TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno appointed Client Service Director Portia Catuira as the new managing director, replacing Managing Partner Tong Puno, who retires at the end of the year.
In an email interview with Catuira, she shared that she has been tasked with overseeing the profitability of the company, as well as coordinating with the regional and global offices of TBWA. She will also be dealing with the business development side of operations, and also the training and development of employees and staff. Melvin Mangada will continue to handle the creative, design and interactive departments while Jimmy Santiago is on top of TQ and Operations. Tong Puno will lead Finance until his retirement.
Catuira has been with TBWA\SMP since 2004. She started as account director then became the Business Unit director in 2006. She has served as the Client Service director since 2008. She has been involved with several award-winning campaigns including Boysen, Alaska Milk and the recent Dolfenal viral video.
She believes that she will bring a bit of exuberance to the already globally renowned agency, which was named Agency of the Year in the 2009 Araw Awards last November. When asked how it felt to be in the company of TBWA\SMP’s successful triumvirate, she answered, “The four of us will make a good story, the beauty and the best!”
