ASIA-PACIFIC UK-based planning specialist Naked Communications will roll out its first regional shop in Singapore in early 2007.
Naked also plans to open a Tokyo office next year and, possibly, one in Shanghai.
Nokia, with whom Naked is globally aligned, will be among its first clients.
Managing partner Mat Baxter declined to comment further on the client list or the management team, but expressed strong interest in turning key local partnerships, with clients such as Coca-Cola and Unilever, into regional AORs.
The Singapore office will be Naked's first attempt to bring its philosophy of media neutrality into Asia. The consultancy has a strong presence in the US and Australia.
Naked is best known for its pioneering work based on communications planning, with campaigns such as Unilever's Lynx Click stunts and Coke Zero's 'Zero Movement' lauded by awards shows and marketers alike. Both integrated on-ground advertising, viral elements and concerts.
"Our belief is that lots of businesses have marketing challenges that don't need to be solved by advertising solutions,"said Baxter.
'All we do is find solutions to marketing problems, be it through advertising, packaging, sponsorship, pricing and so on."
"This region has been deprived of communications planning and strategic planning,"Baxter added. "It's a concept that simply doesn't exist in Asia, aside from Australia."
