FOCUS: YEAR-END REVIEWS - M&C Saatchi growth planned as Asian economy recovers

<p>On a recent visit to Sydney, Lord (Maurice) Saatchi suggested the </p><p>start of the agency - at a meeting in Sydney's Regent Hotel five years </p><p>ago - was "a happy accident". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>But it's no accident that the agency has recorded compound annual </p><p>revenue growth of 100 per cent since its inception - and this year will </p><p>record revenue of USdollars 165 million, billings of USdollars 1.5 </p><p>billion and 700 staff. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The recent worldwide board meeting, held in Australia and attended by </p><p>the partners from London, congratulated the Asia-Pacific group on their </p><p>buoyant profit results. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>And with the early signs of a recovery in the economy of the Asian </p><p>region, M&C Saatchi is poised to continue that substantial growth </p><p>path. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The foundation for these achievements has been laid in Hong Kong and </p><p>Singapore - and the agency is now beginning the next phase - with plans </p><p>in the future to open a major new office in China. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Hong Kong has recorded revenue growth of over 40 per cent and profit </p><p>growth of 100 per cent. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Staff numbers have grown to 32 - among them important new recruits </p><p>including general manager Janice Chan, executive creative director Tan </p><p>Khiang and creative director - head of Chinese copy, Andy Wong. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The office has also expanded its services to provide an ecommerce </p><p>consultancy through eMCSaatchi, which was originally launched in London </p><p>and Sydney. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The Singapore office's revenue was up 20 per cent and it now ranks 10th </p><p>in the market. Importantly, the client list is of high quality - </p><p>including BMW Asia, Bank of Singapore and SingTel. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The arrival of new creative director Shane Gibson and his deputy, Mark </p><p>Ringer, has underlined the Singapore office's outstanding performance </p><p>and reputation - it was in the top three finalists in all the major </p><p>global creative awards this year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>On the back of this success, M&C Saatchi is now looking to open an </p><p>office in Shanghai. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The office is to provide a marketing beachhead for clients such as </p><p>British Airways, Qantas and Asia Airlines. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>While this year saw the more reckless elements of dotcom mania collapse, </p><p>there is no doubt that many Asian economies have started to recover and </p><p>business is becoming more robust. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Next year, we expect the trend to continue. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>M&C Saatchi throughout Asia expects to ride high on that economic </p><p>growth. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>