Michael Zhang made CEO of Neo@Ogilvy China

Ogilvy & Mather China has appointed Michael Zhang as CEO of Neo@Ogilvy China. Zhang is a GroupM veteran, having worked across MindShare, Maxus, and Mediacom. His previous roles have included President of Mediacom China, and Chief Strategy Officer of GroupM China. Zhang (pictured) left GroupM last year for a sabbatical.

Neo@Ogilvy is Ogilvy & Mather’s digital media and performance marketing business. As a leading agency in this field, globally and across China, Neo@Ogilvy is one of the key growth engines of O&M China. In his new role, Zhang will oversee Neo@Ogilvy China business across Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. His experience will take Neo@Ogilvy to the next phase of growth in this fast-paced market, especially as digital media increasingly shifts to mobile and programmatic buying and clients ask for more integrated digital media solutions.

Zhang will also join the Ogilvy & Mather China Executive Committee, and in this capacity contribute to the larger group performance and growth strategy.

Commenting on the change, Chris Reitermann, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather China, said, “Michael’s hire is a significant one for Ogilvy & Mather China. He was one of the first people I worked with in China more than 15 years ago, and I am extremely pleased to have him return to Ogilvy & Mather, the place where he started his career, to become part of our core China management team and to drive the next chapter of growth for both Neo@Ogilvy and the O&M Group. It is crucial in this changing environment to have a close alignment between creative, content and media, and I see Neo@Ogilvy as one of the key weapons that will accelerate our digital transformation”

Looking ahead to his new role Zhang said, “I’m so thrilled to be back where I first began, and in a position to positively shape Neo@Ogilvy and O&M’s exciting future in China.