Howell joins as head of above-the-line of River Orchid Thailand, the network’s regional hub and largest operation, along with Voradis Mark Vinyaratn as integration director, producer Vorawit Prakronkeaw and account executive Monisha Gurbani.
River Orchid and M&C Saatchi Thailand were the subject of recent merger speculation, but a deal did not materialise (Media 12 May). The two agencies continue to work together on certain projects.
The appointments come four months after River Orchid signed former Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand and TBWADubai creative director Chris Howden as regional ECD. Joe Wong, activation director at JWT China, has also joined as regional activation director.
Meanwhile, River Orchid is hoping to reposition itself as an Asian boutique network and has unified its branding across all its operations.
Previously, each office carried the name of a river in its country - for example, Bassac Orchid in Cambodia and Irrawaddy Orchid in Myanmar - but now each will be known as River Orchid.
The agency’s CEO Santiphong Pimolsaengsuriya (pictured) said: “There are a lot of standalone boutique agencies, and plenty of global networks. But we believe we’re the first boutique network - at least in this region.”
“Each of our operating agencies is small by international standards, but they belong to a wider network which now has a range of people with a broad gamut of capabilities.”
River Orchid has offices in Singapore, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Bangkok, Vientiane and Singapore. It offers brand design, advertising, activation, media, premiums, music, training and research.
The company launched in Vientiane in 2000 and now has 180 staff. Clients include ANZ Bank, Unilever, AirAsia, Siam Cement, Western Union, Intel and Visa.
