CAREERS: Brand consultancy in expansion drive

<p>London-based brand strategy and corporate identity consultancy </p><p>Springpoint has appointed Michael McComb as managing director, </p><p>Asia-Pacific to head its regional expansion. The move follows its </p><p>acquisition by Golin/Harris, a member of the Interpublic Group, in </p><p>April. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>McComb will head the Hong Kong office, which will serve as Springpoint's </p><p>regional headquarters, and will help the company develop regional </p><p>operations, with particular emphasis on Greater China. "We'll be hiring </p><p>brand consultants in Hong Kong and training them on Golin/Harris </p><p>operations. But by most indicators, Hong Kong is not the strongest </p><p>growth market. It will help us build a regional client base. We'll be </p><p>looking at Greater China and hope to set up a Shanghai office by the end </p><p>of this year," said McComb. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>According to Fiona Gilmore, Springpoint's chief executive officer, </p><p>McComb was picked to head the company as his experience in the region </p><p>would help "develop and manage both strategic and design projects". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>McComb's experience is largely in mainland China, where he managed Image </p><p>Factory Communications Design in Shanghai from 1995 to 1999, serving </p><p>multinational clients such as General Motors, Unilever, Siemens, </p><p>Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hershey's and Kodak Professionals. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He also served as senior director with Bozell Advertising in San </p><p>Francisco, working with US tech and web companies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>McComb believes Springpoint's holistic approach and proven record in the </p><p>UK will be help the company differentiate itself from its </p><p>competitors. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Most corporate identity companies are aligned with advertising </p><p>agencies, but we are with a PR firm. We will be talking with CEOs and </p><p>advocating large organisational changes. Springpoint also has experience </p><p>in Hong Kong having worked on the Hong Kong Airport Core Programme," he </p><p>added. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>