After two years at McCann NZ, Lightfoot moves up to CEO at McCann Worldgroup Singapore

McCann New Zealand managing director Ben Lightfoot is moving from NZ to take up the position of CEO of McCann Worldgroup Singapore, effective January 1, 2011.

Lightfoot is taking the reins from Tony Savarimuthu, who has helped oversee the agency’s Singapore operations for the past 12 months. Savarimuthu will continue to focus on his role as CEO of McCann Worldgroup Malaysia and his industry commitments.

Lightfoot’s promotion recognises his outstanding leadership since joining the network in 2008 and his work in re-establishing the New Zealand office. In just two years McCann Worldgroup’s New Zealand operations have grown exponentially and now boasts an impressive client list of both global and local brands.

Lightfoot started his career in advertising in the creative department as an art director, working across all of the creative disciplines – brand, retail, direct and digital with BKP Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and Ogilvy One. His work has seen him awarded a multitude of international and national creative awards along the way. While running McCann New Zealand operations over the past two years, he has also sat on the Australasian Board of McCann Worldgroup and is the chairman of the Australia New Zealand Creative Council.

Says Lightfoot: “I’m incredibly excited about the move to Asia, and looking forward to utilising the skills I’ve developed in my career so far to add to what is already a strong Worldgroup offering in this dynamic region. Singapore is a gateway for both global and emerging Asian brands, and is renowned for being a unique and challenging market, with its history and diverse cultures creating a dynamic environment with rapidly evolving consumer values and behaviours.

“My goal is to ensure that McCann Worldgroup Singapore will consistently be at the forefront of innovation, reacting quickly to market momentum both in Singapore and beyond. We will be strengthening our offering with key investments in people, technology, shopper sciences and digital innovation.

“Our emphasis will be on utilising a strong strategic framework to create impactful and innovative marketing solutions for our clients, ensuring that they are optimally positioned in the increasingly competitive Asian marketing environment. This focus combined with Nick Brien’s drive and passion for creativity makes this a really exciting time for the McCann Worldgroup network.”

Says Michael McLaren, regional director of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific: “Ben has done a great job in New Zealand and has helped us build a thriving and creative business there. He is one of the rising stars in our network and I am excited to see him move into Singapore. He’s got a unique blend of business and creative skills, with the drive and the passion to help bring our operations in Singapore to the next level.

“We’ve been lucky to have Tony overseeing the market – but we understand that Singapore is a key market and regional hub and it is vitally important to our operations that we continue to invest there. Ben will work closely with the team to drive our continued success.”

Sue-Ellen Craig will continue to oversee McCann’s New Zealand operations as general manager of Auckland.