Former Chief Financial Officer of GroupM EMEA, Raja Kanniappan, has join IPG Mediabrands in Singapore. He was associated with WPP’s GroupM for 28 years in total, acting as both CFO and Chief Operating Officer for GroupM across APAC during the last 13. Kanniappan left GroupM APAC to join EMEA in 2015.
Kanniappan will replace Reg Davidson, who left Media-brands last summer following the high-profile exit of Global Chief Executive Officer Henry Tajer.
Davidson, who was said to be Tajer’s “right hand man” during his successful leadership of Mediabrands Australia, was drafted in to lead Singapore in 2016 during a period of significant upheaval for the company’s APAC operations. He also held the role of COO during his brief tenure. Kanniappan will take over the new assignment shortly.
IPG Mediabrands APAC CEO Leigh Terry said,“Raja has an impressive depth of knowledge across the markets we operate in this region, and those where we see further expansion.
“Both a gentleman and a scholar, Raja will be a great addition to the APAC team and a critical strategic business partner as we accelerate the growth and momentum of our agency brands.”
Kanniappan, who like Terry also worked for an extended period in Australia, said, The IPG Mediabrands network of agencies have a tangible momentum in market, and an exciting roadmap. I look forward to partnering with Leigh and the team across the Asia Pacific region.”
Davidson’s former COO duties will be divided between Terry and the executive leadership. The company has no plans to hire a new COO.
