Shanghai - Group Eight (八联), a Singapore based independent advertising group, recently announced the opening of its Shanghai office and appointment of team members which reinforce its position as one of the region’s leading unconventional advertising group. The establishment of a new office in Shanghai – taking the number of Group Eight staff to 60 spread across four offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam; Group Eight Shanghai also hires Saatchi planner Cesar Fong and Y&R Art Director Jacky Jiang and Soulfire’s Marketing Director Christian Klepp for its business team. Group Eight’s head of Asia and founder Watson Lee said the establishment of a China office has been the focus for some time. “To have secured the various team members for our Shanghai office is a coup for our business.” “Aside from their obvious advertising, creative, planning and servicing expertise, the new team is also familiar with Group Eight’s unconventional offerings.” said Watson. Christian Klepp one of the pioneer team members who starts at Group Eight on 1 July have committed to help the China office better utilise Group Eight’s unconventional offerings for clients in China. “I’m delighted to be joining Group Eight because I’ve admired its unconventional and effective approach to campaigns in the past,” he said.“To have an opportunity to work in Group Eight Shanghai office is very exciting.”