Bates and David merge in India

MUMBAI - BatesAsia president Jeffrey Yu has confirmed the merger of Indian agencies Bates Enterprise and David India to create Bates David Enterprise.

In a related move, David regional CEO Digby Richards has joined BatesAsia as COO. Bates David Enterprise will be headed by CEO Subhash Kamath from Bates Enterprise and ECD Josy Paul from David India. The duo also take on joint-MD roles.

Meanwhile, Bates Enterprise chairman Mohammed Khan becomes founder/director, a "less active" position, in Yu's words.

Yu also confirmed that Bates and David are looking at ways to align their operations in other markets in Asia, except for Hong Kong and Singapore which will remain standalone operations - as reported (Media, 3 November).