Former Starcom staffer moves to OMD Thai office

<p>BANGKOK: OMD Thailand has hired veteran media specialist Withaya </p><p>Tangtanaporn as the media agency's general manager, with a brief to help </p><p>propel the 45-person agency from its fourth slot into the top three </p><p>position by the end of next year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>With 11 years experience in the industry, most recently as the assistant </p><p>managing director of Starcom Thailand, Withaya is a key figure in what </p><p>is a rapidly-developing media scene, one that is fiercely competitive </p><p>and defined by increasing consolidation. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Withaya said OMD was in a strong position to boost its 2.5 billion baht </p><p>(US$55 million) billings through its range of strategic </p><p>services. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"There are three or four big targets we're out there gunning for, it's </p><p>just a matter of convincing those prospects of the value of OMD's </p><p>products," Withaya said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>OMD Asia chief executive Mike Cooper said the Thai office had put on </p><p>about 160 million baht worth of new business in the first six months, </p><p>winning international business such as Bata Shoes, Epson Computers and </p><p>Abbott Laboratories. "The pace of new business wins has definitely </p><p>accelerated." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Withaya's position complements that of managing director Martin Dufty, </p><p>who took the helm of the Bangkok office in May last year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>