Hakuhodo Singapore appoints Andy Tan as its first-ever local Managing Director in strategic move
Press release:
Hakuhodo Singapore Pte Ltd has appointed Andy Tan Heok (pictured) as its new Managing Director effective from April 1, 2023, succeeding Taro Muto from Hakuhodo Inc (Japan). Andy is tasked to chart Hakuhodo Singapore’s strategic new direction by incorporating the best of three worlds of local depth, Japanese flair and global might.
Andy who is also the Executive Creative Director and Chief Strategist of The Thinc Group – a Singapore-based award-winning creative consultancy he founded in 2003 and acquired by Hakuhodo Inc in 2017 – will concurrently hold both portfolios in the management of the two agencies. This gives him the opportunity to harness greater synergies between both agencies to elevate creativity and operational efficiencies.
Commenting on Andy’s appointment, Shuntaro Ito, president and CEO of Hakuhodo International, said this is a further example of how the parent Hakuhodo company – with around 5,000 local personnel in 60 offices worldwide – supports the marketing and communication efforts in a multitude of countries and categories.
“Regardless of country, we will continue exploring and responding to a new, post-pandemic world. Andy will help us deepen our local roots in Singapore and expand our local portfolio, while continuing to grow our regional clientele.” he added.
Starting his career as a creative (copywriter) in 1998, Andy will now oversee the management, strategising and creative direction of agency projects as well as its post-pandemic transformation. With a career that spans more than 28 years, his versatility extends above – and below-the-line, with fast strategic thinking, supported by concept-driven ideas across a multitude of industries, across both B2B and B2C paradigms.
Strategic direction for Hakuhodo Singapore:
With his deep experience in the local creative scene, Andy aims to propel local growth for Hakuhodo Singapore, strengthening its creative roots in Singapore, where the agency has been established since 1973. He will also tap on Hakuhodo’s global network of agencies and clientele, and its sei-katsu-sha insight-driven philosophy, which sees people nott through corporate eyes as mere shoppers and consumers, but as holistic individuals each with their own lives.
His philosophy for Hakuhodo Singapore
In transforming Hakuhodo Singapore into a full-fledged 360º agency that offers research insights, above – and below-the-line services, media strategy, as well as digital and social media solutions, Andy taps on his major at University – Philosophy (with honours) and Merit in English Language from the National University of Singapore in 1998 – to spell out his vision: that creativity cannot flourish without logic, research and knowledge. “Responsible creativity” is his mantra.
A track record of public contribution
Outside of work, Andy volunteers his time with SAFRA (Singapore Armed Forces Recreation Association), currently serving as Chairman / Executive Committee for Safra Choa Chu Kang and Safra Corporate Branding Committee, where he is called upon to share his advertising, marketing communications and branding expertise. Among his awards and accolades, Andy has received the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat) in 2019 conferred by the Prime Minister’s Office for his public service contributions to Singapore.
Andy’s quote:
“It’s interesting that Hakuhodo Singapore was established in 1973, the same year I was born. As I enter a new stage of my career with an exciting new role, I hope I can use all my experience in the creative arena to lead Hakuhodo Singapore into a new stage of its growth as well.”