SINGAPORE — MSL has named Joanna Ong as the firm's managing director in Singapore, replacing Suya Kim who has left the firm.

Ong arrives from hospitality player Next Story Group, where spent more than two years as  group VP of corporate communication and public relations. Previously, she served in senior communications roles at Hilton Worldwide and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, during a career that has included a number of in-house positions.

MSL Asia-Pacific and MEA CEO Margaret Key noted that Ong's in-house and agency experience — she also spent several years at her own consultancy and Burson-Marsteller — "will be instrumental in strengthening and expanding growth for our MSL Singapore operation."

The Singapore MD role at MSL was previously held for three years by Suya Kim, who left the firm last year and is now an executive director at Edelman Korea. 

Unlike Kim, Ong reports to Key in addition to a dotted line to Publicis Communications Singapore CEO Lou Dela Pena, who said: "We have been looking for a strong counselor and business leader to drive the earned, creative approach for MSL that will drive stronger impact which our clients are looking for."

Ong's hire comes after MSL recently named new leadership in China. The firm has also opened an operation in Seoul, where Key is based, taking it to 25 offices across Asia-Pacific, housing 730+ staff.