Ogilvy creates regional hub in integration drive

Led by Paul Heath, president of Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Asia-Pacific, the initiative positions Hong Kong as the Ogilvy network’s third largest office, after mainland China and India.

It follows the success of the network’s Beijing operation, which, under the leadership of Shenan Chuang, has driven collaboration between disciplines and was awarded Media's Office of the Year in 2006.

As part of the restructuring, Joseph Wang, Shanghai and Southern China chairman and CEO, shifts to a vice-chairman role, leading the Disney and Tudor accounts.

Royce Yuen, meanwhile, has been promoted to a country-level role as group chairman and former OgilvyOne executive Adam O'Conor has been appointed MD. Gladys Wong, meanwhile, has been named general manager. 

“Our business in Hong Kong has been enjoying strong growth and we are proud to have turned from ‘importer’ to ‘exporter’ as campaigns developed by our Hong Kong teams have been exported around the region and the world for clients like Unilever (Pond’s and Dove), Coca-Cola (Sprite), Motorola and Prudential,” said Heath.

“The integration of our regional and local teams allows us to bring the best of Ogilvy’s talent to focus on growing our clients’ business. We also believe it is good news for Hong Kong and our industry here as it demonstrates the leading role the Hong Kong SAR has and is playing as a creative and cultural centre on the world stage.”

Heath added that the integration would enable Ogilvy to pursue sizable regional businesses from Hong Kong.

The move follows the installment of a regional leadership team that saw Heath take charge of Ogilvy Advertising (Media, 16 December 2005).