Mediabrands Bolsters APAC leadership; Ruth Stubbs appointed President

Mediabrands has strengthened its Asia Pacific leadership structure, designating separate leaders to run Asia and Australasia. Recognising the vast cultural diversity and business complexities of the broader APAC region, Ruth Stubbs has been appointed President, Mediabrands Asia, while Jeff Cressall will now oversee Australasia.

Based in Singapore, Stubbs will assume responsibility of managing and growing Mediabrands’ assets across the Asia region, including China, Japan, Hong Kong and India. She will have oversight over the UM and Initiative networks in Asia, as well as other Mediabrands’ assets, including Orion Trading and Reprise Media. Stubbs’ appointment is effective July 15, 2009, and she will be reporting to Nick Brien, President and CEO, Mediabrands.

Stubbs joins Mediabrands from GroupM, where she has been CEO of Interaction since 2004. She had established GroupM Interaction in the Asia Pacific region after only 12 months into her appointment. Prior to GroupM, she had spent 10 years at Euro RSCG WW, where she ran their US digital media operation on the back of a lengthy regional tenure in Asia. Stubbs brings an extensive background in advertising and marketing communications, which crosses media and management with over 10 years working with blue chip technology brands at a global level.

Confirming the appointment, Brien commented, “With close to 20 years’ experience in the advertising and marketing business, spanning three continents, Ruth will be a tremendous asset to Mediabrands in Asia. We are thrilled Ruth is joining our force as she will be a critical player in helping us further strengthen our businesses across the region.”

As for Cressall, he will continue to strengthen Mediabrands’ presence in Australia and New Zealand. As one of the strongest markets in Asia for Mediabrands, Cressall will be based in Australia and responsible for growing and developing the Mediabrands business overseeing UM, Initiative, Orion Trading, and building additional specialty business units.

Mediabrands is committed to driving further growth and talent superiority across each Asian sub-region and is, therefore, establishing distinct leadership in each of these critical regions.