Creative chief Farrokh Madon parts ways with Wunderman Thompson SG

Farrokh Madon, chief creative officer of Wunderman Thompson, will be leaving the agency. Confirming the news to Marketing, Madon (pictured) said, “I’m happy with what we’ve achieved over the last few years. We’ve won important regional and local business pitches and created successful brand-building communications.”

He added that one campaign he was particularly proud of during his time at the agency was the recent work for HDB, where the Prime Minister of Singapore shared the films on Facebook and Twitter. “It will remain a highlight which I will cherish forever. It’s now time for a new chapter in which I will help to build brands in a rapidly changing marketing landscape.”

Madon first joined the agency under the J Walter Thompson (JWT) brand in 2017, prior to the merger with Wunderman, as chief creative partner. He then took the role of chief creative officer in August last year. He has over the years held leading creative roles in agencies such as Y&R Singapore (which has now merged with VML and carries the name VMLY&R), along with at McCann Erickson Singapore and BBDO Singapore. First launching his career in Mumbai, Madon has also worked for agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi, Batey, M&C Saatchi and others. He was also previously the global creative lead on SIA and the regional creative director on MasterCard, Gillette and Caltex. 

Meanwhile, Wunderman Thompson added that the agency would like to thank Madon for his creative leadership during his time leading the team. “The teams have created memorable work for clients that are rooted in creativity and innovation, and have been celebrated by clients and the public for their authenticity and sincerity, in particular, the great work created for HDB. We wish him all the best for his next endeavour," said Nimesh Desai, CEO of Wunderman Thompson Singapore. 

Globally, Wunderman Thompson also saw Tamara Ingram stepping down as chairman recently. Ingram’s main focus was global client partnerships, working closely with regional leads across the network. Previously, Ingram was the global chief executive officer of J. Walter Thompson, heading up the agency’s global network of 12,000 employees, across 200 offices in 90 countries. She then helmed the global chairman role after JWT merged with Wunderman in November 2018.

In Singapore the agency recently hired Ben Wightman as the head of data and analytics from Dentsu.  It also hired Rebecca Nadilo as chief strategy officer. She joined from BBDO Singapore’s where she was the head of strategy.