GroupM's Wavemaker has appointed Singapore-based Sindhuja Rai as CEO in Asia Pacific, reporting to global CEO Toby Jenner.
Rai joins from Mondelēz International where she currently leads global media investment and AMEA consumer experience. With 20+ years in marketing, her experience spans other media agencies such as Mindshare and Publicis Media.
Rai will drive the strategy and execution of how Wavemaker positively provokes growth for their clients and people around the region. Rai will join the Wavemaker global executive team, as well as the GroupM APAC leadership team ExCo, and collaborate closely with GroupM and WPP leaders across the region.
Toby Jenner, global CEO at Wavemaker, thanked Mondelēz for supporting Rai’s transition to Wavemaker.
"Sindhuja is smart and driven with huge integrity. She knows our business well from our relationship with Mondelēz, and her regional leadership and global sensitivity make her ideally positioned to take Wavemaker to the next level," Jenner said.
"I'm so thrilled she's joining our business."
Sindhuja Rai said she is truly excited to join the many familiar faces at Wavemaker.
"Over the years, I’ve enjoyed the collaborative relationship with everyone at the agency, and I’ve been impressed by its culture of positive provocation," Rai said.
"I’m now looking forward to building on this established success while utilising my client experience to drive meaningful growth for Wavemaker, it’s clients and our people in the region.”
Jon Halvorsen, global SVP consumer experience at Mondelēz International, said over the past 12 years Rai has been a standout performer within the Mondelēz organization.
"Under her leadership we've consistently delivered double digit ROI growth, led the industry/region in digital excellence and pioneered critical new capabilities in consumer data, personalisation and AI," Halvorsen said.
"Her ability to drive volume and build strong brands through standout consumer experiences is unique and unparalleled. I know that in her new role she is going to be an amazing partner to many media leaders, category presidents and CMOs as she has been at Mondelēz.”
Rai will take up the role from September 2023.
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