I bought an agency in China when I was 26 and turned it into a digital juggernaut. AMA!

Ni hao Tech in Asia!

I’m Andrew Collins, Founder and CEO of Mailman Group based in Shanghai. Ever the entrepreneur, I made my first buck in high school selling kids movie posters that the theaters didn’t want anymore. I quickly realized that anyone can see an opportunity, but to take advantage of it, you’re going to have to hustle.

I’m originally from Melbourne, Australia and made my first trip to China in 2003 to take part in an international entrepreneurs conference. I was absolutely blown away by the opportunity that the country had and knew that I’d be back. 3 years later, I made the move to Shanghai and bought a small, but nimble company called Mailman that specialized in “postkard media” with the ambition to turn the group into a leading digital agency with a keen interest in investing in startups. That’s when the hustling began.

Our group spent the next 5 years learning about China as we developed the digital presence of over 50 major sports and tourism brands in China, including Liverpool F.C., Manchester United, UFC, USA Tourism, and Macy’s. I also went on to invest in 3 startups: Fanstang, KAWO, and Shopilist.

We’re now seen as the leading digital marketing agency in China and are quickly growing into our incubator role with KAWO and Shopilist thriving after the sale of Fanstang.

So that’s who I am and some of what I’ve done. Feel free to ask me anything about:

• winning global business
• the digital landscape in China
• challenges running a company in China
• getting started with tech startups
• building quality teams
• fighting through adversity when the tables have turned
• Aussie rules football
• wasting money…

Ask me anything!

Note from Daniel, TIA’s community manager:
The host may choose at his/her preference to not answer particular questions. The AMA is moderated by the community managers, so let’s keep the questions friendly. 🙂

Read more about the Mailman Group here:

• Shanghai’s Mailman Group launches new fund, looks to invest in Asian startups
• Branding the Chinese government