By The Star Online

UM Malaysia is the number one media agency in the world for the second time in a row, as per RECMA’s June 2015 Networks Diagnostics Report. UM Malaysia scored the highest score of 26 points to its credit in the recently-released global research report, to retain the No 1 position.

A total of 650 agencies in 40 countries were assessed by RECMA – the Research Company Evaluating the Media Agency Industry, which weighted qualitative scores across 19 criteria in four key categories namely: Compitches, Momentum, Resources and Client Profile to determine the agencies’ performance and their overall hierarchy.

Helmed by Prashant Kumar (pic), CEO of UM Malaysia and president of IPG Mediabrands World Markets Asia, the agency has grown from strength-to-strength from a 28-person outfit in 2008 to a 240-person full-service marketing agency bringing a range of diversified services offerings including social media outfit Rally; e-commerce specialist, Ingenuity; marketing consultancy Inventure; and Data Management Platform Sixth Sense, that contribute to 60% of its overall revenues. The agency has seen a 20% growth just last year.

Founded in Paris in 1991, RECMA is the only research company that evaluates digital and media agencies worldwide. Its research remains the most credible barometer for quality within the global media agency industry. UM is the largest media agency under IPG Mediabrands and sits within the Interpublic Group of Companies.