OLIVER Group adds to global capability with Istanbul office

OLIVER Group has opened an office in Istanbul as the latest move in its ambitious global expansion drive as it looks to push the in-house agency model regionally and globally.

OLIVER Istanbul opens its doors with Migros, Turkey’s largest supermarket chain, as a founding client. The client list also includes global paper manufacturer Kipas Holding, brokerage firm Sanko Menkul, Turkey’s largest carpet company Kasmir Hali, and Turkish newspaper Dunya Gazetesi.

OLIVER Istanbul is led by Giray Besen as managing director and Neslihan Besen, as creative director. Both were previously at boutique ad agency Ceteris Paribus.

OLIVER Istanbul is located in Levent, one of Istanbul’s main business districts. It will act as a specialist hub in creative and digital. The agency will service clients across multiple industries including some of Turkey’s biggest corporate, textile and media brands.

Simon Martin, OLIVER Group global chief executive, said: “The creative industry in Turkey is experiencing healthy growth when it comes to digital advertising. It’s a hugely competitive marketplace and comes with its own challenges, but it is also leading the way when it comes to exploring different ways of working – a trend that’s endorsed by the forward-thinking clients that we’re opening our doors with.

“In a challenging marketplace, speed, efficiency and work that truly delivers are all vital. Sitting inside our clients’ businesses enables us to work at the pace required to deliver to these needs. But to do this successfully, having the right people is key. Giray has fantastic local market knowledge and is a hugely successful creative in his own right, making him and Neslihan the perfect duo to lead the agency. Turkey is an exciting place to be right now, and this is a significant development in OLIVER’s journey.”

Giray Besen added: “The concept of bringing talent in-house is already a working practice for many Turkish agencies and their clients. This is a hugely positive starting point for OLIVER Istanbul because we are offering a proposition that brands are familiar with, and which they embrace. What makes OLIVER’s model unique – and the reason I was drawn to it – is its simplicity, coupled with the speed at which it can deliver for its clients. To launch with such a variety of big names is an incredible achievement and we’re already developing some hugely exciting work – all of which stands OLIVER Istanbul in good stead for a successful future.”

The Istanbul opening follows the launch of OLIVER Manchester in the UK last month.

  Agency News, Ceteris Paribus, Corporate, Dunya Gazetesi, Giray Besen, In-House Agency, Istanbul, Kasmir Hali, Kipas Holding, Levent, Media, Migros, Mother’s Day, Neslihan Besen, OLIVER, OLIVER Group, Sanko Menkul, Simon Martin, Supermarket, Textile, Turkey