Imagination builds Asian presence

The Imagination Group has moved a step closer to realising its global ambitions with the acquisition of Events 360, the Hong Kong event design, marketing and brand strategy company.

Events 360 will merge with Imagination’s local office, operating as Imagination (Asia). It brings a client portfolio that includes Microsoft, Deloitte, HSBC, Citigroup and Lucent Technologies.

Imagination managing director Paul MacKay says the company’s ultimate aim is to divide its billings equally across North America, Europe and Asia.

‘Although we have been in Hong Kong doing small amounts of business for almost four years now, we want to broaden our scope. This is a quicker way of building a presence [than growing organically]. Events 360 has an attractive client list and some strong relationships and this is a good opportunity to get traction in the Asian market.’

Imagination (Asia)’s first major project as a consolidated company will be the Shanghai Motor Show, which is scheduled to take place in June next year.

Had it been able to submit audited financial data in time, Imagination would have topped Design Week’s Top 100 chart this year (DW 22 April), heading the list of UK independents. As the survey went to press, auditors reported fee-income for 2003 – billed through its London headquarters – as £28m on a turnover of £79m.