Lowe China readies for tougher times

Shanghai - While some agencies are feeling the credit crunch and trimming their operations, Lowe China is recruiting a large team of senior executives across its planning and creative departments.

Kitty Lun, chairman & CEO for Lowe China, said despite the downturn, there were still many positions they need to fill.

"It took us a long time for everything to come into to place," she said.

Lun explained that most of its clients are from the FMCG sector, so even in an economic downturn, people still need to use necessities. She said clients have to keep their presence during this vulnerable times or competitors can steal market share.

"In fact, we need better people to go through this time with us," she added.

Lowe China has also placed more emphasis on its planning services, with a problem biased approach to provide high value ideas for their clients.

As local market knowledge is crucial for both local and international clients, the latest additions of planning directors at Lowe China are both from the Mainland.

Reggie Jin and Stephanie Mu are both from Beijing. Jin was previously a strategic planner for De Beers and he would now primarily work on the Zhong Hua toothpaste account at Lowe. Mu who used to work for P&G will now work on Unilever's Omo detergent brand.  

Lylah Juinio has also joined Lowe Shanghai as senior business director in charge of  the Johnson and Johnson account. Orginally from the Philippines and with seven years of China experience under her belt, she was last at Saatchi & Saatchi Guangzhou.   

In the creative department, Lowe China has added three members to its Shanghai office. Vivian Fung (pictured) relocated from Hong Kong to take on a newly created role as creative director and is supported by Seven Zhan, art-based associate creative director from Taiwan to look after the Johnson and Johnson business. Miki Ho has also joined from Malaysia as art-based creative group head. in charge of the Wall's ice cream business. 

"Our Beijing office is growing from strength to strength," Lun said.

Building on the success of its China Mobile business for the Beijing Olympics, Lowe Beijing has boosted its creative team with the addition of senior copywriter Jenny Li and senior art director Ma Mo Nan. They will both report to and work closely with creative leaders in Shanghai, headed by ECD Ng Tian It.