VIRTUE Asia has appointed Lesley John as its new CEO, marking a strategic shift to accelerate growth in the region.
Since taking over as Managing Director in 2021, John has successfully led the agency’s expansion, notably growing teams in both Singapore and India. VIRTUE Asia works with prominent global and regional brands like Diageo, Toyota, and Shiseido. Before joining VIRTUE, John held senior roles at MediaMonks (part of S4 Capital), VCCP, Arcade, and BBH.
As part of the restructure VIRTUE Asia will work independently of VICE Media Group while collaborating with the VIRTUE Worldwide network on proprietary research and global clients when relevant.
John said, “This restructure represents an exciting new era for VIRTUE Asia, our people, and our clients. As we embark on a new chapter, the focus on creative innovation, cultural insight, and meaningful partnerships remains unwavering.
“With greater autonomy and flexibility, our increased agility means we can meet the unique needs of brands across Asia, forge new alliances and tailor our approach to the region’s significant opportunities, while continuing to deliver the high standards that define VIRTUE”, she added.
John also shared that the company has plans to further invest in growing its team of specialists.
Chris Garbutt, president of VIRTUE Worldwide, said, “John’s appointment as CEO represents a new beginning for VIRTUE Asia. Operating independently, while maintaining collaborative ties with VIRTUE Worldwide will allow the agency to continue delivering innovative, culturally resonant work that drives real impact for clients. Under Lesley’s leadership, I look forward to watching the agency reach new heights and redefine what’s possible for brands in Asia”.
VIRTUE Asia isn't the only agency that has made new appointments recently. Earlier this week, global PR agency FleishmanHillard appointed Thomas Skelton as the regional lead of its research and analytics practice, TRUE Global Intelligence (TGI) in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Skelton succeeds Michael Rinaman, who left the agency in 2024 to pursue other opportunities.
Skelton, based in Singapore, will lead TGI’s growth and operations across the APAC region, enhancing the agency’s research and analytics capabilities to provide data-driven insights and solutions for clients. He will report directly to Joanne Wong, APAC President and Senior Partner at FleishmanHillard