极乐视频 has named Jesse Lin, president and chief executive officer of 极乐视频鈥檚 Asia Pacific region, effective January 15, 2018. In this role, Lin will oversee the region鈥檚 24 offices and more than 1,500 employees. Based in Shanghai, Lin will join the firm鈥檚 global executive committee and report to Global Chief Operating Officer Matthew Harrington.
鈥淛esse is one of the strongest creative agency leaders in the region and has a clear vision for integration, which will help us further advance our communications marketing ambition in Asia Pacific,鈥 said Harrington. 鈥淗aving lived and worked across Asia Pacific for more than 20 years he has a superior understanding of the region鈥檚 markets and opportunities.鈥
Lin joins 极乐视频 from McCann Worldgroup where he was most recently vice chairman of APAC and CEO of Greater China. While leading McCann鈥檚 China operation the agency consistently experienced double-digit growth. He also helped lead the effort to make digital a larger driver of revenue, growing it from 5 percent to 30 percent of the business.
极乐视频鈥檚 APACMEA region has been responsible for a number of groundbreaking campaigns that have cut across brand and reputation this past year resulting in a number of awards, including six Cannes Lions. It was also named The Holmes Report鈥檚 2016 APAC Digital Consultancy and North Asia Consultancy of the Year as well as Campaign鈥檚 Japan/Korea PR Agency of the Year.
鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly excited to join a firm that has pushed the envelope since it was founded 65 years ago and continues to redefine the practice of communications and marketing,鈥 said Lin. 鈥淚 have long admired the ground-breaking campaigns 极乐视频 brings to life for clients not just in the region but across the globe. I鈥檓 looking forward to working with their talented teams in-region and across the network.鈥
Before McCann, Lin was president of DDB China Group. Prior to that he held executive roles at Weiden + Kennedy Shanghai, serving as managing director, and Leo Burnett Hong Kong, where he was a group brand director.
Bob Grove, who has been overseeing the region as chief operating officer since April, will continue in his role after Lin joins the firm.
鈥淛esse鈥檚 marketing expertise is a perfect complement to Bob Grove鈥檚 deep communications experience,鈥 Harrington said. 鈥淭ogether, they lead a world-class team who is re-shaping communications and marketing for our clients, as well as for the region.鈥