Joining Dentsu International as CEO- Asia Pacific (APAC) and becoming a member of the Group Executive Management team at the network agency in September 2022 and providing significant leadership across the network’s markets, brands and practices in the region aiding Dentsu in its transition to One dentsu for the past two years, Robert Gilby has now decided to step down from his position to pursue new opportunities.
Confirming the development to Marketing Mind, Dentsu, in its company statement, mentioned, “Rob Gilby has stepped down from his position as CEO, APAC, dentsu to pursue new opportunities. Rob has provided significant leadership across our markets, brands and practices in the region and as a member of the Group Executive Management team as we transition to One dentsu.”
“During his tenure, Rob has fortified the leadership team, enhanced core capabilities and aligned with the new Group strategy to offer integrated, client-centric growth solutions from across dentsu’s practices. We are grateful for his contributions,” it added.
Furthermore, Dentsu also mentioned, “As we search for a new APAC CEO, our leaders in the established cluster markets, powered by a strong regional Clients, Business and Function team will work through the Group Strategy Unit, under the leadership of Yoshiki Ishihara, Global Chief Strategy Officer, with the full support of Global President & CEO, Hiro Igarashi, ensuring a continued client-centric approach and progress of the One dentsu performance and growth agenda. We thank Rob for his dedication and commitment to our organisation and wish him success in his future endeavours.”
Before joining Dentsu International in September 2022, Gilby was associated with Nielsen as President, Asia Pacific, from October 2021 to August 2022. And prior to that, he was the Managing Director, Global Partnerships and International at Age of Learning for a period of one-and-a-half years, starting April 2020.
On the sidelines, he continues to serve the role of Founding Partner at Reaction since July 2020 and as CEO and Founder at Blue Hat Ventures since January 2018.
From January 2015 to September 2021, he was a part of Ministry of Digital Development and Information and worked across a slew of roles including that of Member- Media International Advisory Council, Board Member- Infocomm Media Development Authority, Chairman of Advisory Board- Singapore Media Festival and Board Member- Media Development Authority.
Previously, he was also associated with The Walt Disney Company for a period of 12 years. He joined them as Managing Director- Disney Channels (UK, Scandinavia and Emerging Markets) in January 2006, became Managing Director- Media Distribution (APAC) in February 2008 followed by assuming the role of Board Member- The Movie Network Channels (Australia), UTV Software Communications (India) and CASBAA in 2009. In December 2011, he was elevated as Managing Director- The Walt Disney Company (South East Asia) and continued to serve the same role until December 2017.
In the past, Gilby also worked with Turner for over five years and PwC for about eight years.
