WPP : Ogilvy forms strategic partnership with Singapore Economic Development Board

Ogilvy & Mather signs 3-year strategic partnership with Singapore Economic Development Board to enhance modern marketing services
Initiative to advance Singapore's and O&M's data analytics, customer engagement marketing, marketing automation, UX, and digital media capabilities through the creation of a Modern Marketing Lab, Training Courses and a Secondment Program to the United States

SINGAPORE - As Singapore's Smart Nation agenda gathers pace, WPP's Ogilvy & Mather (O&M) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) today announced their collaboration on a three-year strategic initiative aimed at advancing the city-state's capabilities in modern marketing services. These include data analytics, customer engagement marketing, marketing automation, user experience (UX) design, and digital media.

For O&M, this initiative also aims to foster Asia-led innovation from the Singapore office for its global network and to create solutions for its global clients. At the same time, the initiative will also include programmes to develop a strong pipeline of Singaporean talent in this space.

This announcement follows reports on the Singapore Government calling for a record S$2.82 billion worth of technology tenders in 2016 and the launching of the Research Innovation Enterprise 2020 Plan (RIE2020) in January which will grant S$19 billion over the next five years to support Singapore's R&D efforts, innovation drive and technology adoption.

Correspondingly, O&M will be investing to build new solutions in Singapore as part of O&M's global strategy to drive digital transformation and the advancement of modern marketing service offerings for its key clients. This will not only advance O&M's growth in Singapore but also further establish the country as one of the network's key global hubs.

The three-pronged strategic initiative will include the creation of the following programs:

• Ogilvy & Mather Modern Marketing Lab to develop globally-recognised products and services such as a turnkey SME marketing solution, social media crisis program and media modelling for audience intent to address client requirements. Undertaking development work ahead of client demand positions O&M to innovate ahead of the industry's needs and establish leadership in the areas of modern marketing solutions. Operational since 1st November 2016, the Lab team will grow to encompass at least 40 modern marketers over the next three years.
• Ogilvy & Mather Singapore Affiliates Program which will develop 20 high potential Singaporean talent for leadership roles through a secondment program to the agency's global headquarters in New York. Participants will be assigned to globally significant client accounts, before returning to Singapore to apply those learnings to drive innovation and growth in Asia.
• Ogilvy & Mather Modern Marketing Training Program to strengthen O&M's creative services talent pool in Singapore through the delivery of a structured marketing training program including modules on data analytics, digital transformation, marketing automation, social media and UX.

Mr Kelvin Wong, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board, said
, 'Our goal is for Singapore to be a leading global hub where global brands partner different players in our marketing ecosystem to develop and pilot digital marketing innovations for the region and beyond. To achieve this, it is important for the marketing ecosystem here to build up capabilities in areas such as creative technologies and marketing analytics. We are therefore heartened by Ogilvy's choice of Singapore as one of its key hubs to grow its modern marketing capabilities.'

Chris Riley, Group Chairman, Ogilvy & Mather Singapore, said, 'Singapore is at the heart of the fastest growth regions for modern marketing, with the number of Asian internet users soaring and a booming e-commerce sector to match. It is also uniquely placed within the Ogilvy network as one of a handful of global hubs for our worldwide agency. With EDB's partnership, we will further our shared mission to create locally impactful, globally influential solutions that will lead the change and drive innovation for the many brands and businesses that have made Singapore their home base in Asia, as well as the broader economy and society.'

About Ogilvy & Mather
Ogilvy & Mather is one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. It was named the Cannes Lions Network of the Year for five consecutive years, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016; the EFFIEs World's Most Effective Agency Network in 2012, 2013 and 2016; and Adweek's Global Agency of the Year in 2016. The company is comprised of industry leading units in the following disciplines: advertising; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; shopper and retail marketing; health care communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing; consulting, research and analytics; branded content and entertainment; and specialist communications. O&M services Fortune Global 500 companies as well as local businesses through its network of more than 500 offices in 126 countries. It is a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY). For more information, visit www.ogilvy.com, or follow Ogilvy on Twitter at @Ogilvy and on Facebook.com/Ogilvy.

About the Singapore Economic Development Board
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead government agency for planning and executing strategies to enhance Singapore's position as a global business centre. EDB dreams, designs and delivers solutions that create value for investors and companies in Singapore. Our mission is to create for Singapore, sustainable economic growth with vibrant business and good job opportunities. For more information, please visit www.sedb.com.
Media Contacts
Ogilvy & Mather
Sarah Guldin
Corporate Communications, Singapore [e-mail]

Singapore Economic Development Board
Leow Si Wan
Marketing & Communications [e-mail]