Monks MD Joris Knetsch departs after 10 years

Monks managing director Joris Knetsch is exiting the company after over 10 years of service. 

In a statement on LinkedIn, Knetsch (pictured) said he recently left the agency and have decided to take a break. "Looking back, it's hard to believe how much we've accomplished since I moved to Singapore nearly eight years ago to become the region's first managing director. What a ride," said Knetsch. In his years as Monks' managing director, Knetsch has built a team in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Korea and China, according to his statement. 

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Following his departure, Knetsch will be figuring out his next move and will likely return to the advertising world in Southeast Asia. He added that he is open to chat about exciting opportunities or ideas. 

Prior to becoming Monks' managing director, Knetsch was a project director and technical and innovation lead at Amsterdam-based advertising agency Fitzroy.  He also worked at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. in Amsterdam, rising to the ranks of channel manager e-channels where he was responsible for innovating business and technological processes around digital banking, according to his LinkedIn. 

"The previous lead for Southeast Asia was Knetsch who left in August and we wish him well after 10 years at Monks, including establishing the first Singapore office," said a Media.Monks spokesperson when MARKETING-INTERACTIVE reached out. Monks recently named Munas van Boonstra as MD for the Southeast Asia offices after leading the Malaysia office and taking regional operational leadership responsibility since joining in 2022. Prior to Monks, van Boonstra had leadership roles at Publicis Malaysia, MYTV Broadcasting and GroupM.

"Bringing the Southeast Asian perspective to Monks' global portfolio of marketing and technology services allows us to impact clients on a large scale. By combining cultural insights and data-driven media strategies, powered with AI, we strive to lead creative disruption that truly makes a difference. Together with my SEA colleagues, we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that shape our clients' present and future success," said van Boonstra.

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