Tilak Amitava Chowdhury has joined Angelique International Limited as Deputy General Manager (DGM), Corporate Communications.Chowdhury brings over 15 years of experience in corporate communications, with professional experience across the infrastructure, pharmaceutical, BPO and auto ancillary sectors.Prior to joining Angelique International, he was associated with AECOM, where he served as Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications.In his new role at Angelique International, Chowdhury will focus on strengthening the company’s corporate storytelling and communications around its business and leadership.

India’s public relations industry generated $340 million (INR 3,230 crore) in FY2026—a decade-long leap from $99.08 million in FY2015—but its real footprint reaches hundreds of billions further into the wider economy. According to a joint white paper by Ipsos and the Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI), P.R. now directly influences an estimated $545 billion in annual economic value, exposing a stark valuation gap between agency billings and the enterprise equity created or protected.The $545 Billion Impact Breakdown$265 Billion in Market Capitalisation: Ipsos estimates that investor decision-making hinges roughly 28% on corporate reputation, with P.R. driving nearly 20% of that reputation-building baseline.$220 Billion in Growth & Sustainability: P.R. accounts for approximately 20% of brand awareness across major sectors through journalism, trade coverage, and executive platforms.$60 Billion in Risk Mitigation: Active crisis management and threat response prevent catastrophic valuation drawdowns during enterprise disruptions.The domestic market expanded 11% this year, outpacing global P.R. growth rates (6%) to capture a 12.6% share of the $2.7 billion Asia-Pacific market. Projections set the Indian market at $368.9 million next fiscal year, on track for $474.3 million by FY2030.Nearly 96% of surveyed corporate communicators confirm P.R. builds crucial investor trust, while over half report securing redirected budget directly from legacy ad agencies and digital shops.The Generative A.I. ParadoxArtificial Intelligence is fundamentally altering brand discovery, triggering a shift toward Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). While 83% of practitioners argue that AI search engines make earned, high-authority media coverage more crucial than ever, traditional media relations as an agency revenue source is plummeting.As generative AI renders basic draft creation virtually free, agency valuations are pivoting away from content execution to high-level strategic counsel, public affairs (expected to grow to 41%), and specialized digital engagement.(Image by Barkha Mishra from Pixabay)

Tinu Cherian Abraham, Senior Director and Head of Global PR & Media Relations at UST, is set to move on from the technology services company, bringing to a close a significant chapter in a career spanning more than two decades across technology, consumer and multinational organizations.With 22+ years of professional experience, including 13+ years leading communications for multinational technology and consumer companies, Cherian has built a reputation as a senior communications leader with an unusually broad network spanning Indian and international media, corporate communications leaders, PR professionals and business executives.At UST, Cherian has led Global PR & Media Relations with a global team and agency network, overseeing communications across 30+ countries. His remit has included corporate reputation, executive visibility, thought leadership, media relations, public relations, government relations, crisis communications.Over the years, under his leadership, has generated impressive visibility and media coverage for organizations and senior executives across leading global and Indian media, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, CNBC, BBC, Financial Times, The Guardian, Fortune, The Australian and Australian Financial Review, among others.Beyond international media relationships, Cherian has developed deep and long-standing relationships across India's media fraternity, particularly with senior journalists, editors and media leaders covering technology, business and corporate affairs. He also has also developed an extensive network across India's corporate communications and PR professionals called ICG, bringing together the community.His network and influence extend beyond traditional communications circles. Cherian has a demonstrated ability to connect people, build communities and create relationships that deliver value well beyond the conventional boundaries of a PR function.He is also known for bringing a strong commercial orientation to communications. During his career, he has helped create opportunities that have translated into multi-million-dollar business outcomes, combining relationship-building, communications expertise and an understanding of business priorities.Cherian's career has included leadership roles at UST, HARMAN and Ola, alongside earlier technology roles with organizations including Infosys, Cisco and Juniper Networks. His career began more than two decades ago and has evolved from technology into senior global communications and reputation leadership.As he prepares for his next chapter, Cherian is expected to explore senior leadership opportunities across Global PR, Corporate Communications, Communications, Public Affairs and broader strategic roles where his combination of international and Indian media relationships, corporate reputation expertise, industry network and commercial orientation can create significant value.People familiar with Cherian's work describe his strength as extending beyond communications: he brings together people, opportunities and organizations - and has the network and credibility to make those connections meaningful.Commenting on his upcoming move, Cherian said, "UST has been an incredible chapter in my career. I am grateful to my team, colleagues, leaders and agency partners around the world for their trust, collaboration and support. I'm excited about what lies ahead."His next move is expected to be announced in due course.

