Omnicom Unveils 'Omnicom Building' at China's Tsinghua University

BEIJING, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Omnicom Group Inc., a strategic holding company that manages a portfolio of award-winning global market leaders in the disciplines of advertising, marketing services, specialty communications, interactive/digital media and media buying services, unveiled today the "Omnicom Building" at the Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communications (TSJC) in Beijing.

A special plaque commemorating the naming of the building, featuring calligraphy by the TSJC Dean, Fan Jingyi, was unveiled in the presence of Omnicom President and CEO John Wren and Tsinghua University top officials.

"The Omnicom partnership with Tsinghua is a significant milestone in our 20-year history. The naming of the Omnicom Building not only reflects our strong and growing commitment to China, but it also demonstrates our shared values in fostering excellence, talent and creativity. It is symbolic that this important initiative takes place in China, as Omnicom celebrates its 20th anniversary," said Omnicom President and CEO John Wren.

Tsinghua University is viewed by many as an education icon in China, having turned out numerous famous students including the current President, Hu Jintao, and ex-Premier Zhu Rhongji. It currently has over 20,000 students and 7,100 faculty members.

The Omnicom Group employs more than 60,000 people globally who work across a range of disciplines including advertising, marketing and corporate communications. The Omnicom Group comprises: three global advertising agency networks; a global network of more than 100 companies in specialty communications; leading national advertising agency brands based in the United States; and a media group that includes two of the world's premier providers of media planning and buying services. Operating in over 100 countries, Omnicom Group's connected global resources service more than 5,000 clients and it ranks 230th in the Fortune 500.

"Omnicom's brands are consistently recognized as being among the world's best as they build on an extraordinary commitment to excellence and creativity. We have seen this translate into increased demand for world-class marketing services through our agencies and networks both in China and around the world," commented Michael Birkin, Omnicom's Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO Asia Pacific.

Serge Dumont, who was recently appointed Senior Vice President and President Asia Pacific of Omnicom, added, "The Omnicom Building will be a key place of learning for a new generation of Tsinghua graduates in the field of journalism and communications. Omnicom has a long and successful tradition of investing in education and talent development. We are proud to be associated with the university's historic heritage and are delighted to be able to contribute meaningfully to the development of the communications industry in China."

Fan Jingyi, Dean of TSJC, attending the event said, "I am deeply impressed by Omnicom's commitment to education and the way the Group invests in its people through initiatives like their famous Omnicom University.

In 1995, Omnicom founded Omnicom University and created the Senior Management Program with Harvard Business School Professor Len Schlesinger. More than 900 CEOs and senior managers of Omnicom companies have completed the two-year program. Some 2,700 other colleagues have completed the Business Learning Program, which was started in 1997 as its DAS (Diversified Agency Services) University.

In 2003, Omnicom also launched its innovative MBA Residency Program. During the 24 months of the program, graduates of top business schools rotate through six of Omnicom's disciplines, guided by a management-level mentor at Omnicom and each operating company.

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (http://www.omnicomgroup.com/) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

About Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University was established in 1911. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the university was molded into a polytechnic institution focusing on engineering in the nationwide restructuring of universities and colleges undertaken in 1952.

Currently, the university consists of 48 departments distributed in 12 schools, including the schools of sciences, architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, information science and technology, humanities and social sciences, economics and management, law, arts and design, public policy and management, applied technology and medicine.

Tsinghua is developing into a comprehensive university at a breathtaking pace. Presently, Tsinghua has over 25,000 students, including 14,000 undergraduates, 7,400 master's degrees candidates and 3,700 doctoral candidates.

About the Tsinghua University School of Journalism and Communications

Established in 2002, the Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communications has quickly emerged as one of China's leading journalism schools.

The Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communications is known for its research in journalism, political communications, film and television, new media studies, international communications, and media management.

The school's diverse faculty has 26 full-time professors and lecturers. Many hold doctoral degrees and most have studied abroad.

Its 275 undergraduate and graduate students are selected on the basis of highly competitive nationwide exams. In addition, more than 2,000 part-time students pursue further study while working in areas ranging from government communication to broadcast management.