Prominent marketing and technology veteran Annette Male has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of dentsu UK&I, marking a significant leadership evolution for one of the global agency network’s most strategically important markets.
Male, who joined dentsu in July 2024 as Chief Client Officer for UK&I and Chief Business Officer for EMEA, brings nearly three decades of experience working with prestigious global brands. Her appointment follows a successful initial tenure focused on driving integrated growth and maximising the organisation’s collective strengths to enhance client service delivery.
The leadership transition comes as Angela Tangas concludes her remarkable seven-year journey with dentsu, including more than two years at the helm of UK&I operations. Under her stewardship, Tangas successfully championed the ‘one dentsu’ initiative while fostering a culture of innovation and client-centric solutions. Her legacy includes the pioneering launch of Business Transformation (BX) and Dentsu Lab London—achievements that positioned the UK as the first market outside Japan to implement these strategic initiatives.
EMEA Chief Executive Officer André Andrade praised Male’s immediate impact since joining the organisation: “For EMEA, the UK&I is one of our most exciting and critical clusters and has all the right ingredients to partner with clients and help them on their innovation and transformation journeys. Annette has hit the ground running since joining dentsu in July, and I am delighted to see her take on this leadership role.”
Male’s extensive portfolio includes executive partnerships with global powerhouses such as HSBC, Visa, Disney, Nestlé and Unilever. Her previous roles encompassed significant APAC leadership positions, including oversight of Global Agency partnerships for Meta across the region. She also served as APAC CEO for both Wunderman Thompson and Digitas, demonstrating her profound understanding of the evolving marketing and technology landscape.
Speaking about her appointment, Male expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity: “I am incredibly proud to be taking on this new challenge, at the helm of one of dentsu’s biggest markets. Dentsu has a tremendous opportunity to capitalise on the urgent need from the C-suite to find a competitive edge. Our integrated services, combined with our ability to develop innovative solutions which drive real outcomes is a compelling offer for brands looking to escape the sea of sameness.”
The appointment takes effect from 1st January 2025, positioning dentsu UK&I for continued growth and innovation. The agency, which traces its origins to Tokyo in 1901, has evolved into a comprehensive growth and transformation partner operating across approximately 120 countries and regions. Through its integrated approach spanning Media, CXM and Creative services, complemented by its business transformation mindset, dentsu continues to shape the future of brand experiences and sustainable growth for its global client base.
As Male assumes leadership of the UK&I operations, she inherits a strengthened leadership team and robust foundation for accelerated growth, building upon Tangas’s successful tenure as the latter returns to Australia with her family.