Edelman hires Jamshed Wadia as new APAC Vice Chair of Digital replacing Matt Collette

Edelman has brought Jamshed Wadia onboard as Vice Chair of Digital in Asia Pacific, overseeing the firm’s growing Digital practice and Edelman Studios operations in the region. Wadia will report into Global Chair of Digital, Tristan Roy, and APAC President & CEO, Stephen Kehoe, and takes over from Matt Collette, who returned to Canada in January to take on the role of Head of Digital for Edelman Canada, as well as Global Managing Director, Digital Growth.

Wadia brings over 20 years of experience to his new role, having led businesses through digital transformation and reinvention, established marketing centres of excellence, acted as an advisor to start-ups and multinational organisations, and served as a guest lecturer on Digital transformation and marketing at prestigious Universities and Management Institutes, including INSEAD.

During his 17-year stint at Intel Corporation, Wadia rose through the ranks of the sales and marketing team to serve as APJ Marketing Director, Digital Marketing and Media, responsible for establishing and leading the company’s strategy in Asia-Pacific across modern marketing, media, content, web, social and performance marketing. He also launched Intel’s first real-time Digital hub, combining insights and creativity with integrated paid, owned and earned channels to amplify digital efforts and generate marketing efficiencies.

Wadia’s industry honours include being named one of the ‘Top 50 Most Influential People for Modern Marketing’ by The Drum and among ‘100 of the Smartest Digital Marketing Leaders’ by the World Digital Marketing Congress. He served as the Chair of the Chief Digital Officer Forum (Asia Pacific) for the World Federation of Advertisers from 2015 to 2018, and currently sits on the board of the Asia Pacific CMO Council.

Kehoe said: “Over the past two years, our Digital practice has undergone significant growth and transformation under Matt Collette’s leadership, allowing our clients to benefit from industry leading offerings. With Jamshed’s impressive track record and leadership skills, we will continue to build on our strength in this domain and provide clients with leading expertise to unlock new growth opportunities with Digital.”

Wadia said: “Edelman has built up impressive Digital capabilities across the Asia Pacific region, encompassing a robust offering that has delivered innovative Digital work for its clients. I am excited to be joining such a talented network of practitioners in the region, working with them to further develop and elevate the Digital agenda for clients, and deliver truly integrated solutions that take their marketing and communications to the next level.”