ASIA-PACIFIC – SOUTHEAST ASI, JUNE 2011 – Bates 141 Indonesia CEO Shubho Sarkar has been promoted to CEO, Southeast Asia.
Shubho will retain his current responsibilities as CEO for Indonesia. His portfolio now covers Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. Sarkar reports to Tim Isaac, Regional Chairman, and will work closely with the regional and local leadership teams to help bring the vision of Bates Southeast Asia to fruition.
“Our focus is on high growth BRIC and ‘Next 11’ (Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam) markets. With a successful track record in creating change for clients and our agency, Shubho is the best man to help us succeed in Southeast Asia,” said Isaac.
“Among the leadership roles he has held, Shubho has always identified closely with his planning role. With an insightful view on change, he brings high level thinking to the table and will inspire his team to start new conversations to the benefit of our clients’ business issues” added Isaac.
“The dynamic countries of Southeast Asia are experiencing exponential change and our plans are firmly in place to become the sort of agency our clients will need in these market circumstances,” said Sarkar.
As CEO Southeast Asia, Shubho will lead the sub-region to achieve its business goals as part of an ambitious three-year plan. The sub-region will operate in a symbiotic manner.
“Through this innovative business model, we leverage our collective strengths in talent, category experience and proprietary skill sets, to help our clients expand across Southeast Asia. We are already practicing this business model in Greater China and India to great effect, and these sub-regions serve as a working model for Southeast Asia too,” added Shubho.
The region will also look at leveraging pockets of expertise in digital, retail, dark marketing, activation and CRM. One of Shubho’s tasks will also be to develop specialist talent whose advanced skills can be transferable within the Southeast Asian region.
Sarkar joined Bates Indonesia in 2009. He has held numerous leadership positions in creative, strategic planning, activation and management. Prior to Bates, Shubho worked at JWT Indonesia, where he was General Manager. At the same time, he was also leader of strategic planning and account service. Prior to JWT, Sarkar worked at Result-McCann India as National Creative Director.
His life in advertising began as a trainee copywriter at Ogilvy & Mather. A Masters degree in Economics, a brief flirtation with journalism, research on Chaos Theory and teaching are some of the other things that Sarkar has enjoyed.
