Leo Burnett names Hong Kong MD

Leo Burnett has promoted Jeff Ho to managing director in Hong Kong. A 20-year Leo Burnett veteran, he has been regional director for international business, based in Hong Kong, since 2014.

The agency confirmed that Alex Lee, who was appointed as Hong Kong CEO in July 2015, left the agency earlier this year.

Ho's promotion follows the hiring last month of Carol Lam, from DDB, as president and chief creative officer for Greater China. Like Lam, Ho will report to Michael Lee, CEO of Publicis Communications Greater China.

A native of Hong Kong, Ho joined the agency after university and has held roles in Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo, and Guangzhou, where he was MD from 2007 to 2014. Michael Lee said no one person better understands the "ups and downs" of Leo Burnett Hong Kong than Ho, nor is anyone "more suitable for this position and more dedicated to the mission".

Ho has worked with clients including Cathay Pacific, BMW, Reebok, Moet Hennessy, and AMP.

Contacted by Campaign Asia-Pacific, Alex Lee said he is working on a startup company to be revealed later, and that he's confident Leo Burnett will be in good hands. 

In December, the Hong Kong office laid off 15 employees in what it termed a realignment of resources toward Shanghai.