Campaign Asia

Leo Burnett Jakarta hires Sutton

JAKARTA - Thomas Sutton (pictured), the group account director of Citibank at Publicis Singapore, has left the agency to join Leo Burnett Kreasindo in Jakarta as country advisor.

Publicis London nets Singha account

GLOBAL - Singha, the Bangkok-based beer brand, has handed its advertising account to Publicis London following a competitive pitch involving a number of undisclosed agencies.

Profile... Carnegie sets out to build P&G's profile in Asia

The FMCG giant's energetic new head of Asia wants to build a structure that delivers creativity consistently.

Aegis launches Vizeum in India

NEW DELHI - Aegis Media has rolled out its Vizeum agency brand in India and has appointed S Yesudas to head the new outfit as managing director.

MEC South Asia appoints George COO

MUMBAI - MEC has announced a new role for Shubha George (pictured), the managing director of MEC India, who has now been promoted to the role of of COO of MEC South Asia.

SABMiller rolls out Indus Pride brand activation

MUMBAI - Brewing giant SABMiller has launched a consumer connection programme in several cities across India to promote its recently launched beer brand Indus Pride.

CNBC's global CFO to head Asia-Pacific operations

ASIA-PACIFIC - Satpal Brainch, the global chief financial officer of CNBC, has been appointed the president and managing director of CNBC Asia and will replace Jeremy Pink (pictured), who was recently promoted to take on the role of vice-president of business news.

SpongeBob reaches Chinese web

BEIJING - Nickelodeon has launched a Chinese-language website for its popular animation character SpongeBob Squarepants.

BBDO appoints regional account director for HP

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Singapore has appointed Jason Kolinsky (pictured) to the position of regional account director working on the regional Hewlett-Packard business.

Dutch Lady celebrates World Milk Day with Nutri bus

KUALA LUMPUR - Milk brand Dutch Lady will celebrate the second World Milk Day in Malaysia on 31 May with the launch of NutriBus, a mobile outreach programme to promote the goodness of milk in rural communities.

MAS reappoints Mindshare, drops Ogilvy

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has retained Mindshare as its agency-of-record after an internal review last month.

UM nets Himalaya Herbal Account

SINGAPORE - Universal McCann has been appointed as the media agency-of-record for Himalaya Herbal Healthcare in Singapore following a three-way pitch that included Starcom and MediaCom.

Advertisers to look online as budgets tighten: survey

SINGAPORE - A study conducted by Frost & Sullivan has revealed that a growing number of large brand advertisers are embracing online advertising in the face of shrinking marketing budgets.

Hill & Knowlton promotes Ryan Peal as regional CD

SYDNEY - Hill & Knowlton (H&K) has promoted Ryan Peal to the newly created position of Asia-Pacific creative director.

Leo Burnett and Arc Singapore launch new unit

HONG KONG - Leo Burnett and Arc Singapore have joined forces with usability researcher, Dr Dieter Walz (pictured), to launch usability@arc - a unit that offers the latest in eye-tracking technology.

Mitchell departs Y&R Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - David Mitchell, the general manager of Y&R Malaysia, has departed the agency barely three months after joining the company.

STB review draws 24 agencies

SINGAPORE - At least 24 agencies have expressed interested in submitting their documents in the first stage of Singapore Tourism Board's full-service pitch, the city-state's most coveted account.

TianPo hands over PR brief to PR Communications

SINGAPORE - Singapore's well-known local jewellery retailers - TianPo has selected PR Communications to manage the media awareness of its upcoming marketing and communications initiatives.

Coca-Cola shortlists two for brand activation in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Coca-Cola has shortlisted Lowe and Oze as it hunts a brand activation agency for its Sprite brand in Indonesia.

MPG appoints Sujit Biswas as regional business director

SINGAPORE - MPG has appointed Sujit Biswas (pictured), former head of P&G business for AAI at Starcom, as its new regional business director.

Dentsu forms regional intelligence team

REGIONA - Denstu Asia has formed what it calls a regional intelligence team (RIT) to improve overall strategic capabilities in the region.

China to be fourth largest ad market in 2009

GLOBAL - ZenithOptimedia has forecast that this year China will overtake the UK to become the fourth largest ad market in the world.

Google announces top searches for Singapore

SINGAPORE - SingTel is Singapore's more searched telco when compared to StarHub and M1, while KFC is the country's most searched fast food brand when compared to McDonald's and Pizza Hut.

S&W hands over regional brief to Bates 141

SINGAPORE - S&W, a canned fruit and vegetable brand owned by Del Monte, has handed its regional brief to Bates 141 after a three-way pitch that involved TBWA and an unnamed agency.

Live Issue... Thailand's TV stations look to a brighter future

This year has not been easy for Thailand's media sector, with political turmoil partly responsible for a 1.5 per cent drop in adspend from January to September.

M150 calls creative agency pitch

JAKARTA - M150, an energy brand owned by Osotspa ABC Indonesia has called a full-service pitch involving three agencies that include Berakar, OZE and incumbent, Ogilvy.

Milk+Co nets branding brief from Bank Negara

KUALA LUMPUR - Milk+Co has won the branding brief for Bank Negara museum and art gallery.

Astra Honda shortlists three

JAKARTA - Japanese motorcycle maker, Astra Honda Motor (AHM) has shortlisted three agencies including Euro Adwork, Artek & Partners, and OZE for its new variant CUB (Cheap Urban Motorbike) model.

Waggener Edstrom Singapore GM Shaun Wootton to relocate to France

SINGAPORE - Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) has announced that its Singapore general manager Shaun Wootton (pictured) will relocate to Paris to be general manager for France, with vice-president Matthew Lackie taking over as acting GM.

P&G appoints head of marketing for Asia

SINGAPORE - Procter & Gamble has promoted Maile Carnegie, head of marketing for Australia, as head of marketing for Asia.

HPB calls a $5 million media pitch

SINGAPORE - As predicted by Media in November, Health Promotion Board (HPB) has called an S$8 million (US$5.5 million) media pitch through a tender for its three accounts, Healthy Ageing, Adult Health and Youth Health, putting incumbent PHD on alert.

Universal McCann scoops $15 million Telekom Malaysia account

KUALA LUMPUR - Telekom Malaysia (TM) the country's largest telecommunications company, has handed its US$15 million media planning and buying business to Mediabrands' Universal McCann (UM), toppling five-year incumbent Zenith Media following a two-way pitch. UM has been awarded the business for a two-and-a-half year period.

BBDO lays off 20 people in Thailand

BANGKOK - Omnicom Group (OMG) agency BBDO is reported to have laid off 20 people in its Bangkok office before the beginning of new year.

Lowe Vietnam launches Stitch

SINGAPORE - Lowe Vietnam has launched a new specialist division named Stitch, a 'through-the-line' communication setup that will target Vietnamese brands with global ambitions.

PSB appoints Ogilvy RedCard

SINGAPORE - PSB Academy, one of Singapore's largest independent education and training institutions, has appointed Ogilvy RedCard to handle its creative after a four-way pitch.

Coca-Cola calls brand activation pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Coca-Cola is on the lookout for a brand activation agency for its Sprite brand in Indonesia.

BBDO lands NETS brief

SINGAPORE - Singapore's largest e-payment operator has handed its creative account to BBDO after a three-way pitch that included Y&R and Batey. NETS' former creative agency Alchemy declined to participate in the pitch, as did Saatchi & Saatchi and Ogilvy & Mather.

BNI pitches $3 million media

JAKARTA - Bank Negara International, Indonesia's fourth-largest bank, has called a US$3 million media pitch.

Profile... Savvy Tanis spies opportunity for Dutch Lady

The Malaysian dairy brand wants to become number one in the young child and family nutrition categories.

Publicis Groupe's Ninah Consulting launches Asia-Pacific operations

HONG KONG - Publicis Groupe owned Ninah Consulting, a global management consulting and analytics company will open a Hong Kong office to offer marketing strategy consulting services to local and global multinationals in the region.

BBC to cover elections on a train

NEW DELHI - The BBC has tied up with Indian Railways to cover the upcoming elections in the country through "India Election Train", a train that will ferry reporters around the country and see them delivering news in multiple languages and platforms.

Mudra Connext appoints Sandeep Goel

MUMBAI - Sandeep Goel, the former vice-president of Indian Cricket League (ICL), has been appointed vice-president and branch head of Connext in Delhi, the media agency of the Mudra Group.

Dentsu to launch a new unit for social communications

TOKYO - Dentsu is in the process of launching a new unit called Dentu Social Design Engine, a communication planning unit which will be dedicated to planning and creating public awareness campaigns and content.

ZenithOptimedia rolls out Newcast in India

NEW DELHI - ZenithOptimedia has launched Newcast, a specialist division which develops and executes non-traditional media solutions, in India.

Bang and Olufsen appoints STC Associates for PR

SINGAPORE - Bang & Olufsen, the luxury Danish brand that manufactures audio products, television sets, and telephones, has appointed STC Associates as its public relations partner in Singapore to launch its giant TV BeoVision 4-103.

Posterscope wins Tesco account

KUALA LUMPUR - Tesco Malaysia has awarded its out-of-home (OOH) advertising account to Posterscope following a pitch that involved Kinetic, Navia Asia and Media Pertiwi.

Live Issue... Business news brands make headway in India

India appears to be the latest battleground for the world's business publications.

Aviva backs 'Futurator' with BBDO campaign

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Singapore has launched an integrated campaign to promote insurance company Aviva's new initiative called 'The Futurator'.

OMD retains Tesco Lotus

BANGKOK - Hypermarket chain Tesco Lotus has re-appointed OMD to handle its media account after a two-way pitch that also involved Mindshare.

BBDO Malaysia wins Kapal Api

KUALA LUMPUR - Regional coffee brand Kapal Api, owned by Indonesian company Santos Jaya Abadi, has handed its creative account to BBDO Malaysia after a three-way pitch that included Grey and Krakatua.

Epson shortlists agencies for regional brief

SINGAPORE - Epson, one of the world's largest imaging products companies, has shortlisted Saatchi & Saatchi and JWT after inviting a few agencies to pitch for its regional account.

Carlsberg launches $2 million festive push

SINGAPORE - Carlsberg has launched a US$2 million festive campaign for Christmas, New Year and the Chinese New Year.

HP partners with Cartoon Network

SINGAPORE - Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Cartoon Network have teamed up to present an online animation contest for children aged between seven and 14 years.

Maxus nets Telenor in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Telenor Pakistan has handed its US$11million media business to Maxus after a pitch that involved the incumbent Adcom.

Low departs Y&R

SINGAPORE - After 22 years at Y&R Singapore, executive creative director Patrick Low (pictured) is leaving the agency to pursue personal interests.

Tiger Beer appoints Iris and G2

SINGAPORE - Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) has appointed Iris to drive Tiger Beer's regional sponsorship campaigns.

Tata launches Land Rover, Jaguar in India

MUMBAI - Tata Motors has rolled out the iconic Jaguar and Land Rover auto brands in India, with six models going on sale yesterday.

Lowe Manila hires Reyes as ECD

MANILA - Lowe has appointed Leigh Reyes (pictured) as executive creative director for its Manila operations.

Twinity ties with AsiaOne for Virtual Singapore launch

SINGAPORE - Twinity, a 'virtual world' that is launching an online replica of parts of Singapore, has tied up with website network AsiaOne for marketing and sales support.

Asian Youth Games ties with MEC Access

SINGAPORE - MEC Access, the sport, entertainment and cause marketing arm of MEC, is to support the First Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009.

Yoshinoya hands media to Dentsu

SINGAPORE - Yoshinoya has handed its media account to Dentsu in Singapore following a two-way battle with incumbent PHD.

Monster Worldwide names MD

ASIA-PACIFIC - Monster, a global online careers and recruitment resource, has announced the appointment of Sanjay Modi (pictured) as managing director for India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, effective immediately.

Live Issue... Ad sales deal underlines regional TV's troubles

Tough times among Asia's regional TV networks are leading to some new initiatives, the latest being the partnership between Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks Asia and AETN All Asia Networks (AAN).

Mixed outlook for regional adspend in 2009

ASIA-PACIFIC - ZenithOptimedia has predicted that Asia-Pacific will witness a 3.4 per cent drop in ad expenditure in 2009 as the effects of the global economic downturn continue.

ACDL retains Canadian agency for luxe development in Vietnam

TORONTO - Pilot PMR has been appointed by Asian Coast Development (ACDL) to provide integrated communications support for the Ho Tram Strip, a $4.2 billion Las Vegas-style destination being developed 80 miles from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Linden Lab appoints Lewis PR in Japan

TOKYO - Lewis PR has been selected as the agency of record for Linden Lab, creator of the virtual world Second Life, in Japan.

Profile... Stengel looks to a life beyond Procter & Gamble

When you've taken on the biggest job in marketing - and done so to wide acclaim - what do you do next?

Four to pitch for AXA media

ASIA-PACIFIC - Four media agencies including OMD, Universal McCann, MPG and a Group M media agency are reportedly to be involved in the AXA media pitch, to be conducted in January. Three agencies are expected to be shortlisted after the first stage.

AXA to call a regional media pitch

ASIA-PACIFIC - French insurance brand AXA is in the process of calling a regional media pitch.

Live Issue... Mindshare's restructure one year on

Has the agency's ambitious global overhaul made any difference to its service?

Indian political party hands $15 million media to Mindshare

NEW DELHI - Following a tight pitch against local agency Crayons, Mindshare Delhi snapped the Indian National Congress (INC) media account estimated to be worth US$15 million.

Grey Indonesia nets Avena

JAKARTA - Grey Indonesia has won the creative and media account for cooking oil brand Avena after a four-way pitch that involved Ogilvy, DDB and BBDO.

Maxus Australia restructures management

SYDNEY- Maxus Australia has restructured its senior management team with David Gaines, the managing director of the Sydney operation, being promoted to the newly created role of national CEO and Ron Bartlett, the former head of the Motivator media agency brand, moving into the role of non-executive chairman.

M&C Saatchi nets Zicom

MUMBAI - Zicom Electronic Security Systems has appointed M&C Saatchi Communications as its strategic and creative communications partner.

Aegis launches integrated marketing arm

MUMBAI - Aegis Media has partnered with Fresh IMCS to launch Carat Fresh Integrated to focus on activation and below-the-line business in India.

Network Ten appoints Universal McCann for channel launch

SYDNEY - Network Ten today appointed Universal McCann as the media agency for the launch and ongoing promotion of its new sports channel, One.

Profile... Welde leads Unilever into a fragmented future

When terrorists struck Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel in December, Rahul Welde was on the sixth floor.

Profile: Visa marketing head Dee Dutta welcomes a hands-on role

Less than one year into the job and Dee Dutta, Visa's head of marketing for Asia-Pacific, says he is already feeling the benefits of switching from a global to a regional role.

Profile: Marketing head Lito German on BMW's Asia operations

Lito German, the new marketing director at BMW Group Asia, is German by name if not by nationality, and is eager to prove his other credentials.

Profile: CNBC's Satpal Brainch on expanding in Asia

President and managing director at CNBC Asia-Pacific Satpal Brainch is one of Asia’s youngest media bosses.

Profile: CNBC's Satpal Brainch on expanding in Asia

President and managing director at CNBC Asia-Pacific Satpal Brainch is one of Asia’s youngest media bosses.

Profile: CNBC's Satpal Brainch on expanding in Asia

President and managing director at CNBC Asia-Pacific Satpal Brainch is one of Asia’s youngest media bosses.

Making sense of the diversity in media habits between China's tiers

Although much has been written on the challenges of understanding and engaging China's multi-tiered consumers from a brand and product perspective, what has attracted less attention is the importance of adapting media strategies to the variety of economic and geographic markets in the country.

Apathy reigns in Asia over Nestle's saga and social media mess

Thanks to Facebook and other social media channels, Nestle has in recent weeks had to deal with an enormous public relations mess, the source of which lay deep in the Indonesian rainforest. But as international condemnation grows, why has the region stayed silent?

Profile: Poh Lin Tay Mengi is helping Dell emerge in new APAC markets

In an increasingly digital world, Dell's marketing director for Asia-Pacific, Poh Lin Tay Mengi, sees room for success in traditional retail.

VIDEO: Tom Bernardin, global CEO of Leo Burnett, on new business in Asia-Pacific

GLOBAL - Tom Bernardin, the global CEO and chairman of the Leo Burnett group, has said that despite not winning a big piece of global business, Leo Burnett has done better than the competition in 2009. He attributed the agency's financial results to consistent new business wins within the network.

Adfest 2010 cancelled due to political situation in Thailand

BANGKOK - The Adfest festival in Pattaya has been cancelled due to ongoing political instability in the capital of Bangkok.

IAB Report: The true extent of Singapore's digital spend

Prior to its recent release, IAB's report on Singapore's online advertising revenue was being touted as a landmark development for the advertising industry, in that it would be the first attempt to quantify the country's digital spend. The eventual results made for interesting reading.

PROFILE: Google's Julian Persaud hunts for Asean adspend

New Google managing director for Southeast Asia Julian Persaud believes the potential for the search engine's regional business growth is huge.

VIDEO: MMA on why there are more mobile phones than toothbrushes in the world

SINGAPORE - A statistic quoted at the recently concluded Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) Forum in Singapore stated there are more mobile phones than there are toothbrushes globally and more mobile phone than toilets in India. Media spoke to four experts at the event for their opinion on the matter.

Dutch Lady calls US$5 million media pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - Dutch Lady, one of Malaysia's leading dairy brands, has shortlisted four agencies including ZenithOptimedia, MEC, Starcom and Universal McCann to pitch for its US$5 million media account.

Nike rolls out campaign to launch Nike Lunar+Trainer

SINGAPORE - Nike has launched an OgilvyOne-developed push to launch running shoes Nike Lunar+ Trainer in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Bang PR appoint senior Today journalist

SINGAPORE - Bang Public Relations has hired senior Today journalist Clement Mesenas (pictured) as director of editorial and media advisory.

BMW Asia appoints a new managing director

SINGAPORE - Johannes Seibert (pictured) has been appointed the managing director of BMW Asia.

Starcom pulls out of SIA pitch

SINGAPORE - Starcom Mediavest is believed to have pulled out of Singapore Airlines' media pitch after being shortlisted, because of conflict with key client Emirates.

BBDO's regional business director for HP to leave

SINGAPORE - Aimee Goldthwaite (pictured), regional business director overseeing Hewlett Packard at BBDO, is reportedly leaving the agency five months after she joined.

Bank Mandiri shortlists 10 agencies

JAKARTA - The Bank Mandiri, one of Indonesia's largest banks, has shortlisted 10 agencies for its US$15 million creative pitch after running into pitch fees problems.

Johnson hands Autan account to Tequila

JAKARTA - Johnson Home Hygiene Product (JHHP) has handed Tequila a below-the-line activation project for its Autan brand after a three-way pitch.

Direct Vision to refund fees to pre-paid customers

JAKARTA - A day after Astro pulled the plug on Direct Vision (PTDV), the Indonesian pay-TV operator has promised to refund the subscription fees to all its prepaid subscribers.

Celcom launches campaign to address number portability

KUALA LUMPUR - Celcom, Malaysia's second largest telecom operator, has launched its first campaign following the introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) in the country on 15 October.

Astro finally pulls plug on Indonesia service

JAKARTA - Malaysian pay-TV operator Astro has discontinued the provision of all services to its Indonesian partner, Lippo Group subsidiary Direct Vision (DV).

Jollibee awards account to Publicis JimenezBasic

MANILA - Jollibee has handed its account for products and services targeted at the teen market to Publicis JimenezBasic.

Bank Negara Museum calls second pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - After awarding a large part of its business to BBDO, Bank Negara Museum, which is seeking to relaunch itself, has called another pitch.

Profile... Spice merchant leads global charge from India

Dr Bhupendra Kumar Modi has global ambitions for his Indian mobile handset brand.

Dual wins for BBDO Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - BBDO Proximity Malaysia has netted two new businesses - Bank Negara Museum and Bosch - which are likely to bring in approximately RM8 million (US$2.2 million) in billings for the agency.

TMI hands account to M&C Saatchi

KUALA LUMPUR - TM International (TMI), Southeast Asia's second largest telecom company has handed its account to M&C Saatchi after a five-way pitch that included Lowe, McCann Erickson, DraftFCB and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Globe shortlists two

MANILA - Globe Telecom, the Philippines' second-largest telecoms player, has shortlisted Publicis JimenezBasic and JWT to pitch for its business-to-business account.

Universal McCann names Kemp to lead comms planning

SINGAPORE - Universal McCann has appointed Simon Kemp (pictured) as communications planning director for Asia-Pacific.

Grey wins Biotropics

KUALA LUMPUR - Biotropics, a herbal healthcare player in Malaysia owned by the country's biggest investment company Khazanah Nasional, has awarded its account to Grey Malaysia. The agency won the account after a two-way pitch that involved O&M.

