AKQA Promotes Brian Vella to APAC CEO
AKQA has promoted Brian Vella to the newly-created role of APAC CEO as part of a new global structure. He has been with the agency for over seven years, and was previously managing partner across the region.
AKQA announced its updated structure this week, which unites creative, strategy, and technology "under a single integrated framework, with AI seamlessly embedded in its offering." Instead of each studio running its own P&L, the financial structure has been simplified with one P&L for each region: APAC, Americas, and EMEA.
“It’s an honour to serve as the first chief executive for this dynamic region at a company I’ve essentially grown up with," he told LBB of the promotion.
"Working alongside the country’s best creative and technical talent — and partnering with some of the world’s most respected brands — has been a remarkable privilege. Under this new structure, we’re poised to help our clients drive innovation on a truly global scale. I can’t wait for 2025.”
Jeremy Smart, the agency's Australian managing director, called Brian "an outstanding leader."
"I'm delighted to see him promoted to his new role. His valuable track record with the agency means he's in a strong position to steer us forward in the APAC region," Jeremy said.
"It's a very exciting time of growth for AKQA and we can't wait to see what's in store for next year and beyond."
The agency has created a global executive committee to implement the structure, which the agency said it designed in response to clients' demand for integrated capabilities at scale.
The global executive committee includes Stephan Pretorius, interim chair and WPP CTO; four divisional business leaders including Brian for APAC, Tesa Aragones for Americas, and Geoff Northcott for EMEA; Laura Maness, global Grey CEO; four CCOs, Shu Hung, Diego Machado, Hugo Viega, and Peter Lund; CFO Jon Eggar; and CPO Amy Oliver.
A search for a global CEO is progressing, the agency said. It will also appoint a chief technology officer and chief strategy officer in Q1 2025.
The global structure will deploy WPP's AI-powered marketing operating system, WPP Open, which AKQA said will drive "enhanced creativity, speed, and efficiency for clients."
Stephan Pretorius, interim AKQA chair and WPP's CTO, said, “This new structure marks a bold step forward for AKQA, enabling us to bring the best of AKQA globally to all our clients. AKQA has long been known for its innovation and cutting-edge products and services - the ability to think without limits and develop unchartered solutions.
"Now, it is poised to set new standards for delivering exceptional client work in the age of AI. By leveraging WPP Open, AKQA will further augment its creativity, drive more impactful business solutions for clients, and help shape the industry’s future.”
WPP merged whiteGREY into AKQA across Australia and New Zealand earlier this year as part of a global realignment, which saw Grey in UAE, Italy, and Belgium also become AKQA.
Brian joined AKQA in 2017, when DT merged with the agency. He was CEO at DT, spending 16 and a half years climbing the ranks in the business. He previously had a stint at OgilvyOne as MD.
