Stuart McLennan joins Rakuten Advertising as Senior Vice President of APAC

In the newly created role, McLennan will be responsible for leading the Rakuten Advertising business across the Asia-Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand. The role is part of the international leadership team reporting into Managing Director of International, Anthony Capano.

McLennan previously spent nearly a decade with Dentsu Aegis Network in the UK and across Asia in senior management positions, most recently as APAC Media & Performance Lead. Rakuten Advertising clients and publishers are set to benefit from this strong history of success helping brands build value through sophisticated digital networks.

The announcement follows Rakuten Advertising’s recent expansion and rebrand which saw the company bring together their expansive affiliate network, programmatic retargeting and prospecting technology, with access to Rakuten’s global media properties including Rakuten TV, Rakuten Viber, Rakuten Viki and Rakuten France.

Commenting on his appointment Stuart McLennan said the chance to lead one of the region’s most exciting technology and insights organisations was an exceptional opportunity.

“Rakuten Advertising is an extraordinary business offering brands unique ways to grow globally, powered by a winning combination of media assets and powerful data and insights. Leading the APAC team is a superb chance to build upon the incredible foundations laid by the team across the region by doing what I love most: leadership and development, client relationship building and business growth.”

Rakuten Advertising’s Managing Director of International, Anthony Capano welcomed Stuart to the team at such an important moment in the development of the organisation.

“Stuart is an exceptional leader, something demonstrated admirably by his global success within the industry. Rakuten Advertising continues to see exceptional growth across the APAC region, based on a combination of our unique assets and outstanding team. Hiring someone of Stuart’s calibre at this time is a great demonstration of our desire to continue this momentum, and focus on delivering growth for our customers,” he said.