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DDB Group Philippines has rebranded as GGC Group Asia following the retirement of the DDB brand globally by parent company Omnicom Group after its acquisition of Interpublic Group.

The agency group, which has operated as DDB's affiliate in the Philippines since 1992, will continue to operate independently while maintaining access to Omnicom's global marketing communications tools and resources as needed.

Chairman and CEO Gil G. Chua (pictured) said the rebrand marks a new chapter for the business while recognising its longstanding partnership with DDB Worldwide and Omnicom Group.

As part of the transition, DDB Philippines has been renamed Velocity+, DDB MNL becomes Alab MNL, and Tribal Worldwide Philippines will now operate as The Tribe. Other agencies within the group, including Optimax Communications, Agile Intelligence, Ripple8, Touch XDA, and Bent and Buzz, will retain their existing brands.

The rebrand also brings together several sister companies from the FCT Group under the GGC Group Asia umbrella, including FOSA, Caishen, Track Mnl, Xpress Move, Strawberry Jam, and PhilMovers.

According to the company, the group now comprises 14 companies across 18 locations nationwide with more than 7,500 employees. It added that the transition will not affect leadership, client relationships, talent, contracts, or ongoing operations. 

Paritee-backed North Seventy Five has expanded its operations into Abu Dhabi. The move marks a pivotal step in the communications agency's growth strategy and responds to growing demand from clients operating in the UAE capital.

"Abu Dhabi is a distinct and extraordinary market in its own right. Between us, Iman and I have advised its governments, institutions, and businesses for over two decades. The emirate demands communications expertise that is as deeply rooted in local context as it is globally connected, and we are proud to bring North Seventy Five's full capabilities to the clients building its future,” said Lisa Welsh, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, North Seventy Five.

The agency offers its full suite of integrated communications services to Abu Dhabi clients, including strategy, creative campaigns, design and identity, content and publishing, leadership training, corporate communications, crisis response, and data intelligence, all delivered by senior and bilingual advisors embedded in the region. 

Australasian independent marketing and communications agency, Bastion, has appointed Sharon Adams as Head of Operations. In the role, she will work closely with the agency's leadership team to strengthen operational efficiency, support cross-disciplinary collaboration, and further evolve the agency's integrated model.

Based in Melbourne, Sharon joins the agency with more than two decades' experience leading operations across agencies and creative businesses. She brings expertise in agency operations, workflow optimisation, resource management, and integrated delivery, with prior senior operational leadership roles at Plus Also Studios (Howatson+ Co), CHEP Network, and Clemenger BBDO.

Cheuk Chiang, Bastion Group CEO, said the appointment reflects Bastion's continued investment in building the infrastructure and capability required for its next phase of growth.

"Sharon is an exceptional operational leader with a proven ability to bring together people, process and capability in a way that drives stronger performance," he said.

"As Bastion continues to grow and deliver increasingly integrated solutions for clients, strengthening our operating model is critical. Sharon’s experience and leadership will help ensure we continue to scale effectively while maintaining the agility and collaboration that sets Bastion apart, putting both our business and our clients in a stronger position of strength for future growth."

Sharon said: "Bastion has built an incredibly strong reputation for delivering integrated thinking and modern marketing solutions that genuinely connect with audiences.

"What attracted me to the business was its entrepreneurial spirit, ambitious growth trajectory and commitment to collaboration across disciplines. I'm looking forward to helping strengthen the operational foundations that support great work, great people and continued growth."

 ^{(Pictured: Cheuk Chiang and Sharon Adams)}