Digital happenings this week from Ogilvy, Google, Nestle and more

After more than a decade with the agency, MRM Greater China MD Jason Chau has resigned from his post with effect from January 2012. Chau has been with the agency 12 years and stepped into the MD role during 2007. Mark Cripps, EVP regional director of MRM Worldwide, will assume Chau's duties until a replacement has been confirmed. An announcement is expected imminently.

London-based social media agency We Are Social has launched an Asian office based in Singapore. Initial clients include Siemens and Cambodia luxury resort Song Saa Private Island. 

In partnership with its digital AOR Trapper MPG and Media Contacts, Iskandar Malaysia has launched the second phase of a digital branding campaign in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The regional development authority in the country’s Johor State targets Asia’s investment, leisure, hospitality and education decision making audiences.

Google’s social platform Google+ has revealed it has attracted 40 million users since its launch 100 days ago on Monday. The company is currently moving forward with the launch of a ‘brands page’ and ‘enterprise support’for the platform. While its still early days, Google+ aims to transform the overall Google experience.

The 2011 Synovate PAX survey results, covering Q3 2010 to Q3 2011, have been released in Singapore, urging brands targeting affluent consumers in the Lion City to consider the internet as a key marketing platform. According to the survey, almost all of Singapore’s elite are now online, compared to just over half in 1997. The country is the top market for technology products including smartphones, laptops and LCD TVs in Asia-Pacific.

Hotel group Far East Hospitality has appointed DGM Asia to handle all digital media strategies and implementation for the group’s hotels and serviced residences. According to marketing head Betty Tan, digital is the future as it offers the widest coverage with the lowest cost per acquisition.

Initiative has beaten both local and international agencies to scoop Nestle Nescafe’s digital duties in Indonesia. The agency has been appointed to build the Nescafe brand across digital platforms and oversee the launch of the brand’s ‘Journey of life’ campaign.

OgilvyOne has welcomed back Daniel Tao as vice-president in Beijing. Tao joins from BBDO Proximity following a short stint in China as head of business development. In his new role he will work across several domestic and international brands including Audi, Canon, Intel and Volkswagen.

Craig Ellis has come onboard at Reprise Media from his former post as MD of DGM Australia. He joins in mid-November as CEO of the search and social media business under Mediabrands Australia. Current MD David Fernandez will be leaving the company.

According to Burson-Marsteller’s 2011 Asia-Pacific Corporate Social Media Study, 80 per cent of the 120 companies listed on The Wall Street Journal’s Asia 200 Index are on social media. The figure, which is derived from the social media activities of the top 10 major companies across 12 markets in Asia, is up from 40 per cent last year. Asia’s corporate media strategies tend to remain short-term and piecemeal and video is under-used as a social media channel.