DDB Group Singapore names managing partner

DDB Group Singapore has promoted Neel Chhaya (pictured) to the role of managing partner. He joins the leadership team and will spearhead the agency's ambitious growth agency. Chhaya will also offer support to the CEO of DDB Group Singapore Jeff Cheong, who stepped into his role in January. In his role, Chhaya will also focus on expanding collaboration and synchronising efforts with offices from across the network on global accounts.

"I look forward to harnessing our talent, entrepreneurial spirit, tech expertise, and track record as one of the top agencies in Singapore to deliver world-class creative work for our thriving roster of clients," Chhaya said.

He was most recently group business director and joined the team in 2016 as business director, Asia Pacific, according to his LinkedIn. Chhaya has steered key business partnerships in the Singapore office over the past six years. They include Exxon, MAS, GIC, National Environment Agency, Samsonite, and Unilever. According to the agency, he has a 15-year track record in business management globally and worked with some of the most admired brands in the world, including Credit Suisse, Standard Chartered, Chevrolet, Nissan, Coca-Cola, Kimberly Clark and Intel. Before joining DDB, Chhaya spent time at McCann Worldgroup, The Bonsey Design Partnership, and OgilvyOneWorldwide.

Cheong described Chhaya to be a homegrown talent with exceptional business acumen. "Following several new business wins, it’s easy to see his undeniable impact at the agency. Together with group MD Joshua Lee and group chief operating officer Leslie Goh, I expect to see our growth agenda strengthen with more unexpected work," he added.

Meanwhile, Cheong has worked alongside Asia chairman David 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

With the strategic hires made over the years in DDB, the agency also took home top honours at MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's MARKies Awards 2022 earlier this year, claiming the coveted title of “Overall Creative Ideas MARKie” for the fifth consecutive year by winning three gold, three silver and one bronze trophies.

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