Marginal growth for HK4As shops in China

<p>Hong Kong 4As billings in China rose a marginal 2.8 per cent to </p><p>HK$5.923 billion last year, compared with 1998. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Saatchi & Saatchi Great Wall was the biggest Hong Kong 4As agency in the </p><p>country, with billings of HK$1.060 billion, up 2.1 per cent from </p><p>1998. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The agency network held on to its No.1 spot at the top of the charts as </p><p>a result. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Ogilvy & Mather China held onto second spot, despite the fact that its </p><p>billings of HK$848 million were virtually unchanged from the </p><p>previous year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, it was J. Walter Thompson which stole the limelight, soaring </p><p>almost 27 per cent to HK$733 million. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Because of its sparkling performance, the agency jumped from fifth to </p><p>third place in the rankings. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Industry analysts said JWT benefited from Pepsi sharply increasing its </p><p>adspend as it tried to grab a greater share of the fizzy drinks market </p><p>in China. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>DDB China also saw significant growth last year, with billings rising </p><p>23.8 per cent to HK$255.48 million, compared with HK$206.43 million in 1998. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>BBDO/CNUAC held on to the eleventh spot in the rankings, despite a drop </p><p>of 22.7 per cent in its billings (down to HK$115.8 million in </p><p>1999 compared with the previous year). </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>It should be noted that the rankings are not comprehensive, however, as </p><p>not all members of the HK4As chose to submit their billings reports. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>