Grey Hong Kong names Duffy Lau GM, makes slew of promotions

WPP owned Grey Hong Kong has made four new appointments. Duffy Lau, business partner and director of Integration, has been named general manager, Grey Hong Kong. Lau joined Grey in 2014 as an associate account director and has worked closely with multiple client brands and played an instrumental role in leading the new business growth, especially in China. He has also successfully added several new brands on to the Grey Hong Kong roster including Pantene, Olay, Whisper, Tampax, Braun, Gillette, Downy and Tide.

“Lau is a game-changer with entrepreneurial leadership skills and a vision for business growth both for our clients and for our Studio.   I have great confidence that along with our strong management team, we will reach even greater heights,” said Adam O’Conor, CEO, Grey Group Hong Kong / chief client officer, Grey Group AMEA.

Lau said, “I am happy to take on this new challenge, especially at a place I call home (Grey HK). I truly believe in change and whenever there is a challenge, there is a new opportunity for us to grow better and stronger. Together with Adam and our leadership team, I am confident we can leverage on our talent and capabilities and take the studio to the next level.”

Owen Smith, head of strategy, is taking up his new role as chief strategy officer. Smith joined Grey in 2017 as head of strategy and has since built up a team that has consistently driven famously effective work, brought thought leadership to Grey clients and raised the profile and the value of the group’s strategic capabilities. With his breadth of local and global responsibilities, he has provided valuable strategic contributions helping to fuel growth for Grey HK’s key clients (such as - HSBC, HKTB and P&G) across the region.

Winky To, business partner of HSBC team, is promoted to regional business partner. To joined GREY Shanghai in 2014 as business director working on the Volvo and HSBC accounts, before moving to Grey Hong Kong as business partner, leading the HSBC team. She has been credited with deepening the agency’s relationship from B2B to now include branding, insurance, and asset management. Her latest branding campaign for HSBC HK “The Story Continues” has won multiple awards and garnered widespread creative recognition.

Desmond Li, business partner of Hong Kong Tourism Board team, takes on new responsibilities as regional business partner. Li joined Grey HK in 2017 as a senior account director working with the P&G Downy and Whisper team. He later transitioned to lead both the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Marriott International teams as his key anchor clients. Li expanded the Hong Kong Tourism Board scope organically from brand marketing to trade marketing, MICE, and Events while also rapidly growing Grey HK’s footprint of Marriott’s APAC disciplines. In his new elevated role, Li will continue to grow and expand Grey HK’s travel and hospitality sector across the APAC and GC regions.

O’Conor said: “There is nothing more satisfying than promoting talent from within to key leadership roles.  Personal growth should be as much a focus for an agency as commercial growth, and these four promotions underscore that loyalty, curiosity and a passion for our clients will always be the key to success for people of Grey.”