Australian healthcare specialist Ward6 expands into Asia

Headed by Phil Mitchell, previously general manager Asia Pacific at McCann Healthcare Worldwide, healthcare specialist Ward6 joins media strategist Naked Communications and branding agency Cowan in expanding into Southeast Asia from Australia.

Ward6 chief executive Stuart Black said that the decision to open an office in Singapore was prompted by key client Takeda Pharmaceuticals which approached them last year for a project in the Lion City.

He said that a number of other clients had also expressed an interested in working with Ward6 across the region.

The new office has opened to service Takeda and two as yet unnamed foundation clients.

General manager Mitchell, who started on 11 April, is joined by account manager Will Mumby who relocated to Singapore in February to set up the new office.

The Singapore office is looking to hire three more staff and is already on three pitch lists, said Black.

Just last month, media strategists Naked Communications opened an office in Singapore, serving as its regional headquarters for Southeast Asia.

And three weeks after opening its Singapore office, Naked Communications has announced its initial client remits for Nokia and Unilever.

In its first competitive pitch the agency has been appointed to the task of revitalising the Nokia brand across Malaysia and Singapore. In addition the agency has begun pan-Asian work with Unilever Singapore, being appointed to a remit on the regional hair care business.