Part Havas-owned Host confirms Singapore launch – plans a true micro-network of hub offices including San Francisco and Shanghai

Eighteen months after Havas acquired 51% of the agency, Host today revealed its plans for the coming years, beginning with confirmation of the launch of its much-anticipated Singapore office.

Host Singapore’s founding clients will include The Coca-Cola Company, Tourism Western Australia and other yet unnamed brands at both a global and a local level.

The office will be led up by managing director, Dan Gibson. Gibson relocated to Singapore in early 2010 as managing director of Ogilvy Advertising. Prior to that he spent seven years at 180 Amsterdam leading the global adidas business. He began his career at BBH in London.

Host Singapore is the first of several regional ‘hub’ Host offices with further points of presence planned for Shanghai and San Francisco.

Says Anthony Freedman, founder and regional CEO: “We see the world from a different perspective because we started life in Sydney. We believe we can build a unique Pan-Pacific business, spanning the world’s biggest economy in the US, across the region to the world’s fastest growing economy in China.

“Our vision is for a true micro-network of hub offices, fluid and inter-connected in San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore and Shanghai, providing a regional presence across North America, Australasia, South East Asia and Greater China. And our partnership with Havas Worldwide will allow our hub offices to distribute campaigns through a network of multiple offices spanning 47 cities within our regional footprint.”

Says Gibson: “We have been amazed at the warm reception we have received with both our new and potential clients not to mention current and future team members. It has reconfirmed my first reaction to hearing about Host’s Singapore plans – it’s the right agency at the right time for this market.”

Host also announced a number of key hires and promotions as it evolves from an Australian agency to international business.

Freedman takes the role of regional CEO overseeing both Host in Sydney, Singapore and future expansion plans. In his role, Freedman will continue to oversee PR agency One Green Bean.

BBH veteran of 16 years, Paul Ward also joins the agency as regional chief operating officer. Ward spent over 10 years at BBH in London before driving the launch of BBH in India, running operations for BBH across Asia Pacific from Singapore and returning for a second stint in Mumbai as BBH India’s managing director.

Olly Taylor assumes the role of regional chief strategy officer. Current Host Sydney managing director, Suzie Shaw has been promoted to CEO Sydney, and Laura Aldington returns to Sydney and Host as managing director after two years at Anomaly New York.

Pictured left to right: Paul Ward, regional COO; Dan Gibson, managing director, Singapore; Anthony Freedman, founder and regional CEO.