Brand Thailand responds to political crisis

BANGKOK - The Tourism Authority of Thailand is set to increase marketing budget in tandem with Thai Airways, in response to the political crisis gripping the country.

Three in running for Pertamina

JAKARTA - Three agencies - DDB, Grey Advertising and local agency Satu Citra - are reportedly in the running for Pertamina's creative account.

Saatchi & Saatchi bags Kancils' top award

KUALA LUMPUR - Saatchi & Saatchi has won the Agency of the Year prize at Malaysia's Kancil Awards for the second time in a row.

MCYS on lookout for a media agency

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports is on the lookout for a media agency to handle a campaign recently launched through its portal Youth.SG.

CapitaLand reappoints OMD for regional media

SINGAPORE - CapitaLand, one of Asia's largest real estate companies, has reappointed OMD to handle its regional media after a two-way pitch that involved ZenithOptimedia.

Pfizer Singapore and HPB launch 'quit smoking' drive

SINGAPORE - Pfizer Singapore has launched an outdoor campaign to complement the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) National Smoking Control Programme.

Publicis Malaysia CEO to depart

KUALA LUMPUR - Publicis Malaysia CEO Shukri Rifaie (pictured) is to depart the agency almost two years after joining it. Rifaie joined Publicis in January 2007 to succeed Maggie Chua.

Levi's launches campaign

SINGAPORE - Levi's is set to roll out a print and in-store campaign titled 'Capture your dark side' to promote its Fall 2008 collection, which has been inspired by “timeless black”.

Akamai retains Upstream for regional PR

SINGAPORE - Upstream Asia has been retained by Akamai Technologies, a service provider for accelerating content and business processes online, to provide strategic counsel and communications support on a regional basis.

Saatchis pulls out of NETS pitch

SINGAPORE - Saatchi & Saatchi has pulled out of the NETS pitch leaving BBDO and one other agency in the fray.

Batey Thailand closes down operations

BANGKOK - Batey Thailand has folded its operations after months of speculation, retrenching about forty people.

HP shortlists three for global TSG account

SINGAPORE - Hewlett Packard (HP) has shortlisted Omnicom Group, WPP and Havas for its global Technology Solutions Group (TSG) account, eliminating contenders Publicis and IPG.

Indian property group hands over account to Grey

SINGAPORE - Leading South Indian property developer, Aliens Group, has appointed Grey Singapore to handle its advertising and marketing, without a pitch.

Ex-Starcom CEO to launch a promotions portal

SINGAPORE - Former Starcom CEO D. Sriram (pictured) is starting a new portal called Promeoh for deal hunters interested in finding out product promotions going on in the island state.

HPB to pitch media

SINGAPORE - The Health Promotion Board (HPB) is set to pitch its entire media account in the next few weeks.

Consumer confidence plunges to all-time low in Singapore

SINGAPORE - The latest Nielsen Global Consumer Survey has revealed that the global consumer confidence index has fallen from 88 to 84 while the Singapore consumer confidence index fell 10 points from 102 to an all-time low of 92.

Al Jazeera sets up commercial sales office in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR - Al Jazeera has set up a commercial sales office in Kuala Lumpur to focus on the Asia-Pacific market.

Three in the running for DBS

SINGAPORE - DBS, the largest commercial banking group in Singapore and Southeast Asia has invited three pairs of creative and media agencies for its upcoming full-service pitch.

Starcom lands Far East's media brief

SINGAPORE- Far East Organization, Singapore's largest private property developer has handed a media brief estimated to be above US$12 million to Starcom MediaVest after a three-way pitch that involved Mindshare and incumbent OMD.

Ogilvy declines S&W pitch

SINGAPORE - Ogilvy & Mather has declined to participate in S&W's regional pitch while Bates 141 has joined the pitch list along TBWA.

Foton calls a pitch

JAKARTA - Chinese car brand Foton, owned by Indomobil Group has called a full-service pitch involving five agencies that include DDB, JC&K, BBDO, Grey, and OZE Red Mantra.

Dove hands digital account to Media Contacts in the Philippines

MANILA - Unilever brand Dove has handed its digital account to Havas digital network Media Contacts Philippines after a four-way pitch that involved local agencies Virus and Double Action Blender and the incumbent Neo@Ogilvy.

Former Asia-Pacific media chiefs launch consulting firm

SINGAPORE - Three former regional media agency chiefs - Richard Halmarick, Alan Robertson and Allan Medforth (pictured respectively) - are launching a company aimed at helping clients develop and manage their media agency relationships.

Live Issue... Have the men's mags lost their mojo?

After the closure of Maxim in Singapore, is the 'lad mag' sector in decline?

Daihatsu awards account to Oze

JAKARTA - Japanese carmaker Daihatsu Motor has handed a car launch account to Oze after shortlisting two agencies including Grey Advertising.

Claudia Foo joins STC Associates

SINGAPORE - Former Intel brand manager and strategist Claudia P Foo has joined STC Associates, an independent global brand management consultancy, as senior director of brand and market strategy.

Samsung launches phone with new campaign by Jeh United

BANGKOK - Samsung, which recently awarded its account to Jeh United, has rolled out a new campaign with famous Thai actress Pancake Khemanit to promote its multimedia mobile phone L700 in Thailand.

Phil Tiongson rejoins UM Consulting

SINGAPORE - Phil Tiongson (pictured), who left UM Consulting in November last year, has rejoined Universal McCann's consulting division as business director after a seven-month stint as a regional strategist with Microsoft Online Services Group Southeast Asia.

IMMAP appoints new board of directors

MANILA - The Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of Philippines (IMMAP) has elected seven new directors to its board of 15.

Tourism Thailand launches online photo contest

BANGKOK - Tourism Authority of Thailand is to launch an 'Amazing Thailand' photo contest as it attempts to resuscitate the country's reputation as a tourist destination.

Astro files appeal against KPPU judgment

JAKARTA - Astro has filed an appeal in the Central Jakarta District Court against a judgment issued by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) that has made it mandatory for Astro to continue its service to Direct Vision until the legal ownership of Direct Vision has been established by the Commission.

Bates 141 Philippines bolsters team

MANILA - Bates 141 Philippines has beefed up its creative, planning and activation teams with a slew of appointments.

Indocement hands over account to Grey Advertising

JAKARTA - Indocement, one of Indonesia's largest cement companies, has appointed Grey Advertising as its agency-of-record without a pitch.

Pertamina resurrects pitch

JAKARTA - State oil and gas firm Pertamina has revived a pitch to launch an above- and below-the-line campaign persuading consumers to switch from kerosene oil to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Daihatsu shortlists two agencies

JAKARTA - Japanese carmaker Daihatsu Motor has short listed two agencies, Oze and Grey Advertising, after calling five agencies to pitch for a car launch brief.

Y&R Malaysia appoints GM

KUALA LUMPUR - Y&R Malaysia has appointed David Mitchell as its new general manager.

Jollibee pitches teen project

MANILA - Jollibee, one of the Philippines' largest fast food chains, has called a project pitch for a product targeted at the teen market in the country.

Mitsubishi hands account to TBWA

JAKARTA - Mitsubishi has handed the account for three of its models, including Tiff, Colt and Colt T120 SS, to TBWA in a three-way pitch that involved DraftFCB and Asatsu.

Abbott calls a pitch in the Philippines

MANILA - Abbott Philippines has begun the search for an agency to handle the below-the–line account for its medical nutritional drink brand Ensure. The entire Abbott account in Philippines is currently being handled by local shop Brand Idea.

PermataBank selects Y&R

JAKARTA - PermataBank, a top-10 Indonesian financial services group, has handed its entire creative and media business to Y&R.

Lowe to handle Stock Exchange of Thailand project

BANGKOK - Lowe Thailand has won a project from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) after a five-way pitch that involved Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, Spa and another local agency.

Dentsu Media enters SIA media pitch

SINGAPORE – Dentsu Media, the media planning and buying arm of Dentsu, has joined the pitch for Singapore Airlines' US$50 million media planning and buying business, bringing the number of media agencies that have responded to the RFI to five.

Four in the fray for SIA global media business

SINGAPORE - Four agencies - OMD, Carat, Starcom Mediavest and incumbent MEC - are believed to have responded to the Singapore Airlines tender RFI for its US$50 million media planning and buying business.

Malaysia customs imposes five per cent tax on production services

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's customs has imposed a five percent tax on production services in the country.

Youth TV channel launched in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Television Network (CTN), the country's most popular TV network, is launching a free-to-air commercial channel called MYTV that will cater to the youth market in the country.

Lowe Vietnam adds two to its team

HO CHI MINH CITY - Lowe Vietnam has beefed up its team with the appointment of Bob Cohen as its creative director and Mae Ng as the group account director.

Mitsubishi calls Indonesian pitch

JAKARTA - Mitsubishi has called a full-service pitch involving three agencies that include TBWA, DraftFCB and incumbent Asatsu.

Saatchi & Saatchi to promote energy efficiency in Thailand

BANGKOK - Saatchi & Saatchi has been tasked to launch an energy saving campaign for the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO).

DRB Hicom hunts media agency

KUALA LUMPUR - DRB-HICOM, a big player in Malaysia's automotive, services, property, infrastructure and defence sectors, is on the lookout for a media agency to handle media placement for the group and its subsidiaries.

Fallout from milk brand crisis spreads to Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE - The China tainted milk scandal has spread to Southeast Asia, with products being pulled off shelves for containing Chinese milk.

Gudang Garam shifts Surya Slims account to Ogilvy

JAKARTA - Barely three months after handing the Surya Slims account to local shop Cabe Rawit Pariwara, Gudang Garam has reassigned the creative duties for its mild cigarette brand to Ogilvy & Mather Indonesia without a pitch.

Ocean Life hands creative to Saatchi & Saatchi

BANGKOK - Ocean Life, Thailand's seventh largest insurance company, has handed its creative business, worth 60 million baht (US$1.7 million), to Saatchi & Saatchi Thailand in a four-way pitch that involved Contract, U5 OK and Zing.

Five in battle for Southeast Asia telco

KUALA LUMPUR - TM International (TMI), Southeast Asia's second largest telecom company has called a regional rebranding pitch in a bid to build consumer awareness of the company's offering.

Aora on lookout for agency

JAKARTA - Indonesia's new pay-TV operator Aora is on a lookout for an agency to promote the Barclays English Premier League, an event it is exclusively broadcasting in Indonesia.

TBWA promotes Bobadilla and Dizon

MANILA - Owen Bobadilla (pictured), the managing director of Tequila Manila, has taken on the role of chief integrator for TBWATequila Manila.

Pro-pitch fee agencies to form association

JAKARTA - Indonesian agencies that have signed the pitch fee protocol, are in the process of registering themselves as an association.

Live Issue... Unilever's move south raises creative concerns

The MNC faces a tricky balancing act to ensure its marketing is not disrupted by its move to Singapore.

Three pitch for Malaysia Airlines project

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has concluded its project pitch, with three shortlisted agencies - Ogilvy & Mather, Milk+Co and Bozell - in contention for the business.

GSK Indonesia calls creative pitch

JAKARTA - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is searching for a creative agency to handle its asthma and cancer drugs accounts in Indonesia.

Pertamina hands account to Satu Citra

JAKARTA - Pertamina has selected Satu Citra to handle creative and media duties for a campaign to persuade consumers to switch from kerosene oil to LPG.

Astro calls review

KUALA LUMPUR - Astro, Malaysia's biggest pay-TV operator has called a pitch for personal video recorder (PVR) service Astro Max.

Ramakrishnan to lead UM Consulting Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Universal McCann Malaysia has appointed Ramakrishnan CN as director of the agency's specialist division, UM Consulting.

Astro extends service to Direct Vision indefinitely

JAKARTA - Malaysian pay-TV operator Astro has opted to extend its deal with Indonesian operator PT Direct Vision (PTDV) indefinitely, despite earlier indications that the partnership would be terminated.

Indosat caves in to pitch fee demands

JAKARTA - In what could prove to be a milestone in Indonesian advertising, Indosat, one of the country's biggest advertisers, has caved in to demands from agencies to pay a pitch fee ahead of its US$15 million advertising review.

Malay channel launches

KUALA LUMPUR - The governments of Malaysia and Indonesia have announced the launch of a Malay-language regional news television channel.

Indosat "shortlist" narrows to four

JAKARTA - Indonesian telco giant Indosat has narrowed its search for a "super agency" to four, down from the seven originally invited. Ogilvy & Mather, McCann Erickson, Octovate and incumbent DDB remain in contention.

Diamondbrite taps birds for new push

SINGAPORE - Diamondbrite, a paint protection product, has used images of bird droppings splattered over car bonnets to catch the attention of car owners in Singapore.

UN refugee campaign targets Malaysian youth

KUALA LUMPUR - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a campaign in Malaysia to help young people better understand the plight of refugees.

ANZ puts Indonesia creative pitch on hold

JAKARTA - ANZ Panin Bank has shelved a creative pitch that it was expected to call in Indonesia this month.

BRI hands Simpedes to Havas duo

JAKARTA - Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of Indonesia's largest financial services groups, has placed creative and media duties for its rural savings product Simpedes - worth over US$2 million - with Havas agencies Euro RSCG and MPG Indonesia, respectively.

Tequila Singapore wins regional Castrol brief

SINGAPORE- Tequila Singapore has been awarded the regional database marketing brief for BP Castrol after a five-way pitch.

Wei-Hsiang joins DDB PR as MD

KUALA LUMPUR - Chong Wei-Hsiang (pictured), managing director of GCI Worldwide, the PR arm of Grey Group Malaysia, is leaving the agency to join Naga DDB Malaysia's PR division as the new managing director.

BNI hands media to MPG, calls creative pitch

JAKARTA - Bank Negara International (BNI), Indonesia's fourth-largest bank, has handed its US$15 million media account to MPG.

F&N pitches regional dairy creative

SINGAPORE - Fraser & Neave (F&N) is believed to be reviewing the regional creative for its dairy brands.

Mindshare nets Pepsi's $12 million media brief in Thailand

BANGKOK - Pepsi has handed over its $12 million media brief to Mindshare after shortlisting two agencies, including Dentsu Media Palette.

Eight vie for Singapore Arts Festival account

SINGAPORE - The National Arts Council has called a pitch for the Singapore Arts Festival account.

McCann Worldgroup to launch Momentum in Singapore

SINGAPORE - McCann Worldgroup is set to launch its activation brand Momentum in Singapore, effective 1 January 2009.

Mindshare's Malaysia MD to relocate to India

KUALA LUMPUR - Chanchal Chakrabarti (pictured), managing director of Mindshare Malaysia, is relocating to India for personal reasons after working in the country for seven years.

Y&R's regional digital head resigns

SINGAPORE - Mohammed Sirajuddeen (pictured), regional digital director of Y&R Asia, is resigning his role 14 months after he joined the agency.

Two pull out of NETS pitch

SINGAPORE - O&M and local shop Alchemy Partnership have declined to participate in the ongoing NETS pitch while Saatchi & Saatchi and BBDO are reported to have joined the fray, which is expected to have two more network agencies.

Singapore's TV slammed for carbon footprint

SINGAPORE - Television advertising in Singapore is causing massive carbon concerns by producing 25 tonnes of CO2 per hour in 30 second ad breaks during programmes such as Crime Busters, Lifestyle Transformer and Where the Heart Is.

Pepsi searches for Thailand media agency

BANGKOK - Pepsi Thailand has concluded a media pitch involving three agencies - MindShare, Dentsu Media Palette and incumbent OMD.

Lockyer to join McCann Singapore as managing director

SINGAPORE - Simon Lockyer (pictured), GM of international accounts at DDB Singapore, is leaving the agency to join McCann Erickson Singapore in the newly-created role of MD.

S&W calls regional pitch

SINGAPORE - S&W, a canned fruit and vegetable brand owned by Del Monte, has called a regional pitch involving three agencies.

UM Consulting hires Yip to enhance data analytics capabilities

SINGAPORE - Following the arrival of Phil Tiongson at UM Consulting Singapore, Gallen Yip (pictured) has joined the division as quantitative analytics specialist.

NETS reviews creative

SINGAPORE - Singapore's biggest e-payment operator, Network for Electronic Transfers Singapore (NETS), has called a creative pitch involving four agencies.

Honda hands new project to Dentsu Indio

MANILA - Honda has appointed Dentsu Indio to handle a project account for the launch of a new car after a three-way pitch that included McCann Erickson and TBWA.

BBDO/Proximity appoints Braithwaite as regional account director

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Singapore has appointed Joe Braithwaite (pictured) as regional account director for the Guinness Asia account.

MAS hands project to Milk+Co

Malaysia - Milk+Co has won a project account from Malaysia Airlines after a three-way pitch that involved Ogilvy & Mather and Bozell.

UniSim calls a pitch

SINGAPORE - SIM University (UniSIM) has called a creative pitch involving seven agencies.

Damac hires Universal McCann for media business

KUALA LUMPUR - Damac, one of the Middle East's largest private property developers, has handed its Singapore and Malaysia media business to Universal McCann Malaysia.

BRI calls creative pitch

JAKARTA - Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of Indonesia's largest financial services groups, has called a pitch involving five agencies for its e-banking account.

Ikea hands creative account to Work

SINGAPORE - Ikea has handed its creative business in Singapore to independent hot shop Work Advertising. The account was handed over to the agency without a pitch.

DDB Indonesia reclaims $15m Indosat

JAKARTA - Indonesian telco giant Indosat has awarded its US$15 million creative account to incumbent DDB Indonesia after a final round of pitching with Ogilvy & Mather, McCann Erickson and Octovate.

Golkar selects agencies to handle $13m advertising account

JAKARTA - After inviting 23 parties to pitch for its advertising business, Golkar, one of Indonesia's biggest political parties, has handed the account to local agencies Cabe Rawit and Activate, a local affiliate of MPG.

Malaysia Airlines calls creative pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has called a creative pitch for a new project, with five agencies expected to take part in the process.

English-language newspaper to launch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Lippo Group, one of Indonesia's largest conglomerates, is to launch an English-language daily newspaper called The Jakarta Globe.

Mayora selects DDB Brainstorm for brand launch

JAKARTA - Mayora, one of Indonesia's biggest food companies, has assigned DDB Brainstorm a brief to handle the launch of a new product, after a two-way pitch.

Adformatix reshuffles management

MANILA - Adformatix, one of the Philippines' largest local agencies, has undergone a series of management changes following the retirement of its president and COO Vincent R Pozon, who has worked at the agency for 19 years.

Aw to helm Singapore Tourism Board

SINGAPORE - Aw Kah Peng will take over from Lim Neo Chian as chief executive officer of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), starting 1 January 2009.

Media Contacts joins hands with Yehey

SINGAPORE - Havas digital network Media Contacts is expanding into the Philippines through a joint venture with Yehey, which operates the popular search engine and portal yehey.com.

Motorola launches MotoMusic in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Motorola has launched its music download service MotoMusic in Singapore, marking the fifth market in which the service has been introduced.

PR Communications reappointed to handle Boat Asia '09

SINGAPORE - Events organiser TMX Show Productions has re-appointed PR Communications to handle a publicity programme for April's Boat Asia 2009.

TM in corruption probe

KUALA LUMPUR - Speculation is mounting that the RM150 million (US$44 million) Tourism Malaysia (TM) advertising account will be reviewed if the Government body's director-general Mirza Mohd Taiyab is found guilty of corruption charges.

Indonesian medal haul fails to draw viewers

SINGAPORE - Despite winning more medals than any other country in Southeast Asia, the response to the Olympics has been mild in Indonesia.

Global consumer confidence falls to record low

SINGAPORE - A global consumer confidence study has found that half of people surveyed think their country is now in recession.

Daihatsu Indonesia searches for agency

JAKARTA - Japanese carmaker Daihatsu Motor is on the lookout for an agency to launch an MPV model in Indonesia.

Spice sets up its global HQ in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Spice Corp, an Indian handset maker, is setting up its global headquarters in Singapore as the company looks to take on the likes of Nokia and Sony Ericsson by offering low-end mobile phones.

Vasallo joins OMD Philippines as MD

MANILA - Malu Vasallo, vice-president of Universal McCann, and assistant VP Josepte Felipino have become the latest executives to leave the Interpublic agency.

Miguel Mercado joins J Romero & Associates as MD

MANILA - Miguel Mercado (pictured), former general manager of Publicis Malaysia, has joined independent agency J Romero & Associates as managing director.

Olympics proves a hit in Southeast Asia - except Indonesia

SINGAPORE - The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics saw a spike in TV ratings in Singapore and Malaysia - but flopped in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest TV market.

J&J hands Benadryl and Sinutab to JWT Philippines

MANILA - As part of a consolidation process that has followed Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Pfizer's consumer healthcare business, JWT has inherited two more J&J pharmaceutical brands, Benadryl and Sinutab, without a pitch.

Live Issue... Indonesian banks struggle for identity

The archipelago's burgeoning banking sector has failed to build strong brands.

