Global Media & Advertising Executive

Toby
Ruddock

APAC & International · 25+ Years

"The executive who turns the hardest clients into the greatest advocates — and builds the commercial infrastructure to prove it."

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Toby Ruddock
Toby Ruddock
Global Executive · Media & Advertising
25+
Years Global Experience
70+
Countries Managed
100+
Team Members Led
1→10
Client Sat. Turnaround
✉
[email protected]
in
linkedin.com/in/tobyruddock
☎
+66 945 931 133
25+
Years Global
Experience
70+
Countries
Managed
200+
Global Team
Members Led
1→10
Client Satisfaction
Turnaround
18+
APAC Markets
Directed
Value Proposition

Why Toby Delivers Results

A rare combination of commercial rigour, operational mastery and human leadership — applied consistently across the world's most complex media mandates.

🔄
Change Agent
Toby doesn't inherit problems — he solves them. From a 1/10 client satisfaction score to a 10/10 in four quarters, his track record of turning around the most challenging client relationships is unmatched. He reframes the narrative and delivers.
🌍
Global Operator
25+ years operating across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Managed 70+ countries simultaneously for Emirates Group. Led 18 APAC markets for Visa. Equally comfortable in a London boardroom, a Dubai pitch or a Singapore hub.
📈
Commercial Builder
Reconciled three years of unaudited financials. Fixed broken P&Ls. Transformed business models from performance-only to full-funnel. Toby builds the financial and operational infrastructure that allows businesses to scale — not just run.
🤝
Client Retention Specialist
Managed one of the most complex multi-brand, multi-geography client relationships in global media — Emirates Group across 13 brands and 70+ countries — maintaining high retention and expanding scope throughout a four-year tenure.
👥
People Multiplier
Led cross-disciplinary teams of 100+ specialists across multiple time zones. Known for high talent retention, developing leaders within teams and engaging at the most senior ownership levels — from agency presidents to C-suite clients.
🚀
Offensive Mindset
Toby's self-described operating mode is "offense". He doesn't hold the line — he advances it. Whether inheriting a broken client relationship, a P&L in disarray or an operation without infrastructure, he delivers transformation on time and within budget.
Signature Achievement

The Apple Turnaround

The defining case study of Toby's career — a complete operational, financial and commercial transformation of one of the world's most demanding client relationships.

dentsu X · Apple Services International · 2020–2024

When Toby joined dentsu X as Global Client President for Apple Services International, he inherited a client satisfaction score of 1 out of 10. The operation was in disarray — three years of unaudited financials, broken P&Ls, outdated technology infrastructure and a business model that couldn't support the client's ambitions.

Within four consecutive quarters, Toby had driven client satisfaction to 10 out of 10. He reconciled the financials, fixed the P&Ls, overhauled the technology infrastructure and generated significant cost savings for Apple.

He led a cross-disciplinary global team of 100+ specialists across Apple's entire Services Division — App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple One, Education and Gift Cards — reporting directly to the Global Agency President.

Most significantly, Toby transformed the business model from a core performance mandate to a full-funnel awareness capability — expanding both scope and revenue, and repositioning the agency as a strategic partner rather than a delivery function.

1→10
Client satisfaction recovered from 1/10 to 10/10 in four consecutive quarters
3yr
Unaudited financials reconciled; P&Ls fixed and major savings delivered for the client
100+
Global specialists led across App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple One, Education & Gift Cards
Full
Funnel
Business model transformed from performance-only to full-funnel awareness capability
Career History

25 Years. Six Global Networks.

A career built at the intersection of commercial strategy, operational transformation and human leadership — across the world's most prestigious media agencies and iconic brands.

