Publicis APAC Creates First Regional CCO Role, Names Naomi Michael

Publicis Groupe APAC has created a new Chief Communications Officer role for the region and appointed Naomi Michael to the position, effective March 9, 2026. Michael, based in Singapore, will report directly to APAC CEO Jane Lin-Baden.

A First for the Region

The CCO role is the first of its kind for Publicis Groupe APAC. Michael will oversee communications strategy across all markets and business units within the region.

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Michael brings over 20 years of experience across APAC, Australia, and the UK. She joins from Omnicom Media Group, where she served as head of brand marketing. Before that, she spent nine years as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at IPG Mediabrands. Her career also includes roles at Publicis-owned Zenith, The Walt Disney Company, and The Financial Times, with postings in Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.

Jane Lin-Baden said Michael is "a leader with warmth and conviction who understands that communications play a fundamental role in building belief, alignment and momentum across a region as diverse as ours."

Role Tied to Regional Growth and Expansion

The appointment arrives as Publicis Groupe APAC reported strong financial results for 2025. The region generated net revenue of €1,260 million, with 5.8% organic growth for the full year and 6.2% growth in the final quarter. The group projects 4% to 5% growth for 2026.

Publicis also recently expanded its sub-regional structure. In early 2026, the group formed a new Japan-South Korea unit, bringing its total to five sub-regions: Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South Asia, and Japan-South Korea. The Japan-South Korea market alone represents a combined advertising spend of US$70 billion, serving around 175 million consumers.

Michael said the role reflects the scale of what Publicis has built. "Having invested ahead of the curve into AI, data, and real transformation at scale, their clarity of vision has translated into a powerful engine that consistently achieves undeniable results," she said.

HEPMIL Acquisition Adds to Communications Complexity

The CCO appointment also follows Publicis Groupe's October 2025 agreement to acquire HEPMIL Media Group, the parent company of SGAG, a leading influencer and content agency in Southeast Asia. The deal combines HEPMIL's creator network with Publicis' data infrastructure, including an ID graph covering over 800 million consumer profiles across the region.

Managing the communications around that integration, across multiple markets and audiences, adds to the scope of the new CCO role.

Publicis is also building out communications leadership at the sub-regional level. In South Asia, the group separately appointed Supraja Srinivasan as Vice-President and Head of Corporate Communications, reporting to South Asia CEO Anupriya Acharya.

Competitive Backdrop and Centenary Timing

Michael's hire comes as rival holding groups face internal disruption. Omnicom is currently integrating its acquisition of Interpublic Group, a process that has involved leadership changes and restructuring across both networks. Michael previously held senior roles at both IPG Mediabrands and Omnicom Media Group.

The appointment also coincides with Publicis Groupe's 100th anniversary. Michael noted: "I'm so thrilled to join the leadership team in APAC at such a defining moment, as we celebrate 100 years of Publicis Groupe, and help to shape the next century of transformation."

Michael steps into the role on March 9, 2026.