JWT Singapore appoints Frank Bauer as CEO

He will start on 1 January.

According to a release, JWT Asia Pacific announced that Frank Bauer will succeed Angus Fraser as CEO of JWT Singapore when Fraser retires in January 31, 2013.

During Fraser’s eight-year tenure at JWT Singapore, the agency grew its base of regional and global clients and built up a strong digital capability to complement its core creative offering.

JWT Singapore took home a Grand Prix and six other awards from Spikes, and earlier this month was named Digital Agency of the Year at the 4A’s Creative Circle Awards. Fraser, who has worked in advertising for more than three decades, plans to return to the UK and set up an education tourism venture.

“It’s been eight fantastic years with JWT. I’ve really loved it, and we’ve achieved a lot of successes, growing from a small branch office in 2005 to a thriving, international agency,” said Fraser. “I’d like to thank my colleagues and clients, who’ve been truly wonderful to work with.”

Bauer, who will start the role on January 1, joins JWT from German ad agency Scholz & Friends Group, where he served as the International Managing Director. Scholz clients include automakers Opel/Vauxhall, Saturn, Siemens, Unilever, Vodafone and institutions such as the German Federal Government and the European Parliament.

Prior to his role at Scholz & Friends, Bauer was Global Key Account director at BBDO Worldwide, where he managed clients such as Allianz, Henkel, Hewlett Packard and Wrigley. Bauer also served as director for international clients at BBDO Berlin, and worked at BBDO in the US and France.

He has also held roles as acting managing director at Leo Burnett in Moscow, and in international marketing at BMW AG in Munich. He holds a degrees Master’s degree in business.

Bauer will start his new role on January 1, and will work with Fraser, who leaves on January 31, for one month to ensure a smooth transition.

“I wish Angus all the best. He brought a lot to this role, and will be very much missed by all of us,” said Michael Maedel, President, JWT Asia Pacific. “We chose Frank for this critical role after an extensive, worldwide search. Singapore is an important regional and even global hub for many of our clients, and he’s got the energy, enthusiasm and international outlook to help drive our client’s growth ambitions.”