Former Bates 141 Chairman Joins Numsight

Jeffrey Yu, former Chairman of Asian marcoms agency Bates 141, has joined brand-focused consumer data analytics consultancy Numsight, with a remit to develop the firm's market in China and prepare for its expansion in Shanghai.

Numsight is headquartered in Paris, with offices in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and Hong Kong. Its researchers analyse consumer behaviour data to help with brand positioning, and services include pricing optimisation, point-of-sale concepts, targeted communication, sensory measurement and forecasting.

Yu joins following 25 years with the Bates ad agency. He began his career as a journalist and communications researcher, before joining Ted Bates in 1985 in a client services role. Later, he took on the management of Bates Hong Kong, from where he began to build the Bates Greater China network.

In 2000, Yu took over responsibility for Asia, and in 2003, following WPP's acquisition of the Bates Group, he became responsible for the Asia-only marcoms network Bates 141.

He was asked to leave the WPP Group last October following what he described as a 'disagreement over the future direction of the agency'.

During his career, Yu has served as Chairman of the Hong Kong 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agents), and he was named Agency Person of the Year in 2000 by Media and Marketing.

Web site: www.numsight.com .