Advertising agency J Walter Thompson (JWT) reported a 9 per cent increase in global billings last year to US$7.9 billion. The agency's Asia-Pacific operations posted an 11 per cent increase to $1.5 billion, citing strong billings from its core multinationals and regional client procurement. JWT has continued strongly this year, winning the Royal Dutch-Shell Group account estimated to be worth $100 million. The account covers 30 countries in eastern and western Europe. The agency cited the performance of its Shell business in 12 Asia-Pacific countries for its success in winning the European account. It has also won a multi-million-dollar regional branding-initiative account to represent the American multinational, Monsanto. Incumbent agency Ogilvie & Mather did not bid. The account involves relaunching and repositioning a range of herbicides in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Grey Advertising has reported more than $80 million in new business for February. The agency has won a $10 million account to launch Visa cash cards, a $5 million account with technology company Infa and another with the Taiwan noodle company, Kang Shi Fu. It had earlier won an account to represent French jewellery company Cartier in China, Hong Kong and India reported to be worth $30 million in billings annually. Grey Integrated has won new assignments in China with Westinghouse China and Evian mineral water.
