BrandStory names Molly Jou as new Southeast Asia general manager
BrandStory has ushered in a new phase of regional leadership with the appointment of Molly Jou as its general manager for Southeast Asia, effective immediately. Jou brings a rare combination of international training, extensive market experience and a proven track record of guiding high-impact tourism and marketing programs.
Educated in Taiwan and the United States, Jou is fully bilingual in English and Mandarin. She earned her master’s degree in corporate and organizational communications from Northeastern University in Boston, building on her undergraduate studies at National Taiwan Normal University. Away from work, she is an avid cyclist and marathon enthusiast, carrying that same drive into her professional career.
Over the past 15 years, Jou has built a strong portfolio across tourism, startups, education and healthcare. She joined BrandStory in 2014 and quickly grew into a core member of the Brand USA team, covering Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding outbound markets. Her regional leadership includes work across Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Leadership shaped by strategic tourism and brand partnerships
Jou later served as Southeast Asia account director for New York City Tourism + Conventions and Qatar Tourism and Authority, managing travel trade strategies, public relations initiatives and social media marketing. Her experience has consistently positioned her as a trusted adviser for destinations aiming to navigate the region’s diverse and fast-moving markets.
Within BrandStory, Jou has played key roles in destination marketing programs for clients such as Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Visit Brisbane, Brand USA, the Luxembourg National Tourist Office, the Illinois Office of Tourism and Kerala Tourism. Her work has supported successful market entry strategies, industry partnerships and consumer engagement initiatives across Asia.
Expanded role to drive growth across Southeast Asia
In her new role, Jou will oversee BrandStory Southeast Asia’s business development, marketing and communications programs. She will work closely with partners across travel, hospitality, lifestyle and related industries. Together with Echo Zhao, general manager for BrandStory China, she is expected to reinforce the agency’s position as a leading partner for brands focusing on Greater China and Southeast Asia.
BrandStory founder Reene Ho-Phang expressed confidence in Jou’s leadership, citing her creativity, resilience and ability to amplify team strengths across culturally diverse Asian markets. Ho-Phang will shift her focus to ANEW Story, a new division under BrandStory dedicated to communications support for nonprofit organizations and travel businesses in an AI-driven environment.
BrandStory signaled that this transition marks a new chapter for the agency, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and long-term partnerships across the region.
