Omnicom Media has appointed David McCallen as Chief Strategy Officer for Asia Pacific, effective immediately. He will report to Tony Harradine, CEO, OM Asia Pacific.
Based in Singapore, McCallen will focus on strengthening strategic capabilities across the region, developing client solutions and driving innovation. He will also work with local markets to adapt and implement global strategies across APAC, while supporting the development of regional strategy teams through coaching and capability building.
McCallen brings more than 20 years of experience across APAC, Oceania and Europe, spanning agency and client-side roles across customer experience, creative and media. He previously served as Asia Pacific Chief Strategy Officer at OMD, where he spent four years helping shape the network's regional strategy. During his tenure, OMD Asia Pacific moved from fifth to first place in RECMA rankings and has continued to hold the leading position in the region.
Commenting on the appointment, Tony Harradine, CEO, OM Asia Pacific, said, “David’s appointment reflects our commitment to strategic excellence across the region. His proven ability to elevate strategic thinking and drive transformational outcomes, as demonstrated by OMD’s remarkable rise within APAC, will be instrumental in shaping the future of our business. David brings the strategic rigour, creative insight, and commercial acumen we need to help our clients navigate an increasingly complex landscape and unlock genuine competitive advantage.”
David added, “It’s a huge honour to take on this role. We’re at a point where the industry needs to rethink what great strategy looks like and build a model fit for the complexity our clients navigate every day. At the same time, APAC continues to be an increasingly important source of growth, innovation, and influence for the global industry. The depth of talent we now have across the region is immense. For me, the exciting part is bringing that talent together, building something genuinely different and proving what this region is capable of.”
Before taking on the regional role, McCallen spent five years leading strategy at OMD New Zealand, where the agency achieved the top position in the market across new business, overall billings and award wins. In his new role, McCallen will work with Omnicom Media's markets and teams across Asia Pacific to strengthen strategic thinking and support the network's next phase of growth.
