Michael O'Neill
Jul 12, 2010

Lowe appoints Rupen Desai as president for Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE - Lowe & Partners has appointed Rupen Desai to the newly created role of president for Southeast Asia in a move the agency says represents a statement of its intentions in the region.

Rupen Desai, president, Lowe Worldwide, Southeast Asia
Rupen Desai, president, Lowe Worldwide, Southeast Asia

The role will see Desai, currently the network's operating director for Unilever's worldwide business, focus on all Southeast Asia Pacific territories, including Australia and New Zealand but excluding China and India.

Desai's role will extend to include leadership of the Lowe Singapore office.

Desai will also retain his leadership role on the network's Unilever business. Lowe is Unilever's biggest agency, handling over 20 key Unilever brands globally.

Lowe & Partners chairman Tony Wright said Desai's promotion would further strengthen the presence Lowe has in the region.

"We are already amongst the top five agencies in most countries in this region," he said. "However, our reputation as a regional network has been very small. Lowe has been a well-kept secret for too long. We want to make a statement that we are fully in the game as a large and powerful regional agency."

With over 15 years within Lowe, Desai's experience has spanned across large multinational clients, including Unilever, InBev, J&J, HSBC, Columbia Tri-Star and Nokia. He has been based in Lowe offices in India, UAE, Lebanon and Thailand. Currently based in Singapore, he will continue to direct Lowe teams across the Unilever Asia business.

When we decided we needed stronger regional leadership, it seemed right for us to take the person who has been the best activator of our business across the region and that was Rupen," said Wright.

"Rupen is a proven leader across the region on behalf of our clients, our agencies and our work," added Lowe & Partners CEO Michael Wall.  "Lowe has a competitive and compelling footprint in Asia and we believe Rupen can help us build on this strong foundation as we look to accelerate our growth and capabilities."

 

Source:
Campaign Asia

Related Articles

Just Published

8 hours ago

Budgets 2025: Retail media and CTV will dominate ...

The industry is poised for significant growth in 2025, fuelled by robust digital revenues and shifting consumer behaviours that could see budgets moving to social platforms and retail networks over traditional channels. Media experts weigh in.

8 hours ago

McDonald's Valentine's campaign may make you ...

Ad Nut refuses to be manipulated by commercials, but this V-Day spot from McDonald's Philippines, with its saccharine portrayal of enduring love, is surprisingly effective. Curse you, Golden Arches!

9 hours ago

The boys’ club still runs Australian advertising—and...

Déjà vu and disappointment: W+K Sydney's all-male team exposes the hollow promises of diversity in adland, writes Jet Swain, who calls for an end to "lip service."

9 hours ago

Samsung says there’s an AI companion for every ...

With the global launch of its Galaxy S25, Samsung and BBH Singapore want consumers to think about AI not as an intimidating piece of technology but as an omniscient wingman.