Prachi Kaushik has joined Schneider Electric as Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communications. She announced the move last week, marking a new chapter in her communications career.In her new role, Kaushik will work on corporate communications for Schneider Electric, a global energy technology company focused on electrification, automation and digital intelligence.Sharing the move, Kaushik said she was drawn to the breadth of Schneider Electric’s work across industries, businesses and homes, particularly its focus on efficiency and sustainability. She described the opportunity as a communications brief with significant scope for storytelling and narrative building.Kaushik joins Schneider Electric after serving as Head of PR and Integrated Communications at Signify, where she worked from January 2024 to August 2026. At Signify Greater India, she led PR and integrated communications, working with leadership on brand narrative, corporate reputation and industry positioning. Her responsibilities included media engagement, CEO and CXO communications, leadership visibility and integrated campaigns.Before Signify, Kaushik was Head of PR and Communications at Haier Appliances India, where she led corporate and brand communications across product innovation, corporate reputation and leadership visibility. She also built and institutionalised the communications function at the company.Prior to Haier, Kaushik spent close to three years at OPPO as Manager, Product PR, managing communications for its flagship smartphone portfolio, product PR strategy for launches and brand campaigns, as well as media and influencer engagement.Her earlier experience includes a stint at Genesis BCW as Account Manager, where she worked on the Maruti Suzuki account, managing PR strategy, media engagement, product launches, spokesperson strategies and story pipelines.Kaushik began her agency career at Edelman, working across automotive accounts including TVS, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors. She also spent time supporting Nissan’s communications team.She started her communications career at Perfect Relations in 2016, working across FMCG, CSR and corporate mandates and supporting media relations, campaign execution, strategic planning and client servicing for brands including Walmart, Dabur, Dish TV, Airtel and Google.

Panasonic Middle East and Africa is undergoing a reinvention of how it connects with consumers; moving from a brand historically defined by trust to one that is visibly, actively chosen and loved across generations.The shift began with a change inhouse, establishing a MarTech engine with stronger creative, digital and strategic capabilities, bringing in partners better equipped to translate decades of engineering heritage into a modern, culturally fluent brand voice. A new creative platform followed, built to flex consistently across markets while carrying a single recognizable identity, supported by a channel mix shift toward the platforms where the region's audiences; from digitally native younger consumers to established household decision-makers; spend their attention.For the first time, this was reinforced by a structured influencer collaboration strategy, bringing credible, culturally relevant voices into the brand narrative rather than relying on paid media alone, and by the establishment of digital commerce as a core consumer pathway; turning discovery and desire into a direct, immediate route to purchase.This strategy played out through three successive campaigns:“Panasonic. Capable Since Day One.” revived the trust, quality perception and emotional equity Panasonic Middle East and Africa has built over decades; reasserting credentials that needed to be actively reclaimed, not assumed.“Panasonic. My Choice” moved the brand forward, reintroducing it through the modern lens of a contemporary woman, mother and key opinion leader; repositioning the brand from trusted to actively chosen.“Panasonic. Loved by All Generations,” the most recent chapter, speaks to every persona in the market with products relevant to every life stage, blending modernity, aspiration and heritage around shared moments; a meal, a day, a life lived differently.“This wasn't about chasing a younger audience at the expense of the one that's trusted us for decades,” said Sara Chachi, Leading Brand, Communications and Customer Experience Division, Panasonic Middle East and Africa. “It was about building a brand that could hold both; heritage and relevance; in the same breath.”Since the transformation began, creative output has been elevated, social presence significantly amplified, and affinity with younger generations has grown; a critical signal for a brand with Panasonic Middle East and Africa's history and ambition in the region.

