Jackie Kuo, GM of Carat Northern China, resigns after 12 years

A source close to the agency said he had left the role in order to study at Harvard University in the US.

Kuo (pictured) had been working with Carat and Aegis media for more than 12 years. At the time of his departure, he managed a one-third of Aegis Media's business in China, and had led the account service teams for key clients including Master Kong, China Telecom, and Citizen. Under his guidance over the last four years, the local team has increased from 38 to 135 people.

Raymond Lai, executive vice president of Aegis Media will take over the Master Kong noodle, bakery and confectionery, and convenient foods business; while Michelle Lau, former managing director of Carat China who returned to Aegis  as chief operating officer earlier this year, will look after Master Kong beverage and Eastern China-based businesses.

According to Campaign Asia's Top 1000 Asia Pacific Brands report, which was published this summer, Master Kong is the second biggest brand in China after Sony, scoring above international giants such as Apple in that market.

Before joining Carat Media, Kuo was account director at DY&R Advertising Agency for over three years.

Reported earlier this year, Carat China scooped Pullman Lijiang's media account, and Chinese herbal tea brand Wanglaoji's red can's media planning business.