In a strategic move to further strengthen digital scale in Asia, Dentsu Aegis Network has expanded its digital performance agency Columbus into Asia.
Columbus Asia will become Dentsu Aegis Network’s second digital performance brand in the region and will fortify the Group’s growing global performance marketing network.
Rosemary Lising, previously Regional Managing Director iProspect: Key Accounts, will become the Managing Director for Columbus Asia and drive the Asian expansion.
“Columbus has been an extremely successful company for Dentsu Aegis Network in Australia, and we feel it’s the right time to expand the business and its innovative performance solutions into Asia,” said Lising. “The opportunity will allow us to meet ambitious targets with our growing roster of Dentsu Aegis clients across Asia Pacific.”
Since its establishment in 2006, the Australian-based digital agency has grown to become the country’s largest performance marketing business.
Nick Waters CEO Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific said of the expansion, “We have seen significant growth in performance media across the region. In Columbus we have Australia’s leading search and performance agency, and will now extend the agency into Asia to capture the opportunity.
“Columbus will operate in parallel to iProspect as a sister agency, and Ruth Stubbs will lead a new performance media division within the group.”
Lising will report into Ruth Stubbs, now CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Digital Performance, which also includes iProspect, John Brown and the network’s mobile arm Fetch in Asia Pacific.
Rebecca Tos, who will continue as Managing Director for Columbus Australia, said, “Expansion into Asia is a significant milestone for Columbus, not only signalling the strength of our brand across borders but also the synergy of our world class offering with clients in the Asian market. I’m truly excited to support the Columbus Asia operation and our existing clients with Asian presence are already seeing real value in this growth for their business, strengthening our brand and partnerships even further.”
