Seamus Higgins to depart R/GA as APAC network appoints new leaders in Australia and Asia

| | 1 Comment
Seamus Higgins to depart R/GA as APAC network appoints new leaders in Australia and Asia

R/GA has announced it will be moving to a new structure in Australia and Asia to accelerate growth. It will now operate as two regions: the Asia region (Indonesia, China, Singapore, Tokyo) and the Australia region (Sydney and Melbourne). Seamus Higgins (pictured above), Chief Creative Officer APAC, is moving on from R/GA in July.

 

With this transformation, R/GA is also announcing new leadership across each region.

Michael Titshall was recently promoted to SVP, Managing Director of Australia, and he will continue to oversee Australia’s business, most notably its differentiating product and service offering, along with R/GA’s Brand Design and Consulting (BDC) practice. Both Peng and Titshall will report directly to Global Chief Executive Officer, Sean Lyons.

Starting in July, Ben Miles will assume a new leadership role as VP, Executive Creative Director. He will report to Michael Titshall and will continue to lead the BDC practice. Peng, Titshall and Miles are stepping into leadership roles currently held by Tuomas Peltoniemi, EVP Managing Director APAC, and Seamus Higgins, Chief Creative Officer APAC, who are moving on from R/GA in July. Where to is yet to be revealed.

Higgins told CB: “It’s been a hell of a journey over the last three years and I’m really proud of what Tuomas and I managed to achieve, so it’s a tough role to leave – especially with some amazing work in the pipeline. With Tuomas leaving for a new role, I think the decision to not try to replace us, but instead divide the region into Australia and Asia, and promote internal leaders, who’ve been on that transformational journey with us, is a really smart move. We had our best performance at Spikes and Award Awards this year, since 2017, so I know the team are going to continue to elevate the work and culture. And I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point in the future I’m working with R/GA again – I’ve loved it.”

Effective July 1, Dorothy Peng has been promoted to SVP, Managing Director, Asia and will oversee R/GA’s Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Tokyo offices. Currently, as the Managing Director of the Singapore office, she will work closely with the office’s leadership team to name her replacement and support the expansion of the company’s mobile practice.

“Asia and Australia have been through a transformation over the past three years, led by Tuomas and Seamus and it’s important for us to continue these efforts with a renewed focus. They have left R/GA a better place than when they started through their work, people and thought leadership. And they have done it with such passion and grace. I’m grateful for all they have done and wish them all the best on what’s next,” said Global Chief Executive Officer Sean Lyons.

“R/GA’s strong creative leadership will remain in place with Masaya Nakade leading Tokyo, Irisy Wang leading China and Ed Cheong and Joschka Wolf in Singapore. Executive Creative Director Claire Waring (pictured below) will continue overseeing Australia’s creative work and Ben Miles, our BDC work.

“Together, this new leadership team will be responsible for expanding and ensuring the Asia and Australia regions remain a connected force for R/GA and its clients.”

Seamus Higgins to depart R/GA as APAC network appoints new leaders in Australia and Asia