BORDER LINES: GCI purchases Japanese affiliate

TOKYO: GCI Group is set to acquire its first wholly-owned office in Japan through negotiations with long-time affiliate GCI Sun Pub, headed by Yoichi Nishida. According to GCI Group chairman and CEO Bob Feldman, the move is part of an acquisition strategy for agency expansion from six to 11 Asian offices over the next year. Talks to acquire offices in Beijing and Sydney may lead to a deal within six months, while negotiations in Korea and Singapore are at an early stage.