2020 – 2024
Thailand / Global
dentsu X
Global Client President — Apple Services International
  • Directed a cross-disciplinary global team of 100+ specialists serving Apple's entire Services Division — reporting directly to the Global Agency President.
  • Inherited a client satisfaction score of 1/10; delivered 10/10 within four quarters through structural, financial and operational transformation.
  • Reconciled three years of unaudited financials, fixed P&Ls, overhauled technology infrastructure and generated significant cost savings for the client.
  • Transformed the business model from core performance to full-funnel awareness capability — expanding scope and revenue.
2019 – 2020
Singapore / APAC
Digitas (Publicis Groupe)
Partner & Head of Media — Visa APAC
  • Appointed as Client Senior Partner across APAC for Visa, managing strategic marketing communications and media across 18 markets from a newly created Singapore hub — in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics.
  • Simultaneously served as Head of Media for Digitas, leading a team of 30+ specialists across multiple client verticals.
  • Built and launched the Visa One integrated agency team hub, establishing operational frameworks for a complex multi-market mandate.
2015 – 2019
Dubai, UAE / Global
Havas Media Group
Global Client Officer — Emirates Group
  • Led the global media and communications mandate for Emirates Airlines and its 13 group brands (SkyCargo, Dnata and others) across 70+ countries with approximately 300 contact points and team members.
  • Reported into Havas Global Leadership; responsible for contract extensions, financial audits and portfolio agency P&L performance.
  • Managed one of the most complex multi-brand, multi-geography client relationships in global media — maintaining high retention and expanding scope throughout tenure.
c. 2013 – 2015
Dubai, UAE
Reckitt Benckiser
Senior Client-Side Executive — E-commerce & Digital Innovation
  • Moved client-side to lead e-commerce innovation for one of the world's largest FMCG companies — building the e-commerce strategy and infrastructure from scratch.
  • Educated and aligned executive teams on e-commerce strategy, establishing frameworks that became foundational to the regional digital operation.
2010 – 2013
Middle East / London
MediaCom (WPP)
Head of MBA & Regional Strategy Director
  • Member of the regional Executive Management team; led strategy across multiple global brands with direct support to the London Global HQ.
  • Developed and implemented media-beyond-advertising strategies for local, regional and global clients across the Middle East.
2007 – 2010
Dubai, UAE / London
Mindshare (WPP)
Regional Head of Strategy & Digital / Director
  • Relocated to Dubai as Regional Head of Strategy and Digital — invited by WPP senior leadership to help establish Mindshare's regional presence.
  • Helped establish Mindshare Invention — blending media and content, working with partners including Vice.
  • Prior to Dubai: Director at Mindshare London on the Ford business (Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Mazda).
2003 – 2007
London, UK
Starcom
Senior Media Executive
  • Relocated from Melbourne to London to join Starcom — beginning a decade-long London chapter that would span two of the world's leading media networks.
  • Built the strategic and media planning foundations that underpinned a career at the highest levels of global advertising.
Client Portfolio

Iconic Brands. Real Results.

Toby has led the media and marketing mandates for some of the world's most recognised and demanding brands — delivering commercial outcomes at scale.

Apple
Visa
Emirates
Ford
Jaguar
Land Rover
Volvo
Mazda
Reckitt Benckiser
Agency Experience

Six Global Networks. One Career.

A career built inside the world's most prestigious media holding groups — from Publicis and Havas to WPP and dentsu.

dentsu X
Digitas
Havas Media Group
WPP
MediaCom
Mindshare
Starcom
Reckitt Benckiser
Core Expertise

Built for Complex Mandates

A broad and deep skillset developed across 25 years at the intersection of commercial strategy, media operations and executive leadership.

Commercial & Financial
P&L Management Revenue Growth Financial Restructuring Business Development Contract Negotiation Audit Management
Media & Advertising
Media Strategy Media Planning & Buying Programmatic Integrated Marketing Brand Strategy Full-Funnel Campaigns
Leadership & Operations
Executive Management Cross-functional Teams Change Management Organisational Design Talent Development Stakeholder Management
Client Services
Client Turnaround Account Management Client Retention C-Suite Engagement Strategic Partnerships Scope Expansion
Digital & Technology
Digital Marketing E-commerce Strategy Digital Transformation Technology Infrastructure Data & Analytics MarTech
International Business
APAC Operations EMEA Operations Multi-market Management Cross-border Strategy Market Expansion Go-to-Market
Global Footprint

Operated Across Three Continents

From Melbourne to London, Dubai to Singapore — Toby has built and led operations in the world's most complex and commercially significant markets.

