The Holding Group strengthens operations in Oman

The Group, parent company of the Team/Young & Rubicam and Intermarkets advertising agencies, public relations firms ASDA'A and Polaris, direct marketing specialists Wunderman and media specialists Mediaedge:cia, will offer all core marketing communications services from the Omani capital.

The Group, which achieved USD 636 million in billings for 2006, now has dedicated client service, creative, media and PR teams in place in Oman, supported by 57 offices throughout the GCC and MENA region. Its Oman office has already secured relationships with the nation's leading brands and corporations, including BankMuscat, Oman Oil Company and the Saud Bahwan Group.

THG Chief Executive Officer Joseph Ghossoub said:

"Oman is one of the most remarkable countries in the region, not only because of its unique history and ecology but because of its enduring commitment to progress and quality. We believe Oman is on a high growth track, and wanted to establish a significant presence to offer our communications expertise to help our partners achieve better business results."

THG Oman will be the first multinational full service communications group in the country. The Group, which employs nearly 1,200 communications professionals in 14 countries across the Levant, Gulf and North Africa, is currently pursuing a vigorous expansion programme. New offices have recently opened in Iran, Algeria, Tunisia and Qatar.

THG is also the most awarded marketing communications group in the region. In March 2007, Team/Y&R won nine awards - two Gold, two Silver and five Bronze - in the region's inaugural Dubai Lynx creative advertising competition. Direct marketing and interactive specialists Wunderman took 12 Dubai Lynx awards, including one Gold, five Silver and six Bronze.

Earlier this year, PR consultancy ASDA'A won two Gulf Marketing Review Effectiveness in Marketing (GEMAS) Awards for its work on BBC Arabic and Emaar Properties, two of the Middle East's most prestigious brands. In 2006, the Group scored an unmatched hat trick at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in France, with Wunderman claiming the region's first Cannes Gold Lion for direct marketing and Team/Y&R scooping silver awards. Team/Y&R, Wunderman and Intermarkets also triumphed at the last IAA Jordan Advertising Awards, winning 21 Gold, 15 Silver and 18 Bronze awards.

Together, the six sister agencies under the THG umbrella offer integrated services in advertising, database and customer relationship management, perception management, brand identity consultation and design services, strategic planning, communication planning and implementation and media planning and buying.