Omnicom Media China expands leadership team across Initiative, UM and OMD

Omnicom Media China has appointed Jackie Yang (pictured left) as chief executive officer of Initiative and UM China, and Jezzebel Gu (pictured right) as chief client officer of the OMD China Apple team, bringing experienced leaders into expanded roles across the agency portfolio.

Joey Zhao, CEO of Omnicom Media China, said: "The opportunity for our agencies is to bring more of our expertise to the business decisions that matter to clients. Yang has demonstrated this through new business growth and a broader scope of work, while Gu has deepened long-term partnerships through close collaboration across media and creative for serving Apple in China. Their appointments strengthen our ability to deliver lasting value for clients."

In her new role, Yang will lead strategic direction, business development and operations for Initiative and UM China.

Previously managing director of Initiative China, Yang has led significant new business wins across the smart home and internet services sectors and broadened the agency's integrated marketing offering. Before that, she built a track record at PHD, managing major client relationships and complex assignments across strategic planning, commercial management and operational delivery.

At Initiative, Yang has extended the agency's work across strategy, creative, content and media. In her expanded role, she will draw on Omnicom Media's specialist resources and the AI capabilities of Omni to help both agencies address a wider range of marketing and business challenges.

"Initiative and UM each have strengths we can build on. My focus is to help our teams apply those strengths to a wider range of business challenges, with clear accountability for results. That is how we will earn our role as trusted, long-term growth partners to clients," said Yang.

Meanwhile, Gu will oversee client leadership, client relationship strategy and cross-functional collaboration on the Apple account in China, with a continued focus on its longstanding partnership with Apple.

At OMD China, Gu's appointment builds on her experience leading one of the agency's key client relationships. She joined Omnicom Media China in 2015 and previously served as managing director, working closely with teams across OMD and TBWA\Media Arts Lab on Apple's business in China.

As chief client officer, Apple, Gu will deepen senior client relationships and strengthen coordination across disciplines, keeping strategic thinking and execution closely connected as client needs evolve.

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and trust the company has given me, as well as the space to grow and innovate. To me, clients have never simply been 'clients', but long-term partners we move forward with side by side. I have felt this particularly strongly through OMD's nearly three decades of partnership with Apple," said Gu.

"As I step into my new role, I will continue to make 'one step ahead' our commitment to our clients, further strengthen the integration of media and creativity, and build long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and shared growth, supporting our clients in achieving sustainable growth," added Gu.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to OM for more information.

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