OMG Malaysia promotes Kiron Kesav to group-level role, names OMD MD

Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has elevated Kiron Kesav (pictured left), PHD Malaysia's GM, to OMG Malaysia's chief strategy officer. Moving forward, he will guide OMG’s agencies towards pushing forward its strategic planning products, business solutions for clients, and thought leadership and innovations for the network.

According to the agency, Kesav's previous experience of leading PHD Malaysia’s strategy and planning team, as well as marketing for the agency, will greatly contribute to his current role of chief strategy officer. Additionally, his promotion will provide the agency with the expertise needed to serve its clients and create a positive impact for the agency locally and regionally. OMG Malaysia's chief operating officer, Eileen Ooi, will oversee PHD's operations in the interim while the agency hunts for Kesav's replacement. Ooi was previously MD of PHD Malaysia before being promoted to her current role last February.

“Kesav has proven his capabilities by successfully leading PHD Malaysia as general manager of strategy and platforms. I am confident that his well-earned elevation will see him contribute immensely to the success of OMG as a whole,” said Ooi. 

At the same time, OMD Malaysia has appointed Mayank Bhatnagar (pictured right) as its MD, ensuring the continuous growth and momentum of the agency and its client accounts. He was most recently Carat's executive VP for West and South based in Mumbai and has more than 20 years of experience under his belt.

Bhatnaga has managed several blue-chip clients across various markets such as Malaysia, Singapore and India. He previously led Malaysia’s biggest advertiser Nestlé, as well as headed digital trading and investment across Mindshare Malaysia. According to the agency, Bhatnaga’s familiarity with the Malaysian market, in addition to the knowledge and capabilities he has with managing it, makes him an ideal candidate to lead OMD Malaysia towards greater heights. He replaces Anisha Iyer, who moved to Thailand last May to take on the role of chief product officer at Omnicom Media Group. She has since returned to India to lead OMD's operations as CEO.

“Bhatnagar's extensive experience across the industry, along with how well-accustomed he is with the Malaysian market, will be beneficial to continuing the success of OMD Malaysia," Ooi explained. The appointments accentuate OMG's vision to continue strengthening its presence within the region as a media agency powerhouse.

Separately, OMG Malaysia partnered with Google in December last year to enhance the agency's suite of performance marketing capabilities. Through the partnership, OMG Malaysia is said to gain access to Google’s beta tools, elevate its Google marketing platform expertise, and nurture employees’ skills through a series of curated training programs conducted by Google. According to the agency, this was a strategic move that will foster OMG's Malaysia vision to offer top-notch performance marketing campaigns for its clients.

In October last year, Chanel shifted its global media account from WPP to Omnicom Media Group after 21 years. In response to A+M, a Chanel spokesperson said that the brand was particularly impressed by OMG's strategic approach, understanding of the brand, and ability to organise around its requirements. "We thank WPP for their valued counsel over the past two decades supporting our growth," Chanel's spokesperson added. Chanel also confirmed that the appointment is effective January 2022. 

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