Omnicom Group Holds Global Board Meeting in Beijing

BEIJING, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) , a leading global advertising and marketing communications services company, held its global board meeting in Beijing from October 19 to October 22.

It was the first meeting in Asia of Omnicom's board.  The group's Chief Executive Officer, John Wren, said the choice of Beijing reflects the importance of Greater China in Omnicom's global growth strategy.

Mr. Wren said:  "Our business in China has been growing at a very rapid pace on a number of levels.  We are extending our relationships with both multinational clients that we service in other parts of the world as well as in China, and many new Chinese clients, which we are increasingly servicing in China and around the world.  We are having some very significant successes in China, and we are pleased to see that this extremely important market is making an ever-greater contribution to our business globally."

Omnicom also announced its global third-quarter results in Beijing on Tuesday, October 19.  Worldwide revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, increased 5.9% to just under $9 billion from $8.5 billion in the same period in 2009.  International revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, increased 5.2% to $4.1 billion.  (For a full release on the third-quarter results, visit www.omnicomgroup.com/InvestorRelations.)

"We expect revenue from Asia to continue to rise steadily as a proportion of our overall global revenue.  Greater China is of course a central part of that growth," Mr. Wren said.

The Omnicom board discussed its strategy for Greater China during the meeting and expects to carry out a number of initiatives in the coming months. The group continues to invest in attracting, developing and retaining the best and brightest people in the industry and to focus the creative talents of its group companies on the needs of China.

"Our agencies have been performing extremely well, and are clearly demonstrating in China the same level of creativity and spirit of innovation for which they are known  globally," said Serge Dumont,  Omnicom Senior Vice President, President Asia Pacific, India, Middle East and Africa, and Chairman Asia Pacific.

For instance, Omnicom agencies have won the only two Gold Lions awarded to China at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in France.  

The Cannes Lions are the advertising industry's most prestigious awards.  At the 2010 festival, Omnicom agency DDB won China's second Gold Lion for its "Green Pedestrian Crossing" campaign for the China Environmental Protection Foundation.  

In 2008 another Omnicom agency, TBWA, won China's first Gold Lion, for a campaign for Adidas, "Together in 2008, Impossible is Nothing," to mark the Beijing Olympics.

"It is significant that the two Lions China has won to date have both been the result of the work of Omnicom agencies," Mr. Dumont said.  "Our business is about people, and Omnicom has set the standard for creating an environment where the most creative minds can flourish."

BBDO/ Proximity China has been responsible for three out of the top 10 most admired campaigns in China [according to independent research].  One of them, for GE, won Best in Show at the China Effies 2009.

Mr. Dumont also pointed out the recent "Made in China, Made with the World," a groundbreaking advertising campaign aired in the US and Europe that was created by Omnicom's agency DDB Guoan on behalf of the PRC's Ministry of Commerce and several Chinese Trade Associations.  "This was a first for China, reaching out globally to deliver a message about Chinese-made goods.  That such a commercial was considered necessary shows China's growing influence on the world stage."

In September, Omnicom Group agencies garnered top honors at the Spikes Asia Advertising Festival in Singapore, Asia's premier advertising event, winning all Agency of the Year titles, four out of seven Grand Prix and the most Gold awards.  

In 2009 Omnicom agencies dominated the Digital Media Awards in Beijing, sweeping eight out of 12 Golds and the Digital Agency of the Year title. The Digital Media Awards honor the best in digital marketing and communications in Asia Pacific.

About Omnicom Group

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com) 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.

SOURCE Omnicom Group