Marlene Lee, regional managing director of Octagon Prism, has found Hong Kong an easy market to work in, with great business infrastructure

Marketing and communications executive Marlene Lee, the creative force behind a string of world-class sporting and cultural events around the region, cites Hong Kong's entrepreneurial spirit as the foundation for her success.

Canadian-born Ms Lee, regional managing director of Octagon Prism Ltd, co-founded her sports marketing business (then called Prism) in 1989.  She was immediately struck by the dynamism of Hong Kong. "The buzz was palpable," Ms Lee said. "You could feel the energy level, and I immediately knew this was the place to be."

That original two-person partnership has now expanded into a firm with a network of offices around the region, employing over 90 people in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. As a division of The Interpublic Group of Companies - the world's largest marketing and communications group - Octagon is also represented in all major continents around the globe.

"Opening a business is very straightforward in Hong Kong," said Ms Lee, who has won a series of awards for business excellence, including being named the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002. She also continues to be impressed by the depth of professional talent in Hong Kong.

"My business is based on the premise of finding and developing quality staff, with the capacity to handle international standard sporting activities and events," Ms Lee said. "I have never found this a problem in Hong Kong. Expatriates are still attracted to come here, and the local professional talents are excellent - they are my prize staff."

Blue-chip clients drawn to Hong Kong

Attracting blue-chip clients is also made easier with a Hong Kong base, Ms Lee added. "Hong Kong is still considered one of the premier markets in Asia for sporting events."

Octagon is responsible for marketing and communications at most of Hong Kong's major sporting events, including the Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse First Boston Rugby Sevens, the Standard Chartered Marathon, the Circus Capital Stanley Dragon Boat Races, the Indoor Trial World Championships and the Omega Golf Open, along with many of the leading cultural and gala events. It also co-ordinates events elsewhere in the region, including Myanmar, Dubai, Australia, Shanghai, Beijing, Taiwan, and Malaysia for clients including BMW, McDonald's and Samsung. 

"Hong Kong is an easy market to work in, and has great infrastructure in terms of transport and communications, and a transparent legal system," Ms Lee said. "Hong Kong is a hub for all kinds of business activity in the region. The large concentration of multinational companies - and therefore the presence of so many decision-makers - is also very important to our business.

"I always describe Hong Kong as the perfect capitalistic environment. If you have the skills, the experience and the capability, those qualities will be recognised and you can move forward. If you build a network, you can move even higher.

"Hong Kong is a place where people are rewarded for effort. It is a very exciting place to do business, and at the same time culturally stimulating, with Western control and standards, and Asian practicality. Hong Kong offers a level playing field, and is at the cutting edge of development and excellence - in all, a great place to build a business in the region."

Related link
Octagon