EssenceMediacom – part of GroupM – has appointed Silas Ho as Managing Director and Anthony Lau as Managing Partner in Hong Kong. Most recently, Ho was Head of Digital, while Lau was Head of Strategy at MediaCom Hong Kong.
Reporting to both EssenceMediacom APAC CEO, Rupert McPetrie, and GroupM Hong Kong CEO, Alice Chow, Ho will draw the roadmap for the new agency in the market. Ho began his career as an integrated planner, and evolved into a digital specialist in data, digital technology and performance marketing, EssenceMediacom said.
A long-serving member of MediaCom over a decade, the agency was recognised for its best-in-class digital planning capabilities under his leadership, winning ‘Digital Agency of the Year’, ‘Ecommerce Agency of the Year’, ‘Performance Agency of the Year’ and ‘Data Analytics Agency of the Year’ accolades at multiple award shows.
“It is time to change the way we see and handle advertising and marketing, as the way to effective communications is evolving rapidly every day,” said Ho.
Reporting to Ho, Lau will focus on formulating EssenceMediacom’s business development strategy, while continuing to oversee its strategic output in Hong Kong. With over 10 years of experience at creative and media agencies, Lau will work with Ho to strengthen EssenceMediacom’s data and analytics offering to clients in the area of strategic application.
Lau previously helmed business development for MediaCom Hong Kong, diversifying its offering from media planning to content creation, data analytics, branding consultancy and more.
Lau said, “While we are part of a global media agency, in Hong Kong, we also represent a brand new agency concept that is for and by digital natives. We strive for breakthrough thinking not bound by conventional marketing mindsets or planning philosophies to deliver business growth for our clients.”
McPetrie added, “With such strong homegrown talent and capabilities, I am confident that EssenceMediacom Hong Kong will create and deliver the marketing breakthroughs that brands need to grow and succeed, and set a transformative pace in the industry.”
Chow said, “Silas and Anthony are two of the brightest stars in GroupM. They epitomise how modern agency leadership should be – hungry for new ideas with an eagerness to achieve the impossible with their respective expertise. Their ability to uncover opportunities not seen by many will enable them to elevate EssenceMediacom to a totally new stage.”
