Biography

Chris_Foster

Chris Foster  Chris Foster is a business and communications leader, investor, adviser, and strategist. His focus is leading and transforming organizations to foster success. Chris is Founder/CEO of FosterEquity, an early stage investor in companies focused on new media, blockchain, and societal innovation. Portfolio companies are located in Singapore, China, Australia, Canada and USA.

FosterEquity holds investments in and advises digital companies bringing brands and customers closer together through seamless commerce, compelling customer experiences and content, and sustainable practices. Chris brings global branding experience and thinking to startups, providing expertise and connections that help accelerate incubation and deliver innovation. He has specialist expertise in taking company leadership teams through workshops that identify and focus the most resonant language for purpose, beliefs and challenges.

Says Chris, “I find companies that fit with the overall theme of the portfolio, representing the future of marketing, transactions, and social innovation. I take an active position on their boards or as a strategic advisor, bringing my global marketing expertise to fledgling companies that would not have the capital or resources to otherwise access, and enabling them to leverage themselves to their fullest potential.”

For the previous 20 years Chris has been in senior leadership roles at global advertising companies at the cutting edge of creativity and media. A multiple award-winner at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Chris was most recently President of Y&R Asia based in Singapore. At Publicis Groupe he was President of Global Clients, leading collaboration across creative, digital, media, commerce, and consulting, and leader of the Groupe’s forum for strategic thinking, operational improvement, and accelerating growth. His roles at Saatchi & Saatchi included Global COO, CEO of AsiaPacific and Greater China, CEO of Fallon USA, Head of Procter & Gamble Business, and leader of a global team of 400 people on Tide. Chris has a record for sustainable growth across clients, agencies and markets, principally across the USA and Asia.

Chris is a graduate of Western University, Ontario in Economics and Philosophy. Thought leadership positions by Chris in a range of broadcast interviews and conference presentations include creative intelligence, the power of emotional connectivity, and the economic power and potential of Asia. Based in Singapore, Chris is married with three children.

Present

FOSTEREQUITY

Founded in 2015, FOSTEREQUITY connects new ideas across Social Media, Social Impact and Social Commerce with the human, monetary and intellectual capital required to thrive in the future.

Nov 2017 – Nov 2018

Y&R

President, Asia Pacific

Jul 2016 – Aug 2017

Publicis Groupe

Chris Foster appointed President, Global Clients, focused on delivering integrated solutions across all of Publicis Groupe's capabilities and talent, incorporating creative, digital, media, commerce and consulting. Chris held the role of Global Client Leader of PTop, the Groupe's top body for strategic thinking, operational improvement, and accelerating growth.

Sept 2015 - Jul 2016

Publicis Groupe

Senior Vice President, Global Clients and member of the Strategic Leadership Team, Publicis Groupe.

Jan 2015 - Aug 2015

Saatchi & Saatchi

Chris appointed Chief Operating Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi responsible for the performance and operations for 7 of the top 10 countries in the network, and for significant global client relationships and management.

2011 - Aug 2015

Saatchi & Saatchi

Member of the Global Leadership Team, 2011-2015.

2011-2014

Saatchi & Saatchi

Chairman & Regional CEO, Asia-Pacific and Greater China, 2011-2014.

2008 - 2011

Fallon

CEO of Fallon CEO of Fallon North America, Minneapolis-based
agency, 2008-2011.

1999 - Aug 2015

Saatchi & Saatchi

Chris held senior leader positions with Saatchi & Saatchi from 1999 in North America, Asia Pacific and Greater China.