Serviceplan expands footprint in China

The Serviceplan Group, Europe’s largest independent agency, has broadened its presence in China by opening its second office in Shanghai and acquiring the majority of digital agency Aquarius Asia.Roger Strack, partner of Serviceplan Group, has moved to the Shanghai office as managing director Serviceplan China, overseeing the company's offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.Marc Finsterlin, founder and former CEO of Aquarius Asia, is now managing partner of Serviceplan Shanghai and Hong Kong.Florian Haller, CEO of the Serviceplan Group, said it is a great success and an important milestone.Strack added: "After two years of successful development work in Beijing, I am looking forward to the integration of Aquarius Asia in the Serviceplan Group, to jointly continue the success story of the Serviceplan Group in Asia".Finsterlin commented on the merger: "Through the merger with the Serviceplan Group, we have formed a 100 percent integrated full-service agency in China that meets the needs of Chinese consumers.”Aquarius Asia is a full-service agency with a strong focus on digital and currently has a team of 80 employees in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Its service portfolio reaches from strategy, concept, creation, and its own technical development, to media planning and booking, serving clients like Bosch, Hugo Boss, Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Lorenz Snack World, Lam Soon and Victorinox.Serviceplan offers 360-degree communication at all Chinese locations for international clients, including BMW, Shell, Paulaner, WMF, Metro, Continental and various local clients.