Independent agency GOVT Singapore has expanded its senior management team with new appointments to inject fresh talent and foster growth from within.
Phang Mei Jeng, also known as MJ, takes on the role of Managing Director. Before joining GOVT, Phang spent seven years at Ensemble Worldwide/Mediabrands Content Studio in Malaysia, where she advanced to Managing Director. She also served as Business Director at BBDO Proximity China for four years, working with major regional and global brands such as PETRONAS, Pizza Hut, Visa, OPPO, Ford, Gillette, Braun, and Toyota. Phang was recognized in Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 40 Under 40 in 2018 and awarded Southeast Asia Account Person of the Year in 2019.
Phang takes over the Managing Director role from Alvina Seah, who will remain as a Partner within the GOVT group of companies.
Kevin Poh has also been promoted from Group Creative Director to Executive Creative Director of GOVT. With close to two decades of experience and numerous local and international awards under his belt, Kevin has spent 7 years within GOVT across two stints. His elevation to ECD follows over 4 years of creative stewardship of brands such as Sentosa, Julie’s Biscuits, Puma and Asahi.
Poh takes over the ECD role from Tim Chan, who will be taking on a new Chief Operating Officer role in The Betterment Group, GOVT’s parent company, alongside longtime partners Leon Lai (CEO) and Aaron Koh (CCO).
Khoo Kai Qi joins as Client Services Director, bringing over 13 years of experience with local and international brands. She has worked with agencies such as Publicis, JWT, Tribal DDB Worldwide, and more recently, Moon Rabbit Singapore. At Tribal DDB Worldwide, Khoo led the Government business division, driving successful campaigns for clients including the Singapore Army, Ministry of Communications & Information (MCI), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Ministry of National Development (MND), and others, delivering award-winning work.
CEO of The Betterment Group, Leon Lai said: “Change is the only constant in life, and even more so in our industry. Our move to bring in new blood and elevate stalwarts like Kevin to bigger leadership positions is all about keeping the agency’s energy fresh and dynamic. At the same time, it allows the Co-Founders to spend time pursuing new opportunities for the Group and its agencies. And there’ll be more exciting ventures in the pipeline we’ll share in the coming months”.