Dentsu partners with Focus for online push

Shanghai - Focus Media and Japanese advertising company Dentsu have entered into a joint venture to launch an online advertising company called Digit Ones.

Hua Kuang Advertising Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Focus Media, will own a minority 33% share in the China-based company with Dentsu to own the remaining 66%.

The two companies will invest US$9 million to establish the agency, which will focus on providing online advertising services to Dentsu clients and build its own list of clients through direct sales activities and providing interactive services.

The new agency will absorb Dentsu's three major advertising companies in China - Beijing Dentsu Advertising, Beijing Oriental Rihai Advertising and Shanghai Oriental Partner Advertising.

China's internet market is growing at an annual rate of more than 53%, the $1.3 billion internet ad market is expected to nearly triple by 2010, Dentsu said.