Mr Eric Rosenkranz, the new president for Grey Worldwide
Asia-Pacific, announced the year 2000 results of his electrifying
five-point programme to an enthusiastic response from pundits and
punters alike.
"Grey Worldwide will continue to solidify its reputation as the best
agency to work for - and with," said Mr Rosenkranz.
Here are the highlights from his announcement:
Creativity: Grey Worldwide won more awards in 2000 than at any time in
its history.
Creatives in Australia and Malaysia were celebrating their receipt of
USdollars 25,000 each, an internal prize for winning silvers at Cannes
and D&AD, while creatives elsewhere looked forward to another shot next
year, including a new cash incentive for winning a Spike at MEDIA's own
show.
Mr Jeff Orr and Mr Rob Dow, newly-appointed co-creative directors for
the region, were packing their suitcases as they began to travel the
region, working to improve the already high creative standards that
currently exist.
"Frankly," said Mr Orr, "We're not able to take on all the people that
want to work with us."
People: As the dotcom disillusioned set their sights back on marketing
as a career, Grey Worldwide worked to enhance a professional development
programme that is already second to none.
"Stay tuned for next year's news on some of the most innovative
programmes ever," said Susan Reingold, regional development
director.
Insiders speculated plans include a "swap programme" where executives
would trade places, spending up to three months in another country.
Clients: "We grew faster than any year in our history," said regional
finance director Vince Leusner.
"I can't figure out why, except for all the new assignments from current
clients, especially BAT and Seagram, and all the new business that has
been flooding in from Swire Coca-Cola in Hong Kong and Founder in China,
to the Lippo Group in Indonesia, Nissan in the Philippines, Dole in
Thailand, and major telecom accounts in India and Malaysia."
Integration: "Advertising's just a drop in the bucket," said regional
client service director Bruce Oltchick.
"Nowadays, nearly all our clients want integrated marketing campaigns
that meld our expertise in direct, interactive, promotions, and PR
through a technique we call InteGREYtion.
"It's challenging and tough, but nobody does it like we do."
Growth: "Obviously, everyone will be asking: how will we sustain this
growth for next year?" asked Mr Rosenkranz.
"Now that we own 100 per cent of our advertising agencies in virtually
every country in the region ... well, I'm afraid you'll just have to
wait for MEDIA's first issue in January 2001 to find out."
This year, Grey's stock traded at an all time high of over USdollars 600
a share.
It was also the highest priced stock on the US Nasdaq.
