JWT acquires Image Factory in China

<p>J. Walter Thompson has acquired below-the-line specialist Image Factory </p><p>in China, in a bid to strengthen its competitiveness in offering one- </p><p>stop communication services. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Image Factory will operate independently, with no plans to integrate its </p><p>team into the JWT structure, and both will implement separate price </p><p>structures. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>JWT Shanghai managing director Tom Doctoroff told MEDIA there would be </p><p>virtually no interaction between the account departments of the two </p><p>entities. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He said this was a way to retain clients who might otherwise look for </p><p>below-the-line services from other shops with lower prices: "While </p><p>clients are willing to pay a JWT-level premium for below-the-line </p><p>material that tie into our above-the-line work (branding ideas), they </p><p>are not willing to do so when there is no creative connection. This </p><p>represents a loss of revenue to us." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Image Factory's expertise in below-the-line disciplines would be </p><p>expensive and time-consuming for JWT to develop in-house, he added. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>With about 25 employees, Image Factory was founded by Mr Michael McComb </p><p>four years ago in Shanghai, with the majority of its client base being </p><p>multinational. Image Factory is now run by MD Michael Tang, who also </p><p>owns a minority share in the venture with JWT. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>With total billings of more than Rmb 10 million, Mr Tang said the </p><p>below-the-line business was facing stiffer competition, particularly </p><p>from local companies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>