Tuesday 12 December 2017 / Shanghai: Isobar China Group, Dentsu Aegis Network's leading digital agency, today announced that Alvin Huang has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer and Chris Chen appointed to Chief Creative Officer. The appointments will be effective from January 1, 2018.

 

Alvin Huang and Chris Chen

Huang will take over responsibility for the China market from Jane Lin-Baden, CEO of Isobar APAC, who held the position from 2013 and retained the role following her promotion to APAC CEO in 2016.
 
In his new role, Huang will expand Isobar’s capabilities and drive strategic business growth in the growing and dynamic China market. He will also further enhance the collaboration between the group's six agencies in China, and foster more integration within the teams at Dentsu Aegis Network China. Huang will report to Phil Teeman, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network China, and Jane Lin-Baden, CEO of Isobar APAC.
 
Having been with Isobar since 2004, Huang brings 20 years of experience in media and digital marketing to Isobar, one of the most awarded digital agency in the China market. Throughout his 13 years with the agency, Huang has held several executive roles such as Managing Director of Isobar China Group, Managing Partner - Integrated Media of Isobar China Group, and Managing Director of Isobar’s Shanghai and Beijing office. Well- connected in the digital industry with a passion for new technology, Huang is a recognized talent with strong expertise in both digital creative and media business. 
 
In the newly-created role of China Group Chief Creative Officer, Chris Chen will integrate and lead the creative teams of Isobar China Group agencies to deliver quality work, develop creative products, offerings and enhance the creative team culture beyond day- to-day client engagements. He will also support and promote the agency brand by leading its creative philosophy and excellency. Chen will report to Alvin Huang, CEO of Isobar China Group.
 
Chen has more than 26 years’ experience in the advertising industry, 18 of which are in digital marketing. He founded Trio Digital in 1999 before being acquired by Isobar in 2013. At Trio Isobar, Chris was CEO & ECD, responsible for the creative output and operations of the company. 
 
Phil Teeman, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network China, said: "I’m excited for Alvin and Chris’ promotions. Both of them embody Dentsu Aegis Network’s vision of ‘Innovating the Way Brands are Built’. We have always attached great importance to investing in our internal talent pool and ensuring they are the very best they can be."
 
Jane Lin-Baden, CEO of Isobar APAC, said: “In the past five years, Isobar China Group’s revenue grew nearly six times through organic business innovation and acquisition, and solving real business problems for our clients. The growth of our next phase will come from strong integration and in celebrating creativity and consulting. Alvin is a well- respected leader in our organization, he has a full heart for clients and staff, always embraces innovation, and never takes the credit for himself. There is no better candidate to take Isobar China Group to the next level.”

“Creativity is at the core of what we do, and we will continue to invest in building a culture that celebrates creativity and creative talents. Chris is an amazing and influential creative leader who builds a strong creative culture and invests in nurturing young and local talent, who are future of our industry. I am very pleased to have Chris at the helm of our creative future in China,” Lin-Baden added.
 
Isobar China Group CEO, Alvin Huang, said: "Isobar’s vision is to transform business, brands and people’s lives with the creative use of digital. Our five agency acquisitions in China are testament to our commitment to achieve that goal. In my new role, I plan to integrate more of Isobar’s talent and capabilities, to more openly embrace media platforms and technical partners, and to grasp the potential of innovation in the Chinese market. At the same time, we will continue to consult with our clients, providing them with business solutions and products, whilst maintaining Isobar's leading position as a marketing solutions provider.”
 
Chris Chen, CCO of Isobar China Group, commented: “As a leading digital agency, Isobar China Group already has great creative prowess. However, we are aiming for much more; we need to create even more popular and influential and disruptive work, and we need to permeate creative thinking into every department and every aspect of our business. We must embrace and cultivate a creative culture within the group and integrate this culture into our offering - across brand, business, product and service design.”
 
Both Alvin Huang and Chris Chen will continue to be based in Shanghai, China.