Digitas launches ASEAN Hub in SG, Rika Sharma to take the lead as MD

Digitas has established its ASEAN Hub in Singapore in response to the growing demand of clustered services the agency is witnessing from its existing and new regional clients including Cathay Pacific, Agoda, Tourism New Zealand and Visa.The ASEAN Hub will comprise capabilities such as digital retail innovation, experience design, data and analytics, CRM and technology solutions and leverage scalable resources in India to support its clients’ growth in the region. To service the new Hub, Digitas has promoted managing director Singapore, Rika Sharma, to managing director for ASEAN. She joined the business last July from Ogilvy. Sharma will report to Jane Lin-Baden, managing partner APAC, Publicis Groupe.Sharma said she looks forward to leveraging its diverse capabilities, future-forward talent and its “formidable client portfolio” house in Singapore to create a powerful growth story for Digitas in the ASEAN region. “All the while ensuring that we are driving the marketing transformation agenda and delivering seamless customer experiences for our clients across this sub-region,” she said.Meanwhile, the hub’s leadership team will comprise head of client services ASEAN, Lauren Ahearn (pictured left); head of partnerships ASEAN, Mark Teal (pictured right); and technology director ASEAN, Barry Edwards. Prior to her new role, Ahearn was head of business leadership at Digitas Singapore for more than three years, according to her LinkedIn. Before Digitas, she was with iQNECT, Tribal Worldwide and Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore. Teal was head of business development at Digitas Singapore for over two years and previously worked at Ogilvy and Geometry Global, according to his LinkedIn. In the meantime, Edwards was a technical architect at Digitas Australia before being promoted to his new role. According to his LinkedIn, he has been with Digitas since 2005.Lin-Baden said: “We will execute a hub and spoke strategy, positioning Singapore as the hub and work with offices in ASEAN to fully leverage talents and provide the centres of excellence in the region.”