GroupM Taiwan boss takes over independent UCG

The deal brings to a close months of speculation regarding the fate of UCG, a group which for decades was owned by the Koo family.

Mark Patterson, CEO of GroupM Asia-Pacific, said the deal did not mean Yu was leaving the agency." Sandra  will continue to be employed in a full time capacity as chairwoman and CEO of GroupM Taiwan. It is business as usual and a continuum. She has performed in an outstanding way as a strong, very smart leader of GroupM in a tough market. She is the best in the business as far as we are concerned and I am looking forward to many more years working closely with her to further strengthen our position in Taiwan," he said.

“Sandra has made the personal  investment in United Advertising with our full knowledge and understanding. There is no conflict of interest via her investment with any part of GroupM or WPP and as you'd expect this is very clear to all parties. Sandra is the majority shareholder in United but she will not run it."

A representative for Yu said that she had handed the running of UCG to Samuel Chou as CEO, and Alvin Tsui as general manager.

United Advertising will continue to buy media through Carat, added the spokesperson.

Yu has a long history in Taiwan’s media agency industry. Early in her career, from 1990 to 1994, she worked at United Advertising, and in her announcement this week she cited this as part of the motivation for her purchase.

“This deal is special because all the parties involved have a strong and positive United connection,” said the representative.

During other points in her career, Yu worked with Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, Mindshare, MEC and local broadcaster Formosa TV.