MUMBAI: Global provider of telecommunications services VimpelCom Ltd, headquartered in Amsterdam, has appointed two global media agencies - Dentsu Aegis Network and Starcom Mediavest Group - to manage its global media planning and buying.

The move forms part of the company's transformation to globalise its operations and processes across the Group. VimpelCom claims to serve over 217 million customers, across 14 countries.

From 1 January, 2016, Dentsu Aegis Network and Starcom Mediavest Group will take over media planning, management and buying for VimpelCom in the following countries: Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, and Georgia, covering its consumer brands Beeline, Wind, Kyivstar, Banglalink and Mobilink.

VimpelCom chief communications & brand officer Rozzyn Boy said, “VimpelCom embarked on a transformation program earlier this year, which aims to significantly improve our operational efficiencies, reduce our cost base and reinvent ourselves as a truly digital business. As part of this strategy, we are globalising a number of our supplier relationships and optimising our position as a customer-centric international organisation, driven by innovation and digital models. In a customer-first world, having the right digitally savvy creative and media planning partners is key to our marketing maturity and interactions with our valued customers.”

“After a robust review of potential agency networks across our footprint, we are pleased to welcome Dentsu Aegis Network and Starcom Mediavest Group as our strategic media planning and buying partners for the VimpelCom Group,” Boy added.