After expansion into SG, Tug names SEO director for SEA

Global digital marketing agency Tug has appointed Darran Hong (pictured) as the new SEO director across Southeast Asia. Hong joins Tug as SEO director after more than three years as assistant SEO manager at FWD Group. He was also a senior SEO strategist at Performics.

At Tug, Hong is responsible for managing overall SEO for its clients in the SEA region, helping to drive incremental growth in search to maximise return on marketing investment. This includes planning and managing site technical implementations, while also determining the strategic direction of content campaigns in line with business goals and objectives.

Speaking on Hong’s appointment, Soo said: “We have identified new business opportunities in key categories including software, insurance and finance and Darran’s experience in this space will be invaluable as we embark on growing the Tug agency across the region. He is a strategic thinker who understands how to effectively use digital marketing to leverage brands and deliver results for our clients.”

Hong added: “Tug’s proposition is built on using data, media, content and technology to full effect and backed by a global network of specialists. I’m delighted to be joining the team in Singapore as the agency builds its presence by delivering a new approach to performance marketing.”

Tug, which has offices in Sydney, London, Toronto and Berlin, opened its fifth international office in Singapore earlier this month, with former head of Reprise, Karen Soo, appointed to lead the SEA operations. Tug Singapore will cover key SEA markets including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Founded in 2006, Tug is digital performance marketing agency that uses a combination of data, media, content and technology to deliver improved return on investment for brands. Tug has worked with regional clients including Budget Direct (Singapore), Easy Compare (Thailand), Charlton Media Group (Singapore) and WWF.