Nutritek appoints Universal McCann ahead of regional expansion

KUALA LUMPUR - Nutritek Overseas, Russia's third-largest dairy producer, has handed its regional corporate and product branding brief to Universal McCann Malaysia after a credentials pitch.

ESPN STAR Sports forms digital sales team

SINGAPORE - ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has assembled a dedicated digital sales team to boost revenue from online and mobile advertising.

Unilever roster agencies relocate to Singapore

BANGKOK - Mirroring the relocation of Unilever's brand management teams from Thailand to Singapore, the FMCG giant's roster agencies have confirmed they will be moving account teams to the island state.

Spa Thailand appoints new MD

BANGKOK - Spa Advertising, one of Thailand's biggest local independent agencie, has appointed Dr Wilert Puriwat, an academic and former P&G and IBM marketer, as its new managing director.

Spectrum Worldwide launches Cycle Singapore 2009 with a new campaign

SINGAPORE - Spectrum Worldwide has launched a BBDO/Proximity created push to announce Cycle Singapore 2009, Singapore's first mass cycling event.

Red Bee Singapore closes for now

SINGAPORE - UK-based branded content company Red Bee Media, which opened in Singapore little more than a year ago in November 2007, has temporarily closed its office in the country.

Creatives leave BBDO

SINGAPORE - Following the departure of associate creative director Ivan Hady Wibowo, Proximity/BBDO Singapore has lost another two creatives, Mark Bamfield (pictured) and Haikal Lim.

Publicis nets National Arts Council brief

SINGAPORE- Publicis Singapore has won the creative brief for Singapore Arts Festival account after a three-way pitch.

Seven regional marketers laid off by Motorola

SINGAPORE - Seven regional marketers at Motorola based out of Singapore have been retrenched following global job cuts at the cell phone brand.

SingTel launches initiative for advertisers

SINGAPORE - Singapore's biggest telco group SingTel has launched an initiative to attract advertisers to its mobile, online and IPTV platforms.

Iproperty.com launches regional luxury property title

SINGAPORE - The iProperty.com group has launched a bi-monthly regional title called iLuxuryasia.com magazine, a glossy that will feature luxury residential developments in the region.

BBDO's Ross Jackson joins Visa

SINGAPORE- BBDO's regional account director for Visa, Ross Jackson (pictured), has left the agency to join Visa as marketing director for Southeast Asia, following the agencyï¿½s loss of Visa's lucrative business.

Nestlé to serve high-end ice cream

BEIJING - A year after launching in China, Nestlé's Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream is expected to launch a brand programme aimed at building an upmarket consumer positioning.

Thai Tourism announces campaign to rescue Thailand

SINGAPORE - Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that it will be spending 1.9 billion baht (US$53 million) on a campaign to rehabilitate the country's image.

Grey restructures team to reflect P&G's overhaul

SINGAPORE - Grey Group has restructured its Asia-Pacific team to reflect its client Procter & Gamble's (P&G) overhaul of its Asia-Pacific structure (Media, 30 October).

Maxim Singapore future in doubt

SINGAPORE - Men's magazine Maxim, which is published by SPH Magazines, is tipped to close four years after it was launched with much fanfare.

Pizza Hut selects JWT Singapore

SINGAPORE - Pizza Hut Singapore has handed its account to JWT after a four-way pitch that involved Grey, Bates 141 and Y&R.

Brand Thailand plans fightback

BANGKOK - The Tourism Authority of Thailand will raise its marketing spend by up to 30 per cent in a joint push with Thai Airways International to rescue the country's battered reputation.

TMI calls regional rebranding pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - TM International (TMI), Southeast Asia's second largest telecom company, has called a regional rebranding pitch involving five agencies.

Nutritek book campaign targets mothers

KUALA LUMPUR - Nutritek Overseas, a Russian dairy company, has launched its corporate brand Nural and infant milk product brand Nugrow by publishing a book that teaches mothers how to bond with their children.

'Corruption' scandal rocks Tourism Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - KUALA LUMPUR - An alleged corruption scandal has rocked Malaysia's media industry as Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab (pictured), director-general of Tourism Malaysia, has been accused of illegal dealings with Pakar Media, a company part-owned by Carat Malaysia.

P&G centralises operations

ASIA-PACIFIC - FMCG giant Procter & Gamble is overhauling its Asia-Pacific structure by centralising its operations into a single entity, a move that is likely to have widespread ramifications for its roster agencies.

Pizza Hut invites four agencies

SINGAPORE - After parting ways with BBDO, Pizza Hut has invited four agencies - JWT, Y&R, Bates and Grey - to pitch for its account.

Maxus in double account win

SYDNEY & DHAKA - GroupM agency Maxus has added two new businesses in Asia, with Maxus Melbourne netting jewellery brand Secrets and Maxus Bangladesh winning dairy brand Arla Foods.

Rod Strother departs BBDO/Proximity

SINGAPORE - Rod Strother(pictured), regional business director for BBDO/Proximity Singapore, is reported to have left the agency.

Bupa appoints OMD and Clemenger

MELBOURNE - Bupa, one of the biggest healthcare companies in Australia, has appointed OMD and Clemenger to handle its media and creative accounts following a review.

Three on shortlist for Amway in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Marketing firm Amway has shortlisted three agencies, Ogilvy & Mather, TBWA and a local shop, for its creative business in Malaysia.

Sosro calls full-service pitch

JAKARTA - Sinar Sosro, one of the biggest Indonesian beverage companies, has called a full-service pitch for multiple brands including the flagship Teh Botol.

Yoshinoya hands creative to Dentsu

SINGAPORE - Yoshinoya, a leading Japanese fast food chain, has handed its creative account to Dentsu Singapore after a three-way pitch.

IE Singapore relaunches tender for creative agency

SINGAPORE - International Enterprise Singapore Board (IE Singapore), which had put up a tender for a creative agency in May, has re-issued the same tender.

Singapore Sports Council consolidates creative business

SINGAPORE - Leo Burnett has been awarded the creative duties of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) following a multi-agency pitch which was first called last December.

Nickelodeon Asia launches ChinaToon

BEIJING - Nickelodeon has announced that it will launch ChinaToon, a one-hour slot dedicated to showcasing original Chinese animation, to be broadcast in 13 territories across Asia.

Tata Communications seeks to raise global profile

GLOBAL - Indian telecoms giant Tata Communications has launched a global campaign to increase brand awareness and visibility among key decision makers.

Euro RSCG promotes duo

SINGAPORE - Euro RSCG has revamped its leadership team, with Andrea Lee taking on the role of regional brand director for banking client DBS and client services director for Euro RSCG Singapore, and Yvette Lim being promoted to planning director.

Goodyear hands regional biz to Euro RSCG Bangkok

BANGKOK - Goodyear has appointed Euro RSCG Bangkok to handle regional creative for new tire brand DuraPlus.

Sunsilk partners with Jetstar Asia

SINGAPORE - Haircare brand Sunsilk has partnered with airline Jetstar Asia to promote its newly launched damaged hair reconstruction range.

OMG appoints Thailand CEO

BANGKOK - Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has appointed Bernard Sumayao (pictured) as CEO in Thailand.

T-System kicks off inaugural campaign at Changi Airport

SINGAPORE - German IT-services giant T-Systems has launched its inaugural campaign at Singapore's Changi Airport in conjunction with out-of-home company Eye.

Live Issue... Sponsorship reaches a crossroads

Can sponsorship shake off a reputation for being 'soft' on effectiveness?

Profile... Yeo plots a bright future for 'underdog' Tiger

The newly-hired head of marketing at Tiger Airways has a three-pronged plan to enhance the brand.

Tourism Malaysia set to consolidate global account

KUALA LUMPUR - Tourism Malaysia (TM), whose global account is split between nine agencies, is reportedly seeking to consolidate its account with two agencies - TBWA and Sen Media-JWT - in the next few weeks.

FutureBrand Asia chief departs

ASIA-PACIFIC - Asia-Pacific CEO of FutureBrand Gavin Coombes (pictured) is leaving the agency two years into the job as part of a restructuring of the branding agency's regional operations.

M1 appoints Kooi CEO

SINGAPORE - Singapore's third largest telco MobileOne (M1) has re-designated its current CFO Karen Kooi Lee Wah (pictured) to the role of CEO, after an extensive internal and external search.

JWT retains agency of the year honours in Indonesia

JAKARTA - JWT Indonesia has won the agency of the year award at the 2008 Citra Pariwara awards, Indonesia's biggest advertising awards show.

Golkar hires agencies for election campaign

JAKARTA - Golkar, one of Indonesia's biggest political parties, has handed its advertising account to local agencies Cabe Rawit and Activate ahead of elections next April.

Damac has eyes on Asia

KUALA LUMPUR - Damac, one of the Middle East's largest private property developers, has handed its Singapore and Malaysia media business to Universal McCann Malaysia as it seeks to tap into the region's development.

Private Iris tempts kids to save

MANILA - Pioneer Life, an insurance company in the Philippines, has created a comic book series called Private Iris to promote a new savings and insurance product called Sparx.

Olay launches regional body wash push

SINGAPORE - Procter & Gamble has launched an integrated marketing campaign to accompany Olay's entry into the body wash category.

Astro TV considers a new partner

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian pay-TV player Astro is expected to seek a new partnership as part of its two-year effort to crack the Indonesian market, following the collapse of its relationship with the Lippo Group-owned PT Direct Vision (PTDV).

BBDO and Pizza Hut part ways in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Pizza Hut is to part ways with its agency of 11 years, BBDO Singapore.

Universal McCann Malaysia hires David Fu to lead digital

KUALA LUMPUR - Universal McCann Malaysia has appointed David Fu as the head of digital.

Sony Ericsson launches global push for James Bond's latest phone

LONDON - Sony Ericsson is launching a global digital campaign to promote its association with the upcoming James Bond film Quantum of Solace to be released worldwide in November.

Live Issue... Clients cautious as slowdown bites

There's an air of anxiety among agencies as 2009 budgets are set.

Unilever PR roster raises conflict concerns

GLOBAL - Unilever's new global PR roster, which the FMCG giant is finalising, is expected to have major conflict implications for its agencies in Asia.

World Vision appoints Universal McCann

SYDNEY - World Vision, Australia's largest international aid organisation, has appointed Universal McCann as its primary media buying agency. The agency won the account ahead of Starcom, which was one of the two agencies to make it to the final shortlist after a five-way pitch.

Ultrajaya hands over account to TBWA's Flying Giraffe

JAKARTA - TBWA subsidiary Flying Giraffe has won the Ultrajaya Milk Industry (UMI) account in a four-way pitch that involved DDB, DM Pratama and DraftFCB. Flying Giraffe has been tasked with handling the creative for two of UMI's top brands, including Ultra Milk and Teh Kotak.

Indomobil calls pitch

JAKARTA - Indomobil, Indonesia's second largest automobile company, is on a look out for an agency to launch a commercial car. Indomobil imports and markets eight car brands including Audi, Renault, Nissan, Volkswagen, Chery, Volvo, Ssanyong and Suzuki in Indonesia. Sources indicate the pitch may be for a new car from Volvo.

Globe Telecom calls B2B pitch

MANILA - Globe Telecom, the Philippines' second-largest telecom player, has called a creative pitch for its business-to-business account involving JWT, Ogilvy & Mather, Bates 141, McCann Erickson and Publicis JimenezBasic.

Starcom hires three in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Starcom Singapore, the Publicis Groupe media agency, has appointed Rajesh Mahtani, Patricia Goh (pictured) and Jane Soetiono as executive director of strategic solutions, director and account manager respectively.

Ellips Cologne launches star-filled TV drive

MANILA - Ellips Cologne, a perfume brand targeted at teenage Filipinas, has unveiled a star-studded ad campaign featuring popular MTV VJ Andi Manzano and boy band Sabado Boys.

Citibank and AirAsia turn to Facebook to test credit card

KUALA LUMPUR - Citibank and AirAsia have become the latest brands to experiment with social networks after launching a Facebook application.

Djarum ducks pitch fees in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Djarum, Indonesia's third largest cigarette-maker, has become the first advertiser to refuse to pay agencies a pitch fee since a protocol on pitching was introduced by the Indonesian 4As late last year.

Petron hands $10 million Philippine account to Starcom

MANILA - Petron, the Philippine oil-refining giant, has appointed Publicis Groupe's Starcom Mediavest Group to service its US$10 million media account.

Sara Lee hires Ogilvy in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Sara Lee has replaced DraftFCB with Ogilvy & Mather as its creative agency for its She and Brylcreem brands in Indonesia.

Bank Danamon Indonesia selects Hakuhodo for new product launch

JAKARTA - Bank Danamon, Indonesia's fifth largest bank, has handed Hakuhodo Indonesia a brief for a new product that it plans to launch later in the year.

PermataBank shortlist narrows to four

JAKARTA - PermataBank, a top-10 Indonesian financial services group, has short-listed four agencies - Y&R, Coleman Handoko, Pantarai and incumbent DDB Brainstorm - for a second round of pitching for its creative account.

Ultra Milk searches for agency partner in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Ultrajaya Milk Industry, Indonesia's largest producer of aseptic drinks, is searching for an agency to handle its Ultra Milk brand.

Wei-Hsiang joins DDB PR as MD

KUALA LUMPUR - Chong Wei-Hsiang (pictured), managing director of GCI Worldwide, the PR arm of Grey Group Malaysia, is leaving the agency to join Naga DDB Malaysia's PR division as the new managing director.

Live Issue... 'CEO syndrome' is Asian sponsorship's Achilles' heel

Sponsorship marketing is growing in Asia, strengthened by the Olympics, but strategies need attention.

Carat out of Sara Lee media review

ASIA-PACIFIC - Carat has been eliminated from the US$25 million Sara Lee regional media pitch, leaving three agencies, Maxus, Starcom MediaVest and ZenithOptimedia, in the fray.

Two to battle for Sara Lee's media

ASIA-PACIFIC- Following Carat's ousting in the first round, ZenithOptimedia has also been eliminated from the US$25 million Sara Lee regional media pitch, leaving two agencies - Maxus and Starcom Mediavest - in the fray.

Initiative consolidates Hyundai and Kia in Australia

SYDNEY - Initiative has been appointed by Innocean Worldwide Australia to handle media for the Hyundai and Kia automotive brands.

Lewis PR spreads its wings to Japan

TOKYO - Lewis PR has expanded into Japan, marking the agency's 33rd office opening worldwide.

Lewis PR sets up shop in Japan

SINGAPORE - Lewis PR has expanded into Japan, marking the agency's 33rd office opening globally.

Golkar's formal pitch includes 23 agencies

JAKARTA - In a dramatic departure from the norm, Golkar, one of Indonesia's biggest political parties, has called a formal pitch for its US$13 million full service advertising account, a process that has involve up to 23 agencies.

Globe creative goes to JimenezBasic

MANILA - Globe Telecom, the second largest telecom player in the Philippines, has handed creative duties for a soon-to-be-launched service to JimenezBasic after a pitch involving Globe's three roster agencies.

Citibank and AirAsia create Facebook application

KUALA LUMPUR - Citibank and AirAsia have launched a Facebook application to test the popularity of their co-branded credit card among the social networking community in Malaysia.

ANZ campaign asks Laotians to "expect more"

VIENTIANE - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, or ANZ Bank, has launched in Laos with a campaign encouraging Laotians to 'expect more'.

Toyota kicks off Indonesia's first TV truck drive

JAKARTA - Hino Trucks, a Toyota group company, has earned the distinction of being the first truck brand to run an advertising campaign on televison in Indonesia.

Pitch fee issue could stall Djarum review

JAKARTA - Djarum, Indonesia's third largest cigarette maker, may have to postpone a creative pitch for its L.A Lights account amid uncertainty over pitch fees.

CAT Telecom calls creative pitch in Thailand

BANGKOK - CAT Telecom has invited twelve agencies to pitch for its advertising in Thailand, estimated to be worth in excess of US$4 million.

PermataBank concludes first round of pitching

JAKARTA - PermataBank has become the latest Indonesian banking giant to review its advertising arrangements, with eight agencies vying for the full-service account.

Honda awards new car account to Dentsu Indio

MANILA - Honda has awarded advertising duties for a soon-to be-launched marque to Dentsu Indio in the Philippines.

Indonesian political party holds first formal pitch

JAKARTA - In a dramatic departure from the norm, Golkar, one of Indonesia's biggest political parties, has called a formal pitch for its estimated US$13 million full-service advertising account, a process that has involved 23 agencies.

Petron shortlists three for US$10m media pitch

MANILA - Petron, the Philippine oil-refining giant, has shortlisted three media agencies including Carat, Starcom and Universal McCann for its media business estimated to be worth US$10 million.

Dentsu wins Thai Lexus account

BANGKOK - Dentsu has won the account in Thailand after a three-way pitch between Saatchi & Saatchi, the incumbent, and Delphy Hakuhodo.

Globe Telecom appoints JimenezBasic for new project

MANILA - Globe Telecom, the second largest telecom player in the Philippines, has handed creative duties for a soon-to-be-launched service to JimenezBasic after a pitch involving Globe's three roster agencies.

Tequila wins Baygon in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Johnson Home Hygiene Products (JHHP) has handed a below-the-line marketing project for Baygon, a pesticide brand, to Tequila following a three-way pitch involving OgilvyAction and XCR.

BBDO India appoints Vij as new business director and VP

NEW DEHLI - BBDO India has appointed Ranjeev Vij (pictured) as business director and vice president.

Media Contacts launches in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Media Contacts, the Havas digital network, is planning to launch a full-service digital advertising agency in Indonesia on the back of its recent Danone win.

Regional Malay-language TV channel to launch

KUALA LUMPUR - The governments of Malaysia and Indonesia have announced the launch of a Malay-language regional news channel.

XL splits creative duties in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Excelcomindo Pratama (XL), Indonesia's third largest mobile operator, has split its creative duties between Dentsu Strat, a division of Dentsu group Indonesia, and Coleman Hondoko, the incumbent, after an eight-agency pitch.

BRI in search for creative agency

JAKARTA - Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of Indonesia's largest financial services groups, has initiated a search for a creative agency to promote its BritAma savings account to urban-living Indonesians.

Ad decree leaves industry in the dark

JAKARTA - Confusion reigns in Indonesia's ad industry following the introduction of a decree that places restrictions on foreign-made advertising.

Indosat bows to pitch fee demands

JAKARTA - In what could prove a milestone in Indonesian advertising, Indosat, one of the country's biggest advertisers, has caved into demands from agencies to pay a pitch fee ahead of its US$15 million advertising review.

Abbott stalls PediaSure pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Global healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories has put on hold a creative pitch for its milk formula brand PediaSure in Indonesia following a series of management changes at the company.

Bank Danamon shortlists four for new product launch

JAKARTA - Bank Danamon, one of Indonesia's largest banks, has shortlisted four agencies to handle marketing for a new product slated to launch in the second week of July.

Bank Negara reviews creative

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Bank Negara Museum has called on agencies to create a number of videos for its upcoming creative review, which covers a range of projects during the year ahead.

Bank Mandiri pitches media and creative

JAKARTA - Bank Mandiri, one of Indonesia's largest banks, is on the lookout for an agency to handle its media and creative, estimated to be worth US $15 million.

Top digital talent resigns MindShare

SINGAPORE - Lee Yew Leong (pictured), director of MindShare Interaction, has left the company a year after he joined.

TBWA wins Star Mild account

JAKARTA - PT Bentoel International Investama Terbuka has handed its Star Mild cigarette account to TBWA-TCP.

Maybank selects J.Romero & Associates to launch new products

MANILA - Maybank has selected J.Romero & Associates to launch a new product after a three-way pitch that involved involved Dentsu and Redworks.

Desai moves to Singapore with a new role

BANGKOK - Rupen Desai (pictured), the current global business director of Unilever laundry business at Lowe, has become one of the first personnel from the agency to relocate to Singapore from Thailand following Unilever's relocation of its brand development team.

Lena Goh moves to Microsoft

SINGAPORE - Lena Goh (pictured), the consumer communications director of mobility devices at Motorola, has joined Microsoft as the marketing and public relations director of mobile communications business for Asia Pacific.

EGAT selects On-Going for branding

BANGKOK - The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has selected local agency On-Going to handle its branding after a pitch involving Lowe, Leo Burnett, McCann Erickson and JWT.

Ultra Milk narrows agency search

JAKARTA - Ultrajaya Milk Industry (UJI), Indonesia's largest producer of aseptic drinks, has narrowed its search for an agency to handle its Ultra Milk brand to four contenders, with DraftFCB, TBWA, DDB Brainstorm and DM Pratama Communications in the running.

Kiatnakin Bank appoints Far East DDB for advertising debut

BANGKOK - Far East DDB has been handed the corporate branding brief for Kiatnakin Bank as the three-year-old bank prepares to launch its first ever advertising campaign.

EGAT concludes branding pitch8

BANGKOK - Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has concluded a full-service advertising pitch involving Lowe, Leo Burnett, McCann Erickson, JWT and the local agency On-Going as the state-owned power company looks to build its brand in the Kingdom.

