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News highlights

Nirvik Singh appointed Chairman & CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific

Nirvik Singh has been appointed Chairman/CEO for Grey Group Asia Pacific, responsible for Grey and G2 in the region. Singh succeeds Mike Amour who has held the top post in Asia Pacific since 2005. Nirvik Singh has served most recently as Chairman/CEO of Grey Group South/South East Asia and CEO of G2 Asia Pacific.

New offers

Hill & Knowlton launches Global Communications services for Chinese companies going global

This global communications offering integrates the best in global practices from Hill & Knowlton's vast network of industry experts in order to deliver strategic consultancy services to Chinese companies. Frances Sun, Senior Vice President of H&K China, will lead the new practice from Beijing. Mrs Sun was previously client service director for H&K's Beijing 2008 Olympic Games International Communications project. Contact Tzyy Wang, +86 10 5861 7575.

WPP Global Retail Forum - Sydney, Australia

WPP's retail community, The Store, is holding an exclusive retail event on 5 February 2009 in Sydney. Topics include retailing in the economic downturn, retail experiences delivered via mobile and other technologies, private label development, virtual store reality research, eye tracking innovations. Contact Jennifer.Phillips@wpp.com.

Kinetic Mobile re-brands as Joule

Kinetic Mobile, the full service mobile marketing agency, has rebranded as Joule. The agency, established in 2007, continues to offer clients best in class mobile marketing services. Visit www.jouleww.com.

BJK&E in London becomes MAXUS UK

BJK&E has been re-branded as MAXUS and will serve as the UK base for the global media network. MAXUS is part of GroupM's family of media agencies that includes MediaCom, Mediaedge:cia and Mindshare. BJK&E currently has more than 30 clients, including Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler Group, Seiko, Palm, Marie Cure Cancer Care, Triumph/Sloggi and Betfair. New business wins in the last 18 months alone include Ubisoft, Eurosport, Church and Dwight, British Motor Show and Illinois Bureau of Tourism.

MEC MediaLabs latest global Sensor research

MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia's consumer insight and ROI division, has released the findings of its latest global Sensor research to help brands understand the role that could be played by creative consumer participation (CCP) - brand-initiated user-generated content. The report, which surveyed young adult broadband users aged 16-35 (Yabus) from 22 countries around the world, highlights the benefits of CCP as a communication tool and why some brands should be placed in the hands of the public while others should avoid this area completely. The findings highlight the importance of word-of-mouth as a communication tool for brands. The potential of word-of-mouth has increased dramatically following the growth of social networks and Web 2.0. CCP can be a catalyst for consumers talking about brands; 58% of Yabus are likely to tell someone if they have participated in CCP and 63% are likely to be encouraged to create and share content if they hear about it from a friend.

New business

Mediaedge:cia wins Orange

MediaCom Australia wins Sara Lee

Awards, Winners, Movers & Shakers

JWT INSIDE wins Best of Show in 8th Annual iNOVA Awards Competition

New business enquiries

Are you looking for an advertising or marketing services partner? WPP can help point you in the right direction - find out how.

Reading Room
by WPP
Find the latest and best published thinking from Group professionals in WPP's new Reading Room: groundbreaking books, new research, top blogs and online bookshop.

Work in Progress: Rethinking Aspirations
by JWT
For decades, growing numbers of people worldwide have been raising their aspirations for more and better on every front. The recent sharp downturn in consumer spending shows that the global economic crisis is changing consumer assumptions about what lies ahead, challenging the hopes and aspirations of hundreds of millions, especially in the developed world. JWT sees aspirations shift away from fame and fortune, with people showing an urge to change direction and lead simpler, leaner and perhaps more meaningful lives. Most clearly, people will be focusing on basic needs rather than higher-level ambitions.

90 Things to Watch for in 2009
by JWT
JWT has put together a list of Ninety Things to Watch in 2009, a compilation of people, products, places, services and shifts that will help to define the coming year. The list, released by the trendspotting team, examines what will resonate with people and what will drive their thinking and behaviour.