Liu fills a newly-created role and will also oversee the integrated and interactive parts of the business, which he was tasked with establishing on his appointment in 2001.
The network has also named Optimedia's Guangzhou general manager Manffred Tsang general manager of iMPACT, as part of moves to strengthen the OOH entity's senior management to maintain its growth momentum. Tsang will relocate to Shanghai in his new role once a replacement is found in Guangzhou.
The network has also named Optimedia's Guangzhou general manager Manffred Tsang general manager of iMPACT, as part of moves to strengthen the OOH entity's senior management to maintain its growth momentum. Tsang will relocate to Shanghai in his new role once a replacement is found in Guangzhou.
"OOH in China is a difficult and complex area and Jim and Manfred are both hugely experienced and suited to this challenge," said Phil Talbot, ZenithOptimedia's regional chief executive officer. "My brief to Jim and Manfred is to seize the opportunity. The building blocks are in place."
China's OOH segment continues to consolidate, while rival network Portland, part of GroupM, has partnered with Poster Publicity in a global deal with a clear focus on leveraging China opportunities (Media, April 22).
With his expanded remit, Liu said his goal would be to sharpen the company's integrated communications offer across the three departments. iMPACT now employ more than 35 people. Liu cited the use of new channels such as cineplexes and KTV clubs, with options beyond the usual lightbox and standee advertising used in its promotions for clients such as Shanghai General Motors and eBay.
As part of its senior management beef-up, ZenithOptimedia has also promoted Meg Wu, its national director for interactive, to GM of that unit; and integrated director April Chang to integrated's deputy GM.
