PRESS RELEASE
INNOCEAN “Comes Out” at Cannes as Europe’s Largest Communications Start-up
CANNES 18 JUNE 2013: INNOCEAN Worldwide (“INNOCEAN”), the creative force behind the Hyundai and KIA brands, has announced its intention to expand in Europe beyond automotive to work with brands in other sectors.
While INNOCEAN boasts a Global network of 20 offices located in 16 countries, INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe’s move from ‘In-house Agency’ to fully-fledged Communications Company will see the European branch become the continent’s largest communications start-up – beginning its first new business drive with a team of 250 employees across 8 European offices.
INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe recently established itself in stylish new offices separate from the Hyundai and KIA Motor Europe premises in Frankfurt’s creative quarter and has made a string of new senior hires to mark its aggressive new business push.
The company, which is a premium sponsor of this year’s 60th Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, has taken the event as an opportunity to announce its first non-automotive Clients in the European Market; an account with Turkish Airlines which it picked up beating 9 other agencies, Gushlow & Cole, secured without a pitch and most recently, Affelou.
To celebrate its unique and integrated creative approach which the company is taking to market, INNOCEAN is hosting a seminar in the Debussy Theatre at 2pm today at Cannes, bringing together Hyundai’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, and internationally renowned Korean artist Do-Ho Suh to explore the fusion between East and West in the context of creativity and design.
Ike Kwon, President & Chief Executive Officer of INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe said: “The secret to INNOCEAN’s success is its unique combination of Eastern and Western thinking. We combine creative excellence with a dynamic culture and iron work ethic that few of the traditional agencies can match – as our success in building the Hyundai and KIA brands testifies.
“Most people think that opportunity is moving East, but we see Europe as a market full of untapped potential – particularly as the economic climate drives businesses to seek out more creative, integrated and effective ways of doing business. INNOCEAN is investing heavily in its European operations, and we look forward to reaping the benefits alongside our Clients in years to come.”
Johan Fourie, Chief Operating Officer of INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe, said: “Anyone who has ever delivered an automotive campaign knows the definition of the word ‘integrated’. Our naturally collaborative culture, which stems from INNOCEAN’s Korean heritage, is ideally suited to complex multidisciplinary campaigns – and we bring an ‘in-house’ eye to our creative work which helps break down the traditional boundary between Client and Agency. Today we invite businesses across Europe to hear more about our ethos and philosophy, and to understand exactly what drives our ambition to be a top tier Global Communications Company by 2016.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe (IWE)
INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe is an independent, challenger Communications Company fi rst established in 2006 to provide 360° Marcoms services to Hyundai & KIA brands in Europe. In the last 7 years, it has enjoyed rapid expansion with offi ces in 8 European markets and now employs 250 staff ranging from 35 different nationalities. With annual billings of € 500m, the company is Europe’s fastest growing Communications Network.
INNOCEAN has forged its creative reputation through best-in-class work in Automotive but is now ready to venture into new sectors; capitalising on demand from Clients for a highly integrated, collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach which defines INNOCEAN’s work.
INNOCEAN’s belief is that, in a difficult economic climate and fast changing market, Clients are growing increasingly frustrated with a traditional “silo-mentality” agency model which is still largely characteristic of the advertising industry. INNOCEAN employs multi-skilled teams with expertise from “above-the-line” to “space & design” – and for a range of services in-between.
The company’s ethos is built on its Hyundai Motor Group legacy of radical innovation and integration across the value chain, offering diverse services in-house that puts the customer at the heart of all brand conversations. IWE adopts a focused consumer engagement model, dedicated to creating timely consumer connections to ensure a more fluid integration of ideas during the customer journey and across multiple touch-points.
IWE is part of INNOCEAN Worldwide, a Global Communications Network with 3 Regional Headquarters, 20 offices and more than 1,300 employees in 16 countries. Since its Global HQ was established in Seoul, INNOCEAN has won over 60 International awards during 2011 and 2012, including 5 Cannes Lions.
Ike Kwon
President and CEO, INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe
Ike is INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe’s founding father. He set up INNOCEAN’s European Headquarters in 2006 having just arrived in Europe from Korea. Under his leadership, INNOCEAN has become the fastest growing Marketing Communications Company in Europe in only 7 years. Ike began his career in the Sales division of Hyundai Motor Company, Korea in 1991. He later became a Deputy GM of Global Communication in the Corporate Marketing Division of Hyundai – KIA Motors HQ in 2003. His unique historical standing as both Client of two Asian Automotive challenger brands on the rise as well as Advertising entrepreneur makes him a formidable force in business. He is renowned for his natural ability to combine both Eastern and Western practices to unlock the latent power and potential in businesses. Ike is a Jury Member in this years’ Cannes Lions Media category and will appear as a Jury Member for the Euro Effies later this month.
Johan FourieChief Operating Officer, INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe
Johan joined INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe as Chief Operating Offi cer in 2012, providing strategic
stewardship of both its operations and 360° Marketing Communications services for Hyundai & KIA, Europe. He arrived in Frankfurt in the summer, charged with expanding INNOCEAN’s European operations and with realizing the company’s bold ambition to become a Global top tier Communications Company by 2016. Johan is a three-time CEO with considerable experience in the Advertising and Communications industry. Prior to INNOCEAN, he served as CEO of TBWA Singapore, TBWA / G1 and the Nitro Group in London. Most recently, he led Arnold Worldwide as Managing Partner in Europe. During his career, Johan has worked on Clients such as Pernod Ricard, Nissan Europe, Mars/ Masterfoods Worldwide, Volvo Global, Unilever, and Dell.
Media contacts
Emma Ballantine Dykes, Bell Pottinger Business & Brand
+44 7768 293525
Nilesha Chauvet, INNOCEAN Worldwide Europe+49 1733 799930
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