Chairman & CEO
Dentsu Aegis Network / Southeast Asia
A recognized business leader known for pioneering business, people, technology and complex cultural transformations, Dick offers a unique blend of executive acumen and change management for some of the biggest names in the industry across Europe and Asia in markets like The Netherlands, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.
Dentsu hired him in 2012 as the first non-Japanese Chairman and CEO for Dentsu Asia to lead the organization towards becoming the first global communications group born out of Asia. His multicultural background, with Dutch, Indonesian, Portuguese and Jewish roots, puts him in an ideal position to navigate between different cultures and help organizations get ready for the future.
Following the acquisition of Aegis Media by Dentsu, Dick was asked to integrate and lead the Southeast Asia operation for the newly formed Dentsu Aegis Network. A truly convergent marketing communications operation that is right for the post digital age. He currently is the Chairman and CEO for Southeast Asia as well Asia Pacific leader for the content activities.
In this capacity he merged and now leads 50 operations in 8 countries with more than 2500 people across brands like Dentsu, Dentsu Media, Carat, Isobar, Posterscope, iProspect and Vizeum, as one singular operating unit.
Prior to joining Dentsu Aegis Network, Dick spent 9 years at DDB Worldwide leading and transforming the business in the Greater China Group into a regional force, winning accolades like the Campaign Creative Agency of the Year in 2010, Campaign Digital Agency of the Year and the Ad Age A-list Agency of the Year.
On the back of helping China win prestigious awards for creativity on a Global stage (Cannes Lions), he personally was awarded ‘Most Outstanding Advertising Person’ by China Advertising and CCTV (China Central Television) as well as a Global Innovator by The Internationalist.
Dick is a frequent jury member at industry award shows and a popular speaker at key industry and corporate events including The World Economic Forum/Asian leg, Global HR Tech.
He sits on the board of directors for the Mobile Marketing Association in APAC as well as advisory board of ad:tech in ASEAN. Dick has guest lectured at leading universities in Asia and Europe such as Jiao Tong Shanghai University and the Hogeschool Amsterdam.
Dick further feeds his entrepreneurial appetite by being actively involved in the start-up scene in the form of board/advisory roles as well by being an angel investor. Sectors include, technology, financial services and digital marketing.
Spare time is spent with the family, expanding an already sizeable modern and contemporary art collection (Dick’s wife is a curator and art consultant) as well as tennis, golf, jazz and wine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]