SHANGHAI — Edelman has hired former Ogilvy executive Geoffrey Lim as chief strategy officer in China, a role in which he will oversee the firm's 17 planners across four offices and report directly to Asia-Pacific CEO Jesse Lin.

Lim joins Edelman following a lengthy career with Ogilvy, which he joined in 2002. Lim rose through the ranks to become head of planning for Ogilvy Taiwan before moving to Shanghai where he assumed various planning lead roles, ultimately being appointed as head of brand planning under One Ogilvy, overseeing a team of 12 planners. 

"Geoffrey is one of the most respected, seasoned and talented strategists in China," said Lin. "He understands the complexity of our current operating environment better than most and brings extensive insight and experience from working with the world’s biggest brands. Alongside [APACMEA chief strategy officer] Ranjit Jathanna and the China leadership team he will be a dynamic driving force in developing our integrated brand offer."

Lim's arrival at Edelman China follows the hire of another former Ogilvy executive, Melinda Po, as Shanghai MD. Lin himself, a former McCann leader, joined Edelman as regional CEO in January of 2018.

"It's a big thrill to be joining Edelman particularly at a time when the business has made significant investment into its strategic planning capability," said Lim.