Kenny Yap elevated to COO role at Havas Play

Havas Singapore has promoted Kenny Yap to Chief Operating Officer of Havas Play, the specialised division within Havas Media Network, as part of its expansion in Singapore.

Yap will work closely with Russell Lai, Chief Commercial Officer of Havas Media Network Singapore, and both will continue to report to Rana Barua. In his new role, Yap will spearhead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and partnerships aimed at fostering continued growth and innovation, in addition to his commercial and operational responsibilities. An additional key priority will be to broaden the reach of Havas Play in Southeast Asia.

Since joining Havas in 2017, Yap has been instrumental in driving yearly double-digit growth for the agency in Singapore. He has created an unparalleled offering that integrates social media, content, public relations, influencer marketing, and social media commerce. Under his leadership, the agency has not only expanded their client roster but also won many accolades, including multiple Agency of the Year awards.

“Kenny has been a key member of our leadership team in Singapore, significantly enhancing the agency’s capabilities and leading to numerous new business successes. We have ambitious plans for Havas Media Network in this region, and Havas Play will be key to expanding our diverse capabilities into sports, events, culture and multiple IPs that connect with brands and consumers, allowing us to make an effective difference and deliver impactful results. Both Russell and Kenny will continue to drive growth for the agency, working closely with me”, shared Rana Barua, Group CEO, India, Southeast Asia & North Asia.

Yap said: “I’m humbled by the recognition and excited about the growth plans for Havas Play. We have such an amazing playground of talent, intelligence, and data that enables us to offer our clients a comprehensive suite of integrated services. In addition, we have strategic alliances in the pipeline to enhance and elevate our capabilities. As we continue to scale the core business, we will amplify our efforts in additional areas such as sports, entertainment, sponsorships, and activations, creating a greater meaningful difference for our clients and audience.”