Sccube hires Lewis PR for Singapore brand building

SINGAPORE - Sccube the Apothecary, a Singapore-based retailer specializing in skincare and wellness brands, has hire Lewis PR Singapore on a six-month contract.

BNI calls BTL pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), one of the country's largest banks, has invited six agencies to contest for its below-the-line account in preparation for the upcoming Ramadan season.

Mixed response to Olympics in Southeast Asia

SOUTHEAST ASIA - The Olympics Games have elicited a mixed response from TV advertisers in Southeast Asia, with much enthusiasm in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, but little interest shown in the sub-region's largest market, Indonesia.

Sprice.com hands Asia-Pacific account to Lewis PR

SINGAPORE - Sprice.com, a European travel search engine, has appointed Lewis PR as its agency-of-record in Asia Pacific.

M&C Saatchi launches id, a brand design specialist company in India

MUMBAI - M&C Saatchi India recently the launch of id, a brand design specialist company, spearheaded by Hemant Sapre as brand design director. He will be partnered by Suranjan Das who will head the business side and the operations.

DBS searches for agency to handle projects

SINGAPORE - DBS, the largest commercial banking group in Singapore and Southeast Asia, is believed to be on the look out for a creative agency to handle several projects.

Six vye for cement brand Holcim's media business in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Leading global cement and aggregates brand Holcim is believed to have invited six agencies to pitch for its media business. The agencies reported to have been invited include Initiative, a GroupM agency, CS Media along with another local media agency and incumbent Zenith Optimedia.

Aegis Media's regional director of digital operations Arun Kumar to leave

SINGAPORE - Arun Kumar (pictured), the director of digital operations at Aegis Media Asia-Pacific, based in Singapore, is to leave the company.

Malaysian stock exchange Bursa Malaysia shortlists three agencies

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia, which launched a tender for its national creative business in February is believed to have shortlisted three agencies including M&C Saatchi, Ogilvy & Mather and McCann Erickson.

Lowe Malaysia nets Baby Kiko's creative account

KUALA LUMPUR - Baby Kiko, the market leader in baby fashion, has chosen Lowe & Partners Malaysia as its new communications agency.

MediaCorp launches Singapore's first on-the-move billboard

SINGAPORE - MediaCorp has unveiled the latest addition to its out-of-home platform. Aptly named On-The-Move Billboard, it is the first angled mobile billboard in Singapore to hit the roads.

Bharad Ramesh joins SMG in dual-capacity regional role

SINGAPORE - Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) has announced the appointment of Bharad Ramesh to the position of regional executive director, strategic operations and trading for Asia.

M&C Saatchi wins Bursa Malaysia's creative account

KUALA LUMPUR - Bursa Malaysia, previously known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE), has handed its creative business to M&C Saatchi after shortlisting McCann Erickson and Ogilvy & Mather.

Steve Llewellyn joins Rocket X as executive creative director

SINGAPORE - Steve Llewellyn (pictured) has been appointed by Rocket X as executive creative director and part owner, with CEO Marc Nicholson.

Vizeum India appointed as media consultants to Credila Financial Services

MUMBAI - Aegis Media Group's, Vizeum India has picked up the media business of Credila Financial Services, an HDFC Limited Venture.

SingTel, StarHub win broadcast rights to FIFA Cup 2010

SINGAPORE - In separate announcements made on Friday, Singapore's pay-TV operators SingTel and StarHub announced they have secured the broadcast rights of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Consumer confidence highest in emerging Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE - A survey by Nielsen Company has shown that consumer confidence is at its strongest in emerging Asia Pacific and Latin America, while most Europeans remain edgy on the pace of their economic recovery.

BBDO launches Proximity in India, Ranjeev Vij appointed as VP and head

MUMBAI - BBDO India, the youngest agency of BBDO Worldwide and the Omnicom group, has announced the launch of Proximity to meet the integrated and interactive marketing needs of its rapidly expanding client base in India.

Johnson & Johnson pitches global creative

GLOBAL - Johnson & Johnson has called a global creative pitch for its baby products account estimated to be worth US$20 million. The development puts long-time incumbent Lowe on high alert.

4As names Valerie Cheng as CCA 2010 chairman

SINGAPORE - The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore (4As) has named Valerie Cheng, executive creative director of Publicis Modem as the chairman of the Creative Circle Awards (CCA) 2010.

Rod Strother joins Catalyst as general manager for Asia

SINGAPORE - Rod Strother, the former regional business director at BBDO Proximity Singapore, has joined sports management consultancy and content provider Catalyst as its general manager for Asia Pacific.

Prima Taste invites DDB, Leo Burnett and Saatchis to pitch for its regional creative business

REGIONAL - Prima Food, a Singapore based food products company, is believed to have called three agencies including DDB, Leo Burnett and Saatchi and Saatchi for a regional creative pitch for its ready-to-cook pastes and premixes brand Prima Taste.

BBDO Malaysia ECD Mun Tuck Wai is set to relocate

KUALA LUMPUR - Mun Tuck Wai (pictured), the executive creative director of BBDO Proximity Malaysia, is believed to be exploring relocating to a new place within the BBDO network.

JWT wins Korean Pork Board account

SEOUL - JWT Adventure, South Korea has been awarded the creative and media duties for the launch of the Korean Pork Board's newly created Handon brand.

Grey Two PR wins Doubletree by Hilton launch account

KUALA LUMPUR - Doubletree by Hilton, which is scheduled to open its inaugural Southeast Asian hotel property in the second quarter of 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, has appointed Grey Two PR (G2PR) as its public relations agency-of-record.

Grey Group Bangladesh wins four new accounts

DHAKA - Grey Group Bangladesh has won a host of new business for some of the country's leading home-grown brands including Abul Khair Steel, GMG Airlines, Beximco Media and Doreen Developments.

Lowe Indonesia scoops Indomie business; JWT nets Pop Mie

JAKARTA - Lowe Indonesia has scooped the creative duties of Indonesia's biggest noodle brand Indomie after a three-way pitch that involved JWT and incumbent Matari Advertising. In a related development JWT has won the creative duties for the Pop Mie brand after a four way pitch that involved Saatchi & Saatchi, Lowe and incumbent TNT.

Pertamina launches creative and media pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - State oil and gas firm Pertamina is understood to have launched a pitch in Indonesia for its lubricants business. Sources suggest that the company is looking for a media and a creative agency.

VIDEO: MMA on why there are more mobile phones than toothbrushes in the world

SINGAPORE - A statistic quoted at the recently concluded Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) Forum in Singapore stated there are more mobile phones than there are toothbrushes globally and more mobile phone than toilets in India. Media spoke to four experts at the event for their opinion on the matter.

XL Axiata hands business to Initiative Media

JAKARTA - XL Axiata, Indonesia's third largest telco, is believed to have handed its media business to Initiative Media after two-way final battle with incumbent Dentsu Media Cubic.

Victor Joseph joins McCann Healthcare as managing director in the Philippines

MANILA - McCann Worldgroup Philippines has appointed Victor Joseph "VJ" Yamat as managing director of its healthcare communications discipline McCann Healthcare.

Dentsu Media to launch Media Palette in Hong Kong

HONG KONG - As part of its strategy to expand media operations in Asia, Dentsu is all set to launch new media arm Media Palette in Hong Kong with Ken Matsumura (pictured), the current network operations manager at media business development division of Dentsu, slated to take over as its president and CEO.

Kumon hands creative business to Dentsu Malaysia after a three-way pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - Kumon Education is believed to have handed its creative business to Dentsu Malaysia after a three-way pitch that involved Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Telco M1 invites four to pitch for its media business

SINGAPORE - Singapore's third largest telco M1 is believed to have invited four agencies including Zenith Optimedia, Starcom, MPG and incumbent OMD to pitch for its media business.

Bates 141 Indonesia takes car brand Proton after an eight-way pitch

JAKARTA - Bates 141 Indonesia has won the creative account for Malaysian car brand Proton in an eight-way pitch.

What are the benefits of hiding environmental initiatives aka 'green blushing'?

'Green blushing' is the growing practice of firms hiding their environmental endeavours. What's the benefit?

Michelle Ong appointed as McCann Indonesia's MD, Somyot Chairat departs

JAKARTA - McCann Worldgroup has appointed Michelle Ong (pictured) as MD for McCann Indonesia, following the departure of Indonesia managing director Somyot Chairat.

VIDEO: Tom Bernardin, global CEO of Leo Burnett, on new business in Asia-Pacific

GLOBAL - Tom Bernardin, the global CEO and chairman of the Leo Burnett group, has said that despite not winning a big piece of global business, Leo Burnett has done better than the competition in 2009. He attributed the agency's financial results to consistent new business wins within the network.

Dentsu Singapore retains NLB's Speak Mandarin media account

SINGAPORE - Dentsu Singapore has successfully retained the Speak Mandarin Campaign media business after a three-way pitch in April.

TCP-TBWA scoop creative business for two Gudang Garam brands

JAKARTA - Gudang Garam, one of Indonesia's largest cigarette producers has handed the creative business of its Merah and Djaja brands to TCP-TBWA following a five-way pitch process.

Burger King shortlists three agencies including Publicis, Euro RSCG and Saatchis

SINGAPORE - Burger King is believed to have shortlisted three agencies including Publicis, Euro RSCG and Saatchi & Saatchi for its creative business in Singapore.

Pay-TV operators in Singapore respond to CASBAA's comments

Singapore - Pay-TV operators in Singapore have responded to Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia's (CASBAA) viewpoint on how the new regulations launched by the Media Development Authority (MDA) are likely to impact Singapore's status as a regional media hub.

Campaigns & Grey Philippines win SM World Expo and Electrolux accounts

SINGAPORE - G2/Bacon, Campaigns & Grey Philippines' brand activation arm, has been awarded SM Investments Corporation's 2010 Shanghai World Expo account.

Singapore's future as a media hub at risk: CASBAA

Hong Kong - Singapore's future as a regional media hub is under threat as a result of new government rules for the pay-TV industry, said the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA), which represents the interests of 130 content producers, pay-TV platform operators and equipment-and-service suppliers across 16 Asian markets.

Equinox wins United Pharma media business in Vietnam

SINGAPORE - Equinox, a division of ZenithOptimedia Vietnam, has been awarded the media account for pharmaceutical company United Pharma (UPI) after a three-way pitch that involved FSC and Havas in Vietnam.

Tiger Beer launches regional creative review

KUALA LUMPUR - Asia-Pacific Breweries (APB) has called a regional pitch for one of its key beer brands, Tiger Beer, putting four-year old incumbent Saatchi & Saatchi on high alert.

Rapp Malaysia wins Johnson & Johnson digital duties

KUALA LUMPUR - Johnson & Johnson has awarded its baby care digital account to Rapp Malaysia following a three-way pitch.

AirAsia hands business to Mindshare

KUALA LUMPUR - AirAsia has handed its media business to Mindshare after a four-way pitch that involved Zenith, MPG and incumbent Carat.

Indofood calls a creative pitch for noodle brands Indomie and Pop Mie

JAKARTA - Indofood, Indonesia's largest food company, is believed to have called a pitch for its two flagship noodle brands Indomie and Pop Mie.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic launches advertising tender

SINGAPORE - Ngee Ann Polytechnic, an institute of higher learning in Singapore, has launched an advertising tender.

Rosie Hong joins On-Target Marketing as managing partner

KUALA LUMPUR - Rosie Hong (pictured left), the former group executive director of Foetus International, has joined On-Target Marketing solutions as managing partner.

Telkomsel surprises Indonesian industry by calling a creative pitch

JAKARTA - Telkomsel, Indonesia's largest mobile operator, has surprised many in the Indonesian industry by calling a creative pitch less than a year after it appointed Leo Burnett as its creative AOR.

ZenithOptimedia scoops Moneygram International in the Philippines

MANILA - ZenithOptimedia Philippines has picked up the media business for international money transfers company Moneygram International, following a three way pitch that involved Maxus and Universal McCann.

TBWA Singapore promotes Lou Dela Pena to general manager role

SINGAPORE - TBWA Singapore has promoted Lou Dela Pena (pictured) to the role of general manager.

Brother calls regional digital pitch

REGIONAL - Brother, the Japanese electronics brand that produces products for the print and imaging, labelling and sewing markets, has invited six agencies to pitch for its regional digital business.

TBWA Group Asia-Pacific appoints Charles Clapshaw to regional digital role

HONG KONG - Tequila Digital Australia's managing director Charles Clapshaw has stepped up to the newly created role of president of Tequila Digital in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ogilvy appoints Andre Nair as group managing director of its Malaysia operations

KUALA LUMPUR - Ogilvy & Mather has appointed Andre Nair as group managing director in Malaysia. The appointment will take effect from 1 May.

Carrefour moves US$5 million media business to Mediacom without a pitch

SINGAPORE - French supermarket chain Carrefour is believed to have moved its media business to Mediacom from local group Ad Planet without a pitch.

Mapletree searches for media agency in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Mapletree, a leading real estate company in Singapore, is believed to be on the look out for a media agency. It is understood that the real estate company has initiated conversations with a series of media agencies.

Arun Kumar tipped to join Mediabrands

ASIA-PACIFIC - Arun Kumar (pictured), the digital director of Aegis Media, is tipped to join Mediabrands as head of digital for Asia-Pacific.

Paul Corrigan set to leave GroupM Malaysia; Girish Menon to take over

KUALA LUMPUR - Paul Corrigan (pictured), the CEO of GroupM Malaysia, is set to leave the agency group after a two-year stint with Girish Menon, the former head of GroupM and Mindshare Vietnam, taking over the role starting from 1 May.

Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox call media pitch in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Warner Brothers, the American producer of film and television entertainment owned by Time Warner, and NewsCorp owned Twentieth Century Fox are understood have called a combined media pitch in Singapore.

Twitter spreads its wings in India

With an estimated two million users, Twitter in India now has the third highest number of active users after the US and Germany.

Lowe Vietnam appoints Bikramjeet Ghosh as ECD

HO CHI MINH CITY - Lowe Vietnam has appointed Bikramjeet Ghosh (pictured) as executive creative director.

Hulsbosch Strategy & Design creates a visual identity for Caltex's Star Mart

SYDNEY - Australian brand design firm, Hulsbosch Strategy & Design, has won a major contract to create a new visual identity for Caltex's Star Mart convenience stores, now being rolled out across Australia.

Fulford PR acquired by international marketing group Qobliq

SINGAPORE - Singaporean public relations agency Fulford PR has been acquired by international marketing services group Qobliq.

Ogilvy launches Islamic branding practice Ogilvy Noor

REGIONAL - Ogilvy & Mather has launched Ogilvy Noor, a new multidisciplinary practice focused on Islamic branding in partnership with TNS.

RECMA ranks Zenith Optimedia, OMD and Mediacom top three in terms of competitiveness

GLOBAL - RECMA, which has announced the release of the Compitches 2009-2007 rankings, has ranked Zenith Optimedia, OMD and Mediacom as the top three agencies for competitiveness in pitches in Asia-Pacific over three years from 2007 to 2009.

Optimistic outlook holds steady amongst respondents in Asia-Pacific Region : MasterCard

SINGAPORE - Consumers across the Asia-Pacific region are approaching the next six months with a steady sense of optimism, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence survey, released yesterday.

Rocket-X Media nets IPOS creative account

SINGAPORE - Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has re-appointed Rocket-X Media after a competitive pitch.

Has Singapore Tourism Board got its new branding right?

Singapore Tourism's Board's (STB) new destination brand "Your Singapore" launched to a mixed response from the industry at a tourism event with much fanfare last month.

Twelve agencies in the running for road safety outreach campaign

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Police Force has received submissions from twelve agencies for its road safety outreach creative account that was put up for pitch in March this year.

G2 appointed as activation agency for Shell project in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - G2 KL has been appointed as the lead activation agency to promote one of Shell's key fuel products, strengthening the agency's portfolio with Shell.

Publicis Modem's regional MD Arlene Ang to leave

REGIONAL - Arlene Ang (pictured), the managing director of Publicis Modem for Asia, is set to leave the agency after a four and a half years.

Singapore Pay TV: Tension mounts between SingTel and StarHub

Singapore's broadcast industry is set for a major shake-up following the Government's announcement that pay-TV providers will now be able to carry exclusive content purchased by another player.

Singapore Government responds to new pay-TV regulations

SINGAPORE - Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore's acting minister of information, communication and arts, made the first official Government comment on the changes in the pay-TV sector in Singapore at the MIPTV trade show yesterday.

SingTel Mio TV drops Al Jazeera English

SINGAPORE - A Singaporean minister confirmed that the Arabic news channel, Al Jazeera, was dropped by SingTel's Mio TV due to low interest among viewers.

Zenith Optimedia releases 2010 ad growth figures for Asia-Pacific

ASIA PACIFIC - After having upgraded its forecast for global ad growth this year from 0.9 to 2.2 per cent, Zenith Optimedia has released ad growth figures for Asia-Pacific.

MINT Museum of Toys appoints Y&R Singapore for brand work

SINGAPORE - MINT Museum of Toys, Singapore's unique tourist attraction with one of the world's largest collections of toys and themed collectables on display, has tapped on Y&R Singapore to make it a 'must-visit' attraction.

Koh departs Aquent

SINGAPORE - James Koh (pictured), the regional practice leader for advertising and media at staffing company Aquent, is leaving the company to set up his own interior design company.

Lowe Thailand chairman to retire

BANGKOK - Charuvarn Vanasin (pictured), chairman of Lowe Thailand, is to retire at the end of June.

Remy Martin shortlists two for regional business

SINGAPORE - Remy Martin has shortlisted Publicis and Bates141, as part of its search for a creative agency-of-record in Asia.

Dentsu rolls out initiative to lift sports In Indonesia

JAKARTA - Dentsu Indonesia's sports marketing division has partnered with National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) and the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) to launch a programme called Ayo Indonesia.

TBWA nets Martell duties

SINGAPORE - Pernod Ricard Singapore has appointed TBWA as the creative agency for Martell VSOP cognac in Singapore following a two-way pitch, which also involved Leo Burnett.

Fulford scoops World Netball Championships

SINGAPORE - Fulford PR has been awarded public relations duties for the World Netball Championships 2011 following a pitch.

BBDO/Proximity wins coffee chain creative

KUALA LUMPUR - BBDO/Proximity Malaysia has been appointed agency-of-record for OldTown White Coffee, a chain of coffee shops.

TBWA nets Martell in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Pernod Ricard Singapore has appointed TBWA as the creative agency for Martell VSOP cognac in Singapore following a two- way pitch, which also involved Leo Burnett.

Asia Congress Events appoints PR shop

BANGKOK - Asia Congress Events, one of Asia's leading exhibition and conference organisations, has hired Vero Public Relations for its ongoing PR activity focusing on events in Southeast Asia.

MediaCorp persists with 'Saving Gaia' campaign

SINGAPORE - One year after MediaCorp faced a backlash against its World Environmental Day campaign that forced its TVC to be taken off air, the media company has launched its third conservation campaign titled 'Saving Gaia' in hopes of a more favourable public response.

MPG ties up with Malaysian agency

KUALA LUMPUR - MPG has strengthened its Malaysian operations with a strategic tie-up with local media agency Trapper.

Blackbox Research hires qualitative research head

SINGAPORE - Independent Singapore-based market research company Blackbox Research has appointed Jerry Clode (pictured) as its regional qualitative insights director.

Google study unearths digital purchasing patterns

SOUTHEAST ASIA - Eight out of 10 consumers in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand conduct research online before purchasing in a retail store, according to a study by US-based research firm Netpop.

OMD retains Sentosa media

SINGAPORE - Sentosa Leisure Group, operated by Sentosa Development Corporation, which manages and promotes Singapore's premier tourist destination, has retained OMD as its media agency.

SCA Hygiene calls creative pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - SCA Hygiene, a division of global consumer goods company SCA, has shortlisted Euro RSCG and McCann Erickson for its creative account in Malaysia.

Barclays Bank hands account to McCann

JAKARTA - Barclays Bank has handed its above-the-line account in Indonesia to McCann Erickson and its below-the-line brief to local shop Blue Circle.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore launches campaign

SINGAPORE - Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), the parent company of attractions Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo, has just launched a public awareness campaign, entitled 'Extinction is forever', dedicated to conserving wildlife and restoring their habitat.

LloydNorthover Yeang sets up office in Jakarta

SINGAPORE - LloydNorthover Yeang (LNY), the Singaporean hub of global brand strategy network LloydNorthover, has opened a satellite office in Jakarta to handle development of its Indonesian client base.

Marina Bay Sands Shoppes pitches creative

SINGAPORE - Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, the shopping mall within the luxury resort currently under development in Singapore, has invited six local shops to pitch for its creative account.

GroupM's Miner joins ESPN Star Sports

SINGAPORE - ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has appointed James Miner (pictured), the former head of creative services at GroupM Asia-Pacific, as senior vice-president of digital media.

