Ogilvy Malaysia appoints Grey execs as new group CEO and CCO

Ogilvy Group Malaysia has announced key leadership changes, with Irene Wong (formerly CEO of Grey Malaysia), stepping into the role of CEO of Ogilvy Group Malaysia. Graham Drew (previously Grey Malaysia’s chief creative officer) takes on the position of CCO for the group.

The appointments, effective 1 January 2026, are a part of the group's strategic move to harness the combined strengths of Ogilvy and Grey in Malaysia, after WPP moved Grey under Ogilvy, shifting its reporting structure out from AKQA group.

Michelle Ong will continue as executive group director of Ogilvy Malaysia, with responsibility for leading Ogilvy’s client portfolio. Cindy Quek will remain managing director of Grey Malaysia, driving Grey’s client agenda. 

Kunal Jeswani will continue in his role as CEO, Ogilvy Group ASEAN, and remain fully invested in the success of the Ogilvy Group’s Malaysia operations, the group said in its statement.

Don't miss: Ogilvy Group Singapore appoints Shirley Tay as CEO

In their new roles, Wong and Drew will oversee the group’s agency brands in Malaysia, delivering creative and strategic solutions across client portfolios while collaborating closely with teams across both agencies. The leadership changes are part of Ogilvy’s broader strategy to enable top talent to have a wider impact, leveraging cross-agency capabilities to enhance client value.

Jeswani said: “Irene and Graham’s proven leadership and deep understanding of the market will be instrumental in ensuring our clients benefit from an even broader range of talent and specialized expertise." He added: "This appointment also underscores our commitment to creating opportunities for our top talent to have a broader, more profound impact on our business and our clients' success."

Irene Wong, who has led Grey Malaysia through its transformation period, brings experience in managing multinational, government-linked, and public sector clients. Her portfolio includes Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Telekom Malaysia, Coway, Maybank, CelcomDigi, the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, Malaysia’s National Budget 2022/23, and the ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025.

She has been with Grey Malaysia for 22 years, starting off as a group account director in 2004, and was promoted to CEO in 2013. 

“Stepping into this role draws on everything I’ve built over the years — a deep understanding of the Malaysian market, extensive experience with MNCs, GLCs and government organisations, and a firm belief in the power of collaboration,” Wong said.

“By honouring the distinct strengths of both Ogilvy and Grey, while preserving their unique identities and fostering purposeful partnership, we will unlock new possibilities, drive greater innovation, and create deeper, more holistic value for our clients," she added. 

Meanwhile, Graham Drew, has been the CCO of Grey for nearly five and a half years, in tandem with his role as global ECD which he has held since he joined the agency in 2014. During his time there, he has led campaigns for P&G, WWF, SK-II, Tesco, Reckitt, Pantene, Volvo, and Carlsberg. Drew brings deep expertise in blending brand, experience, and commerce. Prior to joining Grey, he had been the founder and creative director of VCCP, an agency based in London. 

“I’m passionate about the creative potential here and this role represents a unique opportunity I’m truly excited to embrace,” Drew said. “Whilst Ogilvy and Grey continue to operate as distinct businesses, we are united by a shared creative culture — one that pushes us to elevate ideas that move people and move business." He added that "By innovating at the intersection of brand, experience, and commerce, and by bringing together craft, data, and technology, we’ll create work rooted in Malaysia with the power to resonate far beyond.”

The appointments come after the departure of Ogilvy Malaysia's CCO Adrian Miller, in July this year. He was with the agency for six years, having first joined Ogilvy as the CCO of Indonesia. Ogilvy shared with A+M at the time that he resigned with immediate effect and it was his decision, but did not provide a reason for his departure.

This comes within the same week as Ogilvy Group Singapore's appointment of Shirley Tay as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 January 2026. In her role, Tay will oversee the streamlined operations of the group’s agency brands in Singapore, including Ogilvy Singapore and Grey Singapore, while maintaining their distinct identities and client portfolios.

She will also work across both agencies to leverage their collective capabilities. Tay, who joined Ogilvy Singapore in 2000, previously served as managing director of advertising, leading campaigns for clients including Singapore Tourism Board, Health Promotion Board, BMW Asia, and NEA.

Related articles: 
WPP moves Grey under Ogilvy in creative agency shakeup
Agency agenda: Ogilvy ASEAN CEO Kunal Jeswani on his 3 big bets for 2026
Cindy Rose reshapes WPP leadership, Ogilvy handed to Ezekiel in global revamp