TBWA\Group Thailand Appoints Narong Chokpiboonkarn as MD of DAN

TBWA\Group Thailand has announced the appointment of Narong Chokpiboonkarn as managing director of Digital Arts Network (DAN) – the agency’s digital arm.

Chokpiboonkarn is a highly respected communications specialist with over 25 years of experience, having worked at Batey, McCann Erickson, SC Matchbox, Lowe Lintas and Y&R.

Prior to his appointment, Chokpiboonkarn was managing director at Y&R Thailand, where he spent the past 15 years driving double-digit growth, and led the agency to win Thailand’s Creative Agency of the Year title in 2014.

“Due to the last year’s economic slowdown, Thailand actually experienced an enhanced surge into digital advertising as marketers shifted their ad budgets to more cost effective online media,” said Tuomas Peltoniemi, president and innovation director of DAN Asia. “I’m delighted to welcome Narong, who will lead us in a market with one of the world’s fastest growing number of Internet users and huge rise in e-commerce.”

DAN Thailand looks to bolster its digital capabilities in an age of rapid Internet and mobile adoption for the country – Thailand has the 5th fastest growing number of Internet users in the world, with around a 21 per cent increase in 2016. 

“In a market renowned for craft-driven TV commercials, brands are beginning to embrace technology and focus more on solving problems for consumers instead of just creating viral content,” said Chaipranin Visudhipol, chairman of TBWA\Group Thailand. “We’re excited to welcome Narong to the TBWA family, whose experience and expertise will be a huge asset as we strive to meet our ambition of making DAN the best digital agency in Thailand, and core to our integrated offering.”

Ad spending on traditional TV dropped by around 10 per cent last year, while online media increased by about 30 per cent. DAN Thailand is one of the leading specialist agencies in the country with expertise spanning search, social media, real-time engagement, design, content, data analytics, mobile, gaming, production, and e-commerce. Its clients include Nestlé, L’Oréal Paris, Nissan, McDonald’s, AIS, CP Meiji, Thai Bev, and Bangchak Petroleum.