Chris Thomas takes a director seat at Clear Media

Former BBDO regional head Chris Thomas has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of Hong Kong-based Clear Media Limited, effective from 7 September.

Thomas headed up BBDO in the region for nine years before departing APAC to serve as CEO of the Americas for the agency in 2015. He left that role in December 2018 but still serves as chairman of I&S BBDO in Japan. Thomas is also chaiman of Ferro Alloy Resources, a mining company based in Kazakhstan and listed on the London Stock Exchange.

“Clear Media has a distinct and powerful positioning in China’s complex media mix," Thomas said in a release. "It is led by a strong executive team who can exploit the growth that outdoor is experiencing as one of the last mass media in a fragmented media landscape. There remains significant opportunity for innovation, particularly in digital."

Thomas told Campaign Asia-Pacific he is looking forward to re-engaging with the Asia media community. "I have moved from being a full-time corporate CEO to a full time CID (coach / investor / director), helping leadership teams grow and develop—and with an increasing focus back on Asia," he said. 

In addition to his media and mining interests, Thomas also serves as a director of Kiteboarding Australia. He has been a passionate advocate of that sport since 1998 and works with the organisation to grow it and make sure it is run professionally. In addition, he spends time traveling to cheer on his daughter, Charlotte Thomas, an LPGA golfer.