ZenithOptimedia Greater China President Steven Chang Joins Tencent As Corporate Vice President

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Sep 24, 2014, 10:00 ET

BEIJING, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent announced today that Steven Chang, former President of ZenithOptimedia Greater China, has joined Tencent as corporate vice president in charge of the company's online media advertising sales. He reports to SY Lau, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and President of its Online Media Group. Chang is the highest-ranking executive from a multinational 4A advertising agency to be recruited by Tencent Online Media Group in recent years.

Steven Chang Joins Tencent As Corporate Vice President (PRNewsFoto/Tencent)

Upon joining Tencent, Chang will be responsible for online advertising revenue, with a focus on the integration of Tencent's online media advertising businesses such as Tencent Video, mobile and social products, and qq.com. This provides advertisers with more optimized advertising solutions based on Tencent's all-media platforms. According to SY Lau, "Tencent has made breakthroughs across different fields in advertising business in recent years. We are confident that the addition of senior management talent with global vision will further elevate effectiveness in all aspects of our work for strategic customers, agencies, and brands."

With its rapid development since 2006, Tencent Online Media Group (OMG) has grown from a single portal to the leading media organization in China consisting of video, social networking, wireless, and vertical platforms. Since becoming the largest media company by advertising revenue in early 2012, Tencent OMG now enjoys a leadership position in mobile media, particularly in various verticals such as information, entertainment, sports,etc., with an extensive presence in various cities.

Chang's job is to further enhance the influence of Tencent OMG and grow the scale of its advertising sales to a new level. At the latest Tencent Mind Conference, themed "Mobile Connectivity: Reimagining the Future," Tencent laid out its focus on mobile media and developed a structured ecosystem for the industry. Alongside Chang, Tencent's strength and leadership in both mobile media and marketing have attracted some of the brightest minds in the Internet and marketing sectors to join the company recently. This influx of talents will prepare Tencent for a stronger leadership position in times of tremendous change.

According to Chang, the media environment in China has undergone a disruptive change with increasing popularity of smart phones, social media, and other emerging applications. Digital media is one of the most effective platforms for brands to communicate with consumers. Successful use of digital media platforms demands a new approach to managing communication between brands and consumers, based on an effective integration and analysis of data alongside new and creative content. "Tencent is not only China's fastest-growing digital media platform," said Chang. "The company's Online Media Group also has a profound influence on the advertising industry. I am very pleased to join such a booming media platform at this time of industry transformation."

Chang has worked in the advertising sector since 1991, with stints at major companies such as Ogilvy, Hill Holiday, BBDO, Leo Burnett, and Saatchi & Saatchi. In 1995, at the age of 28, he became the youngest media director in Hong Kong to be elected Chairman of the Committee for 4A Agencies. In 1996, as one of the founders of ZenithOptimedia, he played a major role in the company's office and team setup and developed a large number of international and local clients, including well-known brands in FMCG, Aviation, Finance, IT and other industries. In 2010, he was appointed CEO of ZenithOptimedia Greater China, responsible for company development in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and has since become an important leader in China's advertising industry. Chang holds an EMBA degree jointly issued by Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

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SOURCE Tencent