Media agency Essence has announced its expansion into four Asia Pacific, countries with the opening of its offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jakarta and Melbourne, bringing its office count in the region to 10.
The GroupM-owned agency said the reason for the expansion is due to the increased client demand for data-led technology solutions and traditional capabilities in APAC, as well as to deepen the connections that brands have with local audiences.
All of Essence’s India operations, which includes New Delhi, are under the leadership of Anand Chakravarthy, managing director of Essence India, while Jovy Gill, managing director of Essence in Australia, will continue to lead Essence’s growth proposition in Melbourne and Sydney, its first office in the country.
The launch of its Jakarta office marks the agency’s entry into Indonesia and Kunal Guha, managing director of Essence Central Asia will drive the agency’s presence in the Southeast Asian country.
“Essence is a key element in our continued transformation, leadership and growth as a group in the region,” said Mark Patterson, chief executive officer of GroupM APAC and chairman, GroupM China. “This next phase of expansion is great news for Essence and its clients, and GroupM will continue to invest in and support Essence in further enhancing its unique product and service offerings across Asia Pacific."
The agency started out with just four employees in its original Singapore office in 2013 and over the years, it has opened offices in the aforementioned cities, including Tokyo, Shanghai, and Seoul and has grown its headcount to nearly 300.
