SINGAPORE, April 5, 2017
/PRNewswire/ -- GREY, Adweek Global Agency of the Year 2015,
is re-entering Nigeria with
immediate effect, having appointed Centrespread, one of
Nigeria's largest independent
advertising communications groups as its affiliate in that market.
The Centrespread Group, which operates from offices in Lagos and Abuja, will rebrand as Centrespread GREY,
re-establishing the global advertising giant as a leader in
providing creative and effective full-service marketing solutions
across the African continent.
WPP, the world's largest global media and communications agency
network, made the announcement in Singapore today, signalling yet another
critical step in GREY's growth strategy of developing its networks
in fast growing and important markets and sectors in the MEA
region. The Centrespread Group will focus on developing a strong
local GREY presence in Nigeria and
is another step in GREY's expansion in key African markets.
Kola Ayanwale, Centrespread CEO, says he is enthusiastic about
the alliance with an iconic agency such as GREY. "The GREY Group
ranks among the world's top advertising and marketing
organisations, with an enviable global footprint. GREY's
credentials and achievements are impressive and their unique
positioning of 'Famously Effective' resonates with the same values
that have shaped Centrespread into one of Nigeria's most successful integrated marketing
communications agencies over the last three decades. The decision
to take on the exciting opportunity of re-establishing GREY in
Nigeria and across the continent
is one that is met with great enthusiasm by both parties, and we
look forward to being an integral part of the continued global
success of GREY."
As a full service, through-the-line communications group,
Centrespread has been operating since 1982 and employs about 200
staff in its seven business units. Today, Centrespread is made
up of all-inclusive integrated marketing communications units which
include Centrespread Advertising; DKK, a full
service agency offering the full gamut of marketing communications;
Interactive Communications, a digital media and
online reputation management agency; Pure Activation,
a below-the-line agency focused on presence branding and
activations; PR Redline, a Public Relations and
Reputation Management agency; KontactPoint, an Out of Home
channel company and Mediamore, a media specialist
agency.
"Africa is the continent of
opportunity for future-focused clients," said James R. Heekin, Chairman and CEO
of GREY Group. "We are delighted to partner with
Centrespread, a world-class marketing organization, and look
forward to what we'll accomplish together in Nigeria and beyond in the coming years."
Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO of
GREY Asia-Pacific, Middle East and
Africa, is confident and energised
by the new partnership. "The most important outcome of this
exciting partnership is the association with talent and expertise
that will re-ignite our efforts in establishing a dynamic Nigerian
presence for GREY and will also allow us to truly focus on serving
international clients across the African continent," says
Singh.
About Grey
Grey is the advertising network of Grey Group, which is led by
James R. Heekin III, Chairman and
CEO. Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications
companies. Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY). Under the
banner of "Grey Famously Effective Since 1917," the agency serves a
blue-chip roster of many of the world's best known companies:
Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Kellogg's, Pfizer, Canon,
NFL, Boehringer Ingelheim, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Nestlé,
Papa John's and T.J. Maxx.
Grey was named ADWEEK's "Global Agency of the Year" for 2015.
For more information, visit www.GREY.com.
About WPP
WPP is the world's largest communications services group with
billings of US$73 billion and
revenues of US$19 billion. Through
its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range
of advertising and marketing services including advertising &
media investment management; data investment management; public
relations & public affairs; branding & identity; healthcare
communications; direct, digital, promotion & relationship
marketing and specialist communications. The company employs
194,000 people (including associates and investments) in over 3,000
offices across 112 countries. WPP was named Holding Company of the
Year at the 2016 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
for the sixth year running. WPP was also named, for the fifth
consecutive year, the World's Most Effective Holding Company in the
2016 Effie Effectiveness Index, which recognizes the effectiveness
of marketing communications.
For more information, visit www.wpp.com.
About Centrespread Nigeria
Established in 1982, Centrespread is one of Nigeria's largest independent Agency groups.
It services more than 30 of the world's most respected brands
including Kia, Airtel, Heinz, Samsung, MasterCard, Philips, NLPC,
KFC, L'Oreal, MoneyGram, Roche, Quick Lotto, MTN (PR), FBN
Insurance, Ecobank and Skye Bank.
Centrespread was founded by Kola Ayanwale, a veteran adman of 35
years, fellow of the Advertising Practitioners Council of
Nigeria (APCON) and former
president of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN).
The Centrespread Group operates from offices in Lagos and Abuja and consists of Centrespread
Advertising; DKK, a full service agency offering the
gamut of marketing communications; Interactive
Communications, a digital media and online reputation
management agency; Pure Activation, a Below-the-line
agency focused on presence branding and activations; PR
Redline, a Public Relations and Reputation Management
agency; KontactPoint, an Out of Home channel company and
Mediamore, a media specialist agency.
For more information, visit www.centrespreadng.com.
Media contacts
Owen
Dougherty
Chief Communications Officer
Grey Group
212-546-2551
odougherty@grey.com
www.grey.com
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SOURCE GREY