GroupM stalwart and current MD of GroupM Services, Willie Pang, has announced his departure from the agency network after six years.
The 44-year-old Pang will leave the advertising game at the end of the year and will return to his roots in technology, heading a new start-up in the growing fintech space called Limepay.
A tech native, Pang joined GroupM in 2015 as chief digital officer and was promoted to chief operating officer in July 2017.
In early 2018, Pang was elevated into the role of MediaCom CEO following the departure of Sean Seamer. who took up a role at Supercars Australia.
In April this year, Pang was moved into the role of managing director of GroupM Services (GMS); his role at MediaCom taken by Yaron Farizon, who arrived from MediaCom Russia to head the agency.
Commenting on Pang’s departure, a GroupM spokesperson said: “GroupM’s ongoing transformation continues at pace in line with our global strategy. Willie has played an impactful leadership role for our clients and people over many years and in laying the foundations for GroupM Services in Australia.
“Willie remains with the business until the end of the year, and we will announce his replacement in due course. We wish him all the best with this exciting new opportunity.”
In an interview with B&T in January, Pang said: “Quite frankly, we’ve realised that MediaCom’s competition is quite likely to be the Silicon Valley giants – the Amazons, the Googles, the Facebooks or even the next start-up that has the cool, funky brand.
“And the heritage of the super nova advertising agency, it has to be more modern, it has to have a younger feel. We want to have the conversations that marketers need to have.”
Pang had previously held senior leadership roles in the digital industry across Australia and Asia. He had been responsible for establishing the global business footprint for one of China’s leading independent media technology business, iClick Interactive Asia.
He also previously founded and ran Ventures in Digital Media, a marketing technology and data platforms business, which he successfully sold to Silicon Valley investors.
Pang holds board positions with an array of technology start-up organisations.
