ADVERTISING CSL huntscreatlve agency

Three months after Leo Burnett stunned Hong Kong by resigning the account, mobile operator CSL has kickstarted the search for a new creative agency-of-record. The five-year Burnett/CSL relationship ended in June this year, six months after the arrival of Christina Teo as CMO at CSL. The business comprises CSL's two mobile brands in Hong Kong: 1010 and One2Free. CSL has invited several undisclosed agencies to present for the business.

AXA retalnsGray In Asia-Pacific

Financial services giant AXA has retained incumbent agency Grey to handle its upcoming brand campaign, following a pitch that included Saatchi & Saatchi. AXA Malaysia head of branding and communications Cheah Leng Sooi confirmed that the existing relationship will continue with Grey, following the "appraisal". AXA launched a global positioning ear lier this year, created by Saatchi & Saatchi's sister agency Publias Consultants in Paris. Grey currently handles the AXA business across eight countries.

Speed Post leadsMK2 windfall

Hong Kong agency MK2 has scored three new clients, adding creative briefs from Speed Post, Ricacorp property, and Harbour Grand hotel. The Speed Post account will see MK2 launch a campaign in the fourth quarter of this year, to help the local courier service better compete against DHL, FedEx, UPS and TNT.

StanChart targets young adults

Standard Chartered has launched Click-a-Count, an account aimed at young adults, facilitating the sector's day-to-day transactional needs and rewarding customers for every transaction - or 'Click' made.TBWA\Tequila \Hong Kong has developed the communications campaign (including design of card faces and welcome packs), which is running across TV, print, MTR out of home, radio, point of sale, direct marketing and road shows throughout September. PHD handled media.

Pizza Hut nears decision

The Pizza Hut creative pitch in Taiwan has reached the final stages, with three agencies - ADK, David, and McCann Erickson believed to be in contention. The pitch comes after the client ended its relationship with JWT two months ago. The pitch result is expected in mid-September.

BRANDING

DDB wins'MadeinChina'brief

China's Ministry of Commerce has chosen DDB Guoan to handle its 'Made in China' campaign, which aims to educate Westerners about the quality and safety of products made in China. DDB Guoan was awarded the business after pitching against four other agencies. The mainland has suffered a series a product recall crises in recent years, involving such high-profile brands as Mattel.

PCCW launches music station

PCCW has set up a directional music station at Pacific Coffee outlets in Hong Kong to promote its PCCW Moov music jukebox service. The 'HyperSonic Sound' technology allows sound to be focused in a 1.5-metre area. The campaign has been developed by hotmedia, and will run until mid-October.

Avillion selects Shift

Malaysian boutique hotel group Avillion has appointed newly formed agency Shift to manage the rebranding of the group's hotels and resorts.The account, which was previously handled by a local agency, was handed to Shift as Avillion seeks to position itself in the premium category. The group holds several properties ranging from water chalets in Port Dickson to the diving resort LayangLayang.

China props up index

North Korea has, surprisingly, been ranked above China in a national branding index compiled by Washington DCbased consultancy East West Communications. India is ranked 112th, two places below the Micronesian island of Nauru, which as one of the world's poorest countries has an unemployment rate of 90 per cent.

MEDIA

Puma reviews Hong Kong media

Puma has invited agencies to pitch for its media buying and planning business in Hong Kong, with OMD and Starcom believed to be in the running. Puma's media is globally aligned with ZenithOptimedia.

Sing Tao hit by Standard decline

Sing Tao News Corporation's interim results show a collapse in profits, which fell from HK$106.7 million in the second half of 2007, to a mere $23.1million in the first half of this year.The drop can be attributed to the company's ailing English daily The Standard. Due to a combination of the removal of requirements for stock exchange notices to be printed in late 2007 and the decision to make the paper a free publication, The Standard's revenue fell by $43 million during the period.

DIGITAL

Nivearollsout push with Rayll

Agency.com has partnered with Chinese magazine RayIi to launch a digital campaign for Nivea's newly launched Oxygen Power skincare line in China.