CONNECTIONS: O&M spins off telemarketing arm

The Hong Kong operation of Teledirect Asia was launched by OgilvyOne in January 1997.

According to Cowell, the company has 70 employees in Hong Kong and no staffing changes are planned for the immediate future.

"Having worked for and with OgilvyOne for over six years, I understood OgilvyOne's recent strategy and I felt that this focus presented an excellent time for me to make an offer to take full control of the business in Hong Kong; the business will continue to be part of the Teledirect Asia network, albeit operated independently from OgilvyOne Hong Kong," said Cowell.

The change in ownership, which will be complete at the end of this month, is in line with OgilvyOne Hong Kong's strategy to outsource parts of its business, including its data services operation.

Cowell added that the business would retain the same brand name, clients and personnel, and that OgilvyOne would continue to work closely with Teledirect as a business partner for telemarketing services on behalf of its clients.

Teledirect also has offices in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei, however, the business changes apply only to Hong Kong.