IPG Mediabrands names new APAC chief strategy officer

IPG Mediabrands has appointed Kumar Kanagasabapathy (pictured) as its chief strategy officer for the Asia Pacific region, effective immediately. He will report to Leigh Terry, CEO of IPG Mediabrands APAC, and will be based in the IPG Mediabrands APAC RHQ in Singapore. 

Kanagasabapathy brings over two decades of experience leading cross-functional teams across major industry verticals to his new role. Previously, he served as global chief strategy officer at Rufus, an IPG Mediabrands network agency, where he played a key role in establishing the strategic craft and framework for the global Amazon business. 

He was also a senior partner and strategy lead for adidas at MediaCom, VP of strategy at Horizon Media, and partner, director of communications planning at Maxus. 

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Throughout his career, Kanagasabapathy has worked with brands such as Target, NBCUniversal and Disney where he blended data-driven insights with creative flair and ingenuity to develop innovative strategic solutions. 

“Kanagasabapathy’s exceptional strategic expertise and proven track record of success make him the ideal leader to drive our strategic vision forward in the APAC region,” said Terry.

“His deep understanding of the evolving media landscape, coupled with his ability to inspire and empower teams, will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of the dynamic Asia Pacific markets," added Terry. 

In tandem, Kanagasabapathy said he is thrilled to join the IPG Mediabrands APAC team and contribute to the agency's continued growth and success in the region. "I’m passionate about partnering with clients to craft innovative, results-driven solutions. I believe that the future of media lies in challenging long-held fundamentals, embracing bold experimentation, and forging deeper, more meaningful connections between brands and consumers. Nowhere is this transformation more dynamic than in APAC, and I’m excited to be part of this journey," he added. 

Kanagasabapathy's appointment comes after the agency appointed James Hawkins in the newly created role of chief client officer in January this year. 

In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Terry said: "IPG Mediabrands remain focused on delivering innovative and exceptional client experiences in a rapidly evolving media landscape. We are excited to deploy Hawkins’ in-depth knowledge and transformative experience across the Asia-Pacific region.”

Hawkins is an industry leader with two decades of experience across both media and creative agencies. Most recently, he was the CEO of PHD Asia Pacific where he helmed the role for six years. At PHD Asia Pacific, Hawkins was tasked with channeling the agency's upward momentum in the region and taking the agency's future-facing offering to the next level, he told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE in April last year.

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