IPG's Matterkind names new APAC chief

Matterkind, an activation intelligence agency under Interpublic Group (IPG), has appointed Matt Ware as the head of Matterkind Asia Pacific. In this newly-created role, Ware (pictured) will drive the adoption of new solutions and development strategies, while ensuring delivery excellence to clients across Asia Pacific and close engagement with agency partners. Ware reports to global CEO of Matterkind Erica Schmidt. 

Ware will also be tasked to help Matterkind continue as a growth engine for IPG in the Asia Pacific region through IPG Open Architecture opportunities. IPG Open Architecture is the network's business model, which ensures that no matter which agency serves as the lead on an account, clients can tap into capabilities across all of IPG’s network to “field the best team” to service that account, according to the press statement. 

Ware was previously the MD for Xaxis in Japan, where he helmed the role for one year and six months, according to his LinkedIn. He was also the head of programmatic for APAC at MediaCom before that for five and a half years. Ware first re-located to Singapore in 2014, when he took up the role of commercial director, APAC at MediaMath. Ware has more than 15 years of industry experience at both agency and vendor companies.

“This is a time when the media industry is undergoing accelerated change. Matterkind, with its technology and data strategy, strong stance on trust and accountability and exceptional talent is uniquely positioned to deliver outstanding value for our clients," Ware said.

Schmidt said Ware brings strong leadership skills, passion for collaborative work and ambition for growth to his new role. These are attributes that will be critical to Matterkind’s global growth success, she added. “With more addressable activation opportunities across the globe, we knew the time was right for us to find key leaders to take our people-first ethical solutions into these international markets,” Schmidt said.

Earlier in October 2020, IPG named Philippe Krakowsky as its new CEO, replacing its previous chairman and CEO Michael Roth. Roth is currently helming the role of executive chairman of the board, where he works closely with Krakowsky and senior company executives on continuing to manage through changes related to COVID-19 and help shape the future of IPG. Under Roth’s leadership, IPG made diversity and inclusion a key aspect of how IPG’s leadership team and individual businesses are graded and introduced ambitious goals to create long-term culture change. Since Roth began implementing IPG’s formal diversity and inclusion programs, the company has seen important shifts in its workforce for people of color and women. 

Separately, IPG Mediabrands also streamlined its branding globally to Mediabrands last year 2020, as part of its brand evolution. In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE then, Mediabrands' spokesperson said it explored a light refresh to its branding materials in order to drive consistency in how it communicates within its network, and across its community of partners.

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