Wrap-up: 8+ things you need to know this week

Agencies diversify to become true partners

All the grades are in, and Campaign's special issue featuring the Agency Report Card is now available. Next week, we'll reveal the letter grades for each agency on this website, and post the full analysis of each agency. The letter grades will be visible to everyone, but only subscribers will be able to access the analyses. 

Yahoo opens up its ‘walled garden’ and Dentsu Aegis Network consolidates in China

Yahoo Hong Kong has launched Ad Manager Plus, a  programmatic platform open to other publishers, while Dentsu Aegis Network brings its "umbrella investment unit" into China. 

Huge launches in Asia and Fred & Farid opens in Beijing

Our reporter Byravee Iyer talked to Martin Riley about the launch of US-based digital agency Huge, in Singapore. In other news, independent digital creative agency Fred & Farid opened its second office in China.

Instagram announces carousel ad format

The Facebook-owned platform announced it will introduce an advertising format that provides brands with a way to display multiple images along with a clickthrough opportunity.

Shifts, moves and changes

Ambba Kuthiala helms newly created MD role for crowd-sourcing platform Eyeka in Sinapore, Matt Seiler steps down as global CEO of IPG Mediabrands, Christina Sanchez joins Ogilvy for global Dove role. Chris Thomas, head of BBDO Asia for nine years, goes to the US. 

Customer service is top-of-mind for APAC marketers

The idea that customer service, marketing and all other aspects of a business need to work together isn't going away. In contrast to marketers in Europe and North America, marketers in Asia want to marry this concept with being 'mobile-first'. Online shoppers in Asia also have special needs that brands should think about.

From ‘Creepy’ Thai Tourism to McDonalds pancakes in China

Catch this week's ads from across the Asia-Pacific in The Work. 

A compilation of meaty topics 

A brief history of brand propositions and what they means for brands as people shift from emphasising the mind to priortising the physical. Also, how the precursors of artificial intelligence are having an impact on marketing.