Following a wave of new business wins for the agency, PHD China has further expanded its senior management team, announcing two key hires for its Beijing office: Susan Suo joins as General Manager for global business and Jim Lerch as Managing Partner for Volkswagen.
Suo will be charged with leading up a new global media management team based in Beijing for outbound international clients. Suo brings over 18 years of experience in strategic media communications, having previously held senior positions at Zenith Media, OMD, GroupM and Samsung Electronics. Her experience stretches across various industries including FMCG, IT, telco and Pharmaceuticals with previous clients including Nestle, Xi’an Johnson, Nokia, Siemens, LG and Intel.
Meanwhile, Lerch will be leading the VW China brand team, a VW Group initiative in Beijing, collaborating with partner agencies and working on integrated solutions. Lerch brings over 15 years of experience in multinational ad agencies, Chinese corporations, start-ups, emerging tech, government and international organizations. Prior to PHD, Lerch served as General Manager – China for London-based ad-tech company Mirriad, where he successfully launched new integrated content solutions. He also possesses experience working on auto brands in China, including Ford, Skoda, and auto-financing app Tangeche.
Commenting on the hires, PHD China CEO, Anna Chitty, said: “This is an exciting time of growth for PHD China. Both Susan and Jim, who very much match PHD’s culture, bring unique perspectives to our fast-growing Beijing business and I’m excited to see what we will achieve together.”
Suo and Lerch will report into Chitty, with both appointments taking effect immediately.
About PHD:
PHD is known globally as an innovator in communications planning and buying across broadcast, print, digital, mobile, social and emerging media. Founded in London in 1990, PHD has over 6,000 staff working in over 90 offices worldwide. Built on a culture of thought leadership, innovation and creativity, with a philosophy of “Finding a Better Way”, PHD is a fast-growing media and communication agency network and was named Media Network of the Year 2018 by Cristal and Eurobest.
Launched in 2006, PHD China has been consistently named a Greater China Media Agency of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018 by Campaign magazine, as well as APAC Media Agency of the Year at the Mumbrella Asia Awards 2017 and 2018.
The PHD network is part of the Omnicom Media Group (www.omnicommediagroup.com), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC)
About Omnicom Media Group:
Omnicom Media Group is the media services division of Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE: OMC), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
Omnicom Media Group is made up of several media specialist companies, including OMD, a media communications specialist renowned for helping brands move faster, reach further and take smarter risks, and PHD, a leading media services company widely recognized for its pioneering thought leadership and innovative work.
