Thorenburg, who joins from a previous role as general manager of pharmaceutical company Organon China, arrives as JWT seeks to bolster its retail marketing presence via a joint-venture with WPP management consultancy Glendinning in China.
“It brings a new level of international management into Always, and Thorenburg’s strength is his ability to form relationships and motivate teams in different areas of the organisation,” said JWT China CEO Tom Doctoroff.
“It is one of the first times where we have brought someone into the organisation with such pure results-oriented business savvy. He also has an ability to build bridges with other JWT groups.”
JWT takes a 51 per cent stake in the Glendinning partnership. “The opportunity that Always has is an incredibly huge asset in terms of its retail network and a growing strength in real time info,” said Doctoroff.
“We look forward to strengthening the bond between those companies.”
Currently, Glendinning is headed by Colin Hunter in China. The consultancy is billed as a leader in providing ‘demand management’ solutions for clients.
Cai Hua remains as chairman overseeing Always, which merged with sister shop Ignite last year. The two subsidiaries are operated as separate brands, under unified overall management.
The development comes as JWT wins Yili’s milk powder business in Beijing, displacing incumbent Dentsu. The agency is also involved in the final stages of the pitch for Red Bull, alongside incumbent Ogilvy and Euro RSCG.
In addition, Doctoroff’s book on China - Billions: Selling to the new Chinese consumer - is set for publication in Chinese.
The book was first released in English two years ago.
“We spent two years trying to find a publisher with the courage to publish it,” explained Doctoroff.
