Meet the Team
JONATHAN TRAVERS-SMITH
Founder & CEO
Jonathan has spent more than 20 years working with China, and is a fluent Mandarin speaker. Prior to establishing Hot Pot, Jonathan was based in Beijing with a focus on branded content, working alongside global brands to create shows for primetime Chinese TV.
He was an early pioneer of China digital marketing for overseas brands, having established Hot Pot in 2012 to serve global clients’ needs.
ADAM SANDZER
Head of Commercial Strategy
Adam has spent more than 15-years studying and working with China, originally landing in Ningbo in 2007. Adam began his career with Pentland Brands, where he oversaw China strategy and business development for brands including Speedo, Mitre and Canterbury.
Adam leads the Commercial Strategy department at Hot Pot China - providing consultancy and strategic services to some of the world's leading brands that are seeking long-term success with China. During his tenure he has overseen commercial success for the likes of Canada Goose, Ted Baker, UEFA, Gymshark and Liberty of London.
EMMA COOPER
Account Director
Emma has over 8 years' experience helping 30+ global clients connect with Chinese consumers. This includes leading strategy and creative projects with brands such as Canada Goose, Rituals, Gymshark, La Perla, Her Majesty's Government and Selfridges.
Having lived beyond China’s tier 1 cities in Yunnan province, Emma understands the cultural landscape that makes China so dynamic and challenging. Emma gets to the root of client objectives and ensures we consistently deliver value across all projects.
EMMA LIN
Commercial Manager
Emma is Hot Pot's Commercial Manager, and has worked in the fashion industry for around 6 years, with 4 of those helping international brands succeed in China and APAC market. With a strong interest in the business of fashion, Emma also holds an MA in Fashion Business from the University of Westminster graduating from with an MA in Fashion Business in University of Westminster.
With a spirit of entrepreneurship rooted in her family background, she is a fluent Mandarin speaker, and is passionate about helping to discover potential brands who could be a fit for entry into the Chinese market. Outside of work Emma enjoys laughing at her very cute nephew’s antics, as well as hiking and cooking all types of delicious cuisine.
CHIH-YUAN WANG
Consumer Insights Manager
Chih-yuan is an LSE trained Anthropologist with extended experience in Chinese market research and strategic planning. Prior to joining Hot Pot, Chih-yuan worked with various leading market research agencies in London, Shanghai and Taipei including IPSOS and Mintel.
As a curious anthropologist, Chih-yuan is always interested in consumer behaviour, consumer psychology and new research technology. With great interest in applying market research and consumer insight in helping brands to make better strategic decisions, Chih-yuan is eager to assist brands to flourish in China.
CHEN JIN
Account Manager
Since graduating from Warwick Business School, Chen has spent 5 years delivering China strategies for brands across multiple industries. Clients have included Aspinal of London, Waitrose, Games Workshop and Covent Garden. In her role as Account Manager at Hot Pot, Chen combines her expertise across China’s eCommerce platforms with an in-depth knowledge of Britain’s fashion landscape.
Chen relishes the challenge of China and the excitement of working with dynamic brands in developing categories. She is passionate about delivering exceptional campaigns and helping brands to thrive in China.
FAN TU
Account Manager
As a Chengdu native, Fan joined Hot Pot with a 5 year background in communications and PR for global brands in China. These include a number of brands within the Richemont Group, such as Montblanc.
Fan has deep expertise in both online and offline worlds, as well as combining both for impactful O2O initiatives. Her network and management expertise with influencers, from grassroots KOCs and KOLs through to major celebrity ambassadors is second to none, and she is passionate about finding the right fit of brand, outlook and commercial drivers for Hot Pot clients.
ADAM DOFFMAN
Marketing Manager
Adam is the marketing manager at Hot Pot, and brings over 8 years of paid media and trained marketing strategy experience to the agency, having previously held media planning roles working on a range of global consumer brands like Expedia, Elizabeth Arden, SONY and Dulux.
Adam’s role is to bring his expertise in marketing strategy to the agency itself, elevating Hot Pot's profile and ensuring our messaging is spot on across all of our touchpoints. Adam has spent time working and living in Beijing, and is a Chinese speaker with a keen interest in Chinese culture and politics. Outside of the office Adam enjoys getting kicked around on the Brazillian Jiu Jitsu mats and wearily supporting his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.
IVY GUAN
Office Manager
Ivy has more than 15 years of experience in administration, HR, finance and operations management in fast growing global businesses in China.
Ivy joined Hot Pot China with a deep understanding of the ever-changing marketing and creative industry landscape in China across operations best practice and talent.
As Hot Pot’s Shanghai office manager, Ivy brings strong management, recruitment, team building and business support skills to the team.
Our Values
We love the challenge
不畏挑战
The challenge of China
Challenging each other
Challenging the status quo
We create
value
创造价值
In every interaction
Internally and externally
For brands, for businesses, for teams
We win
together
共同协作
With our clients
With our colleagues
With our partners