LI TV Asia searches for agency

SINGAPORE - LI TV Asia, a new regional lifestyle channel to be launched later this year by Malaysia's Star Publications, is looking for agencies to handle marketing and communications strategy and planning across Asia.

Allix departs GroupM

SINGAPORE - Emmanuel Allix (pictured), the regional technology director at GroupM, is leaving the company to join mobile advertising company Pudding Media as managing director for Asia.

Thirteen in running for CAAS account

SINGAPORE - A total of 13 creative and media agencies have made submissions for the S$4 million (US$2.6 million), full-service pitch called by Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

F&N awards regional dairy business

KUALA LUMPUR - F&N Foods, a subsidiary of Fraser & Neave (F&N), has handed its regional dairy creative account to Bates141 Malaysia after a final two-way battle with McCann Erickson.

Unilever appoints Lowe for Vaseline in Vietnam

HANOI - Unilever Vietnam has handed creative duties for the Vaseline skincare brand to Lowe.

inSing.com names Admax as sales partner

SINGAPORE - Admax Network has been named as the exclusive ad sales partner for inSing.com, the new site for Singapore recently launched by SingTel Digital Media.

Defence Ministry issues tender for creative agency

SINGAPORE - The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), an agency of the Singapore Government's Ministry of Defence, has issued a tender for a creative agency for its 'Total defence' campaign.

Profile... Singaporean takes an unconventional approach

The head of the Community, Youth and Sports Ministry is revitalising Government communications.

M2B enters partnership with Baidu

SINGAPORE - M2B World Asia-Pacific, a broadband entertainment provider based out of Singapore, has entered a strategic alliance with Chinese search engine giant Baidu.

Citigems appoints Crush

SINGAPORE - Citigems has appointed TNBT's Crush Advertising as its new creative agency.

Live Issue... Malaysian telcos raise game as competition intensifies

The recent spate of agency pitches for telco accounts offers the industry a chance to rise above bland branding.

Fulford PR wins Aviva Open Singapore brief

SINGAPORE - Fulford has been appointed by the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) and Aviva to assist with the publicity for the forthcoming Aviva Open Singapore, to be held 9-14 June, following a pitch.

Virgin Radio Thailand hires Graham

BANGKOK - Rob Graham (pictured) has joined Virgin BEC-Tero Radio as its managing director in Thailand.

Zespri to launch campaign in Thailand

BANGKOK - Zespri, a Kiwifruit brand from New Zealand, is to launch a new campaign in Thailand on 21 May, under the theme 'Xtreme nutrition. Xtreme vitality'.

CAAS calls full-service pitch

SINGAPORE - Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has called a creative and a media pitch, putting incumbents MPG and Euro RSCG on high alert.

Fulford PR appointed for Asian Youth Games

SINGAPORE - Fulford has been appointed by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to assist with the publicity for the forthcoming Asian Youth Games (AYG).

Spain Tourism promotes Lera to global marketing role

SINGAPORE - Enrique Ruiz de Lera (pictured), Spain Tourism Board's regional director for India, Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific has been promoted to worldwide head of marketing at Turespanas.

Electrolux partners Asian Food Channel

KUALA LUMPUR - Electrolux, a well-known home and professional kitchen appliances brand, has announced an exclusive partnership with the Asian Food Channel (AFC) to boost its marketing activity across the region.

Audi unveils new model at Boat Asia

SINGAPORE - Audi has unveiled its new model Q5 on a 400-square-metre iceberg at Boat Asia 2009.

Lowe appoints Asia planning director for Rexona account

SINGAPORE - Subodh Deshpande (pictured), the former regional planner and head of planning for McCann Worldgroup in Singapore, has joined Lowe as planning director for Rexona in Asia.

U Mobile begins search for creative agency

KUALA LUMPUR - U Mobile, Malaysia's newest 3G service provider, is reportedly on the lookout for a creative agency-of-record, putting nine-month incumbent Cheil Malaysia on alert.

Spikes unveils digital, direct and SP jury

ASIA-PACIFIC - Spikes Asia has announced its digital direct and sales promotion jury.

DHL calls global creative pitch after Ogilvy resigns

GLOBAL - Ogilvy & Mather is believed to have resigned the global creative account of logistics and communications company DHL, leading the client to call a pitch.

ESPN Star Sports rebrands

SINGAPORE - ESPN Star Sports has concluded a rebranding exercise and launched a new on-air presentation across its networks today.

MCOT appoints Tanawat Wansom as its president

BANGKOK - Thai media conglomerate MCOT has appointed seasoned media professional Tanawat Wansom as its new president.

TBWA Vietnam appoints Patrick Tom as ECD

HO CHI MINH - Patrick Tom (pictured), group creative director, digital creative director and head of art at TBWA Hong Kong, is relocating to Vietnam as ECD.

Kapal Api hands Dentsu Strat creative duties

JAKARTA - Dentsu Strat, a subsidiary of Dentsu Indonesia, has won the creative account of Indonesia's largest-selling coffee brand, Kapal Api, after a three-way pitch that involved TBWA and local shop, Ad City.

Mindshare Philippines MD Aguilar leaves

MANILA - Mindshare Philippines' MD Bunny Aguilar (pictured) is reported to have left the agency.

G2 Singapore appointed to Greenlam

SINGAPORE - Greenlam, a decorative laminate brand owned by an Indian infrastructure company Greenply Industries (GIL), has appointed G2 Singapore to handle its 360-degree communications.

CR Media launches Prestige New York

SINGAPORE - Home grown publishing company CR Media has launched Prestige New York, a US edition of its international luxury lifestyle magazine.

BRI pitches creative business in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of the country's largest banks, has called a creative pitch for a consumer loan product.

Yomeishu appoints Optimedia Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Yomeishu, a Japanese herbal brand, has handed Optimedia Malaysia the media planning assignment for the entire portfolio of the Japanese nourishing tonic. The brand has also handed its creative account to Leo Burnett.

Suzuki calls creative pitch

JAKARTA - Indomobil Suzuki International, the sole dealer for Suzuki in Indonesia, has called a creative pitch for its motorcycle brands.

MEC's Malaysia head to move to India

KUALA LUMPUR - Manjiri Kamat (pictured), the managing director of MEC Malaysia, is moving to India in May, leaving her current position at the agency vacant.

Weber Shandwick Malaysia hires GM

KUALA LUMPUR - Weber Shandwick has appointed Rozani Jainudeen (pictured) as its general manager.

Ogilvy picks up CIMB business

SINGAPORE - RedCard, a subsidiary of Ogilvy Group, is reported to have picked up CIMB's creative account in Singapore, while Ogilvy & Mather Thailand has won the bank's business in Thailand.

BMW reviews creative for Mini

SINGAPORE - BMW Asia Group has called a creative pitch for its Mini model in Singapore, an account that has been held by U5OK in Bangkok for four years.

Malaysia's National Broadband promotion body invites 22 agencies

KUALA LUMPUR - National Broadband Plan, a body developed by Malaysia's Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has invited 22 agencies to pitch for a project.

CNBC expands distribution in Philippines on SkyCable's Gold Tier

SINGAPORE - CNBC has expanded its pan-Asian distribution with a new deal on SkyCable's Gold Tier in the Philippines.

Fulford PR nets two sports accounts

SINGAPORE - Fulford PR has strengthened its sports PR portfolio with the win of two accounts, which includes the IFS White Collar Boxing event and Keiser Training.

M&C Saatchi Malaysia strengthens creative team

KUALA LUMPUR - M&C Saatchi Malaysia has appointed Henry Yap (pictured) and Jeff Ooi as ECD and ACD to strengthen its creative team.

Citylink-Garuda pitches creative

JAKARTA - Citylink-Garuda, and Indonesian budget carrier which is a strategic business unit of the country's national airlines Garuda, has called a pitch for its creative business, a move that will see incumbent Dentsu defending the account.

TM launches 'Malaysia: Truly Business' website

KUALA LUMPUR - Tourism Malaysia and ISC Group have jointly launched a website Malaysia:Truly Business (MTB) to present Malaysia as one of the world's most attractive destinations for business.

Today to start an advertising competition

SINGAPORE - Singapore's free-sheet Today owned by MediaCorp Publishing has started an advertising competition through which it will select two most creative advertisements in the newspaper every month.

Club Med launches a photography contest to engage consumers

SINGAPORE - Club Med, the French corporation of vacation resorts, has launched a photography contest on Eyeka Asia-Pacific's online consumer engagement platform.

TMI launches rebrand campaign

KUALA LUMPUR - TMI International, one of Southeast Asia's largest telecommunication companies, has launched an M&C Saatchi-developed campaign to announce its new name, Axiata Group.

TMI renamed Axiata Group, launches rebrand campaign

KUALA LUMPUR - TMI International, one of Southeast Asia's largest telecommunication companies, has launched an M&C Saatchi-developed campaign to announce its new name, Axiata Group.

StarHub wins bid to build ultra high-speed network

SINGAPORE - StarHub has won the bid to build and manage the OpCo for the Next-Gen NBN that was initiated by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). The telco was in contention with three other players for the OpCo role: the IntelliNet consortium - made up of Axia NetMedia and Cisco Systems - MobileOne (M1) and SingTel.

Telkomsel narrows search

JAKARTA - After having shortlisted four creative and media agencies each after the first round of selection, Telkomsel has further shortlisted three creative and media agencies to enter the final round, a development that sees Ogilvy & Mather and Havas Media out of the race.

IPOS re-appoints Rocket X

SINGAPORE - The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has appointed Rocket X, a TBWA\Tequila affiliate, as its agency for the third consecutive year.

Malaysia's adex shrinks

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's advertising expenditure for the first two months of the year has shrunk by five per cent to RM830.8 million (US$228 million) from RM878 million.

4As postpones awards until 2010

SINGAPORE - The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents (4As) has decided to postpone the 29th Creative Circle Awards (CCA) to 2010 in the face of the current global economic crisis.

Sony launches a Soccergraphy campaign

SINGAPORE - Sony Electronics Asia-Pacific has launched a Soccergraphy campaign to commemorate Sony¡¦s official partnership with FIFA for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Grey Thailand appoints a new head

BANGKOK - Grey Group has appointed Pattaraporn Wongmesak (pictured) as associate vice-president and country manager of its Thailand operations.

Unilab pitches $144 million media

MANILA - Unilab, a regional healthcare company and one of the Philippines' largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, has called a pitch for its media account.

PTT calls creative pitch

BANGKOK - Thailand's biggest energy company PTT has called a creative pitch involving six agencies.

Mindshare wins Belo Medical Group business

MANILA - Belo Medical Group, a cosmetic enhancing medical centre, has handed its media account estimated to be worth about US$1 million to Mindshare without a pitch.

NATAS hands creative brief to APG

SINGAPORE - The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) has handed the creative brief for NATAS 2009 Fair to local shop APG after a four-way pitch.

Susana Tsui named regional president for Neo@Ogilvy

ASIA-PACIFIC - Neo@Ogilvy has promoted Susana Tsui (pictured) to the newly created role of regional president, effective immediately.

Publicis appoints business director for Citibank

SINGAPORE - Publicis has appointed James McDonald as regional business director for Citibank.

OMD opens doors in Vietnam

HO CHI MINH - Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has entered into a partnership with XPR-Campaigns Group (XPR-Campaigns), one of the leading advertising and communications group in Vietnam.

MPG and Media Contacts win regional Symantec business

SINGAPORE - MPG/Media Contacts has been selected to be the media agency for technology firm Symantec in Asia-Pacific.

Sosro hands media to Dentsu

JAKARTA - Sinar Sosro, one of the largest Indonesian beverage companies, has handed the media of its flagship beverage brand Teh Botol to Dentsu Media Cubic after a four-way pitch that involved Maxus, Carat and local media shop KS Media.

BMW selects Publicis, TBWA and McCann Worldgroup for regional pitch

ASIA-PACIFIC - Automotive giant BMW Asia Group has called three agencies including Publicis, TBWA and McCann Worldgroup to pitch for its regional creative account, eliminating Thailand-based incumbent U50K from the race.

Political parties raise game in media

ASIA-PACIFIC - As two of the region's biggest nations - India and Indonesia - prepare to hold elections, political parties in both markets are raising their game when it comes to media and advertising strategies.

Abbott Laboratories shortlists agencies in $20 million media review

ASIA-PACIFIC - Abbott Laboratories, the US pharmaceutical company, has shortlisted a series of agencies across the region as part of a review of its US$20 million regional media duties.

Procter & Gamble appoints MediaCom as AOR in the Philippines

MANILA - Procter & Gamble has appointed MediaCom Philippines as its agency-of-record for media planning, effective 1 November.

Park Hotel Group appoints TSLA

SINGAPORE - Singapore-based Park Hotel Group has appointed The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) as its agency-of-record after a five-way pitch.

Social networking website Friendster up for sale

GLOBAL - Social networking website Friendster is on the lookout for a buyer.

Sai Nagesh joins Dentsu Media as chief growth officer

MUMBAI - Dentsu India has appointed Sai Nagesh (pictured) as chief growth officer for Dentsu Media.

Starcom CEO departs

SINGAPORE - Gan Boon Guan (pictured), the CEO of Starcom Singapore, is leaving the agency two years after he joined it.

Subaru appoints regional PR partner

SINGAPORE - Motor Image Enterprises, which distributes Subaru in most parts of Asia, has appointed Strategic Public Relations Group (SPRG) as its public relations agency-of-record for the region.

Suzuki splits creative account

JAKARTA - Indomobil Suzuki International, the sole dealer for Suzuki in Indonesia, has split the creative business for motorcycle brands between Dentsu and Hakuhodo after a five-way pitch.

Y&R Asia appoints chief strategy officer

SINGAPORE - Y&R Asia has appointed Neil Cotton (pictured) as its chief strategy officer for the region.

UIP awards media duties

SINGAPORE & KUALA LUMPUR - Mindshare Malaysia has been appointed agency-of-record for United International Pictures (UIP) in Malaysia while sister shop MEC has been retained as the AOR in Singapore after a pitch process.

Thailand seeks PR agency for tourism brief

BANGKOK - Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which has been grappling to protect Thailand's image as a tourist destination after the latest round of protests, is looking for a public relations agency.

Garuda Food makes agency appointment

JAKARTA - Garuda Food, one of the largest food and beverage companies in Indonesia, has appointed Oze to handle its new product line of RTD milk following a three-way pitch that included Dipa n X Factor and Bright.

PermataBank calls full-service pitch

JAKARTA - Indonesian banking giant PermataBank has called a full-service review of its advertising arrangements, putting one year incumbent Y&R on high alert.

Juli Kalia ECD of Saatchi & Saatchi Indonesia relocates to Singapore

SINGAPORE - Juhi Kalia (pictured), ECD of Saatchi & Saatchi Indonesia, is believed to be moving to Saatchi & Saatchi in Singapore.

Dentsu Strat scoops Indofoods noodle brand Supermi

JAKARTA - Dentsu Strat has won the creative account for Indofoods flagship noodle brand Supermi after a four-way pitch that involved Euro RSCG, Dwi Sapta and incumbent Artek and Partners.

Live Issue... Brands flock to Indian reality TV boom

Reality is India's hottest TV trend, but formats are becoming increasingly extreme.

Maxis ties up with three dailies to give free news portal access

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian telco Maxis is offering the readers of three dailies - Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily and The Star - free access to news via the mobile internet on its network starting from today until October 31.

Aviva withdraws sponsorship of Aviva Open Singapore

SINGAPORE - Aviva has announced it will not be renewing its sponsorship of the Aviva Open Singapore, but it will continue its support for the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore for another three years until 2012.

StarHub secures rights for Spanish Primera Liga

SINGAPORE - StarHub has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for the Spanish Primera Liga football for the next three seasons until 2012.

The Brand Union looks to double growth in Singapore and China

SINGAPORE - The Brand Union's new Asia-Pacific MD Alan Couldrey, who took up the role in June, has said that the branding agency is targeting aggressive growth in its Singapore hub and China markets.

Carrefour: Thailand account 'yet to be decided'

BANGKOK - Carrefour has yet to decide on the destination of its Thai account, with WPP's JWT currently handling the account. Carrefour has a global deal with Publicis Groupe.

Vietnam set to launch new TV network

HO CHI MINH CITY - Vietnam will see the launch a new television network called Vietnam Broadcasting Corporation (VBC) in September. VBC will be a free-to-air analogue and digital network. News reports say that the network could become the first serious competitor to state broadcaster VTV.

Ministry of Manpower issues tender to promote workforce abroad

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), a Singapore Government division designed to promote the development of a competitive workforce, has issued an official tender as it looks to market the country's workforce to the international business community.

Media execs query SingTel/StarHub Premier League joint bid

SINGAPORE - Media sources have questioned a research paper from Deutsche Bank that suggested telco giants SingTel and StarHub might launch a joint bid to secure the rights to screen English Premier League (EPL) matches in Singapore for the next three seasons.

Publicis bags BMW's Southeast Asia account

SOUTHEAST ASIA - Automotive giant BMW Group Asia has reportedly handed its Southeast Asia creative account to Publicis after shortlisting three agencies, including TBWA and McCann Worldgroup.

India reviews $50 million tourism media account

NEW DELHI - India's Ministry of Tourism has initiated a media buying and placement review, estimated to be worth an estimated US$50 million, for its campaign 'Incredible India'.

BNI shorlists DDB, Saatchi & Saatchi and Cabe Rawit

JAKARTA - Bank Negara International (BNI) has shortlisted three agencies - DDB, Cabe Rawit and incumbent Saatchi & Saatchi - for its creative account.

Nokia targets rural Indians with payment plan

NEW DELHI - Nokia is looking to expand its reach in India's rapidly growing mobile phone market by allowing rural users to pay in installments.

SingTel includes MPG after reopening media pitch

SINGAPORE - SingTel has added MPG to its shortlisted agencies after it reopened the pitch last week.

Garuda appoints Icon as Southeast Asia PR partner

SINGAPORE - Indonesia's national airline, Garuda Indonesia, has appointed independent communications consultancy Icon as its public relations partner in Southeast Asia.

Breadtalk appoints Icon

SINGAPORE - BreadTalk Group has appointed Icon International Communications as its PR partner for its portfolio of brands, after a closed-door pitch.

Ion Orchard appoints Tribal DDB

SINGAPORE - Orchard Turn Development, developer of Ion Orchard, has appointed Tribal DDB in Singapore as its digital agency-of-record.

Petronas hands global corporate to BBDO

KUALA LUMPUR - Petronas, the Malaysian oil and gas giant, has handed its international corporate account to BBDO after a four-way pitch that involved McCann Erickson, Lowe and Leo Burnett.

Unitech Wireless appoints Leo Burnett

MUMBAI - Unitech Wireless, the Indian arm of Norwegian telecoms group Telenor, has appointed Leo Burnett as its creative partner after a competitive multi-agency pitch.

National Environment Agency calls media pitch

SINGAPORE - The National Environment Agency (NEA), a statutory board under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, is on the lookout for a media agency for its 2010 'Clean and green Singapore' (CGS) campaign.

AXA tipped to hand global media to MPG

GLOBAL - Insurance giant AXA is tipped to consolidate its global media account worth an estimated US$400 million with Havas' media arm MPG after a review process that included WPP's Mindshare, Universal McCann and OMD.

Yasmin Ahmad in recovery

KUALA LUMPUR- Yasmin Ahmad (pictured), the ECD at Leo Burnett Malaysia, is recovering after suffering a stroke.

Singapore Polytechnic appoints Crush and Carbon

SINGAPORE - Singapore Polytechnic has appointed Crush Advertising to handle its brand strategy and a programme of activities.

Malaysian telco Tune Talk hunts media agency

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's newest telco operator Tune Talk, which is owned by Tony Fernandes' Tune Venture, is believed to be on a lookout for a media agency.

Jetstar signs Joanne Peh for regional campaign

SINGAPORE - Budget airline Jetstar has signed popular Singaporean actress and model Joanne Peh as its new brand ambassador to appear in a multmillion-dollar regional marketing campaign.

Live Issue... Downturn no deterrent for flagships

Why are upmarket brands queuing up to open concept stores in Singapore?

Key executives at McCann Microsoft team depart

ASIA-PACIFIC - Two key executives working on the Microsoft business at McCann Worldgroup have left the agency.

Honda calls creative pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Astra Honda Motor (AHM), a unit of Indonesia's largest automotive distributor Astra International, has called a creative pitch for its Honda motorcycle brands.

Ben & Jerry's appoints Action for activation

SINGAPORE - Unilever ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has appointed activation agency Action Advertising to handle ChunkFest 2009, an ice-cream festival to be organised in Singapore in September.

Marina Bay Sands Shoppes shortlists three

SINGAPORE - Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, the shopping mall within the luxury resort currently under development in Singapore, has shortlisted WPP agencies Bates141, Grey and JWT for its creative account.

