Fitch to collaborate with Landor in India

When the WPP chief Martin Sorrell advocates his ad agencies to compete for client businesses with his "kiss-and-punch" philosophy, design companies owned by the WPP group have collaboration on their minds.

Rodney Fitch, chairman and CEO, Fitch, WPP's design consultancy told Business Standard that Fitch, which specialised in retail design would collaborate with other group agencies like Landor for branding design solutions for Fitch's clients in India.

Fitch, which will set shop in Mumbai in January 2007, is already doing work for Indian clients like Reliance retail through its other global offices.

"We are looking at involving Landor in an Indian project that we have recently signed in India," said Fitch. However, he refused to comment on the size of the business.

Landor has already worked for Indian companies, one of the noteworthy being the new logo of Reliance ADAG. Internationally, Fitch and Landor have worked together on accounts like Procter & Gamble and Tesco.

He further added that Fitch was open to acquiring Indian design firms to increase the design major's presence in India. He said: "We want to initiate a process of knowledge transfer. The Indian design house could provide us with cultural and local insights and with our experience in creating design globally, the Indian design industry will be in for a better retail experience." For heading its Indian operations, senior executives from Fitch are currently in the country to interview potential candidates.

Founded in 1972, Fitch became the first design company in the world to obtain a full stock exchange listing in 1982. In 2001, Fitch was acquired by the global advertising and communications network, WPP.

Some of their recent clients include, Asian Games 2006, DHL, Hewlett Packard, Lego, Levi's, Starbucks, Unilever and WalMart.

Landor Associates, branding and design consultancy by the WPP group, offers a range of brand strategy, design, employee engagement and business alignment, naming, interactive and research services. Landor has 22 offices in 17 countries and some of its clients include brands such as BP, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Microsoft and PepsiCo.