Aaron Phua Moves To McCann Worldgroup As ECD On Coca-Cola Based In Shanghai

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Oct 31, 2014, 12:36 ET

SHANGHAI, Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McCann Worldgroup announces the appointment of Aaron Phua as Asia Pacific executive creative director for Coca-Cola, a newly created position following Coca-Cola's recent appointment of McCann Worldgroup as their Agency of Record for China.

Phua will be based out of McCann Shanghai and will partner with Cia Hatzi, MWG's regional business director, to elevate the standard of creatively innovative solutions for Coca-Cola.

Jesse Lin, Greater China CEO of McCann Worldgroup, said: "Being awarded Coca-Cola's Red business in such a vibrant and competitive battleground testifies to our deep understanding of the market and collaborative capabilities across China. This appointment marks our focus to improve the quality of creative output to deliver big ideas across multiple platforms for Coke."

A Singaporean, Phua is one of a few Asian talents to have served as a creative director in the United States. He joins McCann from BBDO, where he was a creative director in both Atlanta and New York on the AT&T business. He began his creative career in Asia at Fallon Singapore and Hong Kong, where he worked for five years on brands such as United Airlines, Volkswagen, Timberland, TIME and Citibank. After a stint at TBWA where he was part of the pitch team that won Singapore Airlines, he moved to China with Wieden+Kennedy. He then joined BBH in Shanghai, where he worked on Nike, Converse, Heineken, Nokia, Burberry and Sprite. In the U.S., prior to BBDO he worked with the top creatively awarded shops Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami and Johannes Leonardo in New York, leading teams on major brands such as Bacardi, Google and Chanel.

Rob Reilly, global creative chairman, McCann Worldgroup, said: "I'm pleased to have Aaron on my team once again [having worked with him at CP+B]. With the recent expansion of our responsibilities for Coca-Cola in China, his regional market knowledge together with his global experience will add a new perspective and way of thinking in the agency and for our client."

"Creatives never settle, do they?" Phua said. "Whilst I've had a swell time in the U.S., I'm thrilled to get back to the future, twelve hours to be exact, and be part of McCann's evolution is Asia."

Charles Cadell, president McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, said, "McCann has so many great talents, both iconic local and global clients, and a comprehensive integrated offering. With the addition of Aaron to the team we are looking to enhance our existing creative foundation for Coca-Cola and create more synergies and creative opportunities throughout the region."

About McCann Worldgroup
McCann Worldgroup, part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), is a leading global marketing services company with 23,000 employees in more than 120 countries, comprising McCann Erickson (advertising), MRM//McCann (digital marketing/relationship management), Momentum Worldwide (total brand experience), McCann Health (professional/dtc communications), CRAFT (global adaptation and production), UM (media management), Weber Shandwick (public relations), FutureBrand (consulting/design), ChaseDesign (shopper marketing) and PMK-BNC (entertainment/brand/popular culture).

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SOURCE McCann Worldgroup