Added Value acquires Saffron Hill to strengthen Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE - Added Value, WPP's brand development and marketing insight business, has acquired Saffron Hill Research, a full-service market research firm based in Singapore and the Philippines.

OgilvyAction appoints first regional CD

SINGAPORE - Daniel Comar (pictured), the current ECD at Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia, has been appointed as the agency's first regional creative director for OgilvyAction Asia-Pacific.

Bossini hands media to Carat

SINGAPORE - Clothing retailer Bossini International has handed its estimated US$1 million media account for Singapore and Malaysia to Carat after a two-way pitch against incumbent Mindshare.

National broadband promotion shortlists eight

KUALA LUMPUR - National Broadband Plan, a body developed by Malaysia's Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has shortlisted eight agencies after inviting 22 agencies to pitch for its estimated US$5 million creative account.

Mehta joins Y&R Indonesia as CEO

JAKARTA - Vishal Mehta (pictured), the former vice-president of client services at DDB Singapore, has joined Y&R Indonesia as the CEO replacing Johan Shabudin who left the agency to set up his own business.

D'Souza departs Proximity Singapore

SINGAPORE - Meyrick D'Souza, the head of interactive for the Citibank account at Proximity Singapore, is reported to have left the agency.

Fisher promoted to global role at Caltex

SINGAPORE - Brian Fisher (pictured), the current integrated marketing manager at Chevron for the Asia-Pacific region, has been promoted to join the global brand management division as brand manager for Caltex.

M&C Saatchi scoops creative account for POS Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Postal services company POS Malaysia has appointed M&C Saatchi to handle its creative business.

Profile... Rao brings SingTel's multimedia dream to life

The CEO of the telecoms giant's new InSing website is putting her digital experience to good use.

Greenwich pizza to sponsor American Idol

MANILA - Greenwich, one of the well-known pizza chains in the Philippines, has signed a sponsorship deal for Star World's new season of American Idol.

Coca-Cola shortlists two for Coke Zero, awards Sprite duties

JAKARTA - Coca-Cola has shortlisted two agencies for the activation business of Coke Zero brand in Indonesia after a four-way pitch. The shortlisted agencies include Momentum and incumbent Oze.

Publicis JimenezBasic retains Growee

MANILA - Publicis JimenezBasic has retained the growth supplement brand Growee after a three-way pitch that involved Ogilvy & Mather, McCann Healthcare and DM Nine.

Soo Kee Jewellery launches a push

SINGAPORE - Soo Kee Jewellery has launched a TBWA Singapore developed campaign that seeks to highlight the relationship that exists between the modern woman and her jewellery. The first execution broke on Valentines' Day and the campaign will continue to run for the rest of the year across all media platforms.

Harrison Communications nets Yellow Pages brief

MANILA - McCann Erickson sister shop Harrison Communications has won the creative brief for Yellow Pages after a three-way pitch that involved Ogilvy & Mather, JWT and Euro RSCG.

TCEB hands account to Leo Burnett

BANGKOK - The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has shifted its entire creative account to Leo Burnett after a three-way pitch that included the incumbent Lowe.

BAT marketer joins DDB China

SHANGHAI - Former British American Tobacco (BAT) marketer Asit Gupta (pictured) has joined DDB China as head of planning.

Jaswinder Kaur returns to Starcom

SINGAPORE - Jaswinder Kaur (pictured), former managing director of MediaCom Singapore, is returning to Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) as Asia-Pacific talent leader reporting to SMG's president of global operations Andrew Swinand.

'Made in Indonesia' decree will not impact foreign brands

JAKARTA - Plans to launch a 'Made in Indonesia' decree, which will make it compulsory for nearly four million civil servants in Indonesia to use local products ranging from footwear to heavy machinery, is not likely to impact foreign brands in the country.

Emirates rolls out regional blitz

SINGAPORE - Emirates has launched a new BBDO/Proximity created campaign in Southeast Asia that seeks to promote the airlines' extensive network in Europe and strengthen its image as a global airline.

Sime Darby Property hands projects to McCann and Dentsu

KUALA LUMPUR - Sime Darby Property has handed two projects to McCann Erickson and one to Dentsu after a three-way pitch that involved Publicis.

Universal McCann retains Globe

MANILA - Globe Telecom, the second largest telecom player in the Philippines, has reappointed Universal McCann as its media agency-of-record for its US$40 million account, after a three-way pitch that included ZenithOptimedia and Mindshare.

CNBC official media partner for 5th World Islamic Economic Forum

SINGAPORE - CNBC is the official media partner for the 5th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) to be held in Jakarta from March1-4, 2009.

Axis Telecom pitches $30 million media account

JAKARTA - Axis, Indonesia's fifth GSM mobile operator which entered the market in March last year, has called a US$30 million pitch for its media account.

Preeti Kumar promoted to GM at MediaCom Singapore

SINGAPORE - Preeti Kumar (pictured), the current managing partner of regional Nokia business at MediaCom, has been promoted to general manager of the agency's Singapore operations.

Pos Malaysia shortlists two

KUALA LUMPUR - Mail services provider Pos Malaysia Berhad (PMB) has shortlisted two agencies including M&C Saatchi and JWT for the final round of a rebranding pitch that was started in December.

Mobile-8 calls a pitch

JAKARTA - Mobile-8, one of Indonesia's leading mobile operators, has called a media pitch.

Telkomsel shortlists agencies

JAKARTA - Telkomsel, one of Indonesia's leading mobile phone operators, has shortlisted four creative and six media agencies as part of a full-service review that it initiated several weeks ago.

Newspapers suspended in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - In a step which is being seen by many as a media crackdown by the Government, two of Malaysia's opposition newspapers are reported to have been banned for three months by the Home Ministry.

Coffee brand pitches creative in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Indonesia's largest-selling coffee brand Kapal Api has called a creative pitch involving five agencies.

BBDO/Proximity Asia announces alliance with MobileBehavior

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity and MobileBehavior have entered into an alliance that will offer clients of both Omnicom-owned agencies an integrated mobile marketing arm.

JWT wins network agency of the year honour at 12th Adfest

PATTAYA - JWT Shanghai bagged the agency of the year honour, while JWT won the network of the year award at the 12th Asia-Pacific Advertising Festival that concluded on 21 March at Pattaya.

AdFest announces DM, design and print craft winners

PATTAYA - Ten golds, 32 silvers and 27 bronzes were handed out in the direct marketing as well as design and print craft categories at 12th Adfest in Pattaya.

Tesco pitches $5 million media in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Tesco, the British retail giant, has called a pitch for its media account estimated to be worth $5 million placing incumbent MEC on alert.

Pakar Media boss resigns

KUALA LUMPUR - The head of the Malaysian media agency at the centre of corruption allegations involving the former director-general of Tourism Malaysia has resigned.

BBDO/Proximity Singapore appoints account director for SingTel

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Singapore has appointed Safina Vig (pictured) as account director to head SingTel's digital and direct business.

Profile... Fernandes declares 'war' as airlines feel chill

Despite a declining economy and a brewing price war, AirAsia's CEO has lost none of his brand-building zeal.

Iris parts ways with Icon International

Singapore - Independent marketing agency Iris has parted ways with independent communication consultancy Icon International Communications, which has handled its PR for the last eighteen months.

Proximity Malaysia GM moves to Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR - General manager of Proximity Malaysia, Vic Sithasanan, will be moving to Proximity Singapore, taking on the same role.

Youth Olympics Games' briefing disappoints agencies

SINGAPORE - The eagerly awaited Youth Olympics Games (YOG) briefing recently turned out to be disappointing for agencies after the Singapore Youth Olympics Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) revealed it is on the lookout for a creative agency to sponsor the games.

Digi invites four to pitch for media

KUALA LUMPUR - Digi Telecommunications, one of Malaysia's biggest mobile operators, has invited four agencies including Vizeum, PHD, Carat and incumbent Starcom to pitch for its media account. Of the four invited agencies Carat is reported to have withdrawn.

Coke Zero launches video contest in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Coke Zero has launched a video contest in Singapore that asks youth to demonstrate that the impossible is possible through video or animation.

Lowe to launch activation brand in Asia

SINGAPORE - Lowe Worldwide is set to strengthen its activation business in Asia, the details of which will be announced in the next few months.

Batey to be a part of Grey Group

SINGAPORE - Batey, which was until now aligned to the JWT network, is reported to be in the process of being merged within Grey Group, as part of a realignment by the WPP group.

Spa and Hakuhodo to merge in Thailand

BANGKOK - Spa Advertising, one of the largest local advertising agencies in Thailand, is merging with Thai Hakuhodo to form a new agency called Spa-Hakuhodo.

BCA consolidates $10 million media with local shop

JAKARTA - Bank Central Asia (BCA), one of Indonesia's biggest banks has consolidated its media account estimated to be worth US$10 million with local shop Bintang Pratama, after a three-way pitch that involved OMD and Dwi Sapta.

Layoffs begin in Singapore

SINGAPORE - The global economic crisis is beginning to make its presence felt in the creative agency world in Singapore, with reports of staff layoffs and pay cuts for senior management.

Grey Thailand head to leave

BANGKOK - Grey Thailand's COO, Shilpa Swaroop (pictured) is leaving the agency to join another WPP agency network in India based out of Delhi.

F&N shortlists two for regional dairy creative

SINGAPORE - Fraser & Neave (F&N) is believed to have shortlisted two agencies including Bates Malaysia and McCann Erickson for the regional creative for its dairy brands.

Reader's Digest lets go of Veronese

SINGAPORE - Oscar Veronese, director of custom projects at Reader's Digest Asia, has been laid off as part of the publishing group's global cutbacks.

Whitehead departs Discovery

SINGAPORE - Mark Whitehead, senior vice-president at Discovery Networks Asia is reported to have resigned from his current role. Sources suggest that Whitehead is currently serving out his notice period.

Extra Joss hands creative to Hotline

JAKARTA - Leading energy drink Extra Joss has handed its creative account worth US$5 million to local shop Hotline after shortlisting three agencies including TCP-TBWA and Coleman Handoko.

Publicis agencies net Panasonic brief

JAKARTA - Panasonic has handed the creative and media account estimated to be about US$4 million to Saatchi Group agencies and ZenithOptimedia after a creative five-way pitch that involved Hakuhodo, Matari Advertising, Macs909, Dwi Sapta and incumbent Euro RSCG.

MEC retains Singapore Airlines' global media account

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines, which called a tender for its US$50 million global media buying and planning business in September, has handed back the account to eight-year incumbent MEC after a two-way pitch that involved OMD.

Honda Motor appoints Oze to launch New Absolute Revo

JAKARTA - Astra Honda Motor (AHM), the biggest Honda motorcycle manufacturer and distributor in Indonesia, has appointed Oze to launch New Absolute Revo 110, its flagship CUB (Cheap Urban Motorbike).

Sime Darby calls pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - Sime Darby, the Malaysian conglomerate with interests in the plantation, property, motors, utilities and industrial sectors, has called a three-way pitch involving Publicis, Dentsu and McCann Erickson.

Kalbe hands Promag to Euro RSCG

JAKARTA - Kalbe Farma, one of Southeast Asia's largest pharmaceutical companies, has handed the Promag brand's creative brief to Euro RSCG after a four way pitch that involved JCNK, Artek and incumbent Lowe.

Bank Mandiri splits $30 million account between Dentsu, Fortune and First Edition

JAKARTA - Bank Mandiri, one of Indonesia's largest banks, has concluded its six-month full service pitch and split its US$30 million creative and media business between Dentsu and incumbents Fortune and First Edition.

Gudang Garam hands $10 million creative account to Advantage

JAKARTA - Indonesia's largest cigarette maker Gudang Garam has handed the creative account of its flagship brand Gudang Garam International (GGI) to local agency Advantage, after a six-way pitch that involved BBDO, Ogilvy & Mather, Euro RSCG, JC&K and Wabi Sabi.

BBDO/Proximity promotes creatives

KUALA LUMPUR - BBDO and Proximity Malaysia has promoted two senior creatives: Ronald Ng (pictured), the current executive creative director, to the newly created position of chief creative officer; and Mun Tuck Wai, a creative director to the role of ECD at BBDO Malaysia.

LiveJournal signs with MediaCorp for ad sales

SINGAPORE - LiveJournal, a community publishing platform, has signed an advertising sales representation agreement with MediaCorp.

STB to visit selected agencies

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) which issued a tender for its global creative, media and digital agency review, is reported to have selected five agencies for each and will visit them, after a RFI submission that involved 26 agencies.

Grey Indonesia appoints GM

JAKARTA - Grey Indonesia has appointed Euis Budhirajo (pictured) as its general manager replacing Bobby Arthawan, who left the agency to pursue personal interests.

Tribal DDB appoints Nik Lim as GM

KUALA LUMPUR - Tribal DDB Worldwide's Foetus Group, has appointed Nik Lim (pictured) as its general manager in Malaysia.

Mindshare Cambodia appoints new leader

CAMBODIA - Mindshare has appointed John Erestain (pictured), the former group business head for Starcom Mediavest Vietnam, as the leader for its Cambodia office.

Dadi Santos rejoins McCann Erickson

MANILA - Dadi Santos (pictured), who left McCann Erickson Philippines in 2005, has rejoined the agency as a deputy executive creative director after a three-year stint at Matari Advertising in Jakarta.

LG calls activation pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - LG Electronics, South Korea's third largest electronics company has called an activation review in Indonesia.

Digi set to pitch media

KUALA LUMPUR - Digi Telecommunications, one of Malaysia's largest mobile operators, is reportedly gearing up for a media pitch, with major media agencies in the market expecting an announcement soon.

Wyeth calls creative pitch

MANILA - Wyeth Phlilippines (WPI) has called a creative pitch for its milk brand Promil Pre-School and Bonakid Pre-School.

Suntec Singapore launches 'passion' campaign

SINGAPORE - To promote Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre as the preferred location for all major events in the region TBWA\Singapore has created a campaign that revolves around a 'passion' theme.

Globe shortlists three for $40 million media pitch

MANILA - Globe Telecom, the second largest telecom player in the Philippines, has concluded a review for its media account worth a reported US$40 million. Three agencies including ZenithOptimedia, Mindshare and incumbent Universal McCann are believed to be involved in this pitch.

Senior brand director Gary Read leaves McCann Erickson

KUALA LUMPUR - Gary Read, senior brand director at McCann Erickson Malaysia, has left the agency after only a year.

MediaCorp revamps senior management amid news MD's departure

SINGAPORE - In the wake of Channel NewsAsia's managing director Woon Tai Ho resigning from the company and chief editor of news Debra Soon assuming his role, MediaCorp has announced more changes to its senior management ranks.

BBDO/Proximity strengthens management lineup

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Asia has strengthened its management line up with internal restructuring.

Watsons to launch regional magazine

SINGAPORE - Watsons Personal Care Stores, a beauty and wellness retail brand, has launched a quarterly health and beauty title called Glow targeted at customers and general readers.

Mercedes-Benz launches WSJ Asia push

SINGAPORE - Mercedes-Benz has rolled out a new BBDO/Proximity created print campaign in the Wall Street Journal Asia, which is targeted at "intellectual, ambitious, successful male leaders."

Eleven agencies to pitch for Pertamina creative

JAKARTA - State oil and gas firm Pertamina is reported to have invited 11 eleven creative agencies to pitch for the retail business account

BBDO/Proximity Malaysia makes senior hires

KUALA LUMPUR - BBDO/ Proximity has appointed VJ Anand group creative head. In addition, Michelle Achuthan takes on an expanded role as general manager of both BBDO and Proximity, and Karen Koay takes on the role of account director.

Batey appointed to handle ESPN Star Sports creative

SINGAPORE - ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has appointed Batey to handle its creative duties for several markets in Southeast Asia.

Mindshare nets Sime Darby's media account

KUALA LUMPUR - Sime Darby Group, Malaysia's biggest multinational group, is believed to have handed its media account, estimated to be worth US$13 million, to Mindshare after shortlisting three agencies.

Bank Danamon set to pitch creative in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Bank Danamon, one of Indonesia's top ten banks, is tipped to pitch its creative account.

Neo@Ogilvy appoints Pete Mitchell as regional strategy director

ASIA-PACIFIC - Neo@Ogilvy Asia-Pacific has named Pete Mitchell as regional strategy director, effective 1 December. Based in Bangkok, he will report directly to Susana Tsui, president of Neo@Ogilvy Asia-Pacific.

Live Issue... Tesco uses Thailand as test-bed for internet shopping

The grocer is planning to expand its online retail service in Asia.

PermataBank shifts business from Y&R to Coleman Handoko

JAKARTA - PermataBank, one of the largest banks in Indonesia, has shifted its creative business to local shop Coleman Handoko after a pitch that involved four agencies including Blue Circle, Lowe and incumbent Y&R.

TBWA Santiago Mangada Puno wins big at Philippines Advertising Congress

MANILA - TBWA Santiago Mangada Puno, along with Tequila Manila, was judged as the Agency of the Year in the recently concluded Philippines Advertising Congress held at the Subic Bay, Philippines.

Grey appoints Vijay Jacob as VP and head of South India

MUMBAI - Grey has appointed Vijay Jacob (pictured) as vice-president and head of South India.

All About... Last Minute Inventory

An online exchange promises late deals on media space.

GO Communications wins Tourism Victoria public relations account

KUALA LUMPUR - GO Communications has been awarded the Tourism Victoria PR account after a multi-agency pitch.

UPDATE: McCann Worldgroup Southeast Asia head Mark Ingrouille to depart

SINGAPORE - Mark Ingrouille, the area director of Southeast Asia at McCann Worldgroup is leaving the agency.

Hemant Jain joins Leo Burnett Mumbai as ECD

MUMBAI - Leo Burnett Mumbai has appointed Hemant Jain (pictured), the art director of Wieden & Kennedy (W&K) London, ECD of its Mumbai office.

G2 Jakarta scoops Nestle's beverage brands

JAKARTA - Grey Group Indonesia's activation marketing arm, G2 Jakarta, has been appointed by NestlÃ© Professional as its communications partner, handling retail channel marketing for all its beverage brands in Indonesia.

Grey Group's Prestige wins three accounts in Pakistan

KARACHI - Prestige, Grey Group's affiliate in Pakistan, has scored a string of new business wins including NIB Bank, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM).

Max Australia wins Elcom and Belkin

SYDNEY - IT public relations consultancy Max Australia has won the business of two new clients, Elcom and Belkin, widening the company's client portfolio.

Yahoo opens first permanent office in Vietnam

VIETNAM - Yahoo Vietnam has announced the opening of a permanent office in Ho Chi Minh City.

Y&R Singapore hires James Procter as chief creative officer

SINGAPORE - James Procter (pictured), ECD at George Patterson Y&R's Sydney office, will take on the role of chief creative officer of Y&R Singapore.

OMD maintains grip on Kao's Singapore media

SINGAPORE - Japanese cosmetics and laundry-care company Kao Corporation is believed to have retained OMD Singapore as its media agency after a pitch that involved Dentsu Media and Maxus.

Profile... ESPN boss eyes innovation as rights costs soar

Renowned as a tough negotiator, Manu Sawhney is out to feed Asians' insatiable appetite for sport.

Live Issue... Indian FMCG adspend leaps as brands eye rural growth

Major global FMCG players are ploughing money into marketing as competition in India intensifies.

ESPN Star Sports launches sport entertainment show in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - ESPN Star Sports has launched MyEG Xtra Time, billed as Malaysia's first sports entertainment programme, on Star Sports.

Religare awards PR account to LINOpinion

MUMBAI - Financial services brand brand Religare Enterprises Limited (REL) has appointed LINOpinion as its communications partner in India.

Pharma giant Merck hands regional creative to Saatchi & Saatchi

ASIA-PACIFIC - Pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) - formerly called Schering-Plough - has handed its regional creative account to Saatchi & Saatchi.

Fonterra calls pitch for Asia-Pacific media

ASIA-PACIFIC - New Zealand-based dairy company Fonterra is believed to have called a regional pitch for its media business. Sources suggest that the pitch is a closed-door run-off between a GroupM agency and incumbent OMD.

Axis shortlists Publicis, McCann and JWT in Indonesia

JAKARTA - As part of its creative pitch, Indonesia's newest telco Axis is believed to have shortlisted Publicis, McCann and JWT after inviting 10 agencies to submit credentials.

Paseo shortlists three in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is believed to have shortlisted three agencies including Leo Burnett, TBWA and local shop Chozen after inviting several agencies to pitch for its creative business.

Siam Commercial Bank splits creative between Lowe and Leo Burnett

BANGKOK - Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), one of Thailand's largest banks, has divided its creative business between Lowe and Leo Burnett following a pitch.

Profile... Forbes sticks to 'mission' amid media turmoil

The veteran publisher believes his titles cannot lose sight of their purpose as they expand online.

Media Prima set to exit Philippines TV

PETALING JAYA - Malaysian media network Media Prima (MPB) is believed to be in talks to dispose of its loss-making TV operations in the Philippines, Primedia.

