GLOBAL — Marking its drive to offer digital and tech innovations for clients, DDB Group Asia Pacific has appointed Anthony J James (AJ), to the newly appointed role of Chief Innovation Officer for the network.
Working closely with Tribal Worldwide Asia Pacific, AJ will spearhead the commercial success of innovative digital solutions – from mobile apps to web-ordering-systems to e-stores to interactive retail assets – as well as enhancing client revenue streams and customer engagement.
David Tang, Vice Chairman of DDB Group Asia and President of DDB Group Singapore said, “Increasingly, digital innovation has become a key part of our marketing solutions for clients over the last three years. It has raised our creative excellence for StarHub, Unilever and McDonald’s, including winning Cannes Gold Lions. We are now keen to take these technologies to drive commercial success for more clients across the entire Asia Pacific region. AJ is key to this growth strategy.”
“AJ joins a team of over 40 technologists, a 90-strong digital creative team and an abundance of ‘built-to-reapply’ suite of innovative solutions under DDB i-store. We are focused on the commercial payoffs of digital innovation for our clients. It’s the future of marketing,” added David.
Before joining DDB, AJ was Managing Director of Trinity Consulting Services (TCS), a consultancy working with large and small digital start-ups to go to market and succeed. Prior to TCS, AJ was Group CEO of Sample Central and was also Executive VP and Chief Creative Officer of Creata, one of the world’s largest marketing premiums and promotions agencies. AJ has also worked in management consulting and was Vice President of Marketing for Fujitsu Consulting. He is also considered to be one of the key executives responsible for building and launching the IBM e-business Solutions team globally.
With a career that spans nearly 20 years, AJ has lived and worked in four continents and has extensive experience across many industries including IT, FMCG, banking and finance, sports media & entertainment and travel.
John Zeigler, Chairman and CEO of DDB Group Asia Pacific, India and Japan said, “We have moved from the age of innovation to an age of commercial application where brands are seeking growth in competitive markets. DDB has always been strong at brand growth, but we must now partner our clients in creating exceptional commercial and business growth.
“Our values are grounded in creativity and humanity, as well as innovation and technology — DDB Group Singapore has been our centre of excellence in the region, if not the world. With Singapore as the hub – and with the innovative work we are already creating – AJ will take our tech innovations and turn them into new forms of commercial revenue,” John added.
“I am amazed by the tech innovation depth at DDB. It has been a well-kept secret and carefully-built over the years. With a focus to grow and expand innovations into the other markets, I am confident that we will be able to leverage on these capabilities and turn them into commercial success for our clients and ourselves,” said AJ.
