Leo Burnett Group appoints Songkran Sethesompobe as CEO for Thailand

Songkran Sethesompobe has joined Leo Burnett Thailand as CEO overseeing the four operations of the Leo Burnett Group (Leo Burnett, Arc Worldwide, Black Pencil and Alpha 245). Sethesompobe was most recently the CEO of BBDO Bangkok and will report directly to group Chairman On-Usa Lamliengpol in his new role.

Commenting on the appointment, Lamliengpol said: “Khun Songkran’s outstanding track record speaks for itself; more importantly, he embodies the HumanKind spirit that is central to the Leo Burnett culture which places people at the heart of everything we do. We are excited to have him join us to lead the agency to the next level.”  

With 25 years of experience – including ten years in top executive management roles – within the communications industry, Sethesompobe is a well-respected figure in the business with many accomplishments to his name.  A visionary leader and a supporter of creative excellence, offices under his watch has been awarded “The Hottest Agency in Thailand” by Campaign Brief Asia Magazine in 2008 and “Agency of the Year in Asia Pacific” by Media Magazine in 2006. As one of the founders of Creative Juice Bangkok, he led the agency as managing director from 2002 to 2006 before joining BBDO as CEO where he established a culture of excellence in the organization through building company management skills, team leadership skills, instilling a sense of pride in employees in the work that they do. Sethesompobe’s excellent interpersonal abilities also led him to build close knitted teams as well as establish solid clients’ relationships over the years.  Prior to Creative Juice Bangkok, Sethesompobe spent ten years with Ogilvy where he rose through the ranks from Account Supervisor to Managing Partner and Executive Board of Director.

Jarek Ziebinski, President, Leo Burnett & Arc Asia Pacific said: “Leo Burnett Group Thailand has finished last year strong with double digit growth despite the challenges faced by the market due to the political situation. Songkran’s appointment is a great boast to the team in achieving our unwavering ambition for this office particularly in our two key pillars of growth, digital and shopper marketing. I expect, that under Songkran’s leadership, our growth in Thailand will accelerate in 2011, 20% is within reach.”

Leo Burnett’s global, regional leaders in Bangkok recently for Global Leadership Council.  (Pictured above from left to right)  Mark Tutssel (Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett Worldwide),  Songkran Sethesompobe (CEO, Leo Burnett Group Thailand), On-Usa Lamliengpol (Chairman, Leo Burnett Group Thailand), Tom Bernardin (Chairman and CEO, Leo Burnett Worldwide), Jarek Ziebinski (President, Leo Burnett & Arc Asia Pacific).