SINGAPORE — Global digital agency Dept, known for its award-winning work for Google, KFC, Twitch, Patagonia, and Spotify, has officially launched its Asia Pacific operations, headed up by former Havas Group CEO Vishnu Mohan.
Founded in Amsterdam in 2015, Dept has quickly grown across the globe, from 150 people in The Netherlands to more than 2,000 people in seventeen countries across five continents, and was the most awarded independent agency at the 2021 Webby Awards. Uniting creativity, technology, and data, Dept works in integrated teams to build and accelerate digital products, services, and campaigns for its clients.
Mohan, who will work closely with Dimi Albers, Global CEO of Dept, will be responsible for the Asia-wide rollout and expansion of Dept’s offering. He joins the agency after a 25-year stint with Vivendi’s Havas Group, where he was widely recognised as the key figure behind the launch and development of the group in Asia Pacific.
Dimi Albers, Global CEO of Dept, said: “Over the last few years, we’ve delivered a variety of impactful projects in the Asia Pacific market for brands like Mizuno, Samsung, Weber, Fujitsu, and KLM. Our vision has always been to help our clients work with the best talent in the world, regardless of geography. Having a skilled team on the ground that works fully integrated with our teams across EMEA and the Americas will help us make an even bigger impact in APAC, both for our global clients and local brands. With Vishnu’s network, market knowledge, and growth mindset, we’ve found the right leader to boost our Asia journey.”
Vishnu Mohan, Partner & Chief Growth Officer, Dept said: “Dept is a very strong digital transformation agency with a rich tech heritage. Their integrated one-stop-shop principle of delivering tech, design, creative and performance with a simple structure, speed, clarity, and personal contact is why I truly believe it can make a difference in the APAC markets. I look forward to working with Dimi and the teams, leveraging the agency’s growing client base and track record in our region to build a business that’s big enough to cope and at the same time small enough to care.”
Dept is majority-owned by Carlyle, one of the largest PE firms globally. Over the past twelve months, four agencies have joined Dept including world-renowned design & experience agency BASIC®️ and leading creative marketing technology agency Byte. In Asia Pacific, Dept will follow an acquisition-led growth approach to grow to 1,000 people and contribute 10% to global revenues by 2024. This will be complemented with a Singapore hub and a satellite team in Manila.
