News

Zenith Optimedia launches ‘open source media agency’ Blue 449 in HK led by Nico Guiridlian

Blue 449 logoMedia agency Zenith Optimedia has launched new network Blue 449 in Asia Pacific.

In Hong Kong, Zenith Optimedia’s regional MD of international clients Nico Guiridlian will lead the business for the region, with clients including Puma, BASF and Pimco.

The new network, which is born out of Walker Media, the British media buying Publicis Groupe acquired in 2014, is positioned as ‘the open source media agency’ with a focus on innovation.

“You may have heard that ZenithOptimedia launched globally this new agency a few months ago and it is now time for us to launch it here in HK/APAC,” Guiridlian said in an eDM sent to contacts this afternoon.

The network takes a hub approach to its geographical spread, with an APAC office in Sydney as well as Hong Kong. In Sydney, the agency’s key people are listed on its website as including John Preston, the head of Match Media, the agency Publicis Groupe acquired in June last year.

Nico Guiridlian

Nico Guiridlian

In this blurb on the eDM to introduce Blue 449, the copy reads: “Analogue business models have been shattered by the new digital economy. New methods are needed. Today, a media agency must think flexibly, learn fast, respond swiftly, collaborate widely, nurture technology, amplify ideas, read data and operate at the very heart of businesses. It must sit at the intersection of data and ideas. There is a parallel for this in technology. It’s called Open Source.”

When the new network was announced a year ago, Steve King, ZO’s and now Publicis Media’s worldwide CEO, said that “the world doesn’t need yet another global media agency network. What it needs is a new force of energy for clients looking to break with traditions. Blue 449 is a realisation of visionary attitudes and thinking set to disrupt the market.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella Asia newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing