SHANGHAI—Edelman sister firm Zeno has hired digital marketing veteran Daryl Ho as the agency's first MD in China.

The move comes one year after Zeno began its global expansion in earnest. Ho joins from Shanghai's Starnet China Group, where he served as general manager.

Ho will remain in Shanghai and report to Zeno Asia MD John Kerr.

 “Daryl's appointment reflects how seriously we take both the evolving social-digital opportunity and the nexus of creative PR-led storytelling and technology-led solutions as key differentiator of brands,” said Kerr.

“Daryl is not just a digital veteran, but someone who truly understands how this nexus is transforming marketing and communications. With his track record, I have full confidence that the Zeno brand can be one of the fastest-growing agencies in China - at least doubling in size over the next 12 months.”

Prior to Starnet, Ho spent six years at DDB, both in Singapore and China, where he led integrated marketing for Philips China. 

"The [Daniel J Edelman Group] model of independence and Zeno’s belief that technology and social have rapidly changed the consumer and marketing landscape is an exciting proposition for me," added Ho. "Together, we will build an agency that helps bridge marketing silos and barriers with technology as more clients are hungry for agencies to go beyond the traditional.”