e.wire is WPP’s monthly public round-up of news and initiatives across the Group’s worldwide network. The following are edited highlights; view the full version here.

Stop Press

WPP appoints first CEO for China

Bessie Lee, currently CEO of GroupM China, has been appointed to the newly created role of CEO, WPP China. In her new position, Ms Lee will be responsible for mobilising WPP companies and resources across disciplines for the benefit of both multinational and national clients. She will also help identify new business opportunities, potential acquisitions and investments, as well as support the Group’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain the best talent in China.

Adweek names AKQA Digital Agency of the Year for the second year running

AKQA has won Adweek’s Digital Agency of the Year award after a year of expansion, new business wins and outstanding work for clients.

Globant strengthens WPP’s hand in digital and LATAM

WPP has agreed to acquire a 20% stake in Globant, an emerging worldwide leader in the provision of technical, design and creative expertise in the development of software for digital marketing campaigns. The move further strengthens WPP’s digital capabilities in the fast growth markets of Latin America and in the United States, United Kingdom and beyond.

New Offers

Forward to join tenthavenue

Forward, the strategic content marketing agency, has become part of WPP’s tenthavenue. The move brings Forward’s strengths as a multi-channel content agency together with tenthavenue’s range of marketing, content, performance and outdoor skills.

GroupM acquires majority stake in PLAY Communication

GroupM, WPP’s global media investment management arm, has acquired a majority stake in PLAY Communication, a leading experiential marketing agency based in Sydney, Australia.

Kantar buys AdGooroo to enhance digital media measurement capabilities

Kantar, the information, insight and consultancy group, has acquired AdGooroo, the US-based provider of global digital media intelligence.

New Business

Following a multi-agency pitch, MEC India has bagged the media mandate for Britannia Industries Limited, one of India’s leading food companies.

Y&R Malaysia has been appointed as agency of record for the Media Prima TV Network after a three-way pitch.

Maxus UK wins £21m media planning and buying account for the grocery arm of Associated British Foods.

VML London has been appointed by the Royal Institute of British Architects to transform and rebuild their digital presence.

People

Cohn & Wolfe has announced two regional leadership appointments to drive its digital growth strategy. The firm has named Gabrielle Lovering as the new Head of Digital and Social Media in the UK, and Mark Burr fills a newly created position as EVP, West Coast Digital Leader, based in Los Angeles.

Dickjan Poppema has been appointed CEO of Grey Germany, based in Dusseldorf.

Awards

Ogilvy India wins the Effective Agency of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year at the Indian Effies.

Nicky Sargent and Vikki Dunn, joint founding CEOs of leading post-production company The Farm Group, receive the Barclays Corporate Business Award at the Women in Film and TV (WFTV) Awards.

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Insights

100 Things to Watch in 2013

JWT has released its annual list of 100 Things to Watch for the year ahead, which include adult playgrounds, Chia seeds and instant-erase apps.

New book challenges preconceptions about China

Consumers and Individuals in China: Standing Out, Fitting In, written by Ogilvy & Mather Greater China’s Director of Ethnography Michael B Griffiths, tackles stereotypes about China and the Chinese.

Mobile revolutionises B2B

Mobile@Ogilvy has published a new report into how business-to-business brands can leverage “smart mobility” to gain significant competitive advantage, spurred on by the BYOD (bring-your-own-device) movement.