The Internationalist Thailand names Wannee Ruttanaphon as the agency innovator for 2013

The Internationalist has named Wannee Ruttanaphon, Chairman of IPG Mediabrands, Thailand as the Agency Innovator of 2013. The annual recognition programme by the UK-based publication acknowledges the contributions made by advertising agency executives across the globe who are transforming the ideals of the agency world, adopting innovative communications and being advocates of international brand-building.

An extraordinary leader and mentor, Ruttanaphon has applied innovation to every aspect of the business over the past 25 years, driving adoption of new disciplines and offerings, strengthening team capabilities and skillset and raising the bar for media innovation. Under her tenure, the agency group has grown by almost 14 times and won multiple awards.

Ruttanaphon is also a key figure behind the recently launched MAAT Awards – Thailand’s own media innovation awards that aims to showcase the great works and the great minds behind the work that inspires clients, business partners and young aspirants in the industry.  A believer in inspiring youth – the next generation of advertising professionals who will join the industry and who look to great work and deliver great things, Ruttanaphon has also initiated MAAT mentorship programme to nurture and guide young media planners and senior advertising students, eager to join the field.

“Innovation can come from break-through thinking and creative ideas but they also come from taking risks and challenges head on and never stopping to do your best; never giving up,” believes Ruttanaphon.  “Advertising is one discipline that teaches people to be adaptable, nimble and always moving. I will encourage anyone joining this industry to create something new, doing something that has never been done before and finding opportunities to grow. At Mediabrands Thailand, this philosophy has never let us down.”

Responding to the recognition, Ruttanaphon said, it was an honour to be a part of the global community of Innovators and play a role in raising the profile of Thai advertising internationally. “We must all work together to ensure that we drive innovation at every level and elevate advertising as a passion and a profession.”

In all, 31 men and women from agencies throughout the world were chosen as Agency Innovators from several hundred nominations this year.