ASIA-PACIFIC – JANUARY 2011 – Global marketing intelligence service Warc has opened its new office in Singapore as part of its international expansion. Warc is headquartered in London, with an office in Washington DC.
Headed by Edward Pank, former managing director of Bates 141 in Singapore, Warc has developed a significant client base in the region, with more than 100 clients, including Pepsi, Standard Chartered, JWT and Times of India.
Pank, who brings over 16 years of experience of working in advertising agencies in both Europe and Asia to his new role, said: “By physically locating the office in Singapore, we hope to bring the unique benefits of Warc to more of the marketing community across the region. The rich information contained within warc.com can really help brands and businesses in Asia achieve sustained growth and do so in a way that is differentiated from their competitors."
Rufus Olins, Chief Executive of Warc, said: “It is difficult to over-estimate the importance of the region and its impact on the rest of the world. Our office in Singapore will mean we can support our customers better while we continue to expand. We are delighted that Ed has joined us.”
As part of its ongoing investment in Asia, Warc has also launched the Warc Prize for Asian Strategy, the first competition to focus on communications strategy within Asian markets.
Warc has now revealed the eight senior clients and six global strategy experts on the judging panel for the US$5,000 Warc Prize for Asian Strategy. The final line-up is:
• P. Miles Young (Prize Chairman), Chief Executive Officer, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide
• James Best, former Chief People & Strategy Officer, DDB Worldwide
• Kevin Brown, Global Director of Engagement Planning, BBH
• Mike Cooper, Worldwide CEO, PHD
• Reynold D’Silva, Global Brand Director, Pond’s (Unilever)
• Brendan Inns, Vice President – Brand Communications, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
• Gareth Kay, Director of Brand Strategy, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
• Jean Lin, CEO, Isobar Asia-Pacific; Global Chief Strategy Officer, Isobar Global
• Mark Luce, Commercial Director, SABMiller Asia
• Julie Lyle, Chief Marketing Officer, Prudential Corporation Asia
• Ian Stewart, Marketing Director, Asia, Converse
• Seck Wee Tan, Strategic Business Group Director, Digital Capture and Devices, Asia- Pacific Region; Vice-President, Consumer Digital Group, Eastman Kodak
• Sumeet Vohra, General Manager, Asia Marketing, Procter & Gamble
• Shawn Warren, Vice President Marketing, Asia-Pacific, Kraft
The Prize is free to enter, and is open to brand owners and agencies in any discipline. The deadline for entries is 18 March 2011 and the winner will be announced in May. To find out more about the Prize, visit www.warc.com/asiaprize.
