NEW YORK – January 14, 2014 —The posting of senior executives to different regions around the world is a cornerstone of Wunderman’s talent management strategy. Its express purpose is to harness individual talent and knowledge for clients, while simultaneously expanding the person’s abilities, Wunderman said in a press release. In keeping with that commitment, Wunderman chairman & CEO Daniel Morel has announced moves that benefit clients, agency and talent alike.
Martin Conneen takes the reins as regional president, Wunderman Asia Pacific, from Stephane Faggianelli, who has served as regional president since 2006. In a parallel move, Faggianelli is tapped to serve as regional president, Wunderman Europe/Middle East & Africa (EMEA). The moves are effective immediately, with both reporting to Morel. In addition, Conneen joins the Wunderman Executive Board; Faggianelli is already a member.
Conneen returns to Asia
Conneen will oversee Wunderman’s efforts throughout the Asia Pacific region’s 14 countries, including Australia. He is no stranger to Asia, having joined Wunderman in 2006 to form Wunderman International in Tokyo to serve the Microsoft business in Japan. Most recently, Conneen served as chief operating officer of Wunderman’s Brand Experience division and previously managing director, global client lead, Team Nokia.
Conneen will be based in Singapore and is supported by Krishnan Menon, chief client officer, Wunderman Asia Pacific; Nimesh Desai, managing director, Wunderman Southeast Asia; and Michel Mommejat, managing director, AdPeople Asia Pacific. Each was recently promoted by Faggianelli.
Faggianelli to lead Wunderman EMEA region
< src="/global//UserFiles/2014 Stephane Faggianelli. " width="200" height="267" hspace="5" align="right" alt="" />French by birth, Faggianelli returns to Europe after spending twelve years in Asia. At Wunderman he built the network across the region, drove its digital transformation and developed key accounts including Microsoft, Nokia, Land Rover and P&G, among others. Faggianelli was instrumental in aligning acquisitions like AGENDA, Bienalto and Comwerks with Wunderman’s global network, providing clients with best-in-class data and digital assets. He will be based in London.
During Faggianelli’s tenure, the Asia Pacific region achieved dramatic growth, expanding more than six times in size and strength with 42 offices across Wunderman, AGENDA and AdPeople Worldwide. Key to this success is a commitment to providing clients with leading data and digital solutions, and the skills and experience that make clients place their trust in us. Faggianelli will bring the same focus to his role in EMEA.
Thoughts on the moves
Commenting on the moves, Morel said, “Martin and Stephane have both demonstrated commitment to their clients and great loyalty to Wunderman. Stephane is an expert on building brands with a distinguished history of providing clients with creative solutions. His efforts are only matched by Martin’s commitment to organize teams to deliver in today’s increasingly complex data and digital landscape.”
“In Asia, we’ve assembled a formidable team of leading creative, digital and data experts throughout the region. Together we’ll push the boundaries for our clients. I am very excited to have the opportunity to return to the region and join them,” said Conneen.
Faggianelli added, “I am extremely proud of our outstanding achievements in Asia Pacific and I would like to thank all those who have contributed to our success in the past years. We are now one of the largest digital networks and have a very strong team in place to continue our developments. I look forward to moving to my new role and working with the EMEA teams to achieve similar success and expansion.”
