James Hawkins departs IPG Mediabrands APAC as merger reshapes region

As the fallout from the Omnicom–IPG merger takes shape, James Hawkins has also departed IPG Mediabrands APAC, leaving his role as chief client officer a year after it was created as the merger claims more senior IPG leaders. 

In conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Hawkins said that he’s had “a fantastic year working with the IPG Mediabrands team across Asia Pacific.” 

“Rolling out the Craft model and seeing real impact across existing and new business has been a highlight. It's a chapter that now comes to a close for me but I take-away a huge sense of pride in the client wins (Volvo, H&M, KFC, Bayer, Unilever etc.) and real sense of accomplishment,” said Hawkins.

”As always it's the people that make an organisation and there is some exceptional talent across the network that are a real pleasure to work with. I wish all my ex-colleagues and friends from both organisations all the best for the integration. Time to recharge and focus on my next chapter, news to follow,” he added.

Don't miss: Leigh Terry exits IPG Mediabrands APAC amid Omnicom–IPG integration 

Hawkins is a well-established industry leader with close to two decades of experience across media and creative agencies. Before joining Mediabrands, he spent six years as CEO of PHD Asia Pacific, where he was tasked with sustaining the agency’s regional momentum and strengthening its future-facing capabilities.

He previously held several senior roles within dentsu, including managing director of Asia Pacific at dentsu X, chief digital officer at Dentsu Media, and president of digital capabilities at Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific. He also served as CEO and managing director at DM2. 

In tandem, Leigh Terry has also exited his role as CEO of IPG Mediabrands APAC, as the Omnicom–IPG merger triggers major leadership consolidation across the region, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has confirmed. Tony Harradine will assume responsibility for Omnicom Media across APAC following the departures of Terry and Hawkins.

The dual exits mark a significant chapter change for Mediabrands APAC as the merged Omnicom–IPG organisation realigns leadership structures across the region. Further regional changes are expected in the coming weeks as integration plans take shape.

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