Emirates shortlists four agency groups for global advertising business

GLOBAL - Emirates Airlines has shortlisted four agency groups - Publicis Groupe, WPP, Omnicom Group and Chime Group - to enter the second phase of the review of its advertising business, which is estimated to be worth US$300 million.

Juggi Ramakrishnan joins Ogilvy Asia-Pacific as deputy regional ECD

SINGAPORE- Ogilvy & Mather Asia-Pacific has appointed Juggi Ramakrishnan, the former ECD of BBDO Singapore, to the newly created position of deputy regional executive creative director, Ogilvy & Mather Asia-Pacific, reporting to Eugene Cheong. This appointment is effective from 1 February 2010.

UPDATE: Maxis tipped to review creative in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysia's largest telco and the country's biggest advertiser Maxis is reportedly poised to review parts of its creative account, according to sources in the market.

TBWA Tequila Malaysia to shed 25 staff in voluntary separation scheme

KUALA LUMPUR - Twenty-five people from TBWA Tequila Malaysia will leave the agency as part of a voluntary separation scheme that the agency has offered its employees.

Paseo calls creative pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has launched a creative review for its Paseo tissue brand in Indonesia. Several agencies are believed to be involved including Leo Burnett, TBWA and Cabe Rawit.

Live Issue... Times of India looks to build on success of 'Lead India'

At Spikes Asia this year, The Times of India (TOI) was named Advertiser of the Year, a new category introduced at the event, for its 'Lead India' campaign.

Seven vie for Ministry of Manpower brief

SINGAPORE - Seven agencies are battling for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) tender, which seeks to market the country's workforce to the international business community.

Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia call PR pitch

KUALA LUMPUR - The Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia (TM) are believed to have issued a PR tender in Malaysia.

Ogilvy promotes Gavin Simpson to group ECD for Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Gavin Simpson will be moving to Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia as a group executive creative director, replacing Daniel Comar who is moving up to a new role as regional executive creative director of OgilvyAction.

Saxo Capital Markets appoints Profero to digital account

SINGAPORE - Saxo Capital Markets has hired Profero as its digital agency-of-record.

ESPN Star Sports and Skype launch commentator contest

SINGAPORE - ESPN Star Sports (ESS) and Skype have announced the launch of Skype Star commentator contest, which will offer sports fans and aspiring commentators an opportunity to audition online for a chance to present a segment on ESPN's SportsCenter Asia.

Pete Mitchell departs Universal McCann

BANGKOK - Pete Mitchell (pictured), the interactive strategy director for Universal McCann Asia-Pacific, has resigned from the agency.

National Broadband plan shortlists three agencies in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - National Broadband Plan, a body developed by Malaysia's Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has shortlisted three agencies including M&C Saatchi, Grey Advertising and local shop Spencer Azizul for the final round of its pitch.

CNBC expands mobile offering

SINGAPORE - CNBC is expanding its mobile offerings in Asia-Pacific with the revamp of its mobile website as part of a global initiative.

VIDEO: Euro RSCG scoops Spikes party crown

SINGAPORE - After getting a taste of six exciting parties Media's editorial team has voted Euro RSCG's bash as the party of the night at Spikes Asia.

Marina Bay Sands Shoppes hands creative to Bates141

SINGAPORE - Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, the shopping mall within the luxury resort currently under development in Singapore, is believed to have handed its creative account to Bates 141.

Rajat Sethi joins Dentsu Marcom as managing director

MUMBAI - Dentsu India has announced the appointment of Rajat Sethi (pictured) as managing director of Dentsu Marcom.

Lori Sobel promoted to head of global search at Google

SINGAPORE - Lori Sobel (pictured), managing director of Google Southeast Asia, will be leaving her position on 1 October 2009 to take on a new role as head of global search at Google's New York Office.

Siam Commercial Bank shortlists Leo Burnett, Lowe and McCann Erickson

BANGKOK - Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), one of the biggest banks in Thailand, is believed to have shortlisted three agencies including Leo Burnett, Lowe and McCann Erickson for its creative account.

Tan Kien Eng takes over at Leo Burnett Singapore as Kurt Viertel departs

SINGAPORE - Tan Kien Eng (pictured), the managing director of Leo Burnett Malaysia, has taken over the agency's Singapore operations as Kurt Viertel departs to become MD at Clemenger Harvie Edge Brisbane.

15 agencies shortlisted for Honda's motorcycle brands

JAKARTA - Astra Honda Motor (AHM), a unit of Indonesia's largest automotive distributor Astra International, which previously invited five agencies to pitch for its motorcycle business, has revised the list to include ten more agencies.

TCP-TBWA Indonesia appoints Rochelle Vandenberghe as new GM

JAKARTA - TCP-TBWA Indonesia has appointed Rochelle Vandenberghe (pictured) to the newly created role of GM.

Online media exchange sees $2 million transactions in September

MUMBAI - Last Minute Media, the owner of www.lastminuteinventory.com, which claims to be the world's first online media trading exchange, have announced that the portal hosted media transactions worth over US$2 million in September alone.

Music Matters to launch advertising forum with Media magazine in Singapore

HONG KONG - Music Matters is set to launch The Music Matters Advertising Forum in association with Media Magazine.

Leo Burnett to handle Carrefour in four Asian markets

ASIA-PACIFIC - Leo Burnett has won the creative brief for French supermarket chain Carrefour in four Asia-Pacific markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Singapore.

M&C Saatchi tipped to win Petronas' creative business

KUALA LUMPUR - M&C Saatchi is believed to have won the creative account for Petronas' lubricant business after a four-way final battle against Dentsu, Creative Juice and Ogilvy & Mather.

Y&R Vietnam CEO Ram Kapoor departs

HO CHI MINH - Ram Kapoor (pictured), the CEO of Y&R Vietnam, is leaving the agency after two and half years.

Lowe Thailand nets TAMC and AETAS accounts

THAILAND - Lowe Thailand has won two new creative accounts including Thailand Asset Management Corporation (TAMC) and local hotel chain AETAS.

Sam Cassels appointed CEO of Publicis Singapore

SINGAPORE - Publicis Asia has appointed Sam Cassels (pictured), the former CEO for Saatchi & Saatchi Japan, as CEO of Publicis Singapore.

McCann Worldgroup replaces regional chief as Kevin Ramsey departs

ASIA-PACIFIC - McCann Worldgroup's Asia-Pacific president and CEO Kevin Ramsey (pictured) is leaving the agency, to be replaced by Michael McLaren.

DiGi appoints head of corporate affairs

SHAH ALAM - DiGi Telecommunications, one of Malaysia's fastest growing mobile operator, has appointed Zaiton Hj Idrus to head its corporate affairs division succeeding Tunku Alizakri, who has left the company after a four-year stint to pursue personal interests.

Rapp India appoints Venkat Mallik as president

NEW DELHI - Rapp India has appointed Venkat Mallik (pictured) as the president of its India operations.

DraftFCB Malaysia appoints digital head

KUALA LUMPUR - DraftFCB Group in Malaysia has hired Noor Ashikin Aziz (pictured) as general manager and executive creative director for its digital division.

Star TV restructure: up to 200 layoffs expected

ASIA-PACIFIC - News Corp's decision to split Star TV Asia into three units is likely to result in up to 200 job losses in the Hong Kong office.

AirAsia marketing head Carmen Wong joins Carat Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Carmen Wong (pictured), the former head of marketing at AirAsia, has joined Carat Media Services as a group account director.

SingTel reopens media pitch

SINGAPORE - After shortisting three agencies for its media business, Singapore's largest telco SingTel is believed to have reopened its pitch process.

Lowe Thailand strengthens management team

BANGKOK - Lowe Thailand has created two new general manager roles to strengthen client servicing and spearhead business development.

TBWA in talks to launch media agency in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - TBWA Malaysia is considering launching a media agency arm in Malaysia, with former Pakar Media boss Zulhisham Ayob tipped to head the venture.

TBWA India appoints Kalyan Challapalli to head Disruption Practice and Mumbai Planning

MUMBAI - TBWA\India has appointed Kalyan Challapalli (pictured) to a 'dual role' to lead its Disruption practice for the company across India as well as the planning function for the Mumbai office.

Leo Burnett Kreasindo strengthens digital with Arc Worldwide hires

JAKARTA - Leo Burnett Kreasindo has strengthened its online brand-building capabilities with senior-level hires at its marketing services arm Arc Worldwide Indonesia.

Seven vie for Bank Rakyat Indonesia creative account

JAKARTA - Seven agencies are believed to be involved in a creative pitch called by Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI).

Media Prima seeks control over New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR - Media Prima is seeking to take The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) private via a share swap exercise.

Y&R confirms Resorts World at Sentosa win

SINGAPORE - Y&R Singapore has confirmed it has been named agency-of-record on Singapore's Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) after a six-way pitch that involved Euro RSCG and McCann Worldgroup.

BBDO/Proximity Singapore appoints regional PR director

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Singapore has appointed Tula Goodwin (pictured) as regional public relations director for Asia.

Petronas pitch delayed as Ogilvy & Mather added to shortlist

KUALA LUMPUR - Ogilvy & Mather is believed to have joined the creative pitch for Petronas' lubricant business in Malaysia, delaying the selection process, which was due to be concluded last week.

NTUC FairPrice debuts on Facebook with more than 3,000 fans

SINGAPORE - Supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice has entered social media with a Facebook profile 'That's My FairPrice', already supported by 3,000 fans.

Dentsu Strat wins Sosro's Joy Tea account

JAKARTA - Indonesian beverage giant Sinar Sosro has handed the creative account of its popular soft drink brand Joy Tea to Dentsu Strat after a four-way pitch.

Indofood calls pitch for Supermi brand

JAKARTA - Indofood, a leading processed food company in Indonesia, is believed to have called a creative pitch for its flagship noodle brand Supermi.

Frisian Flag promotes Jan Pieter Tanis to marketing director of Indonesia

JAKARTA - Jan Pieter Tanis (pictured), the marketing director of FrieslandCampina, Malaysia, has been promoted to the role of marketing head of the company's Indonesian operations.

Aviva shortlists four agencies for global media brief

GLOBAL - Insurance giant Aviva is believed to have shortlisted Maxus, Carat, OMD and Initiative for its global media planning and buying account, estimated to be worth US$250 million.

Danone pitches Aqua's digital business in Indonesia

JAKARTA - French food and drink giant Danone has called a digital pitch for its mineral water brand Aqua in Indonesia, and three agencies - OgilvyOne, Initiative and MPG - are believed to vying for the business.

Telkom pitch puts Bates/Mindshare and Euro RSCG/MPG on alert

JAKARTA - Telkom (PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia), one of Indonesia's largest telcos, is believed to have issued an RFI as part of a full-service pitch, with as many as 20 agency pairs reported to be participating in the review.

Sarawak Tourism Board shortlists four creative agencies

KUALA LUMPUR - Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), a tourism body in Malaysia, is believed to have shortlisted four agencies after calling a creative pitch.

Live Issue... Agencies adapt to demand for retail expertise

With more clients looking at ways to maximise their in-store marketing, agencies are learning new skills.

Profile... Nokia's Agarwal moves mobile marketing forward

While mobile spend in Asia remains dismally low, the head of Nokia Interactive is convinced of its potential.

Orang Tua Group hands business to Saatchi & Saatchi

JAKARTA - Orang Tua Group (OT) has handed the creative business for its Kiranti brand to Saatchi & Saatchi in Indonesia after a five-way pitch that involved Ogilvy & Mather, Grey Advertising, TCP-TBWA and incumbent JWT.

Hong Kong and South Korea lead global rise in consumer confidence

GLOBAL - The world is emerging from the economic crisis, and with it, global consumer confidence is rebounding, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index.

Axis calls creative pitch after parting ways with Lowe

JAKARTA - Axis, one of Indonesia's newest telcos, is believed to have parted ways with its creative AOR Lowe. Sources have suggested that the telco has called a creative pitch and invited a combination of local and international agencies to participate.

Berli Jucker moves tissue brands from Ogilvy & Mather to Lowe

BANGKOK - Berli Jucker, one of Thailand's largest consumer goods companies, has handed the creative brief for its tissue brands to Lowe after a three-way pitch that included Far East DDB and local shop Prakit.

All About... Mobile marketing in rural areas

How can marketers use mobile to reach rural consumers?

Bank Negara International hands creative business to DDB

JAKARTA - Bank Negara International (BNI) has appointed DDB Advis as its agency-of-record after shortlisting three agencies including Cabe Rawit and incumbent Saatchi & Saatchi.

Vizeum India appointed media AOR for Luxor Writing Instruments

MUMBAI - Vizeum India has won the media brief for Luxor Writing Instruments, estimated to be worth US$3 million.

Axis calls below-the-line pitch

JAKARTA - Indonesian telco Axis is believed to be a on the lookout for a below-the-line agency to handle a retail brief.

RHB reviews media and creative in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - RHB, one of Malaysia's largest banks, has invited four media agencies to pitch for its media business including Mediabiz, Mediabrands , People & Rich and the incumbent KHK advertising .

Carat embroiled in Malaysian legal spat

KUALA LUMPUR - Carat and a former boss of Malaysian media agency Pakar Media are at the centre of a series of legal disputes over the management of the business.

Aviva promotes Shaun Meadows to regional marketing role

SINGAPORE - Aviva has named Shaun Meadows, the CEO of its Singapore and Hong Kong operations, as the marketing head for Asia-Pacific, while Simon Newman, Aviva's managing director for Singapore, has been promoted to the role of CEO Singapore.

SPIKES: India and Southeast Asia dominate print shortlist at Spikes Asia

ASIA-PACIFIC - Southeast Asian countries and India have dominated the Print category shortlist that was released at Spikes Asia today.

Ronald Ng heads to BBDO New York; Mun Tuck Wai becomes ECD in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Ronald Ng (pictured), the chief creative officer of BBDO/Proximity Malaysia, is moving to New York as executive vice-president and ECD at BBDO New York.

SPIKES: Jury discuss Media category entries

SINGAPORE - As the second day of Spikes Asia kicks off, Media category jury members said they have have seen more entries from India and China, but fewer from Southeast Asia.

Robert McBrain to replace Rishya Joseph at Y&R Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Robert McBrain (pictured), the CEO of Bates141 Jakarta, is taking over as the new CEO of Y&R Malaysia, replacing Rishya Joseph who has been with the agency for the last 25 years.

Thai Beverages hands Chang Soda creative account to Jeh United

BANGKOK - Thai Beverages (ThaiBev) has appointed Jeh United to its Chang Soda business after a three-way pitch that also included BBDO and Think Factory.

Ashish Bhasin appointed Asia-Pacific director of Posterscope

SINGAPORE - Patrick Stahle, CEO Aegis Media Asia-Pacific, has announced the appointment of Ashish Bhasin (pictured) as director of Posterscope Asia-Pacific.

SPIKES: The jury talks to Media

SINGAPORE - The quality of entries at Spikes Asia have impressed the jury after two days of judging, with most expressing surprise at the number of countries that have submitted good work.

Sime Darby Group shortlists Mindshare and Carat

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's biggest multinational conglomerate Sime Darby Group, which called a media pitch in August, is believed to have shortlisted three agencies including Mindshare and Carat.

MEC Malaysia appoints Law Chan Keong as MD

KUALA LUMPUR - MEC Malaysia has appointed Law Chan Keong (CK) as managing director of MEC, a role that was left vacant ever since former MD Manjari Kamat relocated to India

Aviva calls $250 million global pitch

GLOBAL - Aviva, the insurance giant, has kicked-off a pitch for its estimated US$250 million global media planning and buying account.

MediaCorp launches programming on TV5 in the Philippines

SINGAPORE - MediaCorp is running two hours of programming every weekday on TV5, a prominent channel in the Philippines.

Staff 'exodus' feared after Y&R Malaysia chair Rishya Joseph departs

KUALA LUMPUR - Rishya Joseph (pictured), chairman of Y&R Group Malaysia, is believed to be leaving the agency at the end of the year, with up to 14 senior executives expected to follow.

Cerebos shifts $11 million media from MEC to Universal McCann

KUALA LUMPUR - Universal McCann has been awarded the Cerebos media account in Malaysia without a pitch.

Petronas reviews creative business in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Petronas is thought to be on the lookout for a creative agency for its lubricants business.

Singapore Airshow 2010 appoints Hill & Knowlton

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airshow & Events has appointed Hill & Knowlton to provide strategic communications support for the Singapore Airshow taking place from 2 to 7 February 2010.

Sime Darby calls media pitch in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's biggest multinational conglomerate Sime Darby Group is seeking to consolidate its media account, estimated to be worth more than US$7 million.

Petronas shortlists Dentsu, M&C Saatchi and Creative Juice

KUALA LUMPUR - Petronas has not shortlisted its incumbent agency Leo Burnett for the creative account for its lubricant business.

Shake-up at Media Prima as Rahman departs

KUALA LUMPUR - Media Prima's group managing director and chief executive officer Abdul Rahman Ahmad (pictured) will be ending his tenure with the media company upon the conclusion of his present contract in August 2009.

Mitchell & Partners resigns Hutchison 3

SYDNEY - Mitchell and Partners has announced today that it is resigning the Hutchison 3 account due to conflict with Optus.

Mead Johnson consolidates global creative with Saatchi & Saatchi

GLOBAL - US-based Mead Johnson has consolidated its global creative account with Saatchi & Saatchi estimated to be worth US$500 million after a final two-way battle with Grey Advertising.

Seven vie for BNI creative

JAKARTA - Bank Negara International (BNI), which recently handed its media to MPG, has invited seven agencies to pitch for its creative account.

BRI calls a creative pitch

JAKARTA - Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of the largest banks in Indonesia, is believed have called a creative pitch.

EDB tipped to appoint JWT and MEC

SINGAPORE - The Economic Development Board (EDB) is poised to appoint JWT and MEC for its integrated marketing campaign to position Singapore as a premier business hub.

De Kretser's GO Communications to expand

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia-based PR firm GO Communications is planning to increase its presence in the Southeast Asia region.

CAAS shortlists agencies

SINGAPORE - After receiving submissions from a total of 13 creative and media agencies, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has shortlisted four agency pairs for the S$4 million (US$2.6 million) account.

Leo Burnett wins Tesco

BANGKOK - Tesco Lotus, the Thai arm of UK supermarket giant Tesco, has handed its creative account to Leo Burnett.

PTT reappoints Thai duo

BANGKOK - Thailand's biggest energy company PTT, which had called a six-way pitch in March, has handed back the creative account to incumbents TBWA and Spa Advertising.

Ogilvy retains HPB's youth health account

SINGAPORE - Health Promotion Board (HPB) has reappointed Ogilvy & Mather Singapore to handle the creative for its youth health promotion account, worth about S$1.4 million (US$936,000).

BRI hires local shop Oze

JAKARTA - Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of the country's largest banks, has appointed local shop ad to handle its consumer loan product after a five-way pitch that involved Ideasphere, Octocom, Onecom and Sphere.

MCYS launches million dollar push for singles

SINGAPORE - Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports has launched a Leo Burnett created push to encourage more Singaporeans to get married.

Tesco Thailand shortlists agencies

BANGKOK - British supermarket giant Tesco, which is reviewing its creative and media in Thailand, is reported to have shortlisted three creative agencies, including Leo Burnett, McCann Erickson and Ogilvy & Mather, after inviting a few agencies to pitch for the account.

VIDEO: Leo Burnett to scrap regional HQ in Asia-Pacific

ASIA-PACIFIC - Leo Burnett's president for Asia-Pacific Jarek Ziebinski (pictured), who took over the Asia operations in June, has said that Leo Burnett Asia-Pacific will no longer have a regional headquarters and that the agency's senior regional team will be based in different local markets across Asia.

McCann wins Youth Olympics sponsorship planning brief

SINGAPORE - McCann Worldgroup has won a Government planning brief for sponsorship activation and promotions for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).

National Environment Agency launches a media tender

SINGAPORE - The National Environment Agency (NEA), a statutory board under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, is on the lookout for a media agency to develop a strategy for its anti-littering advertising campaign.

Ian Chapman-Banks appointed as GM at Dell

ASIA-PACIFIC - Ian Chapman-Banks (pictured), former vice-president and general manager of marketing at Motorola, has been appointed as general manager of Dell's Asia-Pacific consumer division.

Mount Faber Leisure Group appoints Interakt to revamp its website

SINGAPORE - Interakt, a full service communications company headquartered in Singapore, has been appointed by Mount Faber Leisure Group to revamp its web presence.

G2 Direct Interactive appoints James Lim as digital strategy director

KUALA LUMPUR - Grey Group Malaysia has appointed James Lim as the digital strategy director of its digital and direct arm G2 Direct Interactive (G2DI).

NTUC Income calls media pitch in Singapore

SINGAPORE - NTUC Income, the Singaporean insurance cooperative, is believed to have launched a media review putting two year incumbent PHD on high alert. The account is believed to be worth an estimated US$4 million.

Bursa Malaysia launches tender for creative business

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia, has launched a tender for its national creative business.

