THE PHILIPPINES, OCTOBER 4, 2011: DDB Philippines has confirmed the change of leadership at its media arm, Touch DDB. DDB Group Philippines Managing Director and COO Timmy Jayme announced the appointment of Antonio R. Samson as Chairman and CEO of Touch DDB, which now includes the former DDB Media. Around the same time as Samson’s appointment in late August, Percival S. Mijares, was appointed as chairman of DDB’s Finance, Compensation, and IT Committee, signalling leadership changes within the group.
Samson has been active at DDB since 2003, taken on various positions, including Chief Business Strategist and Director for Corporate Governance. He was also CEO of OMD Philippines from 2004 to 2007 and served as the spokesperson of DDB Cares’ Ako Mismo campaign.
Samson is remembered for his stint at PLDT, which lasted for over 20 years. He retired from the telco as Executive Vice President in 2003 and consequently took on the role of President and CEO of MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. Samson graduated with a degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University, MBA from the Asian Institute of Management and a Masters degree in Business Economics from the the Center for Research and Communication (now University of the Asia & the Pacific). He is a director of Vantage Equities Inc. and a columnist for BusinessWorld.
Word circulated about the resignation of a number of Touch DDB employees in August, headed by managing director Dimples Cruz, but Cruz was overseas and unavailable for comment.
Said Samson: "The departure of a group of executives and staff from Touch DDB is a voluntary move on their part. Touch DDB expects to continue servicing the existing core clients of the agency without any disruption. The departing executives have graciously cooperated to ensure a smooth turnover of their duties to the newly appointed group."
The agency will announce more new appointments shortly.
