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

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

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