R/GA Opens Swedish Office

US full service agency R/GA has expanded in Europe with the opening of an office in Stockholm. Former Digitas Sweden execs Anders Erlandsson and Kay Höök have been appointed to lead the new business, as MD and Executive Creative Director respectively.

Interpublic-owned R/GA, which is headquartered in New York and already has a European base in London, was founded in 1977. The company offers inbound and outbound services, while also specialising in brand development and the mobile and retail sectors.

The firm says there are many cultural synergies between Sweden and R/GA that make the country the right destination for its next European office. These include a 'talented pool' of individuals who have an understanding of the web, social and mobile sectors.

'What makes the opening of R/GA Stockholm particularly exciting is that this is not a move driven by a specific client requirement, but a decision born solely out of our own agency's global growth strategy,' states Chairman, CEO and Global Chief Creative Officer, Bob Greenberg. 'We now have extensive experience opening successful offices, this being our ninth one. With Stockholm's proximity to London, and R/GA London's recent growth, I expect the Swedish office to flourish.'

Erlandsson joins with more than 20 years' ad industry experience. Most recently he managed a number of Digitas Sweden's key accounts, developed and implemented corporate vision and strategy, and served as a member of the executive management group. Prior to this, his ad agency experience included serving as Partner and CEO of Svensson, and as CEO and founding partner of Ondatje.

Höök also joins from Digitas Sweden, where he helped grow the agency's profile and portfolio in the region. He has more than 15 years' experience in the ad industry online and off-line, including spells at Scholz & Friends Stockholm, and as MD at OgilvyOne and Ogilvy Interactive.

Both men now report to Greenberg, who describes them as 'two of the most talented people in the industry'. R/GA says it is expecting to grow the Stockholm team to 25 members of staff by 2012.

Web site: www.rga.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.