GLOBAL – NEW YORK / BEIJING/SINGAPORE, JUNE 17, 2011– Omnicom Group Inc. has formed Omnicom Greater China, a new business unit with executive headquarters in Beijing, to support the group’s rapidly expanding interests in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Omnicom Group operates more than 40 agencies in 30 locations, with coverage in more than 130 cities in the Greater China area. Four of Omnicom’s global agency brands in Greater China already have their management organized on a regional basis.
“This move reflects the region’s strategic importance to Omnicom as our client base in Greater China continues its rapid expansion,” said Omnicom CEO John Wren.
Leading the new unit will be 30-year China veteran Serge Dumont (pictured), who has been named Vice Chairman of Omnicom Group, reporting to Wren.
“Omnicom’s Greater China business has grown dramatically in recent years and the holding company now has companies in China representing every major marketing and communications discipline, including advertising, media buying and planning, public relations, customer relationship management, field marketing, and other specialty communications. Having a dedicated Greater China business structure will enhance our ability to help Chinese and multinational clients maximize global marketing and brand-building opportunities,” Dumont said.
Wren added, “Both the formal and informal collaboration mechanisms of Omnicom companies have become critical points of competitive differentiation for us. Other differentiators have been Omnicom’s commitment to talent, education and digital, all of which Omnicom’s new structure in Greater China will further enhance. Beyond an increased focus on acquisitions in digital, Omnicom is extending digital training to ensure that employees keep pace with the technological changes that are reshaping our industry. This investment in our people is consistent with a wider digital strategy, and it is one reason for our growth in Greater China."
