ASIA-PACIFIC – SINGAPORE, DECEMBER 2011: Digital marketing agency VML, a strategic partner of Y&R, has acquired a majority stake in Singapore-based Qais Consulting, an award-winning full-service digital agency. Qais has joined its business operations and brand with VML and initiated operations today as VML Qais, activating a strengthened digital marketing offering for Singapore, Southeast Asia and India.
VML, headquartered in Kansas City, is one of the world´s largest wholly digital agencies, with offices in New York, Seattle, London, Milan, Geneva and São Paulo. The VML digital network also includes the Atlanta-based agency Studiocom, with offices in Boston and Bogotá. The network now exceeds 1,000 marketing professionals around the world. Clients include Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, English Premier League, Gatorade, Kellogg, Microsoft, SAP, Southwest Airlines, Western Union and Xerox.
Qais is a strategic, full-service digital agency with offices in Singapore and Mumbai. Since 2004, it has helped clients with digital and marketing strategy, user experience, technology development, research and analytics, mobile and channel management, social media, search marketing, online advertising, and media management services. Clients include Standard Chartered Bank, Sony Electronics, Sony Pictures, Hilton Hotels, Mahindra & Mahindra, ICICI Bank, Tata Motors and the Singapore Ministry of Defence.
VML Qais will operate specifically as part of Y&R Asia, which will greatly enhance business opportunities throughout the region via Y&R´s extensive agency network.
"Expanding VML operations to Singapore, Southeast Asia and India enables us to better serve our growing roster of global clients, while further expanding the VML footprint in the key markets in Asia," said Matt Anthony, VML Global Chairman and Chief Global Digital Officer, Y&R .
"Since its inception, Qais Consulting was built to help our clients navigate the explosion of the digital universe," said Keith Timimi, Chairman, Qais Consulting. "We are now able to realize that dream in partnership with the world´s leading pure-play digital network.”
"We want to grow the Asia business in both size and reputation, and digital expertise is crucial to achieving that growth," said Matthew Godfrey, Y&R Asia President. "VML Qais has incredible digital credentials, and aligning our core business with their digital leadership and expertise in key markets in the region will drive our business forward."
