SINGAPORE – October 17, 2013 – Following the launch of consumer activation division Always, JWT Singapore has appointed Sanjiv Sharma as the division’s managing director, and Anand Kumar as its general manager.
Both Sharma and Kumar were part of a regional shopper and field marketing agency before joining JWT Always. Between them, they have over 15 years of experience in shopper and field marketing.
Both of them will report to JWT Singapore CEO Frank Bauer.
"The retail environment is the final front of a brand’s strategic battle with their competitors, and you can imagine how cluttered that can appear to a shopper. The brand that best understands that dynamic and deploys the most novel, cut-through and simple solution wins," said Sharma. "That’s what we’ll deliver through JWT Always."
Part of JWT’s regional expansion
JWT Always is a full-service shopper, retail marketing, and consumer activation division of JWT Singapore, launched by JWT and Always, China’s largest field and activation company.
JWT Always will sit within JWT Singapore’s office, and will offer shopper marketing and retail audit, activation strategy, road show/ event and other field marketing services, all of which are designed to drive bottom-line results for brands.
The Singapore collaboration is part of Always’ regional expansion. Owned by JWT, its international clients in China include Unilever, Ferrero, Nokia, J&J, Pfizer, Intel, Microsoft, and VISA. Always and JWT set up operations in Taiwan in May, and will extend services in other Southeast Asian markets through the operation in Singapore.
"We face amazing growth of an affluent and very informed, new consumer base and our multinational clients operating in Singapore and across Southeast Asia want strong brand ideas and consistent, integrated engagement solutions in one shop," Bauer said.
Meanwhile, Always founder and chairman Cai Hua said "Always is the unrivaled leader in China, and I’m excited to extend that expertise and service range to other Asian markets. Singapore is a sophisticated and highly competitive market, and the services we offer with JWT Singapore will give brands a critical edge in that last mile–the point of purchase."
"The inauguration of JWT Always in Singapore is an important step in expanding JWT’s ability to translate creative ideas into on-the-ground behavior that drives sales," said JWT Asia Pacific CEO Tom Doctoroff.
(in photo L-R: Frank Bauer, Anand Kumar, Sanjiv Sharma)
