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International Expansion

Vox Pop: Where in the world would you open a new office?

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By Michael Feeley, Founder and chief exec

July 11, 2014 | 5 min read

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This week, we asked the Drum Network’s member agencies the following question…

If you could open a new international office tomorrow, where would it be and why?

Tom Poynter, managing director, Southpaw -

Southpaw already has a strong international presence via our parent company Hakuhodo with offices in over 64 countries. The one country where we don’t have an office is Sweden. I love the creativity and thinking that comes out of that country as well as the beautiful city of Stockholm. They have a wonderful attitude to a good work/life balance as well as a high standard of living. The people are also beautiful and extremely welcoming. We just need to find a new client now that needs us to support them in Stockholm! Oh, there’s also the infamous meatballs which aren’t to be missed.

Simon Landi, managing director, Access Advertising -

For us, the best choice would be somewhere running on US Central Time, such as Chicago or Houston. We have several clients based in the US and others seeking to expand across the Atlantic. An office in Houston or Chicago would give us another USP, enhance our service and expand the working day by six hours.

There are also economic synergies. Chicago and Houston are hotbeds of manufacturing and engineering – key sectors for Access. Both cities are beginning to rival the established brands of New York and Silicon Valley, much like Manchester is attracting talent and contracts from London.

It’s worth remembering that, while there’s plenty to learn from US, our native IP remains world class. Combine the two, though, and things get really interesting.

Rushell Clarke, marketing and communications director, Hit Search -

It would definitely be in Dubai - and not just because of plans unveiled this week for the World’s Largest Shopping Mall.

The technology industry is booming in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai and over the last 12 months we have secured 5 new digital marketing clients who are based in the area. This number is only going to increase as more companies capitalise on a GCC digital boom.

Combine that with the weather and the breath-taking mix of culture, history and modern luxury and you have a very compelling argument for a digital base of operations. After all, the strides Dubai has taken in the technology, hospitality and retail spheres prove that it is not just a commercial capital of the future; it is an important world centre today.

James Greenwood, digital director, Strawberry -

Las Vegas. Why? Aside from the relatively close proximity to the digital hub San Francisco (OK, it's not that close!), you get all the benefits of Vegas. Who wouldn't want to work from a poolside cabana having spent the previous night sampling the delights that Vegas has to offer. Viva La Vegas!

Saman Mansourpour, managing director, The Agency -

I've always fancied an evil Bond lair, floating somewhere around the Bermuda Triangle, but we'd opt for Ghana. We hear Ghana is awash with budding web developers (where the UK is starved) and an emerging middle class that are rapidly piling up the consumer spend. An added plus is that Chinese corporations appear to be gaining a major foothold in Ghana and on the African continent as a whole and could therefore provide a dog leg leap into Eastern Asian territories, requiring the international sales team to learn only one additional language.

Gellan Watt, managing director & group chief creative officer, Thinking Juice -

As the UK Office for AMIN Worldwide, we now do 20% of our work for international companies and brands. The fact that we are part of the network though has given us access, quite literally, to every major market in the world. And what I do know is that opening internationally doesn't give you as much opportunity as you initially think. In the US, services are delivered much more locally. In Europe, language is a huge barrier. In some countries there are two main languages. It's different everywhere. But to answer the question - and all because there is so much business coming from these regions – we’d choose Chicago, New York or Moscow, with multiple offices in China or Switzerland (both Geneva and Zurich) also high on the wish-list.

Chris Bishop, founder & CEO, 7thingsmedia -

Our mantra to clients is to think globally and execute locally, letting data lead the way. Growth from the agency isn’t just adding another head into a specific channel team in our London headquarters. The web is our vehicle and we fully embrace cross-border trade and want to push our clients to succeed in any potential market – therefore succeeding ourselves. We advise and assess global opportunities that are, in turn, opportunities for the agency to expand as this is the best route for international expansion: as a partnership.

Tom Selby, business development manager, Boutique Media Communications -

Mordor. Those guys have had so much bad press I think they could use some real marketing support!

International Expansion

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Southpaw

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Access

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Revenue Growth Agency

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Strawberry

Strawberry was established in 1993 and is a full-services creative digital agency with a team of 37 highly talented staff.

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AgencyUK

We’re an independent brand communications agency voted Ad Agency of The Year 2019 and Brand Strategy Agency of the Year 2020 by Drum Recommends. Our services span...

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Thinking Juice

Hello. We are Thinking Juice.

The integrated agency, for the digital world.

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