Hta Inks Alliance With Nepal Agency

Hindustan Thompson Associates (HTA), the local subsidiary of global advertising major J Walter Thompson, has entered into a pact with Nepalese agency Mediaman to set up a new agency Thompson Nepal. Formally launched two weeks ago, JWT will hold a majority stake in the agency through HTA. Ad professionals, Nabin and Mani Joshi of Mediaman hold the rest. "It is convenient for JWT to invest in Nepal through India. Domestic business in Nepal seems to be growing. Many of JWT's clients are establishing their presence there. HTA will act as an investment vehicle," said an HTA spokesperson in Mumbai.

Thompson Nepal will be a full service ad agency with local and foreign professionals in creative, strategic planning, media and production. HTA and Mediaman have had an ongoing relationship for seven years with the Nepal agency acting as an agency of record (AOR) for HTA. Equity investment has been made possible only now. "Earlier, the local government was very strict about advertising created by foreign agencies," said HTA sources.

 

Thompson Nepal will be headed by Joydeb Chakravarty who has been involved in the Nepal operations for quite some time. Earlier, speaking about the new agency, Mike Khanna, the Central Asia director of JWT said, "We are here to participate in the economic development of Nepal with our global clients including Surya Tobacco, Nepal Lever, Horlicks, Kellogg.

The new firm will be looking to participate in infrastructure projects such as telecom and power and tourism-related services like hotels and aviation.

According to Chakravarty, the advertising industry in Nepal has grown at approximately 15 per cent last year. "A large part of our job is to develop basic infrastructure in the business, which unfortunately has not attracted substantial talent. We will hire people there and train them if need be. Initially, however, people from here are being sent there", the spokesperson added. The new agency will add to the 228 JWT offices worldwide.