Sheila Shanmugam CEO of Mindshare Group Malaysia | President, Media Specialists Association Malaysia (MSA) Sheila Shanmugam is a transformative leader with over 20 years of experience in the advertising and media industry. As the CEO of Mindshare Group Malaysia, she oversees a dynamic portfolio of agencies under the GroupM umbrella, including Mindshare, m/SIX, and OPENMIND. Her leadership journey reached another milestone when she was appointed as the President of the Media Specialists Association Malaysia (MSA) on May 24, 2024. Renowned for her strategic vision and business acumen, Sheila is a turnaround specialist who drives transformational growth for agencies and clients alike. Under her leadership, she launched and nurtured m/SIX Malaysia into a dynamic force, tailored to meet the diverse needs of multinational corporations, government-linked companies (GLCs), and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Embodying the same ambitious and challenger spirit as her agency, Sheila and her team have secured numerous prestigious awards, reflecting her dedication to excellence and innovation. A passionate advocate for professional growth, Sheila continuously seeks to raise the bar for herself and her teams. She holds a Master’s degree in Coaching and Consulting for Change from INSEAD and a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. Her academic and industry contributions have earned her the distinguished role of Adjunct Professor at Taylor’s University and Monash University, where she shares her insights to nurture future leaders in business and media. With years of experience and an unwavering drive to deliver results, Sheila combines strategic insights, bold innovation, and a strong commitment to making meaningful contributions to the industry.

is currently serving as the Partner and Head of Carat Malaysia. With extensive experience in media and communications, she plays a crucial role in leading Carat’s strategic direction and client partnerships. Vanitha is also the Vice President of the Media Specialists Association (MSA), reflecting her significant influence and leadership within the industry. Throughout her career, Vanitha has accumulated a wealth of experience in various facets of the media industry. She has been instrumental in driving innovative media strategies and fostering strong client relationships. Her expertise spans across media planning, digital transformation, and strategic communications.

Fan Chen Yip is a seasoned C-suite level marcomms professional, and has held prominent positions such as Chief Investment Officer of IPG and Chief Operating Officer of Media Prima Omnia. He also served as Chairman of the Audited Bureau of Circulation (ABC). Currently, Fan describes himself as an “accidental entrepreneur” as the Executive Director of Yellow Paper Plane, a proudly local and fiercely independent media agency group.

A seasoned industry professional with 30 years of experience, he began his career immediately after completing his education in accountancy. He eventually discovered his passion for media, starting as a Media Buyer and advancing to the role of Account Director at Carat Mediabase. Fondly remembered as “The Big Ideas Champion,” he enjoyed a fruitful decade in the company before embracing his entrepreneurial aspirations in 2001 with the establishment of Trapper Media Services (M) Sdn Bhd. His achievements were recognized in 2008 when he was honored with the Media Entrepreneur of the Year award by Marketing Magazine Malaysia. Over the past 23 years, Trapper Media Group has established itself as a formidable competitor to leading media and digital agencies, earning recognition as the third-best media agency in Malaysia. The group also holds the distinction of being ranked as the fourth-best independent media agency in the Asia-Pacific region and the 14th-best independent media agency globally, out of 67 agencies across 30 countries. Notably, Trapper is the only Malaysian-founded agency featured in the latest global rankings report by RECMA.