Sydney-based creative agency Host has announced the launch of its Singapore office with shops in Shanghai and San Francisco also on the horizon.
Dan Gibson (pictured middle), former managing director of Ogilvy Advertising Singapore, will lead the new agency, which counts Coca-Cola and Tourism Western Australia among its fist clients, as MD.
Anthony Freedman (pictured right), founder and regional chief executive of Host, said Singapore will be the first of several regional hubs for the Havas-owned agency.
“We see the world from a different perspective because we started life in Sydney. We believe we can build a unique Pan-Pacific business, spanning the world’s biggest economy in the US, across the region to the world’s fastest growing economy in China,” Freedman said.
“Our vision is for a true micro-network of hub offices, fluid and inter-connected in San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore and Shanghai, providing a regional presence across North America, Australasia, South East Asia and Greater China. And our partnership with Havas Worldwide will allow our hub offices to distribute campaigns through a network of multiple offices spanning 47 cities within our regional footprint.”
As a result of the expansion Olly Taylor has been promoted to regional chief strategy officer and Host Sydney’s MD Suzie Shaw has been promoted to Sydney CEO.
Laura Aldington will return to Sydney as head of account management after two years at Anomaly New York while BBH veteran Paul Ward (pictured left) joins as regional chief operating officer.
Freedman will oversee Sydney, Singapore and future expansions as regional CEO and will continue to oversea PR agency, One Green Bean.