J Walter Thompson group has appointed Alyna Haji Omar as the new CEO of Sri Lanka.
Alyna will lead the J Walter Thompson group that comprises J Walter Thompson Sri Lanka and Contract Advertising stating from early June.
Commenting on the appointment, Tarun Rai, CEO, J Walter Thompson, South Asia said, “With Alyna’s deep insight and understanding of the local market, she is well poised to lead the J Walter Thompson group in Sri Lanka. Alyna is young and ambitious and with her diverse experience, she will be able to aggressively drive the new growth strategy for the group.”
“J Walter Thompson Colombo is one of the oldest and most admired agencies in Sri Lanka and now, with the changed economic landscape, we are more buoyant than ever before to bring the best expertise and skills across disciplines”, added Tarun.
Prior to this Alyna was with Response Marketing, an integrated marketing agency, part of the Grant McCann group of companies, where she was the CEO since 2012. Under her leadership, the Response Marketing has grown into one of the most successful marketing agencies in Sri Lanka.
She comes in with 18 years of experience, most of which has been with the Grant McCann group. Over these years, Alyna has developed brand strategies that have influenced change, inspired conversation and created culture and this has reflected in Response Marketing winning recognition globally as well as in the APAC region. She has also recently been appointed as the new President of the IAA Sri Lanka Chapter.
Speaking on her appointment Alyna Haji OMar said, “J Walter Thompson stewards some of the most significant global brands in Sri Lanka and a wonderful dynamic is at play right now in that most of these brands are looking for deeper local context. This transition brings new learning and with it, a new opportunity. I believe that J Walter Thompson Colombo has a unique advantage in its people. There is enviable talent, knowledge and passion at every level. So the chance to collaborate with clients and talent of this caliber was irresistible,”
Alyna has handled a diverse portfolio of brands during the course of her career including brands such as Dialog, Munchee, Heritance, Sri Lankan Airlines, Coca-Cola, Baby Cheramy, Johnson & Johnson, Cinnamon, Tigo, Etisalat, Walls, Nestea, Keells and UNICEF to name a few.
