Timber producer moves creative and media to JWT

SEOUL: Dongwha, a major timber and wood building materials manufacturer, has assigned J. Walter Thompson Korea to produce its first advertising campaign in two years.

Three other agencies also pitched for the account: Phoenix Communications, a joint-venture between Dentsu and Samsung; creative boutique White Communications; and Mate Communications, a medium-sized agency specialising in strategy development.

Dongwha - established more than half a century ago and which reported sales of US$188.4 million last year, up almost 90 per cent from 2000 - has not run a major campaign since February 2000 after its contract with local agency Nara Communications expired. The pitch focused on developing communication strategies and creative ideas for a product campaign. JWT Korea president, Dong Wook Kim, said: "We first developed a corporate vision of Dongwha as a 'new wood creator' and extended the concept to its flooring products with the brand vision of 'new life creator'.

He said JWT was chosen because its solution was judged to be simple and impactful.

JWT has also been awarded the media planning and buying assignment since its media agency, MindShare, has yet to establish a presence in Korea.