German consultancy agency Aquarius Shanghai announces new senior hires

Ho has over 10 years of experience in integrated communications and advertising, with agencies like Proximity/BBDO Hong Kong, IGOO Communications. She was most recently senior account director at Publicis Hong Kong. She will report to Marc Finsterlin, chairman of Aquarius Asia.

Wan Sze joins the company as associate creative director, bringing with her eight years of experience in advertising and integrated marketing disciplines – digital, BTL, ATL in China and Hong Kong. Her career background includes roles as group head for Starnet China, and senior digital art director at BBDO Proximity Hong Kong. She has also worked TBWA Tequila.

The agency is also expanding its production department with two senior web developers, Daniel Kristensen and Philip Pan. They have joined the agency since the Shanghai office, the agency's first operation in China, after its Hong Kong and Munich office, opened last July.

Aquarius Asia, based in Hong Kong, develops digital concepts and realises these for multinational customers across the Asia-Pacific region. Its key clients include Bosch, Hugo Boss and Allianz.

Ho cited that Aquairus Asia differs from other creative-driven agencies, "as we have a strong focus on consultancy, helping clients in terms of business models and effectiveness, with particular focus  in e-commerce, which has a strong potential and well-accepted in China."

Apart from Aquairus Asia opening its first China office, quite a number of independent agencies have also opened up new offices in China this year, including Singaporean integrated marketing agency Band, which launched a new office in Beijing.

Design consultancy Fitch has also opened a studio in China, and marketing and brand research consultancy Cimigo has opened an office in Shanghai.