Expansion Significantly Increases Bite’s Global Presence; Adds Upstream’s Proven Expertise and Team
London and Hong Kong, October 27, 2009
Bite Communications (“Bite”), the multi-channel communications consultancy, today announced that it has completed acquisition of a majority share of Upstream Asia’s (“Upstream”) Asia Pacific communications network, via its parent company Next Fifteen.
Upstream’s offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney will begin to re-brand as Bite from November. Upstream’s management team will remain in place, with David Ketchum, president, Asia Pacific, joining the Bite Communications group board and executive vice president Paul Mottram running operations in the region. Bite’s former Beijing team is being integrated into Upstream’s Beijing office to form a single expanded team.
Bite is now able to deliver comprehensive global reach for its clients and enable Asia-Pacific-based brands to grow on a global scale by adding Upstream Asia’s offices to its current network, which includes offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Stockholm and Toronto. In addition to geographic coverage, Bite will incorporate Upstream’s blue-chip clients to its roster, ranging from Skype and HTC in consumer technology, to Qantas and Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts in travel, and SWIFT in the financial industry. Bite will also benefit from Upstream’s exceptional digital marketing and social media capabilities.
“Geographically, professionally, and culturally, we knew Upstream would be a great fit with Bite from the beginning of our discussions,” said Clive Armitage, CEO of Bite. “Our clients have strong needs in this growing region of the world, and our new presence in Asia Pacific will complement our already strong coverage in the United States and Europe, making Bite a truly global player.”
“Joining a worldwide network is a natural next step in our team’s development, and by being part of Bite we can enhance our capability for clients and our growth,” said David Ketchum. “We share similar perspectives on the way forward in the changing media and communications landscape, and we both see opportunities to deliver a fresh, new approach to the market.”
Armitage added: “Bite and Upstream clients will now have the opportunity to extend their programs across multiple territories and benefit from in-country experience, giving them the chance to work with a single agency just about anywhere in the world with more resources, better infrastructure, more services and a bigger talent pool.”
About Bite Communications: Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 140-strong communications consultancy with offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, LA, Beijing and Stockholm. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes AMD, HP, Microsoft, Palm, Sony, and Vonage. www.bitepr.com
About Upstream Asia: Founded in 2000, Upstream is a full service marketing and corporate communications network positioned to help companies make the most of business opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. Upstream has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney, as well as regional affiliates. Key practice areas include technology, corporate & financial, and consumer & travel. Prior to this announcement, Upstream Asia was owned by London AIM listed company Upstream Marketing and Communications Inc. (UPS.L) www.upstreamasia.com.
For more information, please contact:
Clive Armitage
Bite Communications
clive.armitage@bitepr.com
David Ketchum
Upstream Asia
david@upstreamasia.com
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