4As Malaysia forms new council, 5 major agencies depart

The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) recently held its 17th Biennial General Meeting, with an election to determine its council office bearers who will serve the not-for-profit industry body for two years. Last week, A+M reported that 4As Malaysia elected Tan Kien Eng (pictured left) as its new president, and Kristian Lee (pictured right) as its new vice president for a two-year term ending March 2027. They succeed the roles from Ryusuke Oda, who was the acting president and vice president for the previous term.

Oda was previously the country manager and MD of Hakuhodo Malaysia, but has since moved on to a CMO role at Himaraya Japan. Tan is currently the chairman of McCann Erickson Malaysia, while Lee is the group executive director of Naga DDB Tribal.

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According to a 4As press release sighted by A+M, the association announced that five major Malaysian agencies have resigned from its council. They are Grey Worldwide, Fishermen Integrated, M&C Saatchi Malaysia, Havas Malaysia, and TBWA Kuala Lumpur. Based on the body's website, these council members were Irene Wong from Grey, Joyce Gan from Fishermen Integrated, Nisha Devina Roy from M&C Saatchi Malaysia, Nizwani Shahar from Havas, and Yee Hui Tsin from TBWA\KL. 

The 4As said the resignations was followed by the induction of council members from Dentsu Malaysia, Ellipsis Asia, Monster Interactive, Oxygen Advertising and Shinajii. These agencies were previously part of the council in the last two-year term, represented by Milan Agnihotri, Jasmin Omar Jayaseelan, Johnny Mun, and Adrian Loh respectively.

It added that a further five member agencies were appointed by the new president, Tan Kieng Eng, or invited by the council to fill the vacancies. They are DIA Brand Consultants, Vivaki Malaysia, Hakuhodo Malaysia, Mantra Communications, and Star Reacher Advertising.

When reached out to by A+M, 4As said that as council members are made up of the appointed and invited agencies, it is up to the agencies themselves to select its representatives, and alternate.

“Together with the newly elected 4As committee, we will be leading the 4As to continue playing a key role in supporting the growth of 4As members. To do so, we will be updating key initiatives especially around talent development, be the catalyst to uplift the creative output of agencies to reflect global standards, adapt to the advent of AI, platforms and organizing mutually beneficial networking sessions for 4As members," said Tan, the new president of 4As Malaysia.

He also added that the association looks forward to accepting new members from diverse creative fields, small and large, local and multinational, joining the 4As to benefit from what 4As can offer to elevate members and the industry. 

“I want Malaysians to know that the creative industry is an exciting, important, and powerful industry to be in. What this industry produces can change people’s behavior, build the economy, shape our country, and even influence a better world,” said Tan.

“I strongly believe that the 4A's has an even more vital role than ever before with regards to revitalizing, growing and protecting the industry that we love, and that the positive impact of the association must be felt by all our member agencies regardless of their size or scale,” said Lee, the new VP.

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