Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) has appointed Ahmad El Hamawi as chief executive, SMG and VivaKi Malaysia.

El Hamawi will report into Jeffrey Seah, VivaKi Chair, South East Asia and chief executive, SMG South East Asia

El Hamawi previously held the position of regional client managing director, SMG, South Africa. He oversaw the media business communication business for Samsung across 45 African markets, where he elevated communications planning, drove media innovation and digital integration across all campaigns.

Seah said: “At SMG, we strive to use talent mobility as a mechanism for engagement, retention, development and career management. Liquid Talent is a priority as we invest in keeping our workforce engaged and committed, providing our talent with meaningful human experiences. We look forward to Ahmad’s leadership in the Malaysia market.”

El Hamawi: “SMG in Malaysia is an emerging market brand that has moved from the backstage to the center stage. The velocity in which it happened was the way it mirrored its objective, strategy and achievement around SMG’s Global vision – the human experience company where experiences matter as they touch hearts, enhances lives, build brands – consuming the hearts, minds and souls of consumers.”

El Hamawi will take up his new position immediately, relocating from South Africa to Malaysia.