Two Experienced Hands Join Face

'Socially intelligent' researcher Face, part of the Cello Group, has recruited two senior execs from M&C Saatchi brand agency Clear: James Hirst, as London-based Global Business Development Director, and Sofia Mavros, based in Hong Kong in the role of Research Director of the Asia team.

Face, whose offer includes insight communities and social media panels, has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore, and a team consisting of researchers, planners, social data consultants and creative technologists.

The latest appointments reflect the firm's rapid growth in Hong Kong and Singapore, addressing markets in China and South East Asia respectively. Mavros is a Unilever Accredited Research Lead, and will focus on developing the firm's global relationship with Unilever in China, also supporting Face's Unilever team in Singapore and working with Face's other global accounts in the region. At Clear, she spent four years as Head of Innovation, managing innovation and brand strategy projects for a wide range of clients. She brings more than ten years' experience of working in China and across South East Asia, in consumer insight, innovation and brand strategy roles and using qual methods including co-creation, online communities and ethnography.

Hirst has spent the past four years as Clear's Head of Business Development Europe. In his new role, he will have a global remit supporting CEO Andrew Needham to develop new business globally, in both qualitative research and social consultancy.

Needham comments: 'We are extremely happy to welcome such highly talented and experienced people as James and Sofia to help further Face's successful growth. They will play a key role as we step up the next phase of our international expansion.'

Andrew Ho, MD for Face Asia,to whom Mavros reports, says she brings 'a rich and nuanced understanding of the Asian region along with excellent experience working with FMCG brands to create successful innovations.'

Web site: www.facegroup.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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