Company Seeks to Strengthen Consumer Behavior Research Initiatives by Appointing Research Specialist to its Service Solution Committee
BEIJING, June 18 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Charm Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRM) ("Charm" or the "Company"), a leading advertising agency in China, today announced that it has promoted Mr. Yihe Zhao to vice president in charge of market research with immediate effect.
As a vice president of the company Mr. Zhao will join Charm's Service Solution Committee, which has been formed to uphold and promote the highest standards of professional service and industry best practice across all of Charm's business segments. By bringing together key executives from different disciplines within the firm, Charm will create important synergies and allow the cross cultivation of ideas throughout the Company. Market research has never been more important and Mr. Zhao's singular expertise will be shared within the Company through Charm's Service Solution Committee, bringing benefits to all business segments.
"Researching the market, consumers and branding is the foundation for all integrated communications in the dynamic and fast-developing market in China," commented He Dang, founder, chairman and CEO of Charm. "Going forward, as head of our leading market research center, Mr. Zhao will be an invaluable asset to help us develop innovative advanced research tools and technologies and ensure that we apply our market positioning strategy across the board to improve our professional capabilities and provide enhanced client service."
Mr. Zhao joined Charm in May 2008 to run the market and media research department. He has over 15 years of experience in the advertising industry, with extensive knowledge of consumer behavior studies, marketing strategy, media research and brand research. Since he has been in the industry, Mr. Zhao has worked with over 100 brands, servicing many major international and domestic companies including China Telecom, Midea, Mengniu, Kia, Lotte and American Dairy and has received numerous industry awards for his work. This experience has given Mr. Zhao a deep understanding of the local market and what it takes for a brand to become ubiquitous. Mr. Zhao is also a published author, having written 'Core Changes - Building Strong Brands Faster,' in 2003, and is a featured lecturer at Tsinghua University's MBA Programs and China's 4A Association.
Yihe Zhao has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Nanjing University of Finance and Economics.
About Charm
Charm Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: CHRM) is a leading domestic television advertising agency in China. Charm operates its business under three brands: Charm Advertising, Charm Interactive, and Shangxing Media. Under the Charm Advertising and Charm Interactive brands, Charm offers integrated advertising agency services from planning and managing advertising campaigns to creating and placing advertisements. Under the Shangxing Media brand, Charm has established a portfolio of television advertising media resources through its exclusive arrangements with four programs on CCTV, and two satellite television channels, Shanghai Dragon TV and Tianjin Satellite TV, which includes not only advertising time but also opportunities for placing branded content. Charm's clients include well-recognized brand names in China across many industries, as well as emerging domestic leading brands. In January 2010, Charm formed a joint venture with international 4A advertising group Aegis Media, its strategic investor, to operate its brand "Vizeum" in China. For more information please go to http://ir.charmgroup.cn .
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
New York
Amanda Sham
Brunswick Group
Phone: +1-212-333-3810
Email: charm@brunswickgroup.com
Beijing
Henry Fraser
Brunswick Group
Phone: +86-10-6566-2256
Email: charm@brunswickgroup.com
