Local Planet now has APAC hub with 9 agencies

Local Planet, the world’s largest privately-held agency network, has launched an APAC hub with nine leading independent agencies.

Local Planet was established in 2016, uniquely combining the best-in-class, best-in-market, and most progressive independent agencies in the world with the purpose of helping clients seize growth opportunities globally through local excellence and expertise.

Local Planet is the world’s only owner-managed international agency network, now operating with 117 offices in 67 markets worldwide.

The major shareholders include Horizon in the U.S., and in Asia, BlueFocus International in China, Nunn Media in Australia and Percept in India.

All of which are the largest independent agencies in their respective markets. Local Planet’s combined turnover is US$16bn and it has already achieved a global market share of 4.6%, making it the fourth largest agency network in the world.

Local Planet now services 46 international clients across its markets and regions and has won over 230 awards in the last year alone. In 2018, independent agencies won their largest share ever of international pitches, US$2.7bn (20%) of the US$13.4bn which moved agencies.

Local Planet has now created an APAC nexus in Singapore to drive the union of nine leading independent agencies, servicing 21 markets across APAC in strategy, media planning and buying, performance marketing, brand consultancy, e-commerce, content creation and production, mobile marketing, social media and data analytics.

“For decades and decades, traditional global networks have merchandised a deeply oversimplified view of Asia and its people – a view that is homogeneous, uniform and frequently Western.

As three billion Asians are an integral part of the global economy, Local Planet is designed to flip the whole picture and take a local up approach.

We are a network of local giants who’ve built credibility exactly with this local up view of what clients deserve”, said Martyn Rattle, Global CEO of Local Planet.

“Local Planet brings a seamless, local up model to a complex and digitally advanced region, simplifying yet respecting its cultural and technological diversity to the benefit of both regional and global clients”, stated Andreas Dannenberg, Founder and CEO of Ad-Comm Group, Japan.

Local Planet APAC agencies include; Nunn Media in Australia, BlueFocus International in China, Percept in India, Media Muscle in Indonesia, Ad-Comm Group in Japan, Entropia in Malaysia, The Huddle Room in Philippines, The Media Shop in Singapore, and Nasmedia in South Korea, all of which are the best in class, fastest growing, and most respected independent agencies in their markets.

“I am delighted that Local Planet has been able to bring together such high quality, talented and successful owner-managed agencies to form a powerful and ambitious new network across the Asia Pacific, in order to help service clients who want to expand across the region and, in fact, the world.

“I am convinced that the entrepreneurial spirit and drive of our individual agencies will now be replicated at scale in order to help many clients unlock and maximize local opportunities in order to achieve regional success and growth.” added Martyn Rattle, Global CEO of Local Planet.

“Local Planet represents a unique alternative in an increasingly standardized category – local expertise paired with a proven global experience, a fresh perspective underpinned by entrepreneurialism and dynamism”, explained Holly Zheng CEO and President, BlueFocus International.

“Joining the Local Planet network allows us to get the best of both worlds, by providing clients with deep local knowledge coupled with the strength of a global network.

“As part of the network we share knowledge, insights and tools with other leading independent agencies to help drive client growth”, added Matt Nunn, Founder of Nunn Media in Australia.

“The Local Planet model will fuel media innovations and bring about a solid foundation to accomplish remarkable things. Being part of the world’s leading independent network lets us propel our clients’ need for growth to greater heights”, said Jessica Toh, CEO of The Media Shop, Singapore.