VaynerMedia hires new strategy chief to oversee global offices including SG

VaynerMedia has appointed Wanda Pogue (pictured) as chief strategy officer. In this role, Pogue will oversee strategy across the agency?s global offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and Singapore and report to CEO and co-founder Gary Vaynerchuk.

Pogue was most recently chief strategy officer at Saatchi & Saatchi New York. She brings with her?over 20 years of strategic planning and brand-building experience to her new role. As chief strategy officer at Saatchi & Saatchi New York since 2014, she managed the agency?s roster of clients, including Walmart, Procter & Gamble and United Services Automobile Association (USAA).

Prior to that, she led the strategic vision for brands such as Olay, Tide/Ariel, Head & Shoulders and Trident as global strategy director, to further establish these brands around the world. Pogue first joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 2000 as SVP regional strategy director. She previously had a three year-stint with US-based creative and marketing communications agency Conill Advertising.

According to Vaynerchuk,?it was important to hand-pick someone who had the balance of a classic strategy background and the ability to formulate a strategy of in-market creative that?s relevant for today.

?Pogue is that person. She has a depth of experience and craft which, together with her curiosity and understanding of the new nuances of today?s marketing landscape, will elevate our strategic offering. Plus, she has humility and kindness which are key values at VaynerMedia," he said.

Meanwhile, Pogue said that apart from VaynerMedia's energy and culture,?she shares the agency's ambition to redefine the industry and create a new model that?s not rooted in old paradigms, opinions and vagueness.

Pogue is the latest appointment to VaynerMedia?s global leadership team, following the announcement of Rob Lenois joining the agency as chief creative officer last week. He will be based in VaynerMedia's New York office, and was previously with Grey Group as deputy chief creative officer.

VaynerMedia is also ramping up its presence in Singapore.?Just last month, VaynerMedia Singapore appointed VJ Anand as executive creative director, SVP. In this role, he will oversee the agency?s creative product in the Asia Pacific region, and report to Avery Akkineni, head of VaynerMedia Singapore. Anand was most recently SVP of creative at Indonesia?s first and largest decacorn startup, Gojek. The appointment is the latest hire since VaynerMedia Singapore opened its Asia Pacific operation in July this year.