Entrepreneur: Patrick Gauvain
HE’S been called a hedonist, an eccentric, bon-vivant, artist and photographer, and even – at least in his younger days – a playboy on a grand scale. All are said, of course, with a great deal of affection and perhaps a little envy. But with more than 40 years of business experience in Thailand behind him, Patrick Gauvain can also rightly claim to be one of this country’s most durable and successful entrepreneurs.
Arriving here in 1968, Patrick, or ‘Shrimp’ as most people have always called him because of his diminutive size, initially worked as a photographer for Pearl & Dean, a prominent advertising company at that time.
It was his skill behind the lens that led to the publication of the famous ‘Shrimp Calendar’ featuring his photographic appreciation of a bevy of scantily-clad Thai beauties. This amazingly popular publication dovetailed with Patrick’s fast and furious Bangkok lifestyle, which included fraternizing with visiting movie stars like Robert de Niro and Roman Polanski.
He founded Shrimp Studios in 1976, operating initially as a graphic design and photographic studio but expanded into a full service agency in 1983 handling clients such as Amari Hotels & Resorts, The Peninsula Group, IHG, Shangri-La Hotel, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Volvo and Jim Thompson Thai Silk Co. Photographic assignments included Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Aeroflot, Thai Airways International and Air Siam.
In 1989 BSB Worldwide (Backer, Spielvogel, Bates, a US-based agency owned by the Saatchi & Saatchi Group), acquired 46% of Shrimp Studios and rebranded the company as BSB Thailand. In 1991, Patrick resigned from BSB, sold his remaining shares and rebranded as Shrimp Asia and established a marketing communications, branding, and signage design firm.
Today it is Thailand’s longest established branding, design and communications firm, focusing on brand engineering, whose aim is to assist in solving marketing problems with creative and innovative solutions.
Its main focus is in the Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa regions (AMEA), and more recently in China and India, with specific emphasis on the hospitality and property sectors. During the past 20 years, the design and build of innovative signage systems has become a key component of the company’s overall business.
Says Patrick, one of the British community’s most senior expatriates: “After living, breathing and sleeping – including a few nightmares – in this business 24/7 for the past 40 years, every day is still a new challenge and a new experience…whether it’s an internal conundrum, a difficult supplier or an individual who knows better than everyone else!
“What is critical is keeping clients’ expectations balanced while ensuring that the team is in focus and prepared for any eventuality, and also continually developing exciting, differentiated and fresh new ideas – and have a bit of fun on the way.
“Bottom line: If you don’t enjoy it…don’t do it.”
For more info visit shrimp-asia.com
Arriving here in 1968, Patrick, or ‘Shrimp’ as most people have always called him because of his diminutive size, initially worked as a photographer for Pearl & Dean, a prominent advertising company at that time.
It was his skill behind the lens that led to the publication of the famous ‘Shrimp Calendar’ featuring his photographic appreciation of a bevy of scantily-clad Thai beauties. This amazingly popular publication dovetailed with Patrick’s fast and furious Bangkok lifestyle, which included fraternizing with visiting movie stars like Robert de Niro and Roman Polanski.
He founded Shrimp Studios in 1976, operating initially as a graphic design and photographic studio but expanded into a full service agency in 1983 handling clients such as Amari Hotels & Resorts, The Peninsula Group, IHG, Shangri-La Hotel, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Volvo and Jim Thompson Thai Silk Co. Photographic assignments included Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Aeroflot, Thai Airways International and Air Siam.
In 1989 BSB Worldwide (Backer, Spielvogel, Bates, a US-based agency owned by the Saatchi & Saatchi Group), acquired 46% of Shrimp Studios and rebranded the company as BSB Thailand. In 1991, Patrick resigned from BSB, sold his remaining shares and rebranded as Shrimp Asia and established a marketing communications, branding, and signage design firm.
Today it is Thailand’s longest established branding, design and communications firm, focusing on brand engineering, whose aim is to assist in solving marketing problems with creative and innovative solutions.
Its main focus is in the Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa regions (AMEA), and more recently in China and India, with specific emphasis on the hospitality and property sectors. During the past 20 years, the design and build of innovative signage systems has become a key component of the company’s overall business.
Says Patrick, one of the British community’s most senior expatriates: “After living, breathing and sleeping – including a few nightmares – in this business 24/7 for the past 40 years, every day is still a new challenge and a new experience…whether it’s an internal conundrum, a difficult supplier or an individual who knows better than everyone else!
“What is critical is keeping clients’ expectations balanced while ensuring that the team is in focus and prepared for any eventuality, and also continually developing exciting, differentiated and fresh new ideas – and have a bit of fun on the way.
“Bottom line: If you don’t enjoy it…don’t do it.”
For more info visit shrimp-asia.com
