Y&R launches in Myanmar

Announced by global chairman and CEO David Sable, joint venture Y&R Yangon was set up with local partners K-Noke Advertising and will be led by Khin Myat Thu as general manager, John Kyaw Myo Htun as new business development director and Aung Kyaw Oo as director.

Sable said the move is key to teh network's strategy of building strong local offices that “together resonate globally”.

Khin noted that the people of Myanmar have not had the same access to international brands and services compared to neighbouring countries over the past decade, and hence the demand for marketing services is high.

“But there will be many brands jostling for position, local and western, as well as those from China, India and Thailand," Khin said. "So helping clients navigate the landscape will be the key."

Y&R Asia president Matthew Godfrey stated that local insight and understanding is always crucial to successful advertising, and it was imperative that Y&R find the right local partners in Myanmar.

“Taking a majority stake in this venture reinforces our belief that Myanmar will not only catch up, but in some regards potentially leapfrog over, its neighbours in Southeast Asia,” he said.

JWT announced its office launch into Myanmar in April, following Ogilvy’s venture in May last year. TNS and Dentsu were also launched in the country early this year.