PHD has hired James Hawkins as its new Asia-Pacific CEO, effective in October.
With more than 15 years of industry experience, Hawkins joins from Dentsu X, where he was APAC managing director. Before that he held various senior roles within Dentsu, including chief digital officer at Dentsu Media and CEO of Dentsu Mobius. Hawkins was also named in Campaign Asia-Pacific's 40 Under 40 in 2014.
Hawkins replaces Susana Tsui, who left her position as PHD's APAC CEO early this year to join Dentsu Aegis Network as China CEO.
Hawkins will oversee PHD’s APAC operations in 16 markets, working closely with country leads. His mandate is to drive the agency’s technological development and digital expertise.
He will report to both Tony Harradine, APAC CEO of Omnicom Media Group, and Mike Cooper, CEO of PHD Worldwide.
“We have taken our time to identify the best candidate to take the helm in APAC, one who can harness its energy and continue building an agency of the future,” Harradine said.