Korea Mirae picks Burnett for launch

ASIA-PACIFIC - Korea's leading independent financial group Mirae Asset has selected Leo Burnett to handle its India and China accounts for the country's largest asset management business, which is eyeing expansion across Asia.

The agency took the business following a final round of presentations that pitted the Publicis Groupe agency against TBWA.

Mirae, which manages a total of four trillion won (US$4.2 billion) in its equity-linked funds portfolio, has planned its India launch for the second half of 2007, after receiving approval from the relevant regulatory authorities. The China plans are believed to be at a more nascent stage. It is believed that Starcom has been retained for planning and buying.