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Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Accelerates Asia Pacific Expansion

Posted on: Monday, 16 January 2006, 21:00 CST

HONG KONG and SEATTLE, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) today announced that Soon Beng Yeap, who headed international communications and reputation management at Starbucks Coffee Co., has joined the agency's Asia Pacific (APAC) senior leadership team to guide its future market strategy for Japan. WE is preparing to operate in Japan in 2006 as part of its continued expansion based on client needs. In addition, WE welcomed Samsung Electronics to its growing APAC client roster.

Yeap's addition highlights the agency's commitment to hiring top talent globally, and the new client win demonstrates the agency's ability to successfully extend its unique Innovation Communications(SM) methodology around the globe to help innovative companies build trust and acceptance for new ideas, products and discoveries. The agency currently has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing, as well as a presence in Shanghai and an affiliate, Shout Communications, in South Korea.

"As the Asian business community continues to develop, communication strategies are crucial to the growth of corporations. Our rapid expansion is a testament to the caliber and commitment of our staff, the senior APAC leadership team and our strong client base," said David Ko, senior vice president and managing director for Asia at Shout Waggener Edstrom, a subsidiary of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide. "With the addition of Soon Beng Yeap and his significant international expertise, we are poised to expand into Japan, a region that is a natural next step in our growth. I'm thrilled to have Soon Beng joining our Asian operations."

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide's Asia offices won the Samsung Electronics account in Hong Kong and began working with the electronics manufacturer in November. The Hong Kong office provides corporate PR services and manages product communications for a wide range of Samsung products including notebook PCs, printers, monitors, home appliances, consumer electronics and audio-video devices such as portable music players and video cameras. Samsung joins an impressive collection of clients served by Waggener Edstrom Worldwide in Asia including Avaya Hong Kong Company Limited, McDATA, Juniper Networks (Hong Kong) Ltd., Microsoft, New World Telecom, Pret a Manger, Trend Micro and Wind River.

Katie Kemp, executive vice president for Asia Pacific at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, said the agency is proud of its aggressive global expansion and the implications for the future.

"The caliber of staff we have assembled across Asia is outstanding and will provide superior strategic communications counsel to our increasingly global client base," Kemp said. "Our new hires, combined with the existing talent in our Asian offices, will serve Samsung and other global brands well in 2006 and beyond."

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide's recent new hires in Asia include the following:

Soon Beng Yeap

Soon Beng Yeap is a seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years of international business experience. He joined Waggener Edstrom Worldwide in December 2005 as a senior vice president and will manage the agency's expansion in Japan. In this role, Yeap will also serve as the WE storytelling specialist for APAC and Japan. WE's storytelling methodology helps clients tell their best stories by enabling them to see the world through a critical lens.

Before joining Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, Yeap was responsible for international communications and reputation management at Starbucks. He was involved in the development, planning and management of Starbucks' global reputation and communications strategies, initiatives and programs in 36 countries. He joined Starbucks in 1997 and started the company's international communications function. Yeap previously worked as a journalist with Reuters in London and the New Straits Times in Malaysia, and has taught journalism and communications in the United States, Australia and Singapore.

Rachel Catanach

With 17 years of PR experience in New Zealand, Rachel Catanach is an expert on Asia Pacific communications strategies. She is scheduled to join the agency in late January 2006 as a senior account director and will be responsible for managing current clients and attracting new business. Catanach previously worked as a senior consultant in New Zealand's pre-eminent communications agency, Sweeney Vesty Ltd., and has extensive knowledge of the Asian financial sector. She will relocate from New Zealand to Shout Waggener Edstrom's Hong Kong office.

Allen Zhang

Allen Zhang, who joined the agency in December 2005, is an account director based in Beijing and brings more than 10 years of experience in the Chinese technology industry. Zhang previously served in a variety of marketing, PR and business development roles for Hisense Computer Ltd. Corp., online service provider China NetCom Group Corp. and Blue Focus, a PR agency.

About Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide provides public relations services using its Innovation Communications methodology optimized for global organizations impacted by innovation and change. The agency's approach facilitates the acceptance of new ideas and helps clients tell the stories that alter the way people think, act and buy around the world. Founded in 1983, the agency has nearly 600 employees with U.S. headquarters in Seattle, European headquarters in London and Asian headquarters in Hong Kong. Waggener Edstrom Worldwide partners with pioneering and creative clients, including Affymetrix, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), MasterCard International, Microsoft Corp. and T-Mobile USA. More information may be found at http://www.waggeneredstrom.com/.

Waggener Edstrom and Innovation Communications are either registered service marks or service marks of Waggener Edstrom Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

CONTACT: U.S.: Jenny Krentzman of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,+1-617-202-5145, jennyk@WaggenerEdstrom.com; or APAC: Fina Wong of WaggenerEdstrom Worldwide, +852-2578-2834, finaw@WaggenerEdstrom.com; or EMEA: EricFoster of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +44-20-7632-3875,ericf@WaggenerEdstrom.com

Web site: http://www.waggeneredstrom.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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