News

NEW YORK AUGUST 4, 2014 - Global strategic branding firm Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) and Gramco company (www.gramco.net) the largest Japanese branding firm, today announced a strategic partnership that builds upon both firms’ commitment to their domestic and global clients as well as their shared interests in China.

Gramco’s reputation in Japan, built on more than 27 years of experience, combined with its methodological and creative approach to brand experience, adds to Siegel+Gale’s focused development in the Asia Pacific region. Similarly, with over 45 years of experience in building world-class brands, Siegel+Gale’s expertise in creating solutions rooted in elegant simplicity will bolster Gramco’s strategic vision.

“Partnering with Gramco helps Siegel+Gale better serve our clients in the APAC region as we pursue strategic opportunities together,” said Jason Cieslak, president, Pacific Rim of Siegel+Gale. “This partnership furthers our expansion in Asia, as we also focus on growth in the U.S, Middle East and Europe,” added Cieslak.

“An increasing number of our clients, in particular our Japanese clients, are aiming to boost and build their brands in global markets. By partnering with Siegel+Gale, a prominent pioneer in the field of branding, we will be able to maximize our clients’ future possibilities,” said Atsuro Yamada, president and CEO of the Gramco Group.

Lisa Wang, president of Gramco Shanghai said: “In this memorable year for Gramco China, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are delighted to announce this partnership which combines our strengths in planning and creative, with Siegel+Gale’s experience in research, analysis and strategy. This partnership allows us to provide both our Japanese and Chinese clients with more impactful services.”

“Gramco's commitment to developing memorable, clearly defined brands, together with Siegel+Gale's ethos of simplicity, makes this a perfect cultural alignment that will provide tangible value to our clients," said David Srere, co-CEO and chief strategy officer at Siegel+Gale.

A Gramco executive will be based in Siegel+Gale’s headquarters in New York City, and both firms have pledged on-the-ground collaboration in China to cultivate opportunities between the two firms as part of the alliance.

Siegel+Gale and Gramco will continue to operate independently, partnering when appropriate opportunities arise.

■About Siegel+Gale
Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) is the simplicity company. We seek it, defend it and embrace it in everything we do to help brands reach their true potential. Simplicity is the centerpiece of the strategies we develop that reveal the unique truths of an organization, the engaging stories we create that connect brands with their audiences and the meaningful experiences we deliver that are both unexpectedly fresh and remarkably clear.
Since 1969, Siegel+Gale has championed simplicity for leading corporations, nonprofits and government organizations worldwide. We have offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai and Beijing, but we’re willing to fly just about anywhere. We’re also not alone. As part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., we have strong partners all around the world.

■About The DAS Group of Companies
The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

■About Gramco
Gramco (www.gramco.net) is the oldest, independent branding specialist in Japan. Since 1987, we have provided a wide range of services including research, analysis, concept building, naming, design and communication support. Through our original methodology “Brand One,” we deliver unique value to individual projects with consistent quality. Other differentiating services include “Style Control” and “Spatial Branding,” to visualize, deploy, and manage brand worldviews. We also develop seminars and publications to amplify our knowledge on branding.

■About Gramco China - Shanghai and Beijing
Gramco established its subsidiary in Shanghai in 2004, and opened a branch office in Beijing in 2006. Shanghai headquarters provides many Japanese and Chinese enterprises with consulting and design services, while the Beijing office mainly provides “Spatial Branding” service, as well as general branding services.

Contact:
Christopher Stella
Senior Marketing Director
Siegel+Gale
cstella@siegelgale.com
+1 212.453.0485

Ayako Shimotsuma
Brand Consultant, Manager of Presidential Office
Gramco
Shimotsuma.pla@gramco.co.jp
+81.3.3548.3003