Dentsu China bolsters leadership with new appointments

Dentsu China has bolstered its leadership teams with a series of new appointments, including its CEO Guang Cui (pictured second left) taking up the role of interim CEO of Dentsu Media China, succeeding Tommy Li, who departed the company due to alleged media rebate corruption. 

In his new role, Cui will lead the strategic direction and capabilities of Dentsu China’s media practice, driving business growth across its three subsidiary agencies Carat, Dentsu X, and iProspect.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and branding across China and Japan, Cui assumed the role of Dentsu Creative China CEO last September, succeeding Chun Yin Mak.

Meanwhile, Dephin Lim (pictured far left) as been named CEO of Carat China. In her new role, she will drive client growth and leverage data-driven insights to help Carat’s clients build authentic consumer connections and achieve transformative results. 

Prior to dentsu, Lim was most recently the managing director, WPP Open X, Greater China and OU media and connections lead at EssenceMediacom. Lim brings over 15 years of experience across multiple markets, including Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, having helmed various senior roles at leading advertising and marketing groups.

Derek Huang (pictured far right), president of Dentsu CXM China and CEO of Merkle China, has been named CEO of Dentsu X China. Leveraging his customer experience management expertise, Huang will strive to combine advanced media planning, data, and technology to deliver Dentsu X’s ‘Experience Beyond’ brand promise for clients. Huang returned to dentsu to lead Merkle China from Yum China in late 2023 to succeed Hawk Liu. 

On the other hand, Ami Qian (pictured second right) has been appointed as the chief client officer of Dentsu China. In this role, she will spearhead client-focused strategies and integrated solutions, lead the accelerator clients units for major accounts, and maintain her leadership of Dentsu China Communications to uphold a cohesive and powerful brand voice.

A dentsu veteran, Qian was previously CEO of Carat China and was promoted to chief transformation and marketing officer for Dentsu China last year.

Cui said in a statement: “These leadership appointments underscore our dedication to shaping a forward-looking management team—one that combines deep industry expertise, innovative thinking, and a unified vision for success in the China market. Their exceptional leadership will keep Dentsu Media at the cutting edge of innovation, empowering clients to navigate today’s complex media environment. United, we will elevate service excellence through data-driven strategies and AI-powered solutions, accelerate client growth, and transform market challenges into impactful marketing opportunities that deliver long-term value."

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Dentsu China for more information.

Don't miss: Chinese authorities expand media rebate corruption probe across agencies

The leadership reshuffle came after Tommy Li stepped down from his role as Dentsu Media China CEO following a police investigation into media rebate corruption in China, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE understands.

It was understood that the Chinese police interviewed around 30 individuals across media agencies in China earlier this month, as part of an effort to clamp down on commercial bribery across the industry. 

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