Ad Grand S'pore joins worldwide Icom network

<p>Seven agencies from around the world have joined the International </p><p>Communications Agency Network Inc (Icom) - a leading, global network of </p><p>independent advertising and marketing communications agencies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Ad Grand Advertising from Singapore and Wilson Everard Advertising, </p><p>Melbourne, were among the newcomers to join the network, which now has </p><p>members in more than 50 countries. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>One key reason for adding new members is to replace those acquired by </p><p>multi-agency groups. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We typically have the leading independent agency in each market," said </p><p>Icom executive director Gary Burandt. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Unfortunately, they are also prime targets for acquisition by the </p><p>multinationals." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He also claimed that there was increasing interest among global </p><p>marketers to work with independent networks, such as Icom. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The network's agencies strong points are that they are "well grounded in </p><p>their local markets and are not so big and bureaucratic", according to </p><p>Mr Burandt. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>