PHD China strengthens strategy offering with the hire of Nancy Yang and Jordan Heathfield

PHD China has expanded its strategy offering with two new appointments; Nancy Yang joins the agency as Group Strategy Director while Jordan Heathfield will now serve as its Strategy Director – Digital Solutions.

The appointments come after a year of unprecedented growth for the company, having won HSBC’s global media planning and buying duties as well as retained the Unilever business for a fourth term in Greater China. Also included in the strategy team’s remit are a string of local new business wins, such as Deppon Logistics, Huarun Paint and Sanquan, among others.

Yang brings over 11 years of experience in digital marketing and strategic media planning at agencies such as DDB, Isobar, Publicis 133 and 180 Shanghai. Throughout this time, she has been responsible for landing creative solutions across multiple categories, including F&B (McDonalds and Budweiser); Beauty (Lancôme, Biotherm and SKII); Travel (Hilton Asia); Automotive (Shanghai Volkswagen) and Technology (WeChat and JD).

Heathfield has worked at the crossroads of technology and media in Greater China for over eight years, having developed a track record of identifying strategic growth drivers for clients. In his new role at PHD, he will leverage his extensive experience with Internet platforms, production studios and international agency networks, and comprehensive skills in providing direction in digital-centric marketing and media strategy across an extensive range of brand categories, including FMCG, financial services, hospitality and consumer electronics.

Both Yang and Heathfield will report into Ian Dolan, the agency’s Head of Strategy and Planning, who transferred to PHD China from the network’s Dubai office last year.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating on ground-breaking work with the highly talented team at PHD China. The agency’s award-winning work is recognised throughout the industry and is testament to the valuable ideas and solutions that help the agency’s clients ‘Find A Better Way’ in their comms planning,” said Yang.

Heathfield added, “I am excited to join an agency that constantly challenges the status quo when providing solutions to clients. PHD is renowned the world over for its strategy led offering. I look forward to working with the agency’s impressive client roster, producing innovative digital solutions in China.”

Anna Chitty, CEO of PHD China added, “We are thrilled to welcome both Nancy and Jordan onboard. I am confident that their combined experience will further strengthen our strategy offering and the future-facing ideas we come up with to drive our clients’ businesses forward.”