Affiliations: Grey signs partnership deal with Centrespread

GREY is staging a comeback to the Nigerian advertising market, as it announced the  appointment of Centrespread, one of Nigeria’s largest independent advertising communications groups, as its affiliate in the market.

The Centrespread Group, which operates from offices in Lagos and Abuja, will re-brand as Centrespread GREY, re-establishing the global advertising giant as a leader in providing creative and effective full-service marketing solutions across the African continent.

WPP, the world’s largest global media and communications agency network, made the announcement in Singapore, signalling yet another critical step in GREY’s growth strategy of developing its networks in fast growing and important markets and sectors in the MEA region. The Centrespread Group will focus on developing a strong local GREY presence in Nigeria and is another step in GREY’s expansion in key African markets.

Expressing his enthusiasm at the deal, Centrespread CEO Kola Ayanwale, believes the alliance with an iconic agency such as GREY, would positively impact on the nation’s advertising industry.

“The GREY Group ranks among the world’s top advertising and marketing organisations, with an enviable global footprint.

“GREY’s credentials and achievements are impressive and their unique positioning of ‘Famously Effective’ resonates with the same values that have shaped Centrespread into one of Nigeria’s most successful integrated marketing communications agencies over the last three decades.

“The decision to take on the exciting opportunity of re-establishing GREY in Nigeria and across the continent is one that is met with great enthusiasm by both parties, and we look forward to being an integral part of the continued global success of GREY.”

Chairman and CEO of GREY Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Nirvik Singh expressed confidence that the partnership would the agency’s efforts at establishing a dynamic Nigerian presence.