5 SG job changes that got the industry watching

A marketer’s job is never easy – and it is never done. Over the years, a CMOs role has expanded far beyond just marketing to encompass data, technology, talent management, experience and so much more. The job certainly isn't easy and as such CMO tenures have been getting shorter. 

Last year, according to SpencerStuart, the average CMO tenure in 2021 was down to 40 months. This year, in the MARKETING-INTERACTIVE newsroom, we saw several notable people movements. Being in a rather people-centric industry, we certainly saw our audience watching the moves closely.

Here’s a list of the top job moves of the year.

1. Mandai Widlife Group changes up CMO

Mandai Wildlife Group has named Jean Choi its chief sales and marketing officer as Irene Lin leaves to join Marina Bay Sands as SVP and CMO, resort marketing. Lin joined Mandai Wildlife Group, previously known as Wildlife Reserves Singapore, in 2020 from Shangri-La Group. 

Choi reports to deputy CEO and chief commercial officer Benjamin Tan. She is responsible for the design, planning, and implementation of all sales, and marketing activities, developing new immersive paid experiences, international market development, as well as optimisation of outcomes. 

2. DBS hires new VP of marketing for consumer banking

Ng Yihang took on a new role with DBS as VP marketing of consumer banking. Ng was previously head of marketing and communications at The Learning Lab. As the head of the marketing department at The Learning Lab, he spearheaded the company’s branding, customer acquisition, and communications efforts.

Before joining The Learning Lab, Ng held roles in marketing and strategic projects with ecommerce retailer, Zalora. Earlier in his career, Ng served as an Intelligence Officer with the Singapore Armed Forces for several years.

3. Singapore Airlines’ KrisShop names new CEO

KrisShop, the omnichannel retailer and inflight duty-free shop of Singapore Airlines, appointed Jason Lee as CEO.

In his new role, Lee (pictured below) leads the overall business strategy and organisational management of KrisShop. With over a decade of experience in retail digitalisation and eCommerce across various markets in Asia, he is responsible for driving the continued growth of the company’s flagship eCommerce platform, KrisShop.com, and steering innovation of its inflight offerings in the post-pandemic era of travel.

Prior to KrisShop, Lee held senior roles with recognisable companies such as eBay. He was most recently the group chief digital officer at Wing Tai Holdings where he oversaw the overall group’s digital transformation and led its online retail business.

4. UNIQLO marketing director Joyce Tan steps down

Joyce Tan stepped down as UNIQLO Singapore's marketing director. She (pictured below) joined the team in 2020 from Pizza Hut where she led marketing for Singapore. As UNIQLO Singapore's marketing director, Tan is in charge of the overall management and leadership of the marketing and communications department.

Tan has more than 20 years of experience in brand management, product innovation and omnichannel retail marketing. Aside from UNIQLO and Pizza Hut, Tan has also worked at Yum! Brands, The Body Shop, Kimberly-Clark, Levi Strauss & Co., Diageo, and Coca-Cola. UNIQLO declined to comment on MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's queries.

5. DDB SG names Jeff Cheong CEO

DDB appointed Jeff Cheong as chief executive officer for its Singapore office, effective 1 January 2022. As part of its succession plan, Cheong (pictured below) will take over the Singapore office CEO role from David Tang, DDB Asia CEO who will also assume the role of chairman for the agency group.

Over the past 15 years, Cheong has worked side-by-side with Tang and vice chairman Neil Johnson to grow DDB into Singapore’s leading agency group. Cheong joined DDB in 2008 as managing director and executive creative director of Tribal Worldwide Singapore. Under his creative leadership, he has shaped Tribal into an award-winning digital agency.

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