Spa expands network to 19 countries in A-P - "We are now able to develop specific campaigns based on market knowledge in each country"

<p>Spa Advertising has expanded its service network into 19 countries </p><p>in the Asia-Pacific region to help support Thai exporters promote their </p><p>brands overseas. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Chairman Kitti Chambundabongse said Spa's agency of record (AOR) venture </p><p>would especially help small to medium-sized enterprises, which trade </p><p>with Asian neighbours, but lack resources to support brand building and </p><p>marketing strategies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"It will help Thai exporters expand their businesses in the Asia-Pacific </p><p>region, and showcase the capabilities of Thailand's advertising agencies </p><p>to the world." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He said Spa would be the only Thai agency with contacts in the emerging </p><p>economies around the region, allowing the company to gather valuable </p><p>market research on brand loyalty and consumer consumption patterns. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We are now able to develop specific campaigns based on market knowledge </p><p>in each country," he told MEDIA. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Our first client, Osotspa, will jointly plan the marketing strategies </p><p>with Spa's creative teams together with regional agencies." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>By internationalising Spa's communication network, Mr Kitti predicted </p><p>that Spa's AOR network would make it one of the region's leading </p><p>advertising agencies within three years. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Currently Spa has reached agreements with partner agencies in Singapore, </p><p>Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, </p><p>Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, the Philippines, China, </p><p>New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The top regional agencies in these countries include Grey Australia </p><p>(Australia and New Zealand), Grey China Advertising (China), Exprim </p><p>Advertising (Lao PDR), Adformative Advertising (the Philippines). Youth </p><p>Advertising (Vietnam) and CSS & Grey Advertising (UAE, Yemen, Iraq, </p><p>Iran, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia). </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Spa also has opened joint venture companies in Myanmar, Malaysia and </p><p>Cambodia over the last two years. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Spa has named Mr Pakpoom Indra-payoong as senior executive director of </p><p>client service, Mr Witoon Pathomtajeancharoen as client service director </p><p>and Mr Nitiwadee Punahitanond as client service manager. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>During the first seven months of this year Mr Kitti said Spa's billings </p><p>equalled US$23 million, up 50 per cent over the same period last </p><p>year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He predicted the company would reach its target of US$43 million </p><p>for this year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"By the second half of the year, Thailand's advertising business growth </p><p>will keep increasing with the upcoming national election in November," </p><p>Mr Kitti concluded. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>