The agency hosted an official opening party in its Singapore office last night and took the opportunity to introduce its latest additions: Luke Cream, who has joined as creative director, and Catherine Loh, recently appointed as account director.
Cream has been in the digital advertising industry for the past eight years. Originally based in Australia, he worked for Vivid Group. More recently he headed up the digital arms of Crayon Digital and formul8 in Singapore, working for clients including SingTel, airtel, Standard Chartered Bank, Meydan and the Dubai Racing Club.
Loh joins with more than 12 years of industry experience. Employed with Ogilvy, Loh worked with leading global brands including Nokia, Singapore Economic Development Board, Levi’s and Unilever. Loh has also held the position of marketing manager for International Flavours and Fragrance as well as the Singapore Tourism Board.
Barrie Jackson, the newly appointed chairman, was in the Lion City for the opening. Jackson said the expertise that Dog Digital is bringing to Asia places them with a unique opportunity to fill a niche in expert web development and online advertising and marketing.
Based in Glasgow, Jackson will support the Singapore office to build its market share across Asia. His experience in marketing, business development and international business growth will accelerate the agency’s new growth strategy in Asia and Europe, the agency said.
“Previously working for consumer brands helps me understand what a digital agency can do for brands," Jackson told Campaign Asia-Pacific. "I will bring my experience to the team and channel the firm into the right direction. Singapore is the key to the SEA market. We are trying to catch the trends and gain foothold here. Our Singapore team will build local capability and establish ourselves as a fully functional agency.”
Dog Digital will help brands shape their thinking at an early stage, before they even start to develop campaigns, he added. "We want to be an agency in the digital world, rather than just a digital agency,” he said.
Jackson’s appointment was announced last week. Prior to Dog Digital, he was president and CEO of International Beverage Holdings Limited between June 2005 and December 2009 in Hong Kong, managing an international team based in Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the US.
He served as group sales and marketing director for The Edrington Group between 1994 and 2003, leading marketing and sales development for international premium brands such as The Famous Grouse, Macallan and Highland Park.