FOCUS: 2001 PREVIEWS: Grey unveils 'high voltage' plans for 2001

<p>Following his five focus points to charge the region's most </p><p>happening agency, announced in MEDIA's December 15 issue, Mr Eric </p><p>Rosenkranz, Grey Worldwide's new president for Asia-Pacific, announced </p><p>his high voltage plans to power 2001. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>These include: </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Creativity: In addition to lucrative awards for winning gold, silver and </p><p>bronze awards at major international award shows, crowds cheered Mr </p><p>Rosenkranz's creation of cash awards for gold award winners at the All </p><p>Asia Advertising Awards, AdFest and AWARD, beginning this year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He also announced an internal creative contest where creative directors </p><p>would judge the network's best ad and win a new, highly coveted trophy </p><p>known as "The Edge Award". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"This is probably the only creative trophy left in Asia which you can't </p><p>win with a scam ad," said Mr Rosenkranz. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"That makes it even more rewarding to win!" </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>People: Forging ahead to cement Grey Worldwide's reputation as the best </p><p>agency to work for, Mr Rosenkranz announced the appointment of a </p><p>soon-to-be-named regional human resources consultant. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We want to ensure we have the best possible compensation and benefits, </p><p>training and career development," he said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"The executive we're in the process of hiring will revolutionise our </p><p>recruiting and retention strategies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We simply can't be held responsible for the magnetic effect this will </p><p>have on executives across the industry." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Clients: Those in the know said clients were cheering the company's </p><p>formation of Global Category Councils that would provide them not only </p><p>with industry insights but tailored services as well. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Sighed one contented client, "It just doesn't get better than Grey </p><p>Worldwide." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Clients and staffers alike were also abuzz with Mr Rosenkranz's </p><p>announcement of the company's enhanced training programmes and templates </p><p>for the next phase of InteGREYtion, the company's proprietary and </p><p>enormously effective approach to integrated marketing. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Hey, why work with anyone else when I know Grey Worldwide puts my money </p><p>where it works best?" said one key client. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"What will they come up with next?!" No sooner did he speak than the </p><p>president answered his question! </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Planning: Excitingly, Mr Rosenkranz announced a new planning initiative </p><p>that will marry state-of-the-art research and consumer psychology </p><p>insights to create the world's most advanced tool for understanding </p><p>purchasing behaviour - the emotional linkage consumers have with </p><p>brands. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Growth: Desperately trying to quell the cheers so he could be heard, Mr </p><p>Rosenkranz stated, "Now that we own 100 per cent of our advertising </p><p>agencies in virtually every country in the region, our focus will turn </p><p>to growing in other communications disciplines, and we have an active </p><p>acquisition programme in place. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We will establish our partner companies in every country in Asia with a </p><p>particular focus on Mediacom, GCI, G2, Grey Direct and Grey </p><p>Interactive. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"This expansion, combined with InteGREYtion and our unique planning </p><p>initiative will not help level the playing field." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Finally, we're looking forward to 2001 as a year of continued growth, </p><p>record high profits, more creative awards, and new business wins. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Of course, our humility prohibits us from saying more." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>