GO Comm buys major Cambodian PR agency

The Phnom Penh-based agency has a staff of over 25 and 180 field work support staff with clients that include Beeline, Ford, Coca-Cola, LG, Colgate Palmolive, Manulife, Aeon Micro Finance, British American Tobacco, Dumex and Phnom Penh Security.

GO Communications chief executive officer Michael de Kretser says: “Part of our blueprint strategy is to have a solid network within the Mekong Delta, and it is now coming together very quickly.

“The group is also currently in serious negotiations to acquire PR agencies in Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar, seeing its fast growth and vast potential. The game plan is to complete the network by mid 2013.”

GO Communications chairman Bob Chua says Cambodia has one of the fastest growing economies in Asean with gross domestic product growth averaging over 8% for the last three years.

“Cambodia has a population of over 15 million people, its tourism is growing with over three million visitors a year and foreign direct investment is rapidly increasing. China alone is planning to invest over US$8bil with 360 new projects over the next year”.

The Cambodian acquisition is another step in the GO Communications' plans to create Asia's largest independent PR network.

Speaking about the group's plans, Chua says: “Communications has today become a critical component of every company's marketing plans, and our regional and vertical depth are increasingly well placed to cater to Asia's increasingly sophisticated communications demand.

“Both multinational and local companies in the region are beginning to understand that communications is a cost effective and potent tool to build brands, awareness, create promotional campaigns and most importantly, increase the bottom line.”

Earlier this month, the Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation appointed GO Communications to handle all publicity and promotions for the Miss Universe Malaysia contest. The account was awarded to the PR agency without a pitch.

Sourced: biz.thestar