Grey Vancouver is flying high to start 2008, with Hong Kong-based Oasis Airlines among several new clients.
Mac Macdonald, vice-president and managing director, says the agency has also added Burnaby-based solar panel manufacturer Day4 Energy, Royal Roads University of Victoria, and Wireless Wave and T-Booth—two retail brands for wireless communications provider Glentel.
Grey Vancouver was also chosen from a long list of agencies to work with the Government of Canada on any advertising about British Columbia that falls outside of a tourism destination or the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Macdonald estimates that the new accounts comprise several million dollars worth of total advertising spend. “We’ve achieved exactly what we set out to over the past year,” says Macdonald. “If we can’t find appropriate brands in this resource based economy then I’m quite happy to look for global clients.”
Oasis launched in 2006 and recently began flying into Vancouver. Grey will service the account in North America, while the airline is represented by Grey’s WPP cousin Ogilvy in Hong Kong and London.
“They are the Virgin of business traffic,” says Macdonald, adding that plans are to open other hubs in North America. Advertising will encompass everything from bus wraps to television and direct mail.
Royal Roads University, formerly held by Cossette West, went up for review at the end of last year, as did the Glentel business which short listed three other Vancouver agencies.
The new business has meant a staffing up for the agency, says Macdonald. Maya Lange moved from Grey’s Toronto office to fill the role of director, digital and direct, a position vacated by Geoff Dawson who has been promoted to the newly created role of associate creative director, digital and direct. Katie Nugent has been named director, advertising, joining the agency from BBDO; while Rebecca Irani comes from Geronimo Communications, in London to become account director, public relations.
