GIGIL expands to Southeast Asia with new office in Cambodia’s capital

Independent ideas agency GIGIL has opened its new office in Phnom Penh, expanding its global footprint beyond New York, LA, and Toronto. The move reinforces the agency’s commitment to delivering world-class creative solutions that remain deeply connected to local culture and consumer insight.

The launch follows GIGIL’s global momentum, as it has just been named the No. 1 Agency in Asia-Pacific in Campaign Brief’s The Work 2025.

GIGIL Phnom Penh is built on a powerful promise: to deliver work that fuses global creative thinking with a deep understanding of Cambodian consumers and authentic local insights. With a team led by Joef Pena who brings over 29 years of experience in brand and marketing communications, including nearly 20 years of on-the-ground experience in Cambodia, GIGIL will help brands in the country unlock new opportunities through internationally recognized, award-winning thinking.

Pictured: Joef Pena, Country Head, GIGIL Phnom Penh, with Jake Yrastorza, Managing Partner, GIGIL Global

Pena has held senior leadership roles in Cambodia’s largest agencies, top multinational networks including JWT Manila and FCB, and major Cambodian businesses. His track record includes campaigns for some of Cambodia’s biggest brands, such as Smart Axiata, Samsung, Tiger Beer, ABC Beer, ABA Bank, J Trust Royal Bank, ANZ Royal Bank, Ganzberg, Coca-Cola, and Danone.

“Our vision is to enable brands in Cambodia to access the same level of creativity and effectiveness that has earned GIGIL recognition on the global stage, while keeping the work grounded in authentic Cambodian culture,” said Pena.

GIGIL emphasized its commitment to unlocking the incredible creative potential already present in Cambodia, while bringing in a fresh approach to advertising that entertains, engages, and delivers measurable results — just as it has for clients like Netflix, Grab, and Jollibee across their different offices.

Yrastorza added: “We’re excited to partner with brands in the country and prove that creativity rooted in Cambodia can compete with the best in the world.”

With its new Phnom Penh office, GIGIL expands to Southeast Asia, offering clients a balance of international recognition and strong cultural understanding. Interested clients can reach out to the team at cambodia@gigilglobal.com.