Southeast Asia: Benefits & pitfalls of marketing to the region as a bloc

SOUTHEAST ASIA - With a combined GDP of US$1.5 trillion (2008 figures), a population of 588 million and an advertising market worth an estimated $15 billion, brands and media owners are beginning to view Southeast Asia as an attractive market bloc.

Dentsu Indonesia win Soy Joy account from Ogilvy & Mather

JAKARTA - Dentsu Indonesia has won the creative and media account for Japanese nutrition bar brand Soy Joy following a pitch that involved several agencies including Lowe, Hakuhodo and incumbent Ogilvy & Mather.

Group Edge appoints Birger Linke as group ECD

SOUTHEAST ASIA - Independent agency network, Group Edge, has appointed Birger Linke (pictured), former ECD of TBWA Vietnam, as the group ECD for the network.

GroupM appoints James Chadwick as first dedicated Singapore CEO

SINGAPORE - GroupM Asia-Pacific has promoted James Chadwick (pictured) to the newly created role of GroupM Singapore CEO, effective 1 January 2010.

VIDEO: Lowe Worldwide Chairman Tony Wright announces management changes in Southeast Asia

SOUTHEAST ASIA - Lowe Worldwide will strengthen its Southeast Asia operations with the launch of a management board comprising six senior agency executives, including the newly appointed CEO of Lowe Singapore Marco Milesi.

Universal McCann Malaysia appoints Padma Ramaswamy as associate director

KUALA LUMPUR - Universal McCann (UM) Malaysia has appointed Padma Ramaswamy as associate director of its marketing consultancy service.

Mark Chaves appointed as communications & planning director of Aegis Media Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Aegis Media has appointed Mark Chaves (pictured) as the communications and planning director of its Malaysia operations.

Publicis appoints Peter Gausis to ECD role as Andy Soong departs

KUALA LUMPUR - Publicis Malaysia has appointed Peter Gausis (pictured) to the role of executive creative director as Andy Soong departs the agency after a five year stint. Soong has left the agency to pursue other interests

McCann wins regional activation project for Sony Ericsson

SINGAPORE - McCann Erickson has won a regional below-the-line project for Sony Ericsson following a three-way pitch involving Saatchi Lab and Iris.

TBWA Singapore nets regional Zespri branding brief

SINGAPORE - Zespri, the largest marketer of kiwifruit in the world, has awarded its regional branding brief to TBWA Singapore, concluding a pitch process that started late last year.

Girish Menon to replace Rahul Thappa as leader for Mindshare Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Ashutosh Srivastava, leader Mindshare Asia-Pacific has announced Girish Menon (pictured) will replace Rahul Thappa, the current leader of Mindshare Malaysia, who is leaving the agency to pursue an MBA.

Nestle Malaysia moves Maggi business from Ogilvy to Publicis

SINGAPORE - Nestle Malaysia has moved its Maggi account from Ogilvy & Mather to Publicis in a move that has surprised many in Malaysia.

Singapore Tourism Board rebrands tagline Uniquely Singapore to YourSingapore

SINGAPORE - Singapore Tourism Board, which announced the launch of a new global campaign today at the Tourism Industry Conference, has changed its tagline from Uniquely Singapore to YourSingapore.

Damien Cummings, former GM of Ogilvy Neo, joins Dell as online director

SINGAPORE - Damien Cummings (pictured), the former general manager of Neo@Ogilvy, has joined Dell's small and medium business team as the online director for Asia-Pacific and Japan.

Sony Handycam calls creative pitch in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Sony Handycam is believed to have initiated a creative pitch in Malaysia. Sources suggest that the Japanese electronics giant has called a mix of local and international agencies to pitch for the business.

Osotspa appoints JWT to launch new product in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Thai FMCG Osotspa has appointed JWT to handle the launch of a new product in the Indonesian market.

Indonesian insurance brand Sequis Life appoints Y&R as its creative AOR

JAKARTA - Indonesian insurance brand, PT Asuransi Jiwa Sequislife (Sequis Life), has handed its creative business to Y&R following a five-way pitch.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport launches creative tender

KUALA LUMPUR - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is believed to have launched a creative tender to promote five international airports in Malaysia.

GO Comm wins new accounts in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia based GO Communications has started 2010 with a flurry of new clients including Greenlam, Mark's Place, Mattel, OSIM, Oxford University Press, Slimming Sanctuary and Symantec.

Enfatico to reposition as activation and delivery agency

SINGAPORE - Enfatico, the agency set up by WPP group to service Dell, is in the process of repositioning itself as an activation and delivery agency. Managing director, Harish Vasudevan, explains the move in an exclusive interview with Media.

Asatsu-DK wins NEA's Keep Singapore Clean media strategy business

SINGAPORE - Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA), a statutory board under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, has appointed Asatsu-DK to handle the media strategy for its 'Keep Singapore Clean' campaign after a tender process.

Telkom splits advertising account between Grey/Grey Media and BBDO/OMD in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Telkom, one of Indonesia's biggest telecoms, has split its advertising account between Grey/Grey Media and BBDO/OMD after shortlisting four agency pairs including Hakuhodo/Carat and incumbents Bates/Mindshare.

Industry analysts say SingTel could benefit from new government code

SINGAPORE - Experts in Singapore say that SingTel could gain more out of the Media Market Conduct Code that makes it mandatory for pay-TV operators to share content.

Singapore Government instructs SingTel and StarHub to share content

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Government has announced that pay-TV providers such as SingTel and StarHub will be able to carry exclusive content purchased by another player in a move that is aimed at making such content accessible and cheaper for consumers.

AirAsia rolls out pitch outside Malaysia

REGIONAL - Budget airlines AirAsia is set to review six out of its nine key markets one after the other, following its Malaysian pitch in January.

Indonesia: Brands seek a slice of the lucrative rural market

Rural consumers in Indonesia offer sizeable rewards to brands in the market, but converting them requires a deft touch. Besides FMCG companies like Unilever and Kraft, very few multinational brands have found a footing in Indonesia's rural areas.

SPH Magazines partners Globe Media Group to publish The Peak Indonesia

SINGAPORE - SPH Magazines has inked a licensing agreement with Globe Media Group (Globe Media), to publish The Peak Indonesia.

GAC extends partnership with ESPN Star Sports for FA Cup

SINGAPORE - The GAC Group (GAC), a global shipping and logistics provider, has inked an agreement with ESPN Star Sports (ESS) to extend its broadcast sponsorship of the world's most popular domestic cup competition, England's FA Cup, for the next two seasons until 2011.

Live Issue... Branding battle rages as India's telco market expands

New entrants into the fast-growing telecoms industry are marketing to low-spending users to gain share.

Kinetic Worldwide promotes Alex Thompson; appoints new Asia CEO

GLOBAL - Kinetic has promoted Alex Thompson (pictured), currently CEO of Asia-Pacific, to the newly created role of global head of business development. Chris O'Donnell will take over the role of CEO Asia-Pacific.

IPG's Bozell Worldwide to shut down in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - IPG-owned Bozell Worldwide, which has been present in the country for 50 years, will close its doors this December, marking the end of the Bozell network globally.

Coty reappoints JWT to Rimmel London business

GLOBAL - International cosmetics company Coty has reappointed JWT to its Rimmel London account, beating off competition from Fallon London and New York-based Laird & Partners.

Profile... CEO sets out to refashion Mediabrands in Asia

Ruth Stubbs plays down her digital background, but her appointment is a statement of intent.

Profile... Jetstar's Chong heightens customer experience

The budget airline's CEO has found that the recession has brought her airline new opportunities.

Nestle calls creative pitch for Bear Brand

JAKARTA - Nestle Indonesia is believed to have called a creative pitch for its milk product Brand.

India moves to curb food advertising

NEW DELHI - Advertising regulation is in the news again as India's Ministry of Health & Family begins instituting new regulations for food and beverage companies.

AIA poised to call Asia media review

ASIA-PACIFIC - American International Assurance (AIA) is set to pitch its regional media account.

Procter & Gamble's Sam King on leading a billion Asians to market

The Korean marketer has a massive challenge ahead of him, but he'd prefer to view it as a massive opportunity.

Unilever consolidates global Clear account into Lowe Singapore

SINGAPORE - Lowe Singapore, which has witnessed a major revamp following the shift of Unilever's Asia-Pacific headquarters to the city state, has been handed the global account for the FMCG giant's anti-dandruff shampoo brand Clear.

Nokia reshuffles global marketing team as Chris Leong takes China role

SINGAPORE - Finnish mobile giant Nokia has announced a senior-level marketing overhaul, with Chris Leong, the brand's global marketing chief, set to take over as head of the Nokia Greater China, Japan and Korea sales unit.

Profile: Nokia marketing boss Loren Shuster

After 15 years in Asia, the senior vice-president of Marketing at Nokia departs for Finland to take on a global marketing remit.

Emmanuel Alix joins InMobi as VP and MD for Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE - Emmanule Allix (pictured), the former MD of Pudding Media, has joined mobile ad network InMobi, as vice-president and managing director for Asia-Pacific.

Sime Darby calls creative pitch in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Sime Darby, one of Malaysia's biggest multinational conglomerates, is believed to have issued a tender for the creative business of its food division, Sime Darby Food.

Olivier Altmann appointed chief creative officer of Publicis Worldwide

PARIS - Publicis Worldwide has promoted Olivier Altmann (pictured), the executive creative director of Publicis Conseil, to the newly created position of chief creative officer Publicis Worldwide.

Carat Singapore appoints Fiona Sim as client service director

SINGAPORE - Aegis Media has appointed Fiona Sim (pictured) as client service director for Carat in Singapore.

Media Contacts appoints Sandrine Critchley as digital strategy director

SYDNEY - Digital media agency Media Contacts, sister agency to MPG, has appointed Sandrine Critchley to the newly created position of digital strategy director.

PHD Australia launches performance marketing group

SYDNEY- PHD Australia has created a new department called performance marketing group which will be led by online strategist Ali Parsyar (pictured).

CNBC's regional comms manager to join Mediabrands

ASIA-PACIFIC - Reena Kumarasingham (pictured), regional communications manager of CNBC Asia, is set to join IPG's Mediabrands in the newly created role of regional PR and communications manager.

Neal Estavillo departs Milk+Co as Chong Wei-Hsiang takes over as acting CEO

KUALA LUMPUR - Milk+Co has announced the appointment of Chong Wei-Hsiang (pictured right) as its acting CEO of the agency with the departure of Neal Estavillo, who has led the agency since September 2007.

Bank OCBC Nisp appoints a Dwi Sapta for US$4 million media business

JAKARTA - Bank OCBC Nisp, one of the larger banks in Indonesia, is believed to have appointed local agency Dwi Sapta to its account after a four-way pitch that involved DN Pratama, CS Media and Zenith Optimedia.

Zee TV appoints MEC as media AOR

MUMBAI - MEC has been awarded the Zee Entertainment account following a media review.

Mazda hires UP BrandBuzz after seven-way pitch

SINGAPORE - UP BrandBuzz has won Mazda Motors' creative account after a seven way pitch that involved Iris, Redcard, Kult, Religion and long-time incumbent JWT.

Grey Kuala Lumpur wins DSG account

KUALA LUMPUR - Thai baby and adult diaper company Disposable Soft Goods (DSG) Malaysia has appointed Grey Kuala Lumpur to strategise brand growth of its PetPet baby diaper brand as well as adult diaper products.

XL Axiata calls creative pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Indonesian mobile operator Excelcomindo Pratama (XL), which officially changed it name to XL Axiata in December 2009, is believed to have called a creative pitch for what sources claim to be a "big-sized project".

Ali Shabaz joins Grey as chief creative officer of Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand

SINGAPORE - Ali Shabaz (pictured) has been appointed to the newly-created position of chief creative officer of Grey Group Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand with immediate effect.

Live Issue... MNCs still keen on emerging markets despite downturn

Overseas brands have stepped up their focus on Vietnam, Pakistan and Bangladesh in search of growth.

Unilever appoints Euro RSCG as first global digital roster agency

GLOBAL - Havas Worldwide's Euro RSCG has been named to Unilever's first global digital roster.

Ogilvy Malaysia makes senior appointments

KUALA LUMPUR - Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia has appointed Elly Puyat and Mahesh Neelakantan as the new managing directors of OgilvyOne and OgilvyAction respectively.

Rebecca Yen appointed to lead Mediabrands Taiwan

TAIWAN - Rebecca Yen (pictured) has been appointed to the newly created position of managing director of Mediabrands Taiwan.

Spring Singapore appoints Mediabrands to media account

SINGAPORE - Spring Singapore, the local enterprise development agency, is believed to have handed its media account estimated to be worth US$1.4 million to IPG's Mediabrands.

AirAsia set to review regional media account

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia-based budget carrier AirAsia is set to pitch its regional media business.

Thai media agencies to charge pitch fees

BANGKOK - Media agencies in Thailand will start charging pitching fees to cover costs they have incurred during the review process. The fees come into force from January 2010.

Clear Channel Singapore's managing director Telly Tan resigns

SINGAPORE - Clear Channel Singapore has announced the resignation of its managing director Telly Tan.

SingTel and StarHub negotiate 2010 rights with FIFA

SINGAPORE - SingTel and StarHub have released a joint statement about their negotiations with FIFA and their aim to bring the World Cup 2010 to Singapore at an affordable price.

iris names Cox as head of business development for APAC

SINGAPORE - Integrated marketing agency iris has appointed Rebecca Cox (pictured) to the newly created role of head of business development for Asia-Pacific.

MediaCorp to discontinue TVMobile service

SINGAPORE - MediaCorp will discontinue TVMobile (TVM), its free-to-air mobile digital television broadcast service, on 1 January 2010.

Y&R appoints Tarun Dhawan and Travis Sorge to head Vietnam operations

HO CHI MINH CITY - Y&R has announced a new management team for its Vietnam operations with the appointments of Tarun Dhawan (pictured left) as managing director and Travis Sorge (right) as executive creative director.

RS launches two free channels in Thailand

BANGKOK - RS, Thailand's second biggest media conglomerate, has launched two satellite-based television channels. The channels will be aired 24 hours a day and primarily focus on musical and family entertainment.

Seema Rajarathnam joins Rediffusion Y&R Public Relations

MUMBAI - Rediffusion Y&R has appointed Seema Rajarathnam as general manager based out of the company's Bangalore office.

Emirates shortlists WPP and VCCP for US$300 million global creative business

GLOBAL - Dubai-based airline Emirates has selected two agency groups including WPP and VCCP (part of Chime Communications) to proceed to the next stage of its creative pitch.

Nippon Paint tipped to pitch creative account in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Japanese brand Nippon Paint is set to pitch its creative account in Indonesia. It is believed that the brand is already in discussions with agencies, but is yet to announce a formal pitch.

Slow growth in campaigns built around music points to lack of cooperation between the two sides.

SINGAPORE - Music Matters Advertising Forum held last year finds that agencies and music companies must work harder together to unleash the potential of the sector.

Great Eastern calls a creative pitch in Malaysia as JWT resigns account

KUALA LUMPUR - Insurance brand Great Eastern is believed to have called a creative pitch for one of its products in Malaysia following its agency-of-record JWT's decision to resign the creative business.

Marc Ha to take on a regional role at Text 100

SINGAPORE - Marc Ha (pictured), the managing consultant of Text 100 Singapore, has been promoted to the role of Asean director, effective 1 February, in a series of promotions and appointment in Southeast Asia.

Lowe relocates Ng Tian It to Singapore as CCO, hires Norman Tan as CCO China

ASIA PACIFIC - Lowe has strengthened its creative heads in the key Asean and China markets relocating Ng Tian It (pictured) from Shanghai to Singapore and hiring Norman Tan as chief creative officer for China.

The Park Hotel appoints Wieden+Kennedy for two new properties

NEW DELHI - Wieden+Kennedy (W+K) Delhi has been hired by The Park Hotel for overall brand development and the launch of its two new properties called The Park, Hyderabad and Apsara cruiser and The Park on Vembanad Lake.

DBS appoints SingTel's Melvin Lim as marketing director

SINGAPORE - DBS has appointed Melvin Lim to the newly created role of marketing director. Lim was previously deputy director for segment marketing at SingTel.

Samsung hands creative business to Leo Burnett in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Samsung has handed its creative account to Leo Burnett following a four-way pitch that involved BBDO, McCann Erickson and Ogilvy & Mather.

TBWA Singapore hires Mindshare's Brent Tollman as planning director

SINGAPORE - TBWA Singapore has appointed Brent Tollman as planning director.

Nojorono shortlists three agencies for Minak Djinggo brand

JAKARTA - Indonesian cigarette maker, Nojorono Tobacco International (NTI), has shortlisted three agencies including JWT, Publicis and incumbent Diptra as part of a pitch for its Minak Djinggo brand.

Singapore Press Holdings expands advertising opportunities for businesses

SINGAPORE - Singapore Press Holdings' subsidiary SPH Search has launched contextual advertising network, Rednano CAN, through a partnership between its local search and directory engine rednano.sg and premium business sites.

Y&R strengthens creative team, appoints Nils Andersson as regional head of art

ASIA-PACIFIC - Y&R Asia-Pacific has strengthened its creative team with a number of new appointments and promotions in the region.

Media talks to James Chadwick about old rivalries and bringing agency talent together.

Group M's new Singapore chief wants to put aside old rivalries and consolidate media expertise.

Mediaring appoints agencies

SINGAPORE - MediaRing has announced the appointment of its public relations, creative and web agencies for 2010.

Mediacorp bids for four key matches at FIFA

SINGAPORE - In a last ditch effort to bring the 2010 FIFA World Cup to Singapore, national broadcaster Mediacorp has bid for the rights of four key matches.

Indonesian telco Axis hands over creative business to Coleman Handoko

JAKARTA - Indonesian telco Axis has appointed local agency Coleman Handoko to handle its creative business after a pitch process that involved Publicis, McCann, JWT and BBDO among others.

Tesco calls a creative pitch in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Tesco Stores Malaysia is believed to be on the look out for a creative agency for a project to promote a newly launched supermarket in the capital.

Telkom shortlists four agency pairs; Euro RSCG and MPG decline the pitch

JAKARTA - Telkom (PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia) is believed to have shortlisted four agency pairs, including Hakuhodo and Carat, Grey and Grey Media, BBDO and OMD and incumbents Bates and Mindshare.

Mark Ingrouille emerges as CEO of Publicis Thailand and Asia-Pacific director of business development

BANGKOK - Mark Ingrouille (pictured), the former Southeast Asia area director of McCann Worldgroup, has joined Publicis as the CEO of its Thailand operations and Asia-Pacific director of business development.

Adfest postponed, organisers attribute decision to political turmoil

BANGKOK - Adfest 2010, which was slated to be held in Pattaya from 18 to 20 March, has been postponed with organisers citing the "difficult political situation" as the primary reason.

Singapore Customs calls a media pitch for anti-contraband cigarettes campaign

SINGAPORE - Singapore Customs is believed to be on the lookout for an advertising agency for its anti-contraband cigarettes campaign.

AirAsia invites four agencies to pitch for regional media business

KUALA LUMPUR - AirAsia has invited Mindshare, Zenith Media, MPG and incumbent Carat to pitch for its regional account as part of a media review announced in December,.

SIM shortlist three agencies for its media business

SINGAPORE - Singapore Institute of Management (SIM Group) is believed to have shortlisted three agencies to pitch for its media business. Agencies believed to have made it on the shortlist are Maxus, MPG and Initiative. It is not clear whether incumbent PHD has made it to the shortlist.

Unilever hands brand activation account for Pepsodent to Oze

JAKARTA - Unilever has handed a brand activation project for its Pepsodent toothpaste brand to local shop Oze after a five-way pitch, which included Ogilvy Action and Satu Atap.

The Brand Union Singapore to handle branding for Super Coffeemix

SINGAPORE - The Brand Union Singapore has been appointed by food and beverage company, Super Coffeemix, to handle its branding programme, following a competitive pitch.

CNBC Asia Pacific promotes Jacqueline Lam to VP of marketing and distribution

SINGAPORE - CNBC Asia Pacific has announced the promotion of Jacqueline Lam (pictured) to vice president of marketing and distribution effective immediately.

CNBC Asia-Pacific appoints Junji Sumitani as VP of ad sales

SINGAPORE - CNBC Asia-Pacific has announced the appointment of Junji Sumitani (pictured) as vice-president of advertising sales.

BBDO/Proximity wins Guinness activation pitch

SINGAPORE - BBDO/Proximity Singapore has been appointed by Asia-Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS) to conceptualise, develop and execute an island-wide activation program for Guinness beating out the competition in a three way pitch process that started back in January.

Singapore Sports Council hands branding business for SSI to Futurebrand

SINGAPORE - Singapore Sports Council (SSC), a government body tasked with developing sports in Singapore, has handed its branding brief for the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) to Futurebrand following a tender process that involved multiple agencies.

Asiya Bakht