MEDIA-I: Blue repositions and focuses on marketing skills

<p>SINGAPORE: Blue Sphere is changing its name to Blue as it moves </p><p>away from web development to focus on what it said is its core </p><p>competency - interactive marketing. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The company is also stepping up its expansion, opening an office in Hong </p><p>Kong, which follows its acquisition of Auckland-based Blue Chili and the </p><p>setting up of an office in Sydney two months ago. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Newly-appointed chief executive Jay Shapiro said interactive agencies </p><p>that focus on building client websites have lost the plot. Shapiro said </p><p>many interactive agencies make recommendations based on vested </p><p>interests. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>They recommend launching a website - even if there is no need for it - </p><p>because agencies have to keep its web developers fully employed, he </p><p>said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>

SINGAPORE: Blue Sphere is changing its name to Blue as it moves

away from web development to focus on what it said is its core

competency - interactive marketing.



The company is also stepping up its expansion, opening an office in Hong

Kong, which follows its acquisition of Auckland-based Blue Chili and the

setting up of an office in Sydney two months ago.



Newly-appointed chief executive Jay Shapiro said interactive agencies

that focus on building client websites have lost the plot. Shapiro said

many interactive agencies make recommendations based on vested

interests.



They recommend launching a website - even if there is no need for it -

because agencies have to keep its web developers fully employed, he

said.