Omnicom's BBDO Invests in China's Shunya Communications Group
BEIJING, Jan. 6 - Omnicom Group, the world's leading advertising and marketing services company, is taking a significant minority stake in China's Shunya Communications Group through BBDO. Shunya is one of China's leading integrated communications companies. The investment by BBDO represents a further strengthening of Omnicom's position in China's dynamic communications industry.
Omnicom Group Inc. ("Omnicom") (NYSE:OMC) today announced a significant minority investment in China's Shunya Communications Group ("Shunya") through BBDO. Under the agreement, Shunya's four principal operating agencies -- Shunya International Ad Inc., Shunya Profuture Events Marketing Inc., Shunya International PR Inc. and Shunya PR Inc. -- will, subject to final regulatory approval, become a part of Omnicom's BBDO, Proximity, Porter Novelli and Pleon respectively.
Michael Birkin, Omnicom's Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO Asia Pacific, said, "Shunya is well recognized as a leading creative agency and certainly the strongest integrated communications group in China. For all our clients, having such a powerful resource in the Omnicom Group in China is great news."
Andrew Robertson, CEO of BBDO Worldwide, said, "China is vitally important to all of our worldwide clients. BBDO always commits to have a disproportionate share of talent available to our clients in every market. Our partnership with Shunya in China reflects that commitment." Mr. Robertson noted that over the past year, BBDO has significantly expanded its presence in China, adding new clients to an already substantial roster and winning the most awards of any agency on the mainland at the prestigious Long Xi TV and Radio competition.
Shunya's founder and Chairman, David Zhang, commented, "Since the establishment of Shunya in 1999, we have grown exponentially. The partnership with Omnicom will take us to yet another level through our investment in talent development, client experience and business innovation. We are particularly excited to be associated with the outstanding creative reputations of BBDO, Proximity, Porter Novelli and Pleon."
Serge Dumont, Omnicom's Senior Vice President and President Asia Pacific, said, "The pace of development of China's advertising and communications industry over the last few years has been nothing less than remarkable, and we have witnessed the emergence of significant Chinese communications groups, such as Shunya. This partnership is particularly meaningful as top-quality marketing and communications services become increasingly important for multinational companies in China and Chinese companies expanding abroad. It also allows BBDO, Proximity, Porter Novelli and Pleon to tap into Shunya's comprehensive network in China's interior provinces, which are a key priority to our clients."
About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, 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.
About Shunya Communications Group
Founded in 1999, Shunya is known as one of the leading integrated communications groups in the Chinese market. Shunya provides professional business communications services in advertising, public relations, event management, marketing services and interactive business. Shunya is headquartered in Beijing with branch offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu with nearly 500 professionals.
About BBDO
BBDO Worldwide, a member of Omnicom Group Inc., has 287 offices in 79 countries. BBDO develops and executes marketing and communications plans for some of the world's best known brands. In 2007, BBDO was named the winner of The Gunn Report as the most awarded agency network in the world for the second year in a row, and was named the first ever "Network of the Year" at Cannes. BBDO was also the winner of the Won Report, as the most awarded agency network in direct and interactive.
BBDO Asia Pacific (www.bbdoasia.com), part of BBDO Worldwide, operates in 14 countries throughout Asia. From 2004 to 2006, BBDO Asia Pacific won Campaign Brief Agency of the year, and was the most awarded agency for print and TV at Adfest in 2006.
About Pleon
Pleon (www.pleon.com) is Europe's leading international consulting firm, creating and implementing strategies for private and public sector organizations around the world. With a deep understanding of business, politics and communications, Pleon is uniquely placed to devise compelling solutions that deliver measurable and tangible results. Blending the best of local market knowledge and leadership with global resources and best practice, Pleon provides a one-stop resource for communications in Europe. Pleon was named 'European Agency of the Year' according to the Holmes Report 2008. The agency has 31 branded offices in 15 European countries and associate agencies in 14 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Pleon is part of the Brodeur/Pleon Worldwide network with a presence throughout the United States, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
About Porter Novelli
Porter Novelli is one of the world's leading public relations agencies and is represented in all major markets. With a focus on effective stakeholder communications and adopting a holistic, media-neutral approach, Porter Novelli develops public relations programs that deliver value and impact to its clients' business. Porter Novelli was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1972.
About Proximity
Proximity Asia (www.proximityasia.com) is a leading direct and promotional marketing and corporate communications company of BBDO Worldwide. As a leader in direct, digital, promotional, and live marketing, Proximity Asia provides award-winning communications solutions in more than 8 countries throughout Asia. Proximity was ranked No. 1 CRM agency in the world by The Won Report for two consecutive years, 2004-2005.
FCMN Contact: megan.hofer@ddb.com
Source: Omnicom Group Inc.
CONTACT: Pat Sloan, +1-212-415-2109,
or Velvet Yoshinami,
+81 90 8561 0978, both for Omnicom Group Inc.
Web site: http://www.omnicomgroup.com/
http://www.bbdoasia.com/
