth," Mapleston said.