Merlee Jayme, dentsu's APAC creative chief, is leaving after what she considers to be "six challenging but fulfilling years". Jayme joined the network in 2016 after dentsu acquired her agency Jayme Syfu . There is currently no replacement for Jayme.
Since then, dentsu Jayme Syfu has won significant businesses such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Dole Foods. After joining in 2016, she was tasked with co-running the newly-formed dentsumcgarrybowen as global co-president with John Dupuis in 2020. A year later, she was appointed to her current role last July and oversees dentsu's creative and experience agencies in the region. They include Isobar, dentsumcgarrybowen, and creative agencies under the house of dentsu, such as dentsu One, dentsu Webchutney and Taproot dentsu.
"During these years at dentsu, balancing between building a business and creating life-changing work was tough. But we managed to stay focused, attract great people and clients plus more importantly, create a reputation for work that made a big difference in people's lives and the world," Jaymee said.
She added that people who know her well describe her as restless and relentless. "I am a results-driven person. Whenever I feel I've accomplished something or have achieved a goal, my gut tells me to move on," Jaymee said.
Jaymee added that she is very grateful for dentsu's partnership. Her main goal when joining the network was to upgrade and update her agency's skills and capabilities with technology and innovation, excel in data and experience, discover the secret to amazing creativity and to belong to an inclusive and diverse community that celebrates cultural differences. Jaymee feels she’s now achieved this.
"I will forever hold my dentsu friends all over the world close to my heart. I'm also so thankful to have been blessed with wonderful partners in Dentsu Jayme Syfu and Dentsu One Manila," she said. Global chief creative officer Fred Levron said it has been a joy to know Jaymee and witness her bring "her magical blend of entrepreneurialism, creativity and empathy to the table every day".
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