Group Press Releases
Vizeum Growth Continues
06 October 2003
Vizeum, the new independent media network, today announced considerable progress since it went live on the 16th of June this year. Consistent with its strategy of a progressive rollout, it has extended the network from 17 offices in 12 countries to 21 offices in 16 countries. During this period it has also won 24 new clients.
New local and international business worth over €100m has been won since July 2003. Significant local client wins include; Asics (Footwear), Timberland (Clothing), Sara Lee (Food), Piper Heidsieck (Beverages) and Kia (Automotive). In addition, Japanese Tobacco International (JTI) will become a significant international client across five markets from the 1st of January 2004.
As part of its buy and build approach to developing the network, businesses have been acquired in the Netherlands and Switzerland and new offices have been opened in Belgium and China.
The acquisition of Medialand in the Netherlands has placed Vizeum in a strong position in the Dutch market. Headed up by Bertil Koop, former CEO and founder of Medialand, Vizeum Netherlands already serves clients such as Heinz, Hero, Bavaria, Lundia, Tio Pepe and Bayer with billings of €60m. The acquisition of Zurich based Mediahaus Seefeld, forming Vizeum Switzerland, has further strengthened Vizeum’s presence across Central Europe. Vizeum Switzerland is headed by Managing Director Sekan Kee.
Vizeum Belgium and Vizeum China are both start up companies. Michel Tubbax has joined the Vizeum Network as the Managing Director of Vizeum Belgium from OMD Belgium where he was General Manager. Elizabeth Zhou, former Head of Carat China, has become Managing Director of Vizeum China, which has recently won Yili, the second largest food manufacturer in China with annual media billings of €15m.
Since June, Vizeum has also continued to develop its offer and Synovate’s recent acquisition of Censydiam is an excellent example how the network will apply new areas of consumer insight to communications planning and buying. Censydiam’s unique approach, which applies the latest thinking in consumer psychology, provides an in-depth understanding of what makes consumers buy products and services. The new product set being developed will provide brand owners with new ways to understand consumers in order to help improve the impact and effectiveness of their communication programmes.
Commenting on the progress made to date, Martyn Rattle, Chief Operating Officer of Vizeum said:
“We have been busy since the Vizeum network went live on the 16th of June and I am delighted to be able to announce that we have made real progress during the last three and a half months. Consistent with the strategy we outlined in June, we have extended the network into four new countries across Europe and we continue to develop our international product offer.
Eric Drancourt, Chief Executive Officer of Vizeum added:
“The feedback that we have had from our existing clients has been very positive and we have already won 24 new clients, confirming the attractive nature of our offer and the importance of independent communications planning and buying. Winning over €100m in local and international new business within the first three months of operation tells its own story.
“Looking forward we will continue to expand both the network and our service offer to meet the evolving needs of our clients.”
For further information contact:
Martyn Rattle
Chief Operating Officer
Vizeum
Tel: 020 7070 7934
Mob: 07770 586 423
Charles Palmer
Financial Dynamics
Tel: 020 7831 3113
