Bates PanGulf turns 25, marks quarter-century of excellence

During this quarter century, BPG has become a force across the region, reflecting the diversity and range of communications services offered by the group.

Commenting on the 25-year journey of BPG, Mr. Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Group, said: "My farther, the late Majed Ahmed Al Ghurair, wanted to set up a world-class advertising agency that would help build powerful local and regional brands and businesses. I am pleased to say that 25 years later, we are well on the road to realizing his dream".

He further added: "Everything that we have accomplished as a Group can be directly attributed to an absolute clarity of purpose, and to the 1,100 plus people that have worked at PanGulf through its 25 years. Like-minded people, guided by a common purpose and a shared set of values have made us what we are today."

To mark this milestone, BPG organized a get-together at the Jumeirah Beach Residence Beach Club on Monday, which was attended by over 800 people, including Ministers, dignitaries, government officials, corporate leaders, media and representatives from the communications industry. Also present on the occasion were Mr. Tro Piliguian, Worldwide COO of WPP - the world's leading communications group, Mr. Andrew Scott, Board Member of BPG and Director of Corporate Development, WPP, Mr. Toby Hoare, Board Member of BPG and CEO Team HSBC/ WPP and Executive Chairman of JWT Group, UK, Mr. Bill Rylance, President and CEO, Burson-Marsteller, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Mr. Ranjan Kapur, Non Executive Chairman of Bates Asia, and others.

Today Bates PanGulf is a brand that best exemplifies the adage "think global, act local". With a network that spans the region, and with more than 140 people from 27 different countries, Bates PanGulf is arguably the most multi-cultural communications services group in the region. In addition to classical advertising, the Bates PanGulf Group now offers a range of world-class communications services that include 360 degree marketing services (141 PanGulf), public relations (Bates PanGulf PR, the exclusive partner of Burson-Marsteller in the region), branding and design (PanGulf Design), sponsorship marketing (Premiere PanGulf), media buying and planning (PanGulf Media) and healthcare marketing (Healthworld PanGulf, an Ogilvy Healthworld affiliate). Uniquely, Bates PanGulf is able to offer its clients integrated communications solutions that draw upon the diverse skill sets in the organization.

Talking about the Bates PanGulf Group, Avishesha (Avi) Bhojani, Group CEO, said:

"Our unique business model of delivering specialist communications services in a seamless, integrated manner has been a key contributor to our meteoric growth over the years. Today, nearly 60% of our revenues come from integrated clients and over the last decade, we grown at a compounded annual rate of 22% plus."

Voicing his views, Mr. Toby Hoare, who was present at the 25th anniversary celebrations, said: "I am proud to have been involved with Bates PanGulf. The combination of their relentless energy, ongoing appetite for success and no small measure of talent has seen them grow into a genuine force in the market."

In his comments, Mr. Andrew Scott said: "We welcomed Bates PanGulf into WPP as part of our acquisition of Cordiant in June 2003. They are a talented management team and over the past two and a half years have become a valued partner in an important growth market for WPP."

The diversity of Bates PanGulf team (and skill sets) is held together by a clearly articulated core purpose (To build significant competitive advantage for our clients through disruptive and integrated marketing programs) and core values (can do, raise the bar, transparency, collaboration). The core purpose and core values derive from a rich heritage of 25 years and a deep commitment to delivering exceptional value for clients and all stakeholders.