Leigh is CEO of APAC, where he is responsible for driving the vision, strategy and performance of the Mediabrands network across 13 markets and more than 3000 people across the region. Leigh is a highly-regarded media operator whose career has spanned Europe and Asia Pacific. A digital innovator at the forefront of the media industry, Leigh understands the significant impact technological advancement has on both the consumer and industry at large; and harnesses that information in order to build best-in-class solutions for clients across the region.

Passionate about technology and its impact on consumers and the advertising industry, Leigh is an inaugural Visiting Fellow in the School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, QUT School of Business at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

With a rich background in corporate financial and operational leadership, Aravin has spent that last decade working across the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG); within Mediabrands and Kinesso, leading their respective commercial success across a network of agencies.

In his current role as Regional Chief Financial Officer, IPG Mediabrands APAC, Aravin is responsible for driving revenue growth, financial management, operational excellence & championing compliance for the agency group across the Asia Pacific region.

A champion of industry excellence, before moving on to his current remit, Aravin served as honorary Treasurer for the AAMS; a merger of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies, Singapore (The 4As) and the Institute of Advertising Singapore (IAS).

Leading talent management and the strategic HR agenda for all IPG Mediabrands markets, and more than 3,000 employees across the Asia-Pacific region; Zarka works in close partnership with the executive leadership team to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment that fosters authentic leadership, teamwork and collaboration. With more than 20 years specialised industry experience, Zarka’s perspective and contribution is frequently sought by the industry, she was awarded Gold Asia-Pacific Talent Management Person/Team of the Year at Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards 2018, Gold Women’s Leadership Program and Gold Mentor of The Year at Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Awards 2019.

With a passion for brand positioning and digital marketing amplification, Naomi has a proven track record of producing positive change in building and evolving the market reputation for corporate and media organisations, their products and services.

Naomi’s industry experience spans the UK, Australia, Hong Kong & Singapore, where she has been responsible for devising and implementing marketing and public relations strategies both nationally and internationally to support corporate priorities; increase stakeholder visibility and understanding; position companies as market and thought leaders; reinforce brand values; and foster brand growth and loyalty.

Named as one of Campaign Asia’s 2018 Women To Watch, and winner of three Singapore Media Awards and a Festival of Media Global award for a national CSR campaign in 2019, Naomi is the Co-Chair of the IPG Women’s Leadership Network Singapore Chapter.

As President UM APAC, Kasper leads the agency’s regional strategy, direction and operations, across 13 markets in the Asia-Pacific region, championing growth and precision marketing anchored in business analytics and real-time data intelligence.

With a strong operational background leading digital transformation in media organisations across Europe and Southeast Asia, Kasper began his advertising career in Denmark, leading prominent industry agencies spanning the Nordics. In 2014 Kasper moved to Asia with a  remit across Vietnam and Indonesia, where he oversaw two of the fastest-growing global markets with 850 advertising specialists before moving across to Mediabrands as Hong Kong CEO in 2016, and later ascending to his current position as President UM APAC.

Kasper is a regular speaker, judge and mentor in the advertising and communications industry, he served on the 2019 media jury for the Dubai Lynx Festival, and the Cannes Festival of Creativity.

As APAC President, James is responsible for People, Product and Profitability of the agency across the region. James comes to Initiative with a 20-year track record of building agencies, producing award-winning strategic ideas, developing talent and delighting stakeholders.

He has an understanding of working in a complex global organisation with 15 years in the APAC region, having lived in both Hong Kong and Singapore. James has also won multiple awards for creativity, integrated use of media, and content partnerships.

As Head of KINESSO APAC, the IPG Mediabrands tech-driven performance agency, Kris Biti provides strategic expertise to the APAC region and clients while driving forward excellence in media activation, data and tech, and KINESSO performance solutions. She leads 1,000+ digital experts across 11 markets engaged in digital media, marketing automation, advanced analytics, commerce, and AI.

A seasoned media and tech expert, she brings over 15 years advertising, marketing and technology experience across the Asia Pacific region, specialising in driving regional expansion, strategic partnerships, and organizational transformation within the industry.

With a proven track record of driving operational excellence and commercial transformation, Kris will continue to drive the adoption of new solutions and development strategies to position Kinesso for continued growth across the region while ensuring delivery excellence to clients across APAC, and close engagement with agency partners.

In his position as Chief Investment Officer MAGNA APAC, Paul drives investment excellence and performance across the IPG Mediabrands group of agencies throughout the Asia Pacific region, through the network’s leading global media investment and intelligence company MAGNA.

Having started his media career in the UK, Paul’s extensive trading and investment career encompasses all aspects of media communications, advertising and marketing spanning multiple categories and countries including, Australia, China and Singapore; with a remit expanding throughout the APAC region.

Passionate about implementing a strategic approach to media investments and operational execution; Paul cultivates dynamic multi-market investment communities that drive strong business results.

For over 28 years Craig has found his vocation in advertising, media, research and broadcasting.  His experience spans across media agencies, media owner & research vendors providing him with a 360 degree perspective on the research industry.

Within IPG Mediabrands, Craig is responsible for the proprietary research & tools that fuel the agencies planning processes.  In addition to this, he’s driving the agency’s research agenda across the APAC region, working to push for new and advanced research techniques for the company.

As a researcher, Craig has been commissioning and overseeing numerous research projects, both quantitative and qualitative throughout his agency career.

His current passion is working on projects that directly take audience segments directly from research panels through to activation in the digital world via programmatic.

Dharesheni is a global Diversity & Inclusion specialist, with more than 10 years international experience spanning tech, NGOs, global businesses and government, working on data driven projects and programs with underrepresented communities, tailored to countries regulations and culture.

In her current role as Mediabrands APAC Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Sheni works across a network of more than 3000 media and marketing professionals in multiple agencies across 13 Asia-Pacific countries, to lead the development of a long term strategy and roadmap that helps to increase representation, create a culture of belonging and contribution, and promote respect, equity and fairness.

Accredited with Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change award for Diverse & Inclusive Workplace for Mediabrands Singapore in 2022, Dharesheni has a master’s of Work & Organisational Psychology from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam where was also an alumni speaker.