72andSunny SG makes 3 new hires amidst exit of APAC CEO Chris Kay

Chris Kay (pictured), 72andSunny's APAC CEO and partner, is leaving the agency and relocating to the UK approximately eight years after he joined in 2013 as partner and MD in Los Angeles. He is joining Saatchi & Saatchi London as CEO, replacing Sam Hawkey. Hawkey has been with the agency for nine years and was promoted to CEO in 2020 after working his way up from the account manager position.

Kay (pictured) moved to Sydney to take on the role of 72andSunny's CEO and partner of APAC in 2017, his LinkedIn said. Prior to that, he was with BMG Advertising for more than two years as managing partner and Fallon London for about seven years, last helming the role of head of account management and partner of Happen. Kay also has experience on the brand side, having worked as Manchester City Football Club's head of marketing for more than two years, his LinkedIn said.

Magnus Djaba, global president of Saatchi & Saatchi and CEO of the creative practice for Publicis Groupe UK, said: "I was once told talent is something you don’t own, you borrow. So, you must nurture it and when the time comes for it to go, you must ensure you return it in a better place than when you received it. I feel we have done that with Hawkey. I’m proud and excited for him to take his next step."

Key said he is returning to the UK for the job and not the move. "Even the weather couldn’t stop me jumping at the opportunity to help steer the next 50 years for this iconic agency. I can’t wait to get stuck in with the team, our client partners, and collaborators, to make creative work that shapes culture, represents Britain today, and keeps the Saatchi & Saatchi name synonymous with pushing our industry forward." he added.

Meanwhile, 72andSunny's global CEO,Evin Shutt, told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE:"As a creative and strategically led company, we are confident our leadership in the region between Johnny Tan, ECD APAC; Ida Siow, president and executive strategy director Singapore; as well Ross Berthussine, executive strategy director, and Luke Martin, head of product in Sydney, will continue our momentum."

Amidst news of Kay's departure, 72andSunny's Singapore operations remain unaffected. In fact, the agency has bolstered its team with three new hires - art director Iris Teoh (pictured below left), writer Yasira Yusoff (pictured below centre) and brand coordinator Vanessa Chua (pictured below right). Teoh and Yasira were a creative team previously at Arcade and Digitas, working across brands such as Coca-Cola, HSBC, and Mercedes-Benz.

Siow, who was promoted to the role of president in February this year, said it has hit the ground running this year with an exciting portfolio of partners and work to come. "We could not be more pleased to have this dynamic trio join the 72 family. Meanwhile, Tan said: "Teoh and Yasira are the next generation of fresh thinkers and cool tinkerers. Welcome!" 72andSunny is present in Singapore, Sydney, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and New York.

The appointments follow a recent string of new business wins - OPPO global, Diageo Johnnie Walker, Carousell, and Tillamook. The agency currently works with OPPO to grow and help build the brand in key markets worldwide, and the appointment came after a pitch with multiple agencies across Asia and Europe.

The appointment for Diageo Johnnie Walker came in March covering key Southeast Asian markets. Duties include planning and creation of key regional campaigns and calendar moments across the year into 2022. Meanwhile, 72andSunny has been working with Carousell since 2019 when it was first appointed to launch the company's first-ever brand campaign. In March, the agency was named Carousell's creative partner for 2021 to lead cross-market campaigns and activations. 72andSunny was awarded without a pitch and is a continuation of the ongoing relationship between Carousell and 72andSunny.

The agency is also helping Tillamook, an American dairy brand, expand into Singapore which is also its first overseas market. The job scope covers integrated campaign work to drive brand awareness and preference across its portfolio of ice cream and cheese products, and is also to the end of this year.

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