FOCUS:YEAR-END REVIEW: D'Arcy celebrates a year of solid growth in Asia-Pacific region

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