Global creative agency mcgarrybowen expands Asia presence with Hong Kong launch: Ex DDB’s Simone Tam + Jeffry Gamble to lead agency

mcgarrybowen, part of the Dentsu Aegis network, is to launch an agency in Hong Kong. The move is driven by increased client demand and a growing talent hub in one of Asia’s most prominent markets.

The new office opens this month and will be called mcgarrybowen Hong Kong. It will be headed by two of the region’s most well-known and respected advertising industry executives: mcgarrybowen Greater China CEO Simone Tam and Chief Creative Officer Jeffry Gamble, both of whom held top leadership posts at DDB Group Hong Kong. The two will continue to oversee the agency’s Shanghai office in addition to its growing Greater China operations.

The launch continues the agency’s strategy of growing its international network in line with client needs and in many of the world’s top talent and advertising markets. The APAC region is one of these. Last month, mcgarrybowen, in partnership with parent company Dentsu Aegis Network, acquired SAME SAME but different, a French-based agency with a luxury offering spanning offices in New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. In July, the two entities also welcomed Singapore-based manghamgaxiola, now known as manghamgaxiola mcgarrybowen, into its family.

The new mcgarrybowen Hong Kong office will launch with a roster of top-notch clients in the food and beverage, consumer products, and financial services sectors.

Nick Waters, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network, Asia Pacific, said: “The launch of mcgarrybowen in Hong Kong is the extension of our strategy to develop the agency in Asia with high quality talent and in strategic cities.  We aim to build on Simone and Jeffry’s strong knowledge of the Hong Kong market and, adding to the agency’s Shanghai and Singapore operations, seek to create regional opportunities.  With high quality leadership in three strategic Asian cities we will also look to develop west to east and east to west opportunities for the growing mcgarrybowen global network.”

Said mcgarrybowen Founder and Global Chairman Gordon Bowen: “Simone and Jeffry have done a terrific job leading and growing mcgarrybowen in China. Since joining, they’ve landed both well-recognized local and global clients, including Intel, Estée Lauder, The Cheesecake Factory, and Kangshifu Juice. Hong Kong is one of the world’s most fascinating and cutting-edge cities–and an important talent and business hub for many of the world’s largest companies–and we are thrilled to have them leading our expanding Greater China operations.” 

Added mcgarrybowen CEO Simone Tam: “Jeffry and I have strong career and industry roots in Hong Kong, and we look forward to continuing the momentum and expanding mcgarrybowen’s network and client offering in the APAC region.”