Asia-Pacific
18 Markets. Singapore Hub.
Led Visa's APAC media and marketing communications across 18 markets from a newly created Singapore hub. Currently based in Phuket, Thailand — open to APAC-wide and global mandates.
Middle East & Africa
70+ Countries. Dubai Base.
Managed Emirates Group's global media mandate across 70+ countries from Dubai — one of the most complex multi-brand, multi-geography client relationships in global media. Also led e-commerce innovation for Reckitt Benckiser in the region.
Europe & Global
London. Global Mandates.
A decade in London across Starcom and Mindshare, leading the Ford automotive portfolio (Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Mazda). Later managed global mandates for Apple and Emirates from APAC and EMEA bases.
The Case for Toby

Why Hire Toby Ruddock

Six compelling reasons why Toby is the executive your organisation needs.

01
He has already done what you need him to do
Whether it's a broken client relationship, a P&L in disarray, a team that needs rebuilding or a market that needs entering — Toby has done it before, at scale, for Apple, Emirates and Visa. He doesn't need a runway.
02
He delivers measurable commercial outcomes
Not activity. Not effort. Outcomes. 1/10 to 10/10 client satisfaction. Three years of unaudited financials reconciled. P&Ls fixed. Major savings delivered. Business models transformed. The numbers speak for themselves.
03
He operates at the most senior level
Reported directly to Global Agency Presidents. Engaged at C-suite and ownership level with clients including Apple, Emirates and Visa. Comfortable in the room where decisions are made — and trusted to make them.
04
He is a genuine global executive
Not regional with global exposure — genuinely global. 70+ countries managed simultaneously. Lived and worked in Australia, the UK, UAE and Thailand. Led teams across every major time zone. Fluent in the complexity of international operations.
05
He builds infrastructure that lasts
Toby doesn't just fix the immediate problem — he builds the systems, processes and commercial frameworks that prevent it from recurring. The Visa One hub. The Apple technology overhaul. The Reckitt e-commerce infrastructure. Built to last.
06
He is ready now
Based in Phuket, Thailand. Available immediately. Open to APAC-wide, SEA and global mandates. Flexible on travel. Brings 25+ years of premium agency and client-side experience — and the drive to make an immediate impact.
What Colleagues Say

Recommendations

Verified LinkedIn recommendations from senior executives and direct reports who have worked alongside Toby across APAC and globally.

“

I worked with Toby during some pretty challenging times across APAC and beyond, when growth was hard won and the easy answers were usually the wrong ones. We were both there to drive professional growth, but what came out of it was also a real friendship built around a common purpose.

Toby has one of the sharpest commercial minds I’ve worked with. He sees growth opportunities that others either miss, dismiss, or get to far too late. And he does it with a consistency that is frankly rare.

DP
Dominic Powers
CEO · CGO · NED · Investor · Advisor
Worked with Toby on different teams · April 2026
in
“

Toby is an absolute heavyweight thinker. Whilst our career in the same company was a few years ago, it had a long lasting impact on me. To this day I still seek out Toby for conversations when I’m thinking something through. Not just for his extensive experience but also for how well-rounded his thinking is.

He will always challenge the given perceptions and will always be thinking of new angles, something he can do because of his extensive experience leading high-level business. If every leadership team had ‘a Toby’ on them, we would have many more successful leadership teams.

TE
Tony Evans
Data, AI & Psychology — Future-Ready Teams
Worked with Toby on the same team · April 2026
in
“

I worked with Toby for just over three years. He is an outstanding team leader, inspiring his teams to grow, develop, and deliver great work with his support and guidance.

Toby is also an excellent client leader, turning client challenges into opportunities for greater responsibility and long-term partnership, while consistently delivering strong results.

An absolute pleasure to work with, and I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to work with him.

AG
Asher Gordon
Managing Partner
Reported to Toby directly · April 2026
in
Get in Touch

Let's Talk

Toby is open to senior executive opportunities across APAC and globally. If you are looking for a proven change agent with a track record of commercial transformation at the highest level, reach out directly.

✉
Email
[email protected]
☎
Phone
+66 945 931 133
in
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/tobyruddock
📍
Location
Phuket, Thailand
Availability & Target Roles
CEO / COO — Regional or Global
Managing Director / Managing Partner
Strategic Partnerships Lead
Growth Director
Open to APAC, SEA and global mandates
Flexible on travel requirements
Available immediately
Before You Go

Don't Miss Toby's Full Story

25+ years. Six global networks. Apple, Emirates, Visa. Download Toby's CV and see the full career history, commercial achievements and leadership track record in one place.

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