Omnicom Acquires Leading Healthcare Marketing Communications Firm in China
Acquisition of Consultech Strengthens Omnicom's Presence in China's Growing Healthcare Market
BEIJING, Sept. 3 /-- Omnicom Group Inc. ("Omnicom") (NYSE:OMC), the leading global advertising and marketing services group, has acquired, through its Diversified Agency Services division ("DAS"), a majority ownership interest in Consultech, a leading healthcare market consulting and marketing communications company based in China.
With offices in Beijing and Shanghai, Consultech offers a wide range of marketing services to multinational and local healthcare companies covering strategic consulting, marketing research, marketing communications and advertising. Consultech's clients include Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Xian- Janssen, Ipsen and China Resources Corp.
"Through Consultech joining Omnicom, we have strengthened our ability to deliver a full scope of services to our healthcare clients in China," said David Stark, President & CEO of DAS Asia-Pacific Healthcare. "During 2007 we have already seen strong growth in our healthcare footprint in China through our association with Consultech. Moreover, Consultech's solid healthcare credentials and know-how are helping other Omnicom networks in China deliver their own specialized marketing services to healthcare clients. The formalization of our relationship can only help speed our total growth," added Stark.
Jiang Song, Managing Director of Consultech, said, "Our decision to join Omnicom opens a new era of development for us. Our deep understanding of the Chinese healthcare market and extensive experience in consulting and marketing communications combined with Omnicom's global resources and networks further enhances Consultech's ability to provide the best services to healthcare companies in China."
"Over the last three years, there has been a growing consensus between the global and regional management of pharmaceutical companies on the importance of bringing best practices in healthcare marketing communications to the local marketing and product management teams. Many healthcare marketers in China tell me that they are looking to implement best practices and need the know- how and leadership that Omnicom companies can provide. For many years, we have successfully demonstrated our ability to deliver such leading services in many Asia Pacific markets (notably Japan), and we are particularly excited about the huge China opportunity," observed David Stark.
"China's rapidly growing healthcare market is a key strategic focus for Omnicom," said Thomas Harrison, Chairman and CEO of DAS. "The addition of Consultech is particularly important as it adds substantial scale and reach to meet the increasing needs of our healthcare clients in China."
About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
Omnicom comprises the industry's most award-winning advertising brands, BBDO, DDB, and TBWA, specialist media-buying companies OMD and PHD, and the Diversified Agency Services group ("DAS"), which is itself comprised of more than 160 companies operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations in the fields of Customer Relationship Management; Public Relations and Specialty Communications including Healthcare. DAS companies serve international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.
DAS has over many years built the most influential global healthcare communications practice represented by specialist agencies such as Cline Davis & Mann, LyonHeart, Corbett Accel Healthcare Group, Harrison & Star, KPR, Adelphi Group and, in Europe and Asia, Targis.
Targis has experienced strong growth over the last 10 years. Its main clients include Pfizer, Wyeth, Johnson & Johnson, Mundipharma, Schering-Plough and Novartis. Targis handles more of the world's top brands in Japan than any other agency. Brands launched include Lipitor, Enbrel, Plavix and the re- launch of Norvasc.
For further information on Omnicom and its brands, please visit http://www.omnicomgroup.com/.
About Consultech
Consultech, established in 1995, is one of the leading Healthcare Consulting and Marketing Communications companies in China with offices in Beijing and Shanghai. It enables its clients to grow by integrating local insights with international practices. The company helps clients achieve business success in China by providing the highest level of strategic thinking and integrated services in market research, strategic planning & consultancy, marketing communications and advertising.
Consultech works with major multinational companies and local Chinese companies. Its clients include Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Xian-Janssen, Ipsen and China Resources Corp.
For more information on Consultech, please visit www.consultech.com.cn/ or contact jiangs@consultech.com.cn.
FCMN Contact: megan.hofer@ddb.com
Source: Omnicom Group Inc.
CONTACT: Velvet Yoshinami, +81-90-8561-0978, or Pat Sloan,
+1-212-415-2109, both of Omnicom Group Inc.
Web site: http://www.omnicomgroup.com/
http://www.consultech.com.cn/
