Saatchi & Saatchi lures BBDO Guerrero’s Paul Roebuck to CEO in Singapore & Malaysia

BBDO Guerrero/Proximity Philippines CEO Paul Roebuck has resigned to relocate to Singapore as the CEO of the Singapore and Malaysian Saatchi & Saatchi offices effective January, 2011.

Roebuck who has been with BBDO Guerrero / Proximity Philippines for the last five years, is making a return to the network having originally joined Saatchi & Saatchi in its London office straight from graduating University. His last posting with Saatchi & Saatchi prior to heading to BBDO Guerrero / Proximity Philippines was as the head of Saatchi & Saatchi Jakarta. Before

Indonesia he also held posts in the Malaysia and Cape Town offices.

Over the last 5 years, Roebuck has led BBDO Guerrero / Proximity Philippines to 4 consecutive years as Campaign Brief Asia Philippines Agency of the Year (2006,2007,2008 & 2009) and Philippines 4As Agency of The Year 3 times (2008, 2009, 2010). He also established Proximity Philippines as the leading digital Agency in the country, becoming the most awarded digital Agency for three consecutive years (2008, 2009 & 2010). Just a month ago, BBDO Guerrero / Proximity Philippines was the top ranked Asian agency in The Work.

“Paul is a driven, passionate and energetic CEO with a proven track record of delivering results, he loves being part of great creative work and is the perfect choice to help us bring back the magic to Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore and Malaysia,” said Ian Rowden, Saatchi & Saatchi’s Chairman & CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi Asia Pacific.

“After a global search for the best of the best we couldn’t resist putting someone of Paul’s calibre at the helm of what is the hub to Asia for our region. One of the great things about watching Saatchi talent grow and leave the nest, is the opportunity to welcome them home.”

Roebuck said he was excited to be returning home to the Saatchi network: “The Singapore and Malaysia offices have traditionally been a beacon for great talent, and I’m looking forward to working with some familiar faces and some new ones. With the talent and client relationships we have in these operations, I know we are destined to achieve great things.”

Roebuck fills the role previously held by Dean Taylor who left the network in July.

Meanwhile the transition process is already well underway at BBDO Guerrero/Proximity. The agency’s Chairman and Chief Creative Officer David Guerrero said Roebuck will be a hard act to follow.

“But we’re lucky enough to have talked to some outstanding candidates in the past few weeks and are taking things further with a select few of them,” said Guerrero.

Chris Thomas, Chairman and CEO BBDO Asia Pacific, said: “Paul has been with us for six years. It is time for him to take on a new challenge and we respect that. He leaves a strong team and a great agency. We all wish him well in his new role.”

The agency’s core management team, led by General Manager Francine Kahn Gonzales will run the agency during the transition period.