Opus beats low-cost Asian rivals to big Cristiano Ronaldo job

Cactus Imaging's reputation for quality has won it a Cambodian billboard job despite being more expensive than local rivals.

The Sydney firm printed a 7.8x12.9m outdoor ad containing 90 panels, which featured football star Cristiano Ronaldo promoting nutrition giant Herbalife.

Cactus exports about 45,000sqm of print per year to Phnom Penh, said general manager of strategic development Keith Ferrel.

The print is ordered by long-term client Phnom Penh Media or agencies run by former Phnom Penh Media staff - such as the Herbalife job, which was ordered by Bridge Marketing Services, he told ProPrint.

[Feature: Large-format legend Keith Ferrel]

Ferrel said Cactus had been able to build strong relationships during its 15 years in Cambodia due to the quality of its work.

Bridge Marketing managing director Hang Sorya said Cactus was an excellent supplier.

"Though it's a long-distance job and more expensive than locals, our agency decided to choose Cactus Imaging as we admire their workmanship and they're known as a highly responsible printer within the region," he told ProPrint.

Ferrel said this was the first major outdoor ad in Cambodia to feature Contra Vision, a perforated film that allows light to come in and building occupants to look out.

"Like always when you deal with people in Southeast Asia, there are technical challenges, but we've been working with them for so long that we get to know what their terminology is," he said.