World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) kickstarts its Asia office

 

The decision to open an Asian office reflects the WFA's commitment to Asia-Pacific, a region that has become critical to its existing global members' growth aspirations, as well as the home turf for a fast-emerging roster of large regional and global brands. It will also enable the organisation to work more closely with its national advertiser associations in APAC to help them deliver for their members.

 

The move comes some years after launching the organisation's activity in the region. WFA first held meetings of APAC national advertiser associations in 2004, launched bespoke Asian Media & Marketing Network in 2009 and a marketing sourcing group for the region a year later. The annual Global Marketer Week has previously been held in Tokyo, Seoul and, more recently in 2011, in Beijing. The 2012 Global Advertising Summit was held in Singapore in June.

 

Gilroy has worked at the WFA for more than ten years, handling both public affairs and communications. In particular, he has played a key role in developing self-regulatory responses to challenges set by the World Health Organisation around food marketing as well as launching the EU Pledge scheme to limit advertising to children following pressure from European regulators. Before WFA, he worked as a TV and press journalist in France, Spain and UK, including for The Times in London.

 

Said Stephan Loerke, Managing Director of the World Federation of Advertisers: "Will has been an incredibly important part of the team here in Brussels. As our first permanent member of staff to be based in Asia, we're confident he will prove a great asset to both existing and prospective members by helping to demonstrate the value that global brands can get from working together on key priority issues."