CAREERS: Euro moves execs to boost China offer

The network's regional chief executive, Vincent Digonnet, is also looking to capitalise on China's strong economy, which continues to grow despite the global downturn.

Digonnet believes Shanghai and Beijing could become a regional base for Asia-Pacific as Hong Kong gradually loses its status as a regional centre.

The executive changes involve Bennett Chiu, Euro RSCG regional brand director on Intel, who has moved from Hong Kong to become regional vice-president of Euro RSCG China, based in Beijing. David Morgan, managing director of Euro RSCG Hong Kong, has taken over Chiu's previous responsibilities, while Jane Barratt, Euro RSCG director of interactive, and Julie Ng, its client services director, have become joint-managing directors of the Hong Kong office.

The other executive to relocate to China is Karen Tarng, Euro RSCG Taiwan managing director, who has been appointed managing director of Euro RSCG Shanghai.

Rose Lin, deputy managing director of Euro RSCG Taiwan, has replaced Tarng.

"We are strengthening tremendously our mainland China offices,

said Digonnet. "We want more people in the mainland China offices because Hong Kong and Taiwan aren't expanding,

he explained. "These are mature economies that are staying flat whereas China is growing exponentially. If you look at the major clients, you'll see nobody is handling China from Hong Kong, instead major advertisers are putting their resources into Shanghai and Beijing."

"So we need to have talented people in mainland China who not only understand the China market but can work regionally.

"China in years to come could become a platform for Asia-Pacific,

he argued.

"Hong Kong is no longer a regional headquarter or it is very little - Hong Kong is about Hong Kong and is certainly not the place to drive brands in China."

In another development, Steve Chang, founder and chief executive officer of Euro's marketing services agency Field Force (FF), has relinquished day-to-day management control of the business.

Chang remains a shareholder in Field Force and a business consultant.

Patti Sun, FF mainland China general manager, will now report to Mason Lin, chief executive of Euro RSCG Group in China; while Jo-Ann Ni, general manager of FF Taiwan, will report to Digonnet.