Robert Kay Hired as Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia
Edelman has named Raymond Siva CEO of Edelman Indonesia, effective September 1. Siva, currently managing director of Edelman Malaysia, will lead the firm’s award-winning office in Jakarta with more than 100 employees. Robert Kay, currently managing director of Leo Burnett in Malaysia, will succeed Siva as CEO of Edelman Malaysia, also effective September 1. Both Siva and Kay will report to Iain Twine, CEO of Edelman Southeast Asia & Australasia. Stephen Lock, currently CEO of Edelman Indonesia and head of Southeast Asia public affairs, is leaving after four years with the firm.
“Over the course of Raymond’s five-year tenure, the Malaysia operation has grown seven-fold in terms of revenue and staff has more than doubled,” said Twine. “Raymond’s experience leading our Malaysia office and Robert’s world-class creative and advertising background will realize this ambition for the benefit of our clients in Indonesia and Malaysia. Stephen has already laid the groundwork for this vision in Indonesia by hiring the best digital and consumer marketing talent available and by making us the go-to agency for international organizations in Jakarta. We wish him all the best.”
Under Siva’s leadership, Edelman Malaysia has been awarded Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Southeast Asia PR Agency of the Year – Silver for two straight years and has been a driving force behind Edelman’s growth in the region.
“I am thrilled and energized by the opportunity to build on the great success of Edelman in the Indonesia market,” said Siva. “Evolving it into a leading communications marketing firm will require nurturing and attracting the smartest talent across diverse backgrounds that will allow our clients to excel.”
Kay has worked for a number of world-class companies including managing all aspects of marketing and product development for Australasia within a U.S. $2.2 billion division of The Coca-Cola Company; as account leader for Saatchi & Saatchi in both the UK and Australia; and as leader of one of Asia's most awarded marketing-services companies. Prior to Leo Burnett in Malaysia, Kay served as managing director for TBWA in Abu Dhabi, where he worked with the national airline of the UAE, Abu Dhabi's Formula 1 and the government's Media Zone Authority and investment fund.
“I was attracted by Edelman's relentless pursuit of excellence and freedom to be constantly curious,” said Kay. “As an independent firm, there are no boundaries to what Edelman can do. I see my role as building on Edelman’s instincts and grassroots credibility with the science and rigor of my marketing background to enhance the work we do for our clients.”
About Edelman
Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm, with more than 5,500 employees in 65 cities worldwide. Edelman partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Edelman operates in 13 countries across Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APACMEA) and has affiliates in more than 40 cities. Edelman was named The Holmes Report’s 2012 Asia-Pacific, 2013 Middle East, 2014 Asia-Pacific Digital and 2012 India Consultancy of the Year; Campaign’s 2012 Greater China PR, 2012 and 2013 South Asia PR, 2013 Indonesia Digital and 2014 Australia/New Zealand PR Agency of the Year; Marketing Magazine’s 2014 Singapore PR Agency of the Year; and PRWeek’s 2015 Japan/Korea PR Consultancy of the Year. In 2013, Edelman was awarded 17PR’s Top Employer in China and one of the Great Place to Work Institute’s Best Companies to Work For in India. Visit www.edelman.com for more information.