Edelman expands into Vietnam

The new company will be named AVC Edelman.

Richard Edelman, president and CEO of Edelman, noted that the country’s middle-income sector is growing rapidly and it has the 13th largest population in the world. “Because its immediate and medium growth prospects are one of the best in Asia Pacific, our clients are pounding at our door for communications help to navigate the Vietnam market.”

Founded in 2000, AVC Communications is a full-service public relations, marketing activation, public affairs and digital agency, with staff strength of 35. Its multinational client spans over industries such as consumer electronics, technology, healthcare, FMCG and energy.

While public relations is still a relatively young industry in Vietnam, Bui Ngoc Anh, managing director and founder of AVC, believes that the agency will be able to define a new standard for the communications industry locally, being one of the first multinational PR firms to enter Vietnam directly.

"We wanted to be part of Edelman because it doesn’t just bring a great network and capability; it is totally committed to the training and development of our team that will enhance our services and deepen our skillsets.”

David Brain, president and CEO of Edelman Asia Pacific, said that the addition of AVC to its network in Asia Pacific will certainly give an edge in its ability to service clients across the region. “AVC has been a pioneer in the market by being focused on its client’s business outcomes and providing an integrated communications offering that includes deep digital capability.”

AVC will be part of Edelman’s Southeast Asia sub-region, reporting into Bob Grove, managing director of Edelman Southeast Asia. Grove noted that the key markets in Southeast Asia are increasingly becoming a strategic foreign direct investment destination in addition to the focus on China and India.

The recently-released figures from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that Southeast Asia is the largest destination of US foreign direct investment in the Asia-Pacific, ahead of Australia, Japan, and China. “With 300 people across our Southeast Asia markets, Edelman has the strength and depth to provide clients with an array of communications services and counsel to support their growth in this region,” Grove added.