Birger Linke appointed senior regional creative director at JWT Shanghai

In his new role, he will report to Sheung Yan Lo (Ma Yan), ECD of North East Asia and chairman of China for JWT.

Linke will be tasked to look after Ford across Asia, one of the WPP agency's most important clients.

Prior to rejoining JWT, Linke had been instrumental in making Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore the most awarded direct marketing agency in the world and TBWA\Vietnam the most awarded agency in the local market.

On the appointment, Sheung said: "Over the past ten years, Birger has worked on major car accounts in Europe and Asia, including Mercedes, Smart, Toyota and Lexus."

He added: "With his background and creative talent across all disciplines and a true understanding of the market, I am confident he will be a great help in pushing Ford to the next level. On top of that, he's a great guy to work with."

Linke said he joins JWT and the Ford regional account at an exciting time and looks forward to working with old friends and "a truly international team across the region."

"Ford sales just grew 53 per cent in China - it is the best ever first half result. New models will arrive soon. There's plenty of work ahead to keep it up, developing ideas not limited to mass media that engage the consumer," he said.