UK-based media agency Aegis Media expects to double its Asia-Pacific business, including Thailand, in terms of revenues and staff within three years through acquisitions and organic growth.

This year, the group plans to acquire several media companies, including two in Thailand, said regional boss Richard Halmarick.

The company is eyeing up two medium-sized media agencies and expects the process to be completed this year, although the group is yet to set an exact investment target, he said.

Some media and public-relations companies have already been acquired.

Aegis Media will also soon open an advertising company in Thailand called Posterscope.

Halmarick, however, said the group did not know when Posterscope's operations would gain enough corporate customers to become a proper subsidiary.

Aegis Media is also waiting until it gets enough Thai clients to announce the launch of Posterscope.

He said outdoor advertising in Thailand made up a large chunk of the marketing industry here, as was visible from the variety of types and sizes on display in Thai communities.

The Aegis Group's four businesses globally consist of Posterscope, media planners Carat, digital-media company Isobar - although it is known as Digithais in Thailand - and Vizeum, which handles media accounts.

Halmarick said Aegis was not worried about Thailand's political uncertainty and economic downturn, and he remained confident the group had a strong foundation for continued growth.

He said the Thai economy looked healthy, like most other markets in Southeast Asia.

Last year, the group's business grew 20 per cent to Bt4.2 billion, and its trade in Thailand came in second among the seven countries that fell under Halmarick's jurisdiction.

The group hopes that in the next three years' Digithais' revenues will grow 30 per cent, Vizeum's 100 per cent and Carat's 40 per cent.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation