Saurabh Varma elevated to the role of Chief Strategy Officer at Leo Burnett Asia Pacific

Saurabh Varma, currently chief strategy officer for Leo Burnett Singapore and Malaysia has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer for Leo Burnett Asia Pacific.

In his new role, Varma (left) reports directly to Jarek Ziebinski, President, Leo Burnett Asia Pacific, and oversee all heads of strategy and planning directors across all Leo Burnett Group offices in Asia Pacific. He will also continue as a member of the Leo Burnett Worldwide HumanKind Standards Board.

“Saurabh’s new role is all about supporting us on our mission to build the agency of the future,” said Ziebinski. “In order to continue our growth momentum to evolve into a modern integrated communications company, we need to continue to deliver even more value for our clients through brilliant strategic thinking, which inspires cutting edge creativity that impacts behavior of people and building HumanKind brands. These are the key reasons why we need someone like Saurabh, positioned at the regional level and entirely focused on this vision. He will be responsible for making sure that we have the most talented thinkers in all planning disciplines across markets of Asia Pacific and that they are properly trained and well-equipped with all HumanKind tools and processes. This will help us further develop integrated planning and effectiveness culture. It will also allow us to continue to grow our business in all possible dimensions.”

A post graduate in Communications, Varma, who has been with Leo Burnett since 2007, has over 14 years of experience working across multiple categories including retial, FMCG, banking and finance and consumer durables. In the last two years Varma has won more than 40 awards including the Effie Gold, the Appies Gold, the Grand Prix for Direct Marketing, the most effective media campaign at Hall of Fame, 2 Gold Lions at Cannes, the Grand Prix at the ADFEST, the Viewers’ Choice Award (MediaCorp) amongst others. In 2010 Varma was awarded the ‘Strategic Planner of the Year’ at the ‘Hall of Fame’.

“It is a great privilege to partner Jarek and lead close to 100 incredible planners and strategists in Leo Burnett across Asia Pacific,” said Varma. “My ambition is to make Leo Burnett the strategic partner of choice for our clients in Asia Pacific. An outstanding strategic product is key for us to continue our momentum and be the fastest growing and most creative network in the region.”

In line with the appointment, Leo Burnett will also be launching a Regional Effectiveness Council, headed by Varma, which will comprise key Effectiveness leaders overseeing sub regions of Southeast Asia, North Asia, India and Subcontinent and Australia.

“As one of the region’s creative powerhouse that top leading global creative rankings and award shows, we want to more effectively prove the value of our ideas and reinforce the culture of effectiveness throughout the network. This new Regional Effectiveness Council is our commitment to achieving this goal,” said Varma.

Varma also represents Leo Burnett Asia Pacific on the Leo Burnett Worldwide’s Global Planning Board.