Dentsu promotes Dick van Motman to global creative CEO, bolsters executive team

Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) has promoted Dick van Motman (pictured) to global CEO, creative, with a remit to develop and grow the creative proposition for Dentsu Aegis Network globally. Van Motman, who was previously the global and Asia Pacific president of Dentsu's creative agencies, will work closely with Gordon Bowen, co-founder and chairman of mcgarrybowen, who steps into the new role of chief creative officer.Bowen will drive the overall quality of Dentsu Aegis’ creative output, drawing on his extensive experience and client network, and will also continue to be mcgarrybowen's chairman. These two key creative roles were added to the executive team to work alongside the current executives across other areas of the marketing lifecycle, including media and performance, CRM and loyalty, as well as customer experience and commerce.Meanwhile, DAN also appointed Nicholas Rey to helm the role of chief network development officer, with a remit to develop and align the organisation around the needs of its clients. It also named So Aoki to the role of chief corporate planning officer, working across the wider executive to define and deliver the strategic direction of the business. These two appointments will focus on driving operational excellence and closer working relationships with Dentsu Inc.All four individuals will report directly to Tim Andree, executive chairman and CEO who succeeded Jerry Buhlmann, and will sit on the Dentsu Aegis Global Executive Committee, effective immediately.Andree said the "important appointments" to the executive team will drive "even greater connection" for the group's clients to the full spread of its capabilities. "Clients want to work with agencies who provide outstanding, consistent services that can be integrated on a global basis and this announcement is an pivotal step to organizing our business around those priorities," he said.He added: “This is an exciting time as we set our direction and evolve our top leadership team to deliver our vision of innovating the way brands are built and helping our clients to win, keep and grow their best customers to drive long-term success.”The appointments come after DAN split its Asia Pacific regional business into three clusters from the original five, with the restructure seeing Susana Tsui, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network China, exiting the agency after taking on the role last year. As a key regional hub, the Singapore business remains separated from the Greater South cluster. Meanwhile, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network SEA Phil Teeman is also said to be exiting the agency, having helmed the role for approximately 11 months after relocating from China.In January this year, DAN restructured its media and performance business in Singapore, splitting it into the Brand Solutions business and One Singapore Media Group. In the meantime, a DAN Client Solutions virtual team sits across all brands to drive best practice.Read also:DAN promotes SEA CEO Dick van Motman, makes slew of senior appointmentsDentsu Aegis Network acquires digital agency Happy Marketer: Behind the dealDentsu Aegis Network names APAC chief growth officer