Takaki Hibino to lead Dentsu Aegis Network APAC — Nick Waters leaves to head DAN UK
Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Takaki Hibino as executive chairman of Dentsu Aegis Network Asia-Pacific. Hibino’s appointment comes in the wake of current regional lead Nick Waters moving to London to become executive chairman of DAN UK and Ireland. Waters’ return to the UK is believed to be due to the abrupt departure of Stef Calcraft executive chairman of DAN UK and Ireland, after less than a year with the agency.
Hibino’s role is effective from January while Nick Waters starts his new assignment in February 2019.
Hibino is a veteran at Dentsu Inc with 35 years of experience and has worked on businesses like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Shiseido. His has previously been CEO of Dentsu Brand Agencies Asia Pacific and the global brand president of dentsu X (formerly Dentsu Media). He is credited with winning multiple regional client accounts, international awards and leading the rebranding of Dentsu Media into dentsu X.
Speaking about the appointment, Hibino said: “I’m excited to be taking on the role to lead the regional business in such a fast growing and diverse region.
“I travelled around Asia Pacific when I was based in Singapore and was inspired by the strong talent within the business. I look forward to working with everyone in the region to take Dentsu Aegis Network Asia-Pacific on its next journey.”
Dentsu Aegis Network’s Nick Waters
Speaking about the move back to the UK, Nick Waters said: “After nine years leading the business in Asia-Pacific, it is time for me to do something different. To lead Dentsu Aegis Network in my home country — our second largest market globally, is a great opportunity for me.
“We have created a great business in the region, built through the hard work of an outstanding leadership team and many talented people across the business. Hibino-san has been a great colleague, is a top man, and will continue to take the company forward.”
…and thus begins the Tokyo takeover of DAN. Watch for relocation of APAC to Tokyo HQ. Sorrell ought to be able to mop up the mess this will make. DAN APAC has underperformed against budget/target for the last 3 years, so Waters’ move is not unexpected.
ReplyWhat could go wrong?
ReplyThis is what happens when you chase data and ignore creativity.
ReplyIf you were to clean house with [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]?
…yeah, and they haven’t caught it (“data”) yet. On their 4th [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] attempt at a global data platform. And you’re right – the legacy Aegis crew has no [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] creative people and agencies.
ReplyThey chased their real talent and creative [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. I can honestly say there is not a single [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] within that building.
ReplyMaybe we made some bad decisions?
ReplyI remember the good times. Well it’s time to pack my bags and head out.
ReplyWell….DAN’s biggest 2 markets are in [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] – Australia (who *is* running Australia?), and China (a basket case). I’m pretty sure we’ll see a Dentsu HQ China “Executive Chair” fairly soon. I wonder whether they’d send someone from Dentsu HQ to Aus?????
ReplyI’m with you [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Onwards to our next success…
Replyremovin nick with [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] will be a disasterrrrrr
Replylets face it carat keeps the lights on and that is the real problem – [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] clients monthly and has no [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] left. the real solution would be to plug the holes in that [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] ship
I’m quite new at Dentsu APAC, but I think I can get by so long as I show lots of “digital” and “transformational” postings on social media. And in my department we fired a lot of guys so they are a handy blame target when we need one. I’m not worried by any of this.
ReplyHave your say