Bates CHI & Partners
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Advertising, Marketing |
| Predecessor | Ted Bates Inc., Bates 141, Bates |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Founder | Ted Bates |
| Fate | Merged with CHI & Partners in 2013 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Asia, including China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam |
Key people | Anthony Pounds (Managing Director), Mark Chung (Creative Director), Digby Richards (Chief Operating Officer), Jeffrey Yu (President) |
| Parent | WPP Group |
| Website | www |
Bates CHI & Partners (previously known as Bates 141 and Bates) is an advertising and marketing firm affiliated with the WPP Group.
History
The Bates name dates back to 1940, when Ted Bates established Ted Bates Inc. in New York. Over a span of 26 years, he expanded the business into the world's fourth largest agency network, remarkably maintaining every client throughout that period.
In the early 1960s, Bates ventured into the Asian market by acquiring a share in Cathay Advertising, an agency serving the Cathay Group across Hong Kong and Singapore. By the end of the 1960s, Ted Bates Inc. had established a presence in Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
In February 2013, Bates joined forces with UK-based CHI & Partners—one of Britain's most decorated independent agencies at Cannes and part of WPP—and adopted the new name "Bates CHI & Partners".
Noteworthy milestones
2000:
- Introduced Buick to the Chinese market; Shanghai General Motors became the leading car brand nationwide. Bates 141 received the Best Automobile Creative Agency Award in China.
2003:
- WPP acquired Bates Worldwide, integrating its offices into other divisions.
- The Asian leadership team preserved operations under the name BatesAsia 141.
2006:
- Led by Managing Director Anthony Pounds and Creative Director Mark Chung, 141 was Asia’s top-awarded activation agency at the PMAAs for three consecutive years, securing 11 Gold awards in 2006.
- Expanded by acquiring Chengdu's largest agency in West China; Bates Apex became the sole Chinese agency to earn two EFFIE Gold awards.
- Added India’s second largest activation unit, 141 Sercon, to its portfolio.
- Welcomed Digby Richards as Chief Operating Officer alongside then-President Jeffrey Yu.
2007:
- Won new clients such as AIG, Virgin Mobile, and Fiat.
- Integrated Bates MeThinks, a prominent integrated activation agency based in China.
- Supported Nokia’s ascent to become China’s top phone brand from 2002 to 2007.
- Initiated the Young Change Agents program aimed at cultivating future leadership talent.
2008:
- Adopted a refreshed brand identity as Bates 141.
- Acquired digital agencies including Bates EVision in China and Singapore-based 10AM.
- Partnered with New York’s PSFK to produce a conference series held in Singapore.
- Became the most awarded agency at Taiwan’s China Times Chinese Advertising Awards.
- Earned Gold and Silver honors at Asia Digital Media awards for campaigns such as Sun Microsystems.
- Bates 141 Indonesia secured Gold at Indonesia’s Citra awards for its Sampoerna Ramadan campaign.
- Won contracts with clients like Arla Foods, Diana Food Group, Google, and Jollibee in Vietnam.
- Bates 141 India reached World Effie Festival finalist status for Marico’s Uncommon Sense campaign and took home a silver Effie for Virgin Mobile Think Hatke.
- Bates 141 Singapore garnered three Effies, including accolades for campaigns with National Council Against Drugs and Nokia.
- Claimed Gold at Marketing Agencies Association Globe awards for its Heineken Rugby World Cup campaign.
- Gained Merck (Neurobion and Sangobion) accounts in Indonesia and Johnson & Johnson Xian Jannsen business in China.
2013:
- Finalized collaboration with CHI & Partners, rebranding as Bates CHI & Partners.