KBS Shanghai
KBS officially opened its doors in Shanghai this week, marking its formal entry into the Chinese market. The new office is led by Douglas Lin, partner and CEO, and Jonathan Ip, partner and chief creative officer. KBS has already begun work in China with existing agency clients, and will also work to help companies across Asia Pacific to expand regionally and internationally. Lin has brought on eight full-time employees who are experts across various fields including creative, technology, social, PR and finance, with the eventual goal to have upwards of 20 employees by the end of 2015, with a strong focus on growing the client roster in the region.
KBS officially opened its doors in Shanghai this week
Lin said that KBS “Believe in the power of invention and the exponential ROI that results from creating true marketing firsts.” They have “Put that philosophy into action and brought a more modern approach to the APAC market,” enabling them to help brands grow in China and around the globe. Guy Hayward, global CEO of KBS, said that have “Already discovered that there are a lot of opportunities” because clients are demanding their seamless, modern approach to communications in China “Just as much as they are in other parts of the world.” Along with the opening of the office, KBS has also introduced its Chinese brand name and logo 事话 (Shihua). These are Characters that reflect the agency's ‘do things that matter’ positioning according to Ip, who said they based the design of the logo “On the traditional Chinese stamp, and believe that together this logo “Represents their belief in a Chinese culture-specific interpretation.
Exile
Executive producer CL Weaver and award-winning editors Kirk Baxter, Eric Zumbrunnen, and Matt Murphy have joined forces to launch the post-production boutique Exile in Santa Monica. “Foxcatcher” editor Conor O’Neill and versatile editor Paul Kumpata round out an all-star roster, with collective credits including major feature films, documentaries and award-winning spots for a host of big brands.
CL Weaver, Kirk Baxter, Eric Zumbrunnen, and Matt Murphy have joined forces to launch the post-production boutique Exile in Santa Monica
Exile has already collaborated with such noted directors as David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Lance Acord, and Andreas Nilsson, along with top agencies such as BBDO, W+K, Droga5, and TBWA\Chiat\Day. Baxter says the Exile business model is simple; they are “A group of editors that love editing,” that plans on continuing to offer their best efforts to those they have supported for years, “As well as hopefully making a few new friends along the way.”
Semaphore
The Semaphore London agency was launched last week by Liam Fay-Fright and Aaron Cole, former PR director and business director (respectively) for Mother. Semaphore promises to blend the agility of PR with the content abilities of a top ad agency, and has launched without investment, with the duo instead opting for independence by bankrolling the launch themselves. This was made significantly easier by securing commitments from the agency’s founding clients, which include D&AD, the digital shop rehabstudio and ad agency Anomaly. In addition to his work at Mother, Fay-Fright was a senior communications manager at D&AD, whilst Cole has worked as a business director at The Corner, Fallon and TMW.
The Semaphore London agency was launched last week by Liam Fay-Fright and Aaron Cole
The agency will focus on helping consumer and b2b brands get their message to “The right channels, at the right time, for the right audience,” according to its founders , who wish to address what they call a “Fragmented” communications and media landscape by employing people from PR, advertising and the media in one shop. Cole said they are “Putting strategic PR thinking at the beginning of the creative process,” and ensuring that all the stuff they make (a PR campaign, a stunt, a book, a product launch or a film) “Is purpose built to work in modern media channels.” He underlines that “It has to be newsworthy, it has to be useful and sharable, and made to a top standard” or they simply won’t put it out!
@Large Production/Twentyfour Seven
@LArge Productions, the new company founded by Tracy Mays and Beth Aranda, has launched an International Division with inaugural partner Twentyfour Seven. This new division will collaborate with select foreign service companies as a liaison, providing bidding oversight, revisions, and fluid communications during US operating hours. Twentyfour Seven is a renowned service company with offices in Spain and a newly acquired division in Portugal. @LArge Productions, meanwhile, is a boutique shop that features a growing network of eclectic talent including two Oscar nominated directors, creative directors, seasoned commercial directors and up-and-coming creatives.
@LArge Productions has launched an International Division with inaugural partner Twentyfour Seven
@LArge Productions managing director Tracy Mays, said that the company was “Established to fill the strategic and creative needs of the current production and advertising landscape.” With the new international division, they hope to close the time divide of long distance productions, and she calls Twentyfour Seven “One of the most respected International production service companies in the industry.” She is “Proud to partner with them to deliver true around-the-clock communication.” Twentyfour Seven managing director Ivo van Vollenhoven, added that the partnership means they will be able to offer “A Los Angeles presence and increased client services” to their creative production partners in the US,” and says that “Beth and Tracy bring a level of experience 24/7 is known for, and the warm rapport and care” they value.
