TBWA-ISC Malaysia President Austen Zecha retires, Aaron Cowie appointed as Managing Director

ASIA-PACIFIC – KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, SEPTEMBER 05, 2011: TBWA has announced the retirement of Austen Zecha (pictured), President of TBWA-ISC Malaysia, today. In addition, Executive Vice President Datuk Tim Garland has been named Capital Markets Communications Consultant to the Agency, focusing on the developing ASEAN financial markets. Aaron Cowie, currently Chief Operating Officer, will take over as Managing Director of the agency with immediate effect and will report directly into the Asia Pacific regional management team.
 
Zecha has been a leading figure in the Malaysian advertising scene for several decades and his influence has impacted many of Malaysia’s best-known and largest brands. His retirement follows a 50-year career as a Southeast Asian journalist, US political speechwriter and advertising and public relations practitioner. He has founded or co-founded 11 different agencies in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and over the past 40 years, selling some to become leading multinational agencies in the region such as JWT, Saatchi & Saatchi, Landor & Associates and Edelman PR.
 
Commenting on his retirement, Zecha said, “My most unfortunate trait is restlessness, so I had better try to cultivate a permissible hobby such as gardening, stamp collecting or photography. Failing that, I’ll become only a cranky marketing and advertising critic.”

Keith Smith, President International of TBWA said, “Austen has always been one of TBWA’s most charismatic leaders. He has been with us since 2001, when we started the joint venture in Malaysia, and we will miss his unique approach to our business. We all wish him well for his future and I would like to thank him for his leadership over the years.”

Zecha’s retirement comes days before his scheduled apology to Malaysia’s Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen following a defamation suit that was settled out-of-court. Dr. Ng claimed that Zecha’s statement in a radio interview that the agency did not renewed its contract because of an alleged bribe solicitation were defamatory.

On his departure, Garland said, “I am delighted to be handing over the baton to Aaron Cowie who is eminently qualified to become TBWA-ISC’s Managing Director after more than 20 years’ experience in client services, strategic planning and management with a handful of other leading multinational agencies in Malaysia.”

“Datuk Tim Garland merged his Myalo interactive marketing consultancy with TEQUILA in Malaysia in 2005. He has been an invaluable asset in developing and growing our now fully integrated Malaysian agency, especially in its award-winning digital and financial communications services. Tim has left a legacy to be proud of,” said Smith.
 

As Managing Director, Cowie will be supported by the management team headed by Executive Creative Director Jeff Orr, Head of Account Management Shaun Tay, Deputy Executive Creative Director Paul Lingan, Head of Digital Jordan Chua and Finance Director Yeong Hoong Meng, all of whom have been with TBWA-ISC for at least the past half dozen years.