The year 2000 was a year of solid growth for D'Arcy in
Asia-Pacific.
We had a 12 per cent growth in revenue that came from a combination of
new business and existing client growth.
Virtually every country out-performed their budgets.
We have good clients who understand brands and that has helped us to
develop solid relationships that will provide incremental growth.
On the creative side, Jimmy Lam, our regional executive creative
director, has been busy recruiting new talent across the region.
Thomas Low has been appointed as a regional creative director and will
be working out of our Singapore office.
David Horry has also been employed as a regional creative director
working out of our Thailand office.
Both have made significant contributions to the creative product.
In China, we have employed Tony Kam as CD of our Guangzhou office,
working with our newly-appointed MD, Kim Das, who moved from
Singapore.
The creative firepower has been further reinforced by last year's
purchase of a majority stake in Ambience, one of India's most creative
agencies.
Ashok Kurien's agency has grown significantly this year through Nakul
Chopra's strategic skills and Elsie Nanji's creative inspiration.
A similar combination of Jan Gerits' strategic management and Sheena
Jeng's creativity made D'Arcy Taiwan agency of the year.
A strong P&L and creative awards prove the inextricable link between
creativity and a sound business.
Structurally we have moved from one regional hub to two. Hong Kong
remains the regional centre, but Singapore will also become significant
in the future.
Jan Gerits has moved to Singapore to become business development
director and will be partnered by Thomas Low and his creative
passion.
In Greater China we have appointed Ken Wright to be CEO and Robin Chen
COO. Jimmy Lam remains chairman.
George Singleton has provided improved insights through our proprietary
tool Reveal, helped by Vera Dong's growing strategic talent.
Both have helped us create a more meaningful and incisive creativity
that is helping to grow our client's brands.
Our Shanghai office continues to grow, as does Bejing under the energy
of Richard Tan and Linda Khoo.
Sue Cato's appointment as national CEO of our two Australian offices has
further strengthened the team.
D'Arcy leadership in the rest of the region remains stable and is
growing the business.
Next year we are looking for significant growth, continuing to provide
our clients with inventive tools for brand equity building.
