According to Weber Shandwick Asia-Pacific president Andrew Pirie, GolinHarris China will look to client extension as its primary strategy for business growth.
"It's also fair to say ... a number of clients in Hong Kong and Taiwan have asked about a G/H presence in China."
Previously, said Pirie, G/H's China operations were little more than "a sign on a door" in Beijing and Shanghai. Now, Diane Wu, who is MD of both G/H Taiwan and Weber Shandwick Shanghai, will lead G/H teams in Shanghai and Beijing. In addition, Golin/Harris Forrest managing director C T Hew will oversee the Pearl River Delta.
Pirie confirmed that the eventual aim would be to have a sole G/H executive in charge of central and northern China, as opposed to Wu who works across both Interpublic Group agencies.
"Ultimately as we grow, that would be the logical way to go," he said.