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Leading independent global Challenger network, VCCP, announced a move to significantly bolster its Asia-Pacific footprint through the acquisition of Singapore's premier award-winning independent agency GOVT and its sister digital agency Ministry.
The new entity, GOVT VCCP, is a combination of VCCP’s current operations in Singapore and GOVT Singapore and Ministry, and will offer a powerful global-local alternative, utilising VCCP’s global scale and resources with GOVT’s deep local market expertise and renowned creative track record.
The acquisition is rooted in a rare alignment of agency cultures, as both VCCP and GOVT share a potent challenger spirit and mindset, committed to disrupting traditional marketing models and driving outsized value for clients. Unifying under VCCP’s ‘one roof’ integrated philosophy, the agency will offer traditional advertising alongside data science, social and content, tech and AI as well as consumer experience, all underpinned by VCCP’s creative ethos, populating culture.
An independent creative agency from Singapore, GOVT was founded in 2012 by Leon Lai and Aaron Koh to challenge the network-dominated agency landscape at the time. Since then the agency has enjoyed rapid success, growing to a team of 70 people and becoming one of the most awarded independent agencies in Singapore with its work regularly awarded both locally and internationally. In 2023, GOVT Singapore expanded into digital communications with the creation of a sister agency, Ministry. Both entities service local and regional clients such as OCBC Bank, Cathay Pacific, Sentosa, Julie's Biscuits, Puma, Chick-fil-A, Deliveroo and Canon as well as extensive work for numerous Singapore government agencies and bodies.
The acquisition forms part of VCCP’s accelerated growth strategy in Asia and will instantly create a scaled, top-tier operation in Singapore, positioning the merged entity as the new strategic hub for VCCP's accelerated expansion across Asia.
The business will retain the leadership continuity of GOVT, with existing CEO Tim Chan remaining as CEO of the merged Singapore operation and Aaron Koh remaining as CCO, while VCCP's former MD, Katya, is elevated to the new role of Chief Growth Officer, focusing on network expansion.
Julian Douglas, Group CEO of VCCP, said: “GOVT shares our fundamental belief that the best work comes from challenging convention and bringing everything together under one roof. Tim, Aaron and the team have built an outstanding creative operation with genuine challenger spirit. Together we'll create a powerhouse hub for Asia – combining VCCP's global scale with deep local expertise to deliver work that truly works for clients across the region.”
Chan added: “When I joined Leon and Aaron on this adventure, we just wanted to have a good time, defying the status quo of network agencies. And we did. Being small and nimble got us here, but staying that way would also mean saying no to bigger opportunities we’ve earned the right to pursue. Merging with VCCP is like having a new big brother. Creatively and culturally, it’s comforting how much we’re alike. We’re thrilled to fly the VCCP flag in our part of the world, and being a part of a global network that is so impressive will be crucial to our continued growth.”
Katya Obolensky, Chief Growth Officer of GOVT VCCP said: “In GOVT, we found the perfect match. From our first meeting, the synergy was undeniable and we are completely aligned in our creative DNA and our vision for the future. I am thrilled to join forces with Tim and his world-class team to drive growth and innovation across Singapore and the wider region.”
VCCP Group employs more than 1,600 people across its 11 offices in Auckland, London, New York, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, LA, Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Madrid and Prague. The network goes from strength to strength picking up eleven agency of the year awards in 2025 alone.
