Former IT director Gary Kuo has been named general manager for Group M Trading in Taiwan, assuming media buying responsibilities across all WPP's media agencies in Taiwan less than two years after switching to a buying role. Kuo, promoted from deputy general manager in charge of media investment management for MindShare and Maxus Taiwan, now reports directly to Sandra Yu, chairwoman and CEO of Group M Trading Taiwan. Kuo's elevation was instigated by his former boss, MindShare and Maxus Taiwan CEO Andreas Vogiatzakis, who said his original decision to move Kuo from IT to a senior buying role raised a few eyebrows. "Everybody thought I was crazy," Vogiatzakis said. "He had no background, he was an IT guy. Even he was scared to begin with, but I knew he could do it. A year and a half later, it couldn't give me greater pleasure to promote him." Kuo's promotion is one of a number of staff changes at the agency initiated by Vogiatzakis, himself recently promoted from managing director. Kuo's former role has been filled by Scarlett Shih, formerly TV buying director, who retains her role as Taiwan director for BroadMind, MindShare's TV syndication arm. Vogiatzakis has also promoted two MindShare and Maxus business directors, Kesy Lee and Sara Shiung, to deputy general managers, with increased emphasis on business development. Shiung keeps her responsibility for the agency's business through Motivator, a partnership with Euro RSCG. There are no current plans to install a new MD, though Vogiatzakis said he would review the situation later in the year.