Millward Brown says it is already conducting projects in Myanmar but is now establishing a permanent presence to better support local and regional clients operating in the country. Pearce (pictured) is already based in Myanmar, having established Compass in 1996. She left the agency in 2008 and has most recently been a director at Cimigo, directing moderators in conducting qualitative research online with communities of young men, teenagers, young adults and mothers for international clients with alcohol, food and beverage brands in Vietnam.

Gonzalo Fuentes, managing director of Millward Brown South East Asia, said: “We have been looking into opening an office in here for the last year. It is clear that Myanmar is going to be a great engine of growth for our clients and having a presence in the region will better serve their needs. As always, we are committed to bringing new approaches to the areas of branding and communication insights. To start this journey with Lyndal and her vast experience of the Myanmar market is a great privilege for Millward Brown”.

Millward Brown Myanmar plans to commence operations in the first quarter of 2013 subject to approval from the Myanmar authorities. Last June, its sister agency TNS announced it had won its first global FMCG client contract in Myanmar just weeks after the US and other countries eased sanctions preventing investment in the country.

Myanmar had faced tough economic sanctions for more than two decades after the ruling military junta refused to honour the results of democratic elections held in 1990. General elections took place under a new constitution in 2010 and since then the country has embarked on a series of reforms which led to last month’s easing of sanctions.