TBWA\Malaysia names Yee Hui Tsin as managing director as CEO Aaron Cowie steps aside

TBWA\Asia has announced that Aaron Cowie, chief executive officer TBWA\Malaysia, will be leaving the agency in October. Cowie (pictured left) joined TBWA in 2006 as head of account management, he was named chief operating officer in 2007 and chief executive officer in 2011. Replacing Cowie is Yee Hui Tsin (pictured right), currently chief operating officer of TBWA\Malaysia. She will take on the role of managing director, effective October 2018.

Ian Pearman, president TBWA\Asia said, “Malaysia is a strong market for us, and Aaron has spent a decade building a fantastic team. We are incredibly grateful for his drive, energy and commitment over so many years, and he will leave us in October with the ultimate legacy, a fantastic successor.”

Yee in joined the Group in 2009. In 2012, she was appointed general manager of Creative Juice, and in 2016 she was promoted to chief operating officer of TBWA Group Malaysia. During her time as COO, she has played a key role in driving new business, enhancing client relationships, building culture and leading transformation programmes. She has a passion for the development of young talent, and serving as a mentor.

Yee has also been instrumental in forging relationships with Cooler Lumpur Festival, an annual festival in Kuala Lumpur that aims to cultivate the creativity and imagination of the people.

Cowie said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch young passionate colleagues grow into ambitious, innovative leaders. Hui Tsin is perfect to take on the MD role and has the confidence and support of the entire agency. She is a visionary who is highly driven about the agency and the business. I am confident she will make a great leader and continue to evolve the agency as the industry continues to disrupt.”

Pearman added, “In Hui Tsin we have one of the star talents of the Malaysian market. She represents the new generation of skills and smarts within our collective that clients will need to tackle the multiple challenges of modern marketing.”

Cowie has been incredibly influential in developing and moving the Malaysian advertising industry forward. He was Organizing Chairman of the Malaysia Effie Awards 2016 and in 2017. He is also Vice-President of the Malaysia 4A’s. Cowie will share his future plans in due time.