Mediabrands Malaysia promotes Audrey Chong to CEO of Universal McCann + Ensemble Worldwide

Mediabrands Malaysia has elevated Audrey Chong to Chief Executive Officer of Universal McCann (UM) and Ensemble Worldwide.

Chong has been a part of the Mediabrands network for the past three years, having served as Chief Investment Officer responsible for all traditional and digital media investment decisions. She has over 25 years’ experience in media strategy, communications, and planning, with a background across media, creative and digital.

Chief Executive Officer of Mediabrands Malaysia, Bala Pomaleh, said: “Audrey has served on both ends of the equation as an agency and client leader, overseeing brand and product campaigns from a creative and media perspective. Her experience as a client means she understands the breadth of marketing challenges faced by clients and knows how we can best complement them with our futureproof solutions.

“Audrey has also worked extensively with leadership across our media, creative and diversified specialist agencies, so she has a keen understanding of the internal nuances and business opportunities available to maximise value for our clients. In short, I am positive of her ability to unite talents and drive client excellence to ensure continued momentum across UM and Ensemble.”

Kasper Aakerlund, President UM APAC, says: “I’m delighted to welcome a talent like Audrey into the UM network. Her investment expertise and specialised industry knowledge position her perfectly to lead the Malaysian UM & Ensemble network forward. Both building upon the network’s momentum and success; and helping to futureproof their clients’ business, to navigate and optimise an evolving landscape.”

UM Malaysia has consistently been named the country’s best agency by RECMA since 2016. Ensemble Worldwide remains the only creative agency to pick up the Malaysia Effie Agency of the Year award for three consecutive years from 2016 – 2018. Both agencies have had a consistent showing at the Campaign Agency of the Year awards since 2017, picking up AOY across media, creative, digital, and mobile.

Chong’s appointment follows the elevation of Amit Sutha to a regional role as EVP, Executive Director Global Business of Interpublic’s new creative practice, Mediabrands Content Studio (MBCS).