SINGAPORE – Global social media agency We Are Social has bolstered its senior management team in Asia by appointing Don Anderson as managing director in its Singapore operation, and Tuck Wai Yue and Julien Carsenti as business director and group account director respectively. Simon Kemp, formerly managing director of We Are Social in Singapore, moves into the role of regional managing partner, Asia.
Anderson joins from FleishmanHillard, where he was SVP, regional strategic digital integration. He will focus on extending the successful relationships the agency has built with its current clients, as well as converting new opportunities with global and regional clients around Asia.
Anderson has a wealth of experience working with brands in Asia. Prior to FleishmanHillard, he was a director at ESPN Star Sports, where he was responsible for driving integrated ad sales. He also worked at CNN as a director, and was a senior business manager, Interactive Media for Time/Warner company Turner, specifically focused on the Cartoon Network.
As regional managing partner, Simon Kemp will lead We Are Social’s activities across Asia with a focus on developing new products, services and relationships to help the agency make the most of opportunities in the region. His move reflects We Are Social’s increasing remit with regional clients, and comes on the back of new engagements in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong.
Kemp has been managing director of We Are Social in Singapore since its inception in September 2011. The office now has a team of 30 and a client portfolio that includes Lenovo and Intel. In his new role, he will continue to report into Robin Grant and Nathan McDonald, We Are Social’s co-founders.
Tuck Wai Yue joins We Are Social from his previous position as general manager at digital creative agency Nokomai, and will lead the agency’s global client Lenovo along with a number of other accounts. He has been managing businesses in Asia for a number of years; prior to his time at Nokomai Singapore, he held senior roles in PCCW in Hong Kong and SilkRoute Ventures in Singapore.
Julien Carsenti joins from Why? Brand Design, where he was client business director. Before Why?, he was a global account director with eYeka, one of the world’s top crowdsourcing agencies, based in Singapore. Carsenti will manage the We Are Social’s APAC relationship with Intel, among others.
Simon Kemp, regional managing partner, Asia, We Are Social said: “With accelerating growth within our existing client base, Don is the ideal person to take on the role of managing director in Singapore. He’s a great fit and an influential presence in a growing agency that’s punching way above its weight. Tuck and Julien are proven leaders with first-class track records. Our clients are really going to see the benefit of this investment in talent.”
Don Anderson, managing director, Singapore, We Are Social said: “I look forward to joining such a vibrant and talented team that has time and again demonstrated its passion for this space and commitment to producing breakthrough work for their clients. We Are Social has quickly become a highly reputable brand and disruptive force within the industry. The agency’s regional and global growth has been phenomenal, and I am truly excited to be part of the next phase of their journey in Asia.”
Nathan McDonald, global managing partner, We Are Social said: “We’re increasingly working with brands in Asia under a regional or global remit and Simon’s move to regional managing partner reflects our focus on driving this further. We’ve been incredibly fortunate in attracting Don to join the team to support him too – he’s one of the most respected senior industry figures in the region, with impressive achievements throughout his career and a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to the table. He’s a huge asset to the business both in Asia and globally.”
