Independent digital marketing agency AnalogFolk has opened an office in Hong Kong, appointing Chris Ryan and Harry Llufrio to lead its first offering in Asia.
Hong Kong expands AnalogFolk’s global presence, with existing offices in London, New York, Portland and Sydney.
Ryan joins AnalogFolk as managing director and Partner – Asia, with Llufrio hired as creative UX director and partner – Asia. Both Ryan and Llufrio will be responsible for establishing a strong AnalogFolk offering in Hong Kong and servicing clients from across the region.
AnalogFolk Hong Kong will work in close collaboration with the wider agency, leveraging its diverse talent and capabilities to service a growing global client list. The office will specialise in the development of innovative interactive platforms and experiences to boost greater customer engagement for its clients. It will largely concentrate on Design and User Experience, as well as the understanding of customer behaviours in the digital space.
Ryan has over 20 years of marketing agency experience from across Europe and Asia, and 15 years working specifically in digital. He was most recently the executive director of international clients at Isobar APAC, where he focused on strengthening the agency’s regional business. Prior to this he was the CEO of Isobar Hong Kong, where he also led all Aegis Media services in the market, incorporating Carat, iProspect and Isobar. During his career he has worked across a plethora of brands and disciplines, working on businesses including Kellogg’s, Lloyds TSB, Travelex, SEGA, Philips and Pernod Ricard.
Llufrio joins AnalogFolk from LoweProfero, where he was experience design director, SE Asia, and worked on major accounts in the region as well as establishing strong UX capabilities. Prior to that, he worked as UX Lead for Isobar Hong Kong. He has over 18 years experience developing award-winning digital platforms, products and communications for clients such as Emirates, Disney, AIA, Peninsula Hotels, Asics and DFS. Llufrio also teaches UX Design at General Assembly Hong Kong to the next generation of entrepreneurs and designers moving into the digital arena.
AnalogFolk has created standout platforms, content and campaigns for global clients such as Pernod Ricard brands, Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal and Malibu, as well as The a2 Milk Company and AkzoNobel.
The agency was founded in London in 2008 by Bill Brock and Matt Dyke. AnalogFolk opened in Sydney in 2011, where B&T named the office ‘Emerging Agency of the Year’ the following year. In 2013, AnalogFolk opened in New York and earlier this year boosted the US offering through the opening of a Portland office.
Bill Brock, founder and chief executive officer of AnalogFolk, said: “We are thrilled to be extending AnalogFolk into the vibrant Hong Kong market. It is an incredibly exciting and important milestone for us. In Chris and Harry we have fantastic partners who not only have unrivalled experience of the digital landscape and consumer complexities throughout Asia, but also truly embody our unique agency culture.”
Chris Ryan, the newly appointed managing director and partner – Asia, commented: “AnalogFolk have been game changers in every market they have appeared in. They are an exciting, energetic, and progressive digital agency with an enduring start-up mentality. The interest in our office – even before doors opened – has been very high, helped partly by the high level of respect clients have for them elsewhere. We look forward to repeating AnalogFolk success in Asia.”
Harry Llufrio, the newly appointed creative UX Director and partner – Asia, added:“With the rapid growth of the Asia market, there’s an increasing awareness and demand for world class digital experiences, and a hunger for UX & Design expertise to create them. AnalogFolk have excelled in this discipline for their clients in many markets, raising standards and expectations, by creating innovative and solid experiences. Joining them and extending this offering into Asia as AnalogFolk feels like a natural evolution, and one I am very excited to be part of.”
AnalogFolk Sydney partner and MD Matt Robinson added: “More Australian-based clients are looking to us for help with their expansion in Asia and while we have successfully managed that from Sydney before, we now have a sister agency on the ground we can collaborate with. We work closely with all our offices around the world and we’re looking forward to doing the same with Chris and Harry to help develop our clients businesses in the fast growing APAC region.”
Picture left to right: Chris Ryan and Harry Llufrio
