SHANGHAI – McCann Worldgroup Greater China has announced the promotion of two executives to the position of joint CEOs, uniting the creative, strategy and digital leadership expertise of McCann China and MRM//McCann China.
The leadership change elevates Ronald Sun, current Vice President, McCann China, and Mike Zeng, current Managing Director of MRM//McCann China and Vice President of McCann China, to the position of joint CEOs. Together they will lead McCann Worldgroup China, a previous holder of Campaign’s Greater China Agency of the Year title. The agency includes more than 800 people working across multiple communications disciplines in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.
Ronald Sun and Mike Zeng will succeed Jesse Lin, current CEO, who will be leaving the network after five years at the helm, to spend more time with his family. He departs at the end of the year, to ensure a smooth transition period.
Harris Diamond, Chairman and CEO of McCann Worldgroup, said, “Jesse approached us several months ago and indicated that he would be leaving McCann at the end of 2017 in order to spend more time with his family. I would like to personally thank Jesse and his team in China for the phenomenal job they have done in building our creative and multidiscipline capabilities that have attracted both leading clients and top talent to our agency. I am confident that Ronald and Mike will continue Jesse’s initiatives in ensuring that we continue to deliver multiplatform strategic creativity to help drive our clients’ growth.”
Prior to joining McCann, Ronald Sun held senior positions both on the client and agency side. In addition to having worked at creative agencies such as Bates, DDB, FCB & Ogilvy, he also served as National Marketing Director of Heineken in China for three years, where his leadership propelled the brand’s success to the top two position in the super premium category. He joined McCann Worldgroup to lead the General Motors business in China, and was promoted to VP of McCann China this year.
Mike Zeng has a long history within McCann Worldgroup, having previously been head of digital at UM China, McCann Worldgroup’s media capability, before joining MRM//McCann in 2012. He has been recognized several times in Campaign’s China Digital A-List ranking, and also previously worked at the digital agency Tribal DDB in Shanghai.
“Jesse has led the network in China from strength to strength, and we thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best,” said Charles Cadell, President, McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific. “Both Ronald and Mike are very talented Chinese leaders, with many years’ experience in the industry. With the strong digital credentials of Mike, combined with the creative and strategic experience of Ronald, they will be able to drive an agency that is at once creatively and strategically led, but has digital at its core.”
“It’s been a difficult decision to step away from McCann, but I know I’ll be leaving the network in safe hands and have every confidence in the team, who will continue to do amazing work for our great clients,” commented Jesse Lin.
