Millward Brown Expands Indonesian Team

Millward Brown has expanded its team in Indonesia with eight appointments, including former Diageo exec Chris Thomas as Director of strategic consulting arm Millward Brown Vermeer.

The WPP-owned branding giant says the new hires span 'all areas of expertise - brand strategy and performance, creative development and media channel optimisation.'

Thomas, who was Diageo's Global Innovation Director for South East Asia and India, joins the new division formed in June after the acquisition of global marketing strategy consultancy EffectiveBrands, subsequently merged with MB's Optimor.

Other senior hires include Anggra Tidayoh, formerly of GroupM, who joins as Associate Director of Media & Digital solutions; and Soeprapto Tan, who joined in October with a remit to tailor the company's offer for local Indonesian clients. The firm has also appointed Lara Burn as Group Account Director at qual practice Firefly; Kelvin Gin as Group Account Director; Richard McLeod and Aparajita Roy as Account Directors; and Emma Mussell as an Associate Account Director.

Mark Chamberlain, Managing Director of Millward Brown Indonesia, comments: 'Indonesia is going through significant change, becoming increasingly important beyond its own shores. At the same time, brands are becoming more significant for Indonesian consumers and the digital advertising landscape is entering a period of exponential growth... It's incredibly exciting to have the full Millward Brown offer for Indonesian clients... With high growth expected over the coming year, we will also continue with our strategy of expansion and recruiting the best talent.'

In September, the company opened a first office in Karachi, Pakistan, led by former JWT exec Noaman Asar.

Part of WPP's Kantar, MB is online at www.millwardbrown.com .