Vice creative agency Virtue names new APAC chief as MD Aaron Pearce departs
The Australian boss of Vice-owned creative agency Virtue Worldwide, Aaron Pearce, has left the company as a new MD was named to oversee the Asia Pacific region.
Pearce helped establish the agency in Singapore and oversaw operations in Australia, Middle East and Africa. The agency launched in Sydney in 2018. As part of the global cuts across the Vice network in 2020, the Sydney and Melbourne offices were significantly reduced, and its Australian operations are now run from Singapore.
In a regional reshuffle, former MediaMonks head of client services, Lesley John, has been appointed to lead Virtue’s regional operations as APAC managing director, a newly-created role.
On LinkedIn, Pearce said he “sadly” left Virtue to spend more time with his family.
Prior to joining MediaMonks – owned by Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital – John held senior and regional positions at VCCP, Arcade and BBH.
In the new role, John will report to Virtue’s co-presidents, Colin Mitchell and Chris Garbutt.
“The APAC market is incredibly diverse and offers Virtue considerable opportunities to deliver culturally impactful work for brands,” Mitchell said. “We continue to invest in our Singapore hub and there is exciting growth potential in other territories, including China and India.
John said: “Virtue has an incredibly unique offering that stands out within the APAC market. From the agency’s sheer talent to its cultural access within VICE, to its differentiating proposition, there is immense opportunity to help drive growth for brands in the region looking to become part of the ever-evolving cultural landscape.”
Virtue said it has added a series of new clients to its roster over the past six months, including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Diageo.
