Ogilvy's Davies to lead rmg:connect operations in Asia

In Asia-Pacific, the network will be headed by OgilvyOne Singapore chairman and South Asia regional director Paul Davies, and will focus on the markets of Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong - where new operations will open - and India and Japan, where it will replace Thompson Connect.

"It will be the first time that JWT has a worldwide offering of some significance in this market," confirmed JWT area director for Asia-Pacific south, Patrick Pitcher. "We've selected the five Asian countries well - it's really where the bulk of the DM business is."

JWT holds a majority stake in rmg:connect, with OgilvyOne and Wunderman owning minority shares. However, JWT president and CEO Michael Maedel confirmed that rmg would not simply operate as a conflict shop for WPP. "Obviously by having a strong network within the group, if one or the other accounts conflict, at least we have the option to offer something that works at the same high standards as the others," he said.

"... the objective is in a short period of time to compete with (the more established players)," added Davies.