Tom Doctoroff and Colvyn Harris get larger roles in JWT in APAC

Harris will become South Asia CEO (India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) and take on added responsibilities of Contract, Hungama Digital, JWT Mindset and Encompass. Michael Maedel transitions to Non-Executive Chairman role

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | September 18, 2012

(Left) Tom Doctoroff and Colvyn Harris (Right)

JWT Worldwide Chairman and CEO Bob Jeffrey announced yesterday a leadership restructuring to reflect Asia's growing global importance, and underscore JWT's commitment to the region's diverse and vibrant markets. JWT's North Asia Area Director and Greater China CEO Tom Doctoroff and JWT India CEO Colvyn Harris will succeed Michael Maedel in the restructured region.

Doctoroff will take on the role of CEO, JWT Asia Pacific (APAC), at the end of this year. In this role, he will oversee Northeast and Southeast Asia, as well as Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand.

Harris will become South Asia CEO (India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) and take on added responsibilities of JWT's Indian companies, including Contract Advertising, Hungama Digital Services, JWT Mindset and Encompass.

Doctoroff and Harris will report to Jeffrey.

Maedel, who has spent 40 years in the industry and 22 years in leadership roles at JWT, including eight as President of Asia Pacific, will move into the role of Non-Executive Chairman for Asia.

“Tom and Colvyn are both dynamic leaders with strong connections to the markets, the consumers and the clients,” said Jeffrey. “By leveraging the strengths and strategic insights of these two very talented people, JWT is uniquely positioned to maximise growth in this critical and dynamic region.”

These changes come at a time when JWT APAC, which has an 83-year history in Asia, continues to gather greater momentum. JWT APAC has set multiple benchmarks, bringing home first-time Cannes Grand Prix Lions for Malaysia in 2004, for India in 2008, for Japan in 2009 and, most recently, for China in 2011. The company has also deepened the scope and scale of the services it offers in the market, from digital to shopper marketing, through organic growth and acquisitions.

“I am very excited to build on JWT's past accomplishments across Asia Pacific,” said Doctoroff. “We are in the midst of a revolution of consumer empowerment. I look forward to working with client partners in this fast-changing region to find new synergies between classic brand building and next-stage consumer engagement in the digital era.”

Doctoroff, who has 20 years' experience with JWT, continues to display his commitment to building the agency's footprint in Asia and fostering its ethos of 'Worldmade' ideas. Under his leadership, JWT North Asia has diversified into customer relationship marketing, field marketing, promotion network management and digital engagement. A Detroit native, Doctoroff joined JWT in 1992, moved to Hong Kong in 1994, and became the Managing Director of JWT Shanghai in 1998. In 2002, he was appointed Greater China CEO and Northeast Asia Area Director, a remit that included Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Japan came under his purview in 2008, when Doctoroff assumed the role of North Asia Area Director.  He speaks fluent Mandarin.

Doctoroff is credited as being the industry's preeminent thought leader on advertising and marketing in China. This past May he published his second best-selling book on Chinese consumers, titled “What Chinese Want”. Prior to JWT, Doctoroff worked for Leo Burnett.

The restructuring reflects a renewed focus on India by JWT Worldwide. JWT employs over 1,500 people in India, more than any other single market worldwide, and earns a significant amount of revenue from this critical, high-growth country.

Harris, who has 33 years at JWT, continues to lead India's largest and most admired advertising agency as CEO South Asia. He has held various industry leadership roles, including President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India, and has addressed global audiences as a speaker at the World Economic Forum, London Business School and The Wharton School.  Under his leadership, JWT India has built a formidable reputation with a diverse spectrum of traditional, mainstream, activation, events and digital marketing services capabilities.

“We will continue to build and acquire the most diversified platforms to deliver on the market ambitions of the clients we service, thereby further consolidating our leadership position. Brands are the centre of our focus, and with our skills and capabilities we deliver marketing solutions across the most diverse of offerings to meet the challenges of the dynamic markets we operate in,” said Harris. “This new development ensures that our clients continue to have greater access to the best of our services and talent, not only in the country, but across South Asia.”

Maedel, who will remain in Singapore, will work with Doctoroff and Harris in an advisory role until he retires 2014.

“Michael's exceptional leadership skills have cemented JWT's reputation as a leader in both strategy and creativity in every region he managed, from Europe to Asia,” said Jeffrey. “The creative and commercial success that JWT APAC has enjoyed is a testament to his leadership.”

Jeffrey continued, “Michael is deeply respected by staff and clients, and the entire company has benefited from his vision and guidance. He is an unparalleled resource, and we are thrilled that he will remain a core part of the management team until his retirement.”

Maedel started his career at Young & Rubicam, and in 1985 became Chairman of Ted Bates Werbagentur. He joined JWT in 1990 as Chairman and CEO of JWT Germany, and in 1993 added the role of Area Director, Central and Eastern Europe. In 1997 he was named President of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and in 2004, Asia was added to his portfolio. He has served as a member of the JWT board since 1992.

“I've had the real pleasure of charting a course for our company in some of the world's most dynamic regions through periods which have seen our industry go through some pretty seismic changes. I've also been privileged to work with some of the most talented people around the world,” said Maedel. “I look forward to working with Tom and Colvyn through this transition period.”

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