SINGAPORE – Y&R announced today the immediate appointment of Chris Foster as President, Y&R Asia, to oversee the growth of its business and operations in the region. He will report to Y&R Global President David Patton and be based in Singapore.
Foster joins Y&R after spending nearly two decades at Publicis Groupe companies, most recently serving as President, Global Clients for the Groupe. Previously, Foster held senior leadership positions with Saatchi & Saatchi as Worldwide Chief Operating Officer and Chairman and Regional CEO, Asia Pacific and Greater China. In this role he cultivated business units and managed global client relationships, resulting in significant revenue growth through the region. He has extensive agency experience leading integrated communications for Fortune 500 companies globally.
Foster also served for three years as CEO at Fallon, Minneapolis. A native Canadian, he started his career in Toronto in account roles at Bozell Worldwide, Leo Burnett and FCB working with clients such as Kellogg and Anheuser Busch.
“We are excited to have Chris join Y&R. He’s a dynamic, energising leader and brings extensive client expertise, deep knowledge of the region as well as a strategic global perspective,” said David Patton. “Chris’ success in Asia, as well as his track record of building strong, collaborative teams will be key to building upon our creative and strategic excellence, expanding our business capabilities and helping our clients grow their brands in the region and beyond,” he added.
“I am eager to return to the dynamic markets of Asia, and do so with great excitement and optimism as part of Y&R. The talent and resources of the Y&R network have contributed to Y&R’s reputation for work that is highly strategic, creative and innovative,” said Chris Foster. “Collectively the Asian economies are the strongest in the world at this time, and the enthusiasm for all things digital among consumers means there are enormous growth opportunities for local, regional and global clients. I am looking forward to making an immediate impact and bringing my regional and global experience to bear on our clients’ brands and businesses.”
Foster is a frequent thought leadership contributor. He often speaks at industry events and is interviewed about creative leadership and the consumer markets in Asia. Foster holds a BA in Economics and Philosophy from Western University and is married with three children.
Y&R is one of the leading and most iconic global advertising agencies. United by a global infrastructure and common tools and technology, all our clients have access to people and resources from everywhere in our network. Y&R has 189 offices in 93 countries around the world, with clients that include Bel Brands, Campbell’s Soup Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Dell, Telefonica and Xerox, among many others. Y&R is part of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY).
