FCB Manila marks 20 years
With SM Investments Corp.’s Tessie Sy-Coson and Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea.
The Philippine office of FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding) — one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world — celebrated its 20th year in the country with no less than US Ambassador Sung Kim as the guest of honor. Flying in for the occasion was Jonathan Allard, chief financial officer for international markets at FCB Global based in Singapore.
Joining the milestone event were representatives from the agency’s impressive list of clients in its two decades in the industry, among them Dole, Nivea, Asia Brewery, Meralco, PLDT, Smart, the SM Group, Andy Player, Chrysler, Cobra, Double Dragon, The Dalmore, Propan, Dutch Mill Delight, and a host of others.
FCB Manila’s well-deserved reputation as one of the best advertising agencies in the country is underscored by its successful campaigns and enduring body of advertising output. It was the agency that was instrumental in shaping up brands such as Smart Communications’ “Talk ‘N Text,” which, to this day, continues to increase its subscriber base.
FCB traces its proud heritage to 1873 when it was founded as Lord & Thomas in Chicago — making it the third oldest advertising agency in the US that has survived to this day. From Lord & Thomas came Albert Lasker who became known as the “father of modern advertising” because of his work that revolutionized the advertising industry, utilizing radio that, in turn, significantly impacted pop culture. In 1942, Lord & Thomas was acquired by Emerson Foote, Fairfax Cone and Don Belding — who renamed the company as Foote, Cone & Belding.
During the 2016 Cannes Lions (a global event for those working in the creative communications, advertising and related fields), FCB brought home a total of 47 Lions, making it the strongest performance ever. In the Philippines, FCB Manila welcomed 2017 with a back-to-back win for a key regional website and digital project for Dole, and the corporate campaign for Double Dragon (the property development company of Mang Inasal founder Injap Sia in partnership with Jollibee’s Tony Tan Caktiong) — auguring a strong year for the advertising company. - Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz
