Business

Saturday March 14, 2009

Vogiatzakis breaks new ground with Who’s Who induction


THE Malaysian media industry’s profile will be raised in various professional circles worldwide with the induction of Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Malaysia managing director Andreas Vogiatzakis into the International Who’s Who.

OMG says in a statement that Vogiatzakis is the first media professional in Malaysia to achieve this honour.

For over 75 years, the International Who’s Who Society has been documenting biographies in history of successful individuals. Inclusion in the International Who’s Who is a highly selective process.

Who’s Who recognises the achievements of qualified candidates, with selection criteria identifying successful professionals who have demonstrated exemplary achievements locally and internationally, and have made distinguished contributions to their business communities.

“Inclusion in the International Who’s Who for a media professional in Malaysia is helping our media industry to be recognised in various professional circles around the world. I am honoured and privileged to be part of the few selected to be inducted,” the Greek said.

Under his leadership, OMD has won the Silver Award for the Best SEA Office of the Year in 2008 – the only agency from Malaysia and the only media agency in South-East Asia to win this highly coveted industry award. He sits on the board of directors of the European Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia and an active member of the Malaysian Media Specialists Association chairing the committees of hot topics and training.

He is also the media and PR advisor in the advisory council of AIESEC, the Malaysian charter of the global student organisation.

Jocelyn Ng, marketing director of Danone Dumex (M) Sdn Bhd says: “Andreas (Vogiatzakis) is a professional in every sense of the word. He has superb media knowledge and his servicing skills are outstanding.

“His passion for excellence has rubbed off on his teams who are constantly seeking new and improved ways of planning and buying media.”

Margaret Au Yong, director of Tune Ventures Malaysia, mentioned that “for a person who is relatively new to Malaysia, a multi-racial and multi-cultural country, Andreas’ engaging and accessible style is what it takes to survive and thrive in this market amidst a new communication universe. He harnesses his full potential as a media professional and channels it through his contribution as an MSA council member, a trainer at a media workshop organised by ADOI, and as one of the preeminent judges during the inaugural Malaysia Effie Award 2008, infusing his presence into all our personal and professional lives. In essence Andreas has put the “me” in media and the media in “me” with relative ease and immediacy.”

Vogiatzakis was born and raised in Greece. He grew up in olive groves and vineyards in a rural family in a small village at the heart of the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea. With a high honours degree in advertising and marketing from the University of Florida, he started his media career with DMB&B in New York.

Armed with media and management experiences spanning three continents and six countries, and having spent the last 12 years in Asia (Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia), Vogiatzakis has made Malaysia his home since 2006. With relentless efforts, he has helped elevate OMG to a desirable position in the market and his involvement in the industry is constant and engaging.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story