G2 Worldwide acquisition in China, Coley Porter Bell launches in South Africa

	No. 110 - April 2008 www.wpp.com

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News highlights

G2 acquires majority stake in RAMS, the leading activation and relationship marketing agency in India
G2 Worldwide, a Grey Group company, and a leading global marketing services network specialising in digital communications, direct marketing, shopper marketing and design, has agreed to acquire - subject to regulatory approval - a majority stake in Chateux Hospitality Pvt. Ltd, one of India's leading companies in customized solutions in activation marketing and relationship management. The company operates in India under the RAMS brand name. Founded in 1998, Chateux Hospitality employs 148 people and is based in Gurgoan, with offices in Mumbai and Bangalore. Clients include American Express, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, AIG, Nestlé, Eli Lilly, HP India, and Hero Honda.

New business

Sudler & Hennessey wins AstraZeneca PN400 globally

JWT Dubai wins Audi

Ogilvy Brazil wins Claro

Grey London and Callegari Berville Grey Paris land pan-European Eurosport business

New offers

Coley Porter Bell launches in South Africa
WPP's London based design agency Coley Porter Bell (CPB) has opened its first venture overseas in Cape Town, South Africa. Coley Porter Bell South Africa is a joint venture between Coley Porter Bell London and Ogilvy South Africa. Vicky Bullen, CEO of CPB London assumes the role of worldwide CEO, with Tabatha King as Managing Director, CPB South Africa. Contact: Rachel.Brettler@cpb.co.uk.

Studiocom launches mobile practice
Studiocom, WPP's award winning digital agency, continues its growth in 2008 by offering its clients mobile marketing capabilities with the hire of Matthew Roth and the launch of Studiocom's new in-house Mobile Practice. Contact: arobertson@studiocom.com.

Neo@Ogilvy integrates Baidu.com API
Neo@Ogilvy, a full-service digital and direct media division of OgilvyOne, has integrated Baidu's Application Programming Interface (API) with Neo's Keyword Management Tool. This will help Ogilvy's clients to better understand the effects of their search campaigns in a world that is becoming increasingly digital. Ogilvy is the first 4A Agency in China with the ability to record and analyze Baidu's keyword data. Baidu leads every major foreign search engine with its unparalleled ability to facilitate Chinese language search, and the Neo team has succeeded in integrating their technologies to provide a platform for multiple languages and currencies. Contact: Alexandra.Robinton@ogilvy.com.

People

Guy Seese joins Grey San Francisco as Executive Creative Director

Awards

Joseph Ghossoub, President & CEO of The Holding Group, named first Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year Award

Mediaedge:cia named Media Agency of the Year by AdvertisingAge and Global Agency of the Year and US Media Agency of the Year by Adweek

Ogilvy & Mather is Asia's Network of the Year according to Campaign Brief Asia

JWT sweeps India's Consumer Connect Award Show

Work in Progress: Kidfluence
by JWT
Kids directly or indirectly influence billions of dollars worth of consumer spending, product development and innovation, and marketing each year. The children of the 21st century are exposed to far more media and marketing across multiple platforms than kids have ever been before - and at an increasingly younger age. Both brands and technology are ubiquitous almost from birth: Babies sport Burberry and mobile phones are a must-have accessory for tweens. Work in Progress: Kidfluence focuses on toddlers to tweens (ages 3-12).

This trendletter explores everything from the phenomenon of kids growing older younger to the push-pull of techno and retro in their lives. It also touches on their significant influence and influencers, the rise in childhood obesity and the emphasis on intellectual prowess and individuality in today's IQ economy. Contact: Alyson.Valpone@jwt.com

Eye on Asia 2008
Grey Group

Grey Group has launched Eye on Asia 2008 in Hong Kong and Singapore. This initiative looks at the hopes and dreams of the Asia Pacific region. Eye on Asia determines what powerful underlying trends will shape branding and communications today and in the future. For this year's results, 24 key 'eye-sights' have been identified. For more information, contact: Chris.Beaumont@grey.com

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