DIARY: Direct shops prove more fertile than above-the-line lot

<p>It's got to be a reflection of the shifting fortunes of </p><p>agencies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The direct and marketing side of agency operations have not only been </p><p>busier business-wise these days, they've been far more fertile compared </p><p>with their ad agency siblings. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In recent weeks, the heads of two direct marketing agencies were </p><p>involved in a mega production of a different sort - welcoming their </p><p>offsprings. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Setting the ball rolling, Motiv8 Hong Kong managing director Chris </p><p>Fjelddahl has reportedly been getting his baseball glove ready for his </p><p>third child - a son. Well done, Fjelddahl. He's even managed to squeeze </p><p>in the setting up of a custom publishing unit and prepare for an </p><p>Ironman-type competition in between bottle feeds. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Not to be outdone, Greg Paull, DraftWorldwide's regional head, took time </p><p>off his busy schedule for the arrival of his first-born, a boy called </p><p>Jonah. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Congratulations to Paull and his wife - Chris Leong, the big chief at </p><p>Bates Hong Kong, who undoubtedly had the top-billing role in this joint </p><p>Draft-Bates production, Paull's breathing tips notwithstanding. All that </p><p>while Draft has been picking up a steady stream of new business </p><p>wins. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Now, let's see if Asia's above-the-line players can beat this production </p><p>record. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>