Agency of the Year success story: Designercity, Hong Kong

Agency of the Year 2014 is now open for entries. This interview by our events team with Win Mak, CEO at Designercity Hong Kong and winner of last year's Greater China Agency of the Year, is one in a series of articles highlighting last year's winners.

1. Why should an agency enter Agency of the Year?

It takes a concerted effort from many different groups of people to create good work for our clients, and the Agency of the Year award recognizes that achievement. The award keeps us current in the minds of clients but more importantly, it breeds an award-winning mentality across the company, giving us added impetus to reach further to achieve greater success.

2. How did you feel when you received your 2013 award?

Proud of the team and gratified because we began this journey 19 years ago and were the first digital agency in Hong Kong. We were the first agency to introduce ecommerce platforms to retail & supermarket brands, the first to introduce online betting in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Jockey Club. We’ve had many firsts and winning Agency of the Year reinforced my belief that digital is everything and Designercity will always be a frontrunner in the race to fulfill customer needs.

3. What impact has the award had (for example in terms of new business, staff morale, etc)?

We have evolved to become a more dynamic digital company and our existing and new clientele wholly embraces our vision for what digital can contribute to their businesses. Through strategic partnerships with Xbox, Intel and Microsoft, and as part of XM Asia, Designercity’s intrinsic value, innovative spirit, digital know-how and in depth knowledge of new technologies holds us in good stead in acquiring new business. As for the team, they are young and embracing the digital wave as pioneers revolutionizing customer service and storytelling through digital formats. This is their time.

4. What have you done to keep the momentum going?

Our strategy for 2014 is focused on several key areas of service: Holistic eCommerce, Cross-Channel Platform Creation, Experiential Marketing and the Retail Experience. We create sophisticated cross-channel connected solutions that consumers can experience, engage and interact with, while enjoying the artistic value and emotion of holistic brand experiences. Our dedicated staff have embraced these four pillars and our clientele have certainly joined us in pursuit of digital excellence as we continue to innovate and lead the race. Hong Kong Tourism Board launched their three-pronged engagement solution with ‘My Hong Kong Guide” earlier this year and are seeing record numbers of downloads for their travel/tourism app.

5. What do you hope to be recognized for this year?

We want to be recognized for our contributions to great storytelling on behalf of the many brands we work with, through the use of the latest technologies available in digital to elevate brands to the next level. We are not afraid of change and have embraced the evolution of this industry. Designercity’s dynamism comes from our regional reach, strategic & innovative mindset and coverage, through partnerships with some of the best minds in the business as part of XM Asia under the JWT family and WPP group. Therefore our people are poised to undertake every challenge even as the industry goes through changes.