Global creative studio Koto has officially opened in Singapore, hiring Mark Teal to lead APAC Growth.
The new location, Koto’s seventh globally and its second in APAC, will serve as the studio’s Southeast Asian hub, building on the regional foundations established with its Sydney launch in 2023. Joining to lead the ambitious growth plans is Mark Teal, who takes on the role of Growth Director, APAC.
The Singapore opening reflects the momentum Koto has built since entering the region. Over the past two years, Koto has worked with several Singapore-based brands, including fintech brand Coda and gaming icon League of Legends, part of Riot Games.
The company has identified Southeast Asia as one of the most significant opportunities for ambitious brand-building and digital globally. With a dedicated presence in Singapore, Koto is positioned to deepen those relationships and partner with innovative, ambitious companies and start-ups that will define the region’s next chapter.
“Singapore is the natural next step. When we opened Sydney in 2023, Singapore was always part of the plan as it’s one of the most connected cities in ASEAN and the base from which regional ambitions are built. The brands here are increasingly thinking globally, and they need partners who can match that ambition,” commented Damian Borchok, Managing Director APAC, Koto.
Mark Teal brings more than two decades of experience in integrated brand strategy, communications, marketing technology, and customer experience to the role. He has worked with some of the region’s most significant organisations, including Singtel, Standard Chartered, and Prudential, and most recently served as CMO at VCCP Singapore and in client growth leadership at Wunderman Thompson. His career spans senior roles at Ogilvy & Mather, DigitasLBi, Mezzo Labs and Geometry Global.
“With over 4000 regional headquarters and over 30 unicorns, a digital economy worth $128 billion, Singapore isn’t just a market; it’s where the most ambitious companies make their brand decisions for Southeast Asia. These companies need a partner that can handle the full picture – brand, digital experience and campaigns – not just one piece of it. That’s exactly where we sit, and it’s a space very few studios here can confidently claim,” said Mark Teal, Growth Director APAC, Koto.
Founded in 2015 by Caroline Matthews (COO), James Greenfield (CEO), and Jowey Roden (CCO), Koto has grown from a three-person London studio to a global team of over 160, with studios in Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York, and Sydney. The studio’s work spans brand strategy and identity, digital experiences, and campaign work; its client roster includes Amazon, Google, JP Morgan, Lyft, Meta, Mars, Microsoft, Netflix, Tripadvisor, and WhatsApp.
“Koto has always wanted to work with the world’s best brands in the world’s best cities. Singapore has long been one of those cities for us, so opening here is a big moment. Working with brands like Coda and Riot Games showed us there’s a real energy and ambition here that feels very aligned with Koto. Bringing Mark on board is an important step in building Koto’s long-term presence in the region,” said James Greenfield, CEO, Koto.
