Interpublic enters Romanian market with third media agency, BPN
Bucharest, July 19, 2012 – IPG Mediabrands has announced today the launch of its third media agency in Romania, called BPN (Brand Programming Network, SA). In Romania, Brand Connection, the agency with more than 8 years of experience in the local market, part of Lowe Group, becomes today BPN, under the leadership of former Managing Partner of Brand Connection, Ileana Tomescu. BPN will also operate in the country under the Lowe Group agency network, led by Veronica Savanciuc, President & CEO, Lowe Group Romania.
BPN is a forward-thinking global media agency focused on programming insights, including social data insights, to drive effective media decisions and business results. The new agency offers small agency attention along with large agency advantages. Aside from having access to all the global tools and resources of IPG Mediabrands, Brand Programming Network will be uniquely positioned to offer highly differentiated services.
IPG Mediabrands, the media agency holding group from IPG is currently a leading international network with with strong local presence in the Romanian market. With the launch of BPN in Romania, IPG Mediabrands introduces a new media agency approach and business model, specially designed for the ever-evolving media landscape.
“It was a strategic decision to launch BPN; a decision which was driven by the latest market developments. Our experience gained over the past two years has shown that there is enough business out there for a third agency to be born. The second reason is strongly related to the social media explosion and the growing power of digital, the highlights that completely redefined the media landscape,” said Jose Antonio Espinoza, President, International BPN.
BPN has plans to launch in 20 countries around 5 continents by the end of this year. Romania is the 4th market after India, Denmark and Poland.
“We have really big plans for BPN Romania. Starting today, our agency is part of a powerful global network, and this means plenty of advantages: access to the global know-how of our colleagues, more global analytic tools and a valuable exchange of ideas. All these benefits we plan to share with our clients through our services, » says Veronica Savanciuc, President & CEO Lowe Group.
Aside from having access to all the global tools and resources of IPG Mediabrands, BPN will be uniquely positioned to offer highly differentiated services in addition to the many special competencies of the other agencies within IPG, Initiative and Universal Media. The new model, called Brand Programming, revolves around the word “programming” and aims to bring clients an integrated brand programming strategy by drawing upon all marketing disciplines. By programming the brand, the purpose is to get closer to the brand, using social media as a key source of information, and in the end, to connect those specific brands with the right audiences.
“BPN is a flexible, creative agency that combines traditional and digital media to find the best media vehicles that will increase brand visibility. By going beyond ‘planning ‘, we will be ‘programming the brand’, so that we will be able to see, in real time, what consumers say and think about the brand and consequently tailor the most efficient investment strategy for our clients,” says Ileana Tomescu, Managing Partner, BPN Romania.
About BPN
Brand Programming Network (BPN), is a new planning and media buying agency from the IPG Mediabrands network, operating under IPG Mediabrands’ Orion Holdings unit. The mission of the Brand Programming Network agency model is to drive business results for our clients by making effective media decisions and efficient investments. Brand Programming Network currently has offices in 17 countries including the United States, and begins operations with over 250 clients. To learn more about Brand Programming Network, please visit www.bpnww.com or www.bpnww.ro
About Lowe Group
Lowe Group is one of the most powerful marketing communication networks groups in Romania. The other agencies in the group are Lowe&Partners (advertising), Initiative (media), HyperActive (digital), GolinHarris (PR), Medic One (healthcare communication) and Mobile Works (mobile marketing).
Lowe Group was established in 1993 and since then, it has expanded its area of expertise, covering the entire spectrum of marketing services. Lowe Group has a team of over 150 employees in Romania. Ever since 1995, Interpublic Group of Co’s has been shareholder in the group. Among the most important clients are: Bergenbier S.A, BMW, Crucea Roșie Română, Electrolux, Ferrero, Johnson&Johnson, Praktiker, Orange, Unilever.
About IPG Mediabrands
Created by IPG to manage all of its global media-related assets, IPG Mediabrands employs 6,500 communications specialists operating in 90 countries and manages $34B in global media billings. A proven entity in helping clients maximize the impact of their marketing investment to deliver explosive business results, IPG Mediabrands enhances the communications offering and performance across its network of media agencies including Initiative, UM, BPN, MAGNAGLOBAL and a roster of Specialty Service Groups. IPG Mediabrands is part of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. For more information, please visit press.ipgmediabrands.com or follow us on Twitter @IPGmediabrands.