Despite a paucity of specific figures, however, it appears Asia-Pacific was a significant engine of growth.
The region's largest holding company, WPP, reported that overall revenues were up by almost five per cent to £4.3 billion (US$8.3 billion). Of this figure, 18.4 per cent was accounted for by Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - marking an upswing of 23.7 per cent in revenues for Asia over 2003.
Omnicom Group posted a 13 per cent increase in global revenues to US$9,747 million in 2004. Non-US and Euro market revenues accounted for 14.2 per cent of total figures, and rose by 18.1 per cent over 2003.
Publicis Groupe - the only one of the majors to break out Asia-Pacific numbers - saw a 10 per cent increase in regional revenues over 2003, to 379 million euros (US$502 million), out of a total revenue of 3,825 million euros. While organic growth for the company in 2004 reached four per cent, overall revenues were down by one per cent year-on-year.
Interpublic Group has yet to release its 2004 results.
According to Omnicom Group vice-chairman Michael Birkin, recently appointed to the additional roles of president and CEO of Omnicom Asia-Pacific, while specific regional figures could not be provided, there is no doubting Asia's increasing contribution to holding company bottom lines.
"The growth in Asia is tracking ahead of any other market in the world," said Birkin. "The numbers might still be relatively small out of the total, but it's just a question of how long it takes before (Asia) become comparable with the US and Europe."