Dentsu Aegis Network Gears up for Further Growth in IndoChina Region with New CEO Appointment

• Putting business focus on the next frontier – the IndoChina region, which will include Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar  
• Taking on newly-created role for CEO of IndoChina is advertising veteran Sanjay Bhasin 

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces that it will put focus on and expand its business in the next frontier – the IndoChina region, comprising of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Advertising veteran Sanjay Bhasin will take on the newly-created role as CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network IndoChina, based in Vietnam, effective January 2018. Toshinori Aoki, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Vietnam, will move back to Tokyo after seven successful years of establishing the business in Vietnam, one of the key growth engines in the region. 

Sanjay will be tasked with driving reputational and operational excellence in IndoChina and will look to drive growth through Dentsu Aegis Network’s unique collaborative one P&L operating model. He will report directly into Dick van Motman, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Southeast Asia. 

Commenting on the appointment, Dick van Motman, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Southeast Asia, said, “Aoki san has built a strong foundation in Vietnam and with his move back to Japan we are looking to bring in fresh talent to further evolve the business and tap into the growth that is now occurring across the IndoChina region. Sanjay brings a great breadth of experience, a client centric/solution-based approach and a deep appreciation for what creates consumer engagement in this day and age. Next to this having worked across cultures, both regionally and globally, he is a true embodiment of the power of diversity and convergence.’  

“With Sanjay joining the Southeast Asia leadership team, we further our bench strength across the region and increase our abilities to help lead our clients’ businesses into the digital economy,” he added. 

A 24 year veteran of Y&R, Sanjay started his career with the company in New York in 1993 and has since worked in the US and across Asia Pacific holding senior leadership positions as CEO of Y&R Thailand, IndoChina, as well as Southeast Asia. In his most recent role as CEO of Y&R Southeast Asia, Sanjay was responsible for driving creative excellence and new business in Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. 

On his appointment, Sanjay Bhasin said, “The collaborative spirit, strength and suite of capabilities drew me to the network. Its ability to provide truly convergent solutions at scale and speed is truly exciting. I am looking forward to working with the great talent at Dentsu Aegis Network and expanding upon the vast opportunities that the IndoChina region holds.” 

Under his leadership, Y&R Thailand succeeded in achieving double digit growth year on year and picked up metal at the Agency of the Year for three years as well as two Gold Lions at Cannes. Y&R SEA was also Campaign’s Agency Of The Year. 

On his time leading the business in Vietnam, Toshinori Aoki said, “My journey with the Group in Vietnam began seven years ago and during that time we have successfully grown the network to the Group it is today. I have worked alongside some great talent in this exciting market and it is with my full confidence that Sanjay will take the helm. I look forward to my new role at Dentsu Inc. as it brings me back ‘full circle’ to Japan.” 

-ENDS-

For further information contact: 
Pei Xuan Lim 
Regional Communications Associate Director 
T: +65 6911 9321 
E: PeiXuan.Lim@dentsuaegis.com 

Notes to Editors: 

About Dentsu Aegis Network 
Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with more than 40,000 dedicated specialists. www.dentsuaegisnetwork.com