Burns returns to Golin to advance innovation and growth across the region

SINGAPORE (MAY 21, 2020) – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) agency Golin announced today the appointment of Darren Burns as president of Asia Pacific. Burns started at the agency earlier this month and reports to Matt Neale, CEO. In this newly created role, Burns will advance innovation and drive growth for the agency’s focused Asia Pacific markets.

Burns brings more than 20 years of experience to Golin, leading collaborative agency efforts to build, deepen and expand client relationships. In his most recent role as vice chair, Asia Pacific, Weber Shandwick, he oversaw the firm’s creative, innovation and data intelligence agenda in the region, as well as the business development function. In his expanded role at Golin, Burns will apply his approach to help drive new products and services for clients and create new revenue opportunities for the agency, focused on key offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Burns, who was managing director of Golin Taiwan between 2000 and 2006, is a seasoned regional communications leader who has spent over two decades leading agencies in Taipei and Shanghai before relocating to Singapore in early 2019.

“Darren has a proven track record of evolving and implementing world-class client service offerings that drive real impact for our industry,” said Neale. “As we put heightened focus on international growth, Darren’s creativity and leadership will be instrumental in helping the agency identify new opportunities for earned-first ideas, steeped in data and rich with results. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to the agency to lead Golin Asia Pacific into the future.”

“A progressive public relations agency like Golin invests in innovations that not only impress, but elevate, ROI for its clients,” said Burns. “I’m excited to partner with Golin’s global and Asia-based leadership teams to continue the trajectory of measurable problem solving, but do so in a way that will operationalize the unique offerings across the region.”