Alex Lee takes on chief executive officer role at Publicis Hong Kong + Thierry Halbroth promoted to managing partner adding to current ECD role

Publicis Worldwide has appointed Alex Lee as Chief Executive Officer and promoted Thierry Halbroth to Managing Partner for its Hong Kong operations. Lee (pictured left) will lead the strategic development and growth for both Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett in Hong Kong, while Halbroth (pictured right) will add operational management responsibility in addition to his current role as Executive Creative Director.

With a shared ambition to help clients in leading the change, the mandate of Lee is to create seamless ways of working among Publicis Worldwide, Leo Burnett and other specialist brands including digital communications specialist Nurun, strategic communications network MSLGroup, and shopper marketing expert Arc for the direct benefit of clients. With access to robust horizontal capabilities ranging from digital, to influence and commerce, Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett will be able to provide clients with effective multi-disciplinary solutions. Under the leadership of Lee, Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett will continue to operate as their own entities.

Promoted to Managing Partner, Halbroth will work closely with Lee for managing Publicis Worldwide’s Hong Kong operations. Halbroth will retain his duties as Executive Creative Director and continue to oversee the overall creative output of the office on all its major clients, including AXA, Marriott Hotels, UBS and many more. Joining Publicis Worldwide since January 2016, Halbroth has already built a strong center of creative excellence and continuously demonstrated solid leadership in delivering effective, strategic and integrated solutions.

Lee said, “What clients are looking for now is integration of disciplines and capabilities, in my new role, I will make sure both agencies will support our clients’ marketing transformation with fast orchestration and implementation. I also look forward to working closely with Thierry who has been a huge influence since joining Publicis Worldwide. Together with Thierry and the talented teams at Publicis Worldwide, we will undoubtedly bring the agency to greater heights.”

On his promotion, Halbroth commented, “Our purpose at Publicis Worldwide is to lead the change for both clients and ourselves. While this is a constant in this part of the world, the remarkable transformation that the agency (and network) is going through makes it one of the most exciting place to be in. I am thrilled by the added challenges of the Managing Partner role and honored by the confidence of the entire team – exciting times ahead! By working closer with sister brands under one leadership, we will be able to engage our clients on unlimited conversations around their ever changing communication and marketing needs, and provide them with an unmatched offering that combines creative, strategy, digital, user experience, shopper marketing as well as influencer relations.”

Lee was named Chief Executive Officer for Leo Burnett Hong Kong in July 2015. With a 20-year career spanning across Malaysia, China and Hong Kong, Lee has a track record in operational management, regional and global client management, digital leadership as well as organizational transformation.

With over 15 years of fully integrated advertising experience and solid digital credentials, Halbroth is an award-winning creative leader whose dedication has contributed to the development of major international brands.