Publicis Communications names new Malaysia MD

Publicis Groupe has appointed Firzan Mulafer (pictured) as the managing director for Publicis Communications. In this role, Mulafer will be responsible for driving efficiency and effectiveness of the creative hubs under Publicis Communications, namely Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi Arachnid and Publicis Emil.

He will work alongside Publicis Groupe agencies’ senior leaders to integrate specialist capabilities within the client services practice and help clients thrive in the platform world. Mulafer is not new to the Groupe and began his journey with the Publicis Groupe in 2006 by joining Publicis Sri Lanka.

In his latest stint, Mulafer was part of the core team that was instrumental in reinventing Publicis Vietnam for the connected age by offering seamless solutions across the Groupe. Before his Vietnam assignment, Mulafer was the regional engagement planning director for P&G based in Leo Burnett Bangkok, looking after five critical markets across ASEAN.

Neil Hudspeth, CEO of Publicis Groupe Malaysia and global client lead asia pacific, Publics Groupe, said, “We are delighted to have Mulafer join our team. Time and again, Mulafer has demonstrated outstanding business and client leadership across key markets in the region, such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. I have worked with Mulafer for many years as he’s moved, and with his strong track record in the South Asian and Southeast Asian markets and his diverse skills, we believe his appointment will help me to better implement strategies and approaches to drive end-to-end customer experiences for our clients.”

“I am thrilled to be working with the best minds in the industry and can’t wait to level up our offering for our key clients by implementing customer-centric solutions and strategies, ensuring excellence at the centre,” said Mulafer.

In January this year, long-time Publicis Groupe Malaysia CEO Tan Kien Eng left the role to join Dentsu. Replacing him was Hudspeth (pictured right) who is a native Malaysian by birth and has lived in Asia for over thirty years. His career includes owning and leading digital transformation, brand and Integrated creative agencies across four continents.

During his time in the industry, Hudspeth established London-based digital brand consultancy, Netcomms UK, and was CDO for Publicis One Asia Pacific, and latterly the chief experience officer for Publicis Groupe in Japan, which also included leading MSL Japan. In 2013, Hudspeth took on the global client leader role for McDonald's across Asia Pacific covering 11 markets, and in 2018, he also added Nestlé Asia to his portfolio of responsibilities.