Jim Heekin, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group, yesterday announced that Nirvik Singh has been appointed Chairman and CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific.
From January 1 2009, he will be responsible for Grey and G2 in the region. Singh is taking over from
Mike Amour, who has held the top post in Asia Pacific since 2005. Amour will leave Grey Group to take a sabbatical before considering new career opportunities, including potential options within WPP.
Heekin commented on the selection of Singh, “Nirvik Singh is one of the most dynamic and accomplished executives of the new generation of leaders emerging in Asia-Pacific’s advertising industry and his promotion underscores the talent Grey possesses in our ranks.”
He added, “Together, Mike and Nirvik have accelerated Grey Group’s performance in our 17 Asian markets and created a strong foundation for our rapid growth by recruiting world-class talent, elevating our creative product, winning new business and delivering outstanding client service across the communications spectrum. Their years of partnership ensure that this transition will be seamless. I am confident Nirvik will take Grey to the next level.”
On his new role, Singh said, “It is an honour for me to oversee our Asia Pacific operations at this crucial time in the growth and development of the region. Grey is ascending, our brand has great vitality and tremendous potential, and I look forward to building on its success and shaping its future.”
Prior to this appointment, Singh has worked as both Chairman and CEO of Grey Group South/ South East Asia since 2005 and CEO of G2 Asia Pacific since 2007.
Singh has been working with Grey for nineteen years. At the age of 26, Grey India’s Founder CEO, Ravi Gupta appointed him to lead Grey Kolkata. The agency grew to become the city’s second largest, winning Agency of the Year four times in a row.
Singh became the head of Grey India at 33 and subsequently COO of Grey South Asia in 1997. He took on the responsibility for its South East Asian operations in 2005. He has led the agency’s expansion into Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Vietnam and has been instrumental in its growth and resurgence in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
In his role as head of G2 Asia Pacific, Singh has made major progress in building the G2 network as well as spearheading such premier acquisitions as Star Echo in China and RAMMS in India.