Zeigler maps DDB Asia's action plan

Zeigler, a 20-year DDB veteran, has charged president/ CEO for Hong Kong Tim Evill, Singapore president/CEO David Tang, China CEO Dick Van Motman and president/ CEO Japan Brent Kennedy with leading the force. The post of Asia chairman and president, vacated by Aaron Lau in September, will not be filled. Each country head will bring a particular expertise to the table, including consultancy (Tang), CRM (Kennedy), and traditional advertising (Van Motman). "Historically, it has been said that there has been a lack of a cohesive network (at DDB). We have now pulled our four best talents and they will build (a regional structure for the network)," Zeigler said. The new structure aims to give DDB the clout and composition needed to win multinational clients. The objective, he explained, was to double the network's business in Asia within five years, a target stipulated by parent Omnicom, which is eyeing 15 per cent growth year-on-year. "The industry will not grow at that rate, so we have to focus on how to increase or spread disciplines to be more complete in (offering) solutions to clients," he said. DDB VP/regional director Peter Rodenbeck has been charged with bringing in new business and multinational accounts, along with DDB Sydney MD Amanda King, who led the Dell pitch in Australia and New Zealand. The strengthening of DDB's CRM offer -- described by Omnicom president/CEO John Wren as the weak link in its armour -- will see Kennedy head up Rapp Collins across Asia-Pacific, as well as continue in the role of Japan chief. Tribal DDB managing director Adam Good, meanwhile, will be appointed to head Tribal's operations in the Greater China region. See p29