Welcome to e.wire, WPP's public monthly round-up of news and initiatives from across our worldwide network. WPP people can also access the full version on the Group intranet. If you can't see this news bulletin properly, you can also view it here
___________________________________________________

News highlights

WPP Digital acquires stake in Proclivity Systems

WPP Digital has acquired a minority stake in Proclivity Systems ("Proclivity"), the developer of a platform that provides predictive insight into online shopping and purchasing behavior for advanced target marketing and merchandising.

Hill & Knowlton increases stake in Synergy Hill & Knowlton in Korea

WPP's wholly-owned public relations and public affairs network, Hill & Knowlton, has agreed to acquire, subject to regulatory approvals, further shares in the capital of Synergy Hill & Knowlton Co, Ltd. ("Synergy Hill & Knowlton") one of Korea's leading marketing services agencies. Hill & Knowlton has held a minority stake in Synergy Hill & Knowlton since 2001 and will now hold a majority of the shares.

___________________________________________________

New offers

Millward Brown enters strategic partnership in Israel

Millward Brown has entered into a strategic partnership with Shiluv research group in Israel.

Grass Roots opens new offices in China and Australia

Performance improvement company, Grass Roots, has announced the opening of two further overseas offices in key strategic locations. Grass Roots Australia has opened its doors for business in Melbourne, while Grass Roots China has taken off in the Olympic city of Beijing. Contact Nick.Wake@grg.com.

LiveWorld launches LiveBar, enabling seamless overlay social networking

LiveWorld, Inc., a leading social media marketing agency and WPP Digital partner company, announces new product LiveBar which brings online community to any web page in minutes, without costly web site redesign and without forcing consumers to leave the web page to connect with others. Contact David Houston dhouston@liveworld.com

___________________________________________________

New business

Mediaedge:cia UK wins Orange

MediaCom Europe wins IG Group

___________________________________________________

Awards, Winners, Movers & Shakers

People

G2 Interactive US appoints Marc Garbarini as Executive Creative Director

Awards

WPP WPPED Cream Awards for best work across disciplines - winners announced

Grey EMEA lands Agency Network of the Year at EACA Euro Effie Awards

___________________________________________________

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.

The Global Brand
by Nigel Hollis
The Global Brand, by Millward Brown's Chief Global Analyst Nigel Hollis, considers the challenges facing aspiring global brands and identifies the practices that will help them become successful on the world stage.
_____________________

The Dictionary of Change
by Bates 141
This downloadable handbook is targeted at brand owners, businesses and marketers and will be an annual publication because the language of marketing is in a constant state of flux, reappraisal and reinvention. It aims to inspire new ideas on how brands can engage with people. Contact desiree.lim@bates141.com
_____________________

MEC MediaLab
by JWT
MEC MediaLab has published a new report, The Digital Face of Beauty. Using DigiFaces, its proprietary research method, the report looks at how Web 2.0 has changed the behaviour of the first generation of female 'digital natives' within the health and beauty category, and identifies resulting opportunities for brands. The research was conducted in China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, UK, USA, and a pan-regional sample from Latin America. Contact mu.ali@mecglobal.com