E-business alliance ready to expand

esolutions has appointed FCB New Zealand as its above and below-line advertising agency.

Launched in February, esolutions is an alliance between Microsoft, Telecom and New Zealand's biggest IT services firm, EDS.

The company offers a range of online business solutions including eOffice, which the ASB Bank has already piloted.

Brand manager Sue McCarty says esolutions intends "revolutionising the capabilities of New Zealand business" and will appoint a public relations agency soon.

"We have some live clients [Telecom and its suppliers], but now we are gearing up to take our range of products to the market and engage the wider business community."

In other e-business advertising news, Microsoft New Zealand said yesterday it had appointed August. One Communications as its new public relations agency.

August. One, which does corporate communications work for Microsoft in Britain, Europe, Australia and Asia Pacific, takes over from Botica Conroy, which resigned the account earlier this year.

Established in Britain on August 1 last year, August. One is a subsidiary of Text 100, which has serviced Microsoft in Britain since 1982.