TBWA\Asia’s president Ian Pearman departs the group to join a consumer services start-up

TBWA has confirmed that Ian Pearman, TBWA\Asia’s president, is leaving the collective to join a consumer services start-up headquartered out of Singapore.

Pearman (pictured) said, “It has been an amazing adventure at TBWA and I’ve achieved more than I ever hoped in relatively short order. After 23 years in the advertising business, the timing feels right to scratch that entrepreneurial itch and the opportunity to join a visionary new venture was just too tempting to say no to.”

Pearman joined as TBWA\ Asia president, based out of Singapore, nearly two years ago. During his tenure, the region has added new talent and launched a number of specialist units to service evolving client needs, including consulting, data insights and production offerings.

Troy Ruhanen president & CEO TBWA\Worldwide added, “Ian has helped to fuel the existing momentum around innovation for the Asia collective. He has led a great team who will continue to create disruptive work and run a suite of business offerings that will help our clients capture a greater share of the future. I’ve never been one to stand in the way of someone who wishes to try something entrepreneurial and am confident we will have a seamless transition.”

Pearman’s successor will be announced in due course. Philip Brett, chief operating officer of TBWA\Worldwide, who served as president of TBWA\ Asia based out of Singapore for many years, will provide support as needed on an interim basis until a successor is named.

The change comes at a time of positive momentum for the agency collective. In January TBWA was reappointed by Singapore Airlines as its global lead creative agency for a five-year contract. The collective also continues to be acknowledged and recognised by industry, across their respective markets as Agency of the Year across multiple categories, and at a global level, TBWA\Worldwide was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and AdWeek’s Global Agency of the Year.

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