SINGAPORE – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) agency Golin has hired Dr. Victor Joseph “VJ” Yamat as Managing Director to lead the firm’s focused and deliberate healthcare pursuits in Asia Pacific. Dr. Yamat assumed his role January 15 and is based in Golin’s regional hub in Singapore, reporting to Neera Chaudhary, Global President of healthcare.
A medical doctor by training, Yamat has 16 years of agency experience across Asia, which covers public relations, medical communications, medical education, advertising, digital marketing, and patient and HCP activation. An IPG returnee, Yamat formerly led McCann Health in the Philippines where he also served as Vice President for McCann Worldgroup. Prior to that, he was the first employee of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group in Greater China, where he served as senior vice president for the agency’s multiple healthcare agencies. He also previously headed Ogilvy Commonhealth Worldwide (then called Ogilvy Healthworld) in Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in the Philippines. Most recently, he was with Havas Health & You for six years as managing director for Asia Pacific.
“Golin has been ramping up its healthcare capabilities globally with key acquisitions and strategic hires,” said Chaudhary. “We are confident that with Dr. VJ’s unique specialist and business credentials, Golin will lead the way towards progressive healthcare public relations and medical education in Asia Pacific.”
“Dr. VJ is a proven business builder and is a terrific addition to the team in Singapore and across the region,” said Tarun Deo, regional MD Singapore & Southeast Asia. “We’re excited about healthcare’s potential and what progressive public relations can deliver for companies in the sector.”
As healthcare and wellness brands continue to evolve their presence in Asia, they are increasing their engagement with agencies for the most seasoned, dedicated and professional talent available.
“For healthcare clients, there is no room for error and inefficiency in such a challenging and dynamic market,” said Yamat. “My discussions with Neera and Tarun show that Golin is in it for the long game and committed to fielding the deepest bench available – providing access to Golin’s g4 model, and ensuring that clients win big, much like Golin’s corporate, consumer and technology clients.”
About Golin
Golin is a progressive public relations agency that aligns earn-first, data-driven creative with the customer journey, to deliver maximum impact for clients and reach a profoundly diverse global market. With 50 offices around the world, more than 1700 employees and more than 60 years of experience, Golin has been named PRWeek Global’s International Agency of the Year; PRmoment’s Large Agency of the Year; PRWeek UK’s Best Agency to Work For; and UK Consultancy of the Year; PRCA’s Large Consultancy of the Year; The Drum’s PR Consultancy of the Year; and a Best Place to Work by The Holmes Report – all since 2014. Golin is a member of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Learn more at golin.com.
