Millward Brown Boosts Asian Presence

Millward Brown has just announced its acquisition of the small Thai marketing consultancy, Firefly.

With a staff of 14, Firefly has built up a reputation for its qualitative research into understanding Asian consumers, their motivations and their behaviour. Now, with with Millward Brown's involvement, the company will extend its services and offer clients both qualitative and quantitative solutions.

Millward Brown Thailand, as the new company will be known, will be managed by Mark Ryan, formerly Director of Qualitative Research at ACNielsen. Daren Poole, currently based in Millward Brown's Singapore office, will relocate to Bangkok to help establish the quantitative division. Millward Brown is part of The Kantar Group, the information and consultancy arm of WPP Plc.

Commenting on the acquisition, Andreas Sperling, CEO of Millward Brown Asia Pacific said, 'The acquisition of Firefly is a perfect strategic fit with Millward Brown's Asian business. It will allow us to enhance our current qualitative offering throughout the region as well as provide local servicing to our Thai clients, both existing and potential, through the establishment of a quantitative operation.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.