THE PHILIPPINES, JUNE 6, 2012: Following the departure of Hermie “Mother” de Leon for Havas Media Ortega, Omnicom Media Group appointed freelance business and marketing expert Nicanor Gabunada Jr. as chief executive officer effective immediately. Gabunada will be responsible for driving the growth and success of OMD, PHD and M2M – media specialist brands under Omnicom Media Group – across the country and will report to Barry Cupples, CEO of Omnicom Media Group, Asia Pacific.
Gabunada has over two decades of experience in broadcast/cable/mobile media management, sales and marketing, business development, research and business analysis, and public relations and has earned a reputation of being a strategic thinker and a team builder. Prior to freelancing, Gabunada was the head of ABS-CBN Corporation’s research and business analysis department head, and was consequently promoted to senior vice president for integrated sales and marketing, a position he held for over 8 years.
Also part of his diverse career are stints as general manager of the Pulse Research Group (now Nielsen Philippines) and an economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Cupples said of Gabunada’s appointment: “He is a rare talent with strengths and accomplishments in a wide range of disciplines. A natural leader with sharp business acumen, knack for producing results, and comprehensive knowledge of the market, (he) is the perfect candidate to lead Omnicom Media Group in the Philippines to ensure we continue to deliver our objective of being the very best we can be across all of our operations.”
“It’s a challenging role, one that was strong enough to convince me to go back to corporate world in full steam,” said Gabunada. “I look forward to pushing the boundaries of success and ensuring that each of Omnicom Media Group’s brands wins in the market. Team Omnicom Media Group Philippines will work towards becoming the best in the industry – ahead of the curve when it comes to client servicing, strategic thinking, insights, tools, and talent,” he added.
