Margaret Key exits MSL for a top dual role at Allison Asia and Stagwell | News | Campaign Asia

In a leadership shake-up, Margaret Key has left her role as CEO of Publicis Groupe’s MSL Asia Pacific to take on a dual appointment at Allison Worldwide and its parent Stagwell. Key will join as chief executive of Allison Asia and executive director, Asia Pacific for Stagwell, effective October 1. She will be based in Singapore and report to Allison Worldwide’s global CEO and cofounder, Jonathan Heit.

This is the second high-profile appointment by the challenger network in recent months after it poached OMD China’s CEO Connie Chan as its chief growth officer, effective July 2025. The bench strength comes on the heels of Stagwell’s acquisition of ADK Global in July, which expanded its APAC footprint to 2,500 employees across 34 offices.

Key is a respected industry veteran with more than 20 years’ experience and is credited with transforming MSL’s fragmented Asian operations into a unified, growth-focused network during her five-year tenure. Prior to MSL, she held senior leadership roles at Edelman and Burson-Marsteller across the region. She was crowned as one of the Women to Watch in Campaign’s 2024 recognition list and picked up the honour of PR network of the Year at the Agency of the Year awards in Singapore. She also serves on the board of Verité, a nonprofit focused on global labour rights.

Ray Day, executive chair of Allison Worldwide and vice chair of Stagwell, hailed the move as a coup:

“Margaret is a proven force in our industry, and her appointment signals an exciting new chapter for Asia Pacific clients and the communications business.”

On her new role, Key said: “Allison and Stagwell each have a very positive reputation in the marketing landscape, and I look forward to working with our talented teams across Asia to deepen our cultural relevance, accelerate innovation and drive sustained growth for our clients.”

“I’m honoured to take on these roles at such a pivotal time for both brands,” said Key. “Allison and Stagwell each have a very positive reputation in the marketing landscape, and I look forward to working with our talented teams across Asia to deepen our cultural relevance, accelerate innovation and drive sustained growth for our clients.”

Key’s remit will include overseeing the growth of Allison Asia’s operations across APAC, including expansion plans and business strategy. In her parallel role as Stagwell’s executive director, Asia Pacific, she will steer regional market development and elevate client engagement through integration across the Stagwell network.