Isobar China has promoted Alvin Huang to chief executive officer and appointed Chris Chen as chief creative officer as the agency looks to drive growth in the China market.

Huang will replace Jane Lin-Baden, CEO of Isobar APAC, who had held the China role since 2013 including after she was promoted to APAC CEO in 2016.

Huang will be responsible for expanding Isobar’s services and driving strategic business growth in China. He will also be tasked with ensuring collaboration and integration between Isobar’s six agencies in China, as well as the Dentsu Aegis Network in China. He will report to Dentsu Aegis Network China CEO Phil Teeman as well as to Lin-Baden.

Huang has worked for Isobar since 2004 and has held a number of senior management roles including managing director of Isobar China Group, managing partner - integrated media of Isobar China Group, and managing director of Isobar’s Shanghai and Beijing offices. 

Huang will also work closely with Chen, who assumes the newly created role of chief creative officer for the Isobar China Group.

Chen will be tasked with leading the creative teams across the group to ensure all the agencies produce quality creative work.

Chen has a long history in digital marketing and was previously CEO and ECD of his own agency Trio Digital. Chen joined Isobar in 2013 when Trio Digital was acquired by Isobar.

Chen will report to Huang and both will be based in the Shanghai office.

Jane Lin-Baden, CEO of Isobar APAC, said: “In the past five years, Isobar China Group’s revenue grew nearly six times through organic business innovation and acquisition, and solving real business problems for our clients. The growth of our next phase will come from strong integration and in celebrating creativity and consulting.

“Alvin is a well-respected leader in our organization, he has a full heart for clients and staff, always embraces innovation, and never takes the credit for himself. There is no better candidate to take Isobar China Group to the next level.”

“Creativity is at the core of what we do, and we will continue to invest in building a culture that celebrates creativity and creative talents. Chris is an amazing and influential creative leader who builds a strong creative culture and invests in nurturing young and local talent, who are future of our industry. I am very pleased to have Chris at the helm of our creative future in China,” Lin-Baden added.