David Blecken
Jun 26, 2013

Kyodo PR to work with Go Communications for Southeast Asia growth

ASIA-PACIFIC – Kyodo PR has partnered with Go Communications in a move to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, as Japanese clients intensify their own efforts to grow in the region.

De Kretser:
De Kretser: "Invaluable opportunity"

The alliance will give Kyodo PR access to Go Communications’ network and intelligence in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia, all of which represent major opportunities for Japanese companies.

In return, Go Communications will gain increased access to the Japanese market, which despite its relatively flat economy is the world’s largest importer of goods. The agency will also benefit from Kyodo’s presence in China.

Go Communications chief executive Michael De Kretser (pictured) said in a statement that “the partnership will provide Go Communications with the invaluable opportunity to tap into Kyodo PR’s [more than] 260 clients and 250 staff in Tokyo. In turn, Malaysian companies needing PR services in Japan or China will be introduced to Kyodo PR”.

He noted that more Japanese and Chinese brands were looking to enter Malaysia and the Southeast Asia region as a whole, while Malaysian brands were also looking to establish themselves in China and Japan.

Kyodo PR’s client portfolio includes Toyota, Nissan, Uniqlo, NEC, Pioneer, Sony Ericsson, Tokyo Disneyland, BMW, Michelin and Tourism Malaysia.

In a telephone interview with Campaign Asia-Pacific, De Kretser said Japanese brands were well positioned for growth in Southeast Asia given that major companies from the market already enjoyed strong perception and market share.

He added that Kyodo's presence in China would be a major asset in helping Malaysian brands with international ambitions. He pointed to Munchies, Sunway and Berjaya as examples of companies that were "investing hugely" there as well as in Japan and Southeast Asia. "Once they reach a certain scale in Malaysia they have to go to new frontiers, so it's a natural geographic progression and we're following them," he said.

De Kretser noted that Go Communications planned to establish partnerships in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia in the near future.

Related Articles

Just Published

7 hours ago

Pepsi unveils a new logo: a look back at the logos ...

A bold leap forward, the design reflects changing consumer tastes and the brand's digital ambitions. Also, it comes just in time for Pepsi’s 125th anniversary.

8 hours ago

2022 new-biz review: Which creative agencies came ...

Campaign looks at the top ad agencies ranked by gross new-business billing in 2022.

8 hours ago

From accounting to advertising, FCB's accidental ...

CREATIVE MINDS: A fan of Greek mythology, tattoos, Ryan Gosling and Shah Rukh Khan, in no particular order, Moumita Das' secret to success includes thriving under pressure.

10 hours ago

The importance of delivering a personalised ...

Privacy can no longer be a business afterthought; it must be a strategy from inception, says Cybage executive.