Essence Launches R&D Hub in Singapore

In Singapore, WPP-owned data-driven media agency Essence has launched an innovation, research and development hub called Essence Global Ventures (EGV), to help develop its 'product proposition'.

Essence combines data science, media and customer experience skills to help clients build connections between brands and consumers. The new EGV, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), will develop marketing technology products that use predictive data signals and automation to improve business performance, customer experience and brand governance. These solutions will be commercialized and deployed across 106 markets via Essence's offices worldwide.

EGV will be overseen by an executive council comprising senior global and regional leaders from Essence. Initiatives will include talent development programmes to grow and support Singapore's next generation of industry leaders, through professional development and training programmes in fields such as data science, advanced analytics, data and product engineering, creative technology, user experience design, and data integrity and privacy.

Kunal Guha (pictured), who oversees the agency's Singapore office as well as its product offering in Asia Pacific, comments: 'With our strategic partnership with EDB, we are embarking on an exciting future in incubating and developing product propositions for the new era of marketing, with data, technology, protection and experience at the very core. Through EGV, we are thrilled to be building these future-forward solutions, made in Singapore and transplanted to the world'.

Web site: www.essenceglobal.com .