28 November 2008
	PROFILES GREY SA

Type of agency - Advertising Ownership - 74,9% WPP; 25,1% Bongani Khumalo Key person - Tim Byrne New business - R40m Accounts gained - 2 Accounts lost - 2 Total clients - 14 Number of staff - 90 Equity - 25,1% Biggest client - British American Tobacco The July 2007-June 2008 period was a rollercoaster ride for Grey. Nokia decided early on to realign its advertising account internationally, depriving the agency of its single biggest client. However, the agency bounced back quickly, picking up the Amstel account and helping Brandhouse relaunch the brand at the end of 2007. At about the same time Ann Nurock, Grey's CEO since 2005, was offered the job as head of Grey Canada. After a long search, she was replaced in May this year by industry veteran Tim Byrne. Not surprisingly, given the disruptions, the agency did not have a great year for pitches, losing all four it pursued. However, Byrne confidently says: "By early 2009 Grey SA will be able to compete with the best of them for any piece of SA or African business." After BAT, the agency's biggest clients are Brandhouse, Mazda, Visa and Procter & Gamble.