FleishmanHillard has appointed communications industry leader Bibi Hilton as UK chair of brand impact and EMEA managing director of brand, further strengthening the agency's senior advisory team.In her new role, Hilton—who commenced her duties on September 1—will deliver senior strategic counsel to clients, help drive the future growth of FleishmanHillard’s brand business across the UK and EMEA, and serve on the agency’s global brand impact leadership team. She joins from Omnicom sister agency Golin Ketchum, where she most recently served as chief client officer overseeing six international markets and an affiliate network, following a tenure as managing director of Golin London.Hilton’s extensive industry background also includes serving as CEO of the diversity and inclusion social enterprise Creative Access, holding senior positions at MullenLowe and Interpublic Group, and acting as president of Women in PR. She is a recipient of the PRCA’s Trailblazer Award.Commenting on her appointment, Hilton said: “FleishmanHillard has a clear ambition for the future, exceptional talent across its network and a strong reputation for helping clients navigate increasingly complex challenges. The opportunity to shape our brand impact offer, while working alongside colleagues and clients who are pushing the industry forward, was incredibly compelling.”FleishmanHillard UK CEO Marshall Manson praised Hilton's credentials, noting her history of advising senior executives and driving agency transformation. “As we continue to invest in our leadership team, strengthen our advisory capabilities and build for the future, Bibi’s experience, ambition and perspective will be invaluable,” Manson added.

Even Healthcare, the vertically integrated healthcare company combining insurance, hospitals and comprehensive care, has elevated Vignesh PV to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new role, Vignesh will lead Even’s commercial growth across its insurance and B2B businesses, with a focus on expanding insurer and broker partnerships, growing the corporate client base and strengthening the integration between Even’s insurance and healthcare offerings.As CCO, Vignesh will work across Even’s insurance and hospital businesses to drive growth across OPD, wellness and managed-care offerings, while building deeper relationships across the insurer, broker and corporate ecosystem. A key focus will be scaling Even’s presence in Bengaluru, where the company aims to capture 20% of the relevant market.Even’s OPD and wellness business has seen strong momentum, with its corporate book growing 100% over the last year. The business now covers 200,000+ lives across 350+ corporates, more than doubling its corporate client base from approximately 150 over the past year. Its portfolio includes organisations such as Godrej Group, Tally Solutions, PayU, Ultrahuman, Hyundai, Fiat, Marriott, to name a few, with growth supported by an expanding network of insurer and broker partnerships, including Go Digit, Aditya Birla Health Insurance and Care Insurance, among others.At the heart of Even’s proposition is its vertically integrated “payvider” model, which brings insurance and healthcare delivery together through its hospital network. By controlling costs within its own hospitals, Even is able to offer competitive healthcare and OPD plans while creating a connected experience across preventive care, OPD, diagnostics and hospitalisation. The model also allows Even to identify and address health risks earlier, while building stronger relationships with members through more frequent healthcare touchpoints.Commenting on the appointment, Vignesh PV, Chief Commercial Officer, Even Healthcare said, “The opportunity is to move healthcare from a fragmented experience to one where insurance and care work together seamlessly. Even’s integrated model gives us a strong foundation to build deeper partnerships with insurers, brokers and employers, while delivering greater value to members. Our focus will be on scaling this model and making Even the preferred healthcare partner for more organisations and their employees.”Mayank Banerjee, Co-founder, Even Healthcare, added, “Our insurance business has grown significantly over the last year, and we see an even larger opportunity ahead. Vignesh’s elevation reflects the importance of this business to Even’s next phase of growth. His focus on strengthening our insurer and broker relationships, while bringing our insurance and hospital businesses closer together, will be critical as we scale.”Even will continue to invest in its insurance, hospital and healthcare ecosystem, using its integrated model to deliver better access, outcomes and value for members while building a differentiated healthcare platform at scale.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai has appointed Brazen MENA as its communications partner across the GCC region. The agency's wide-ranging remit covers the entire property, including its rooms and suites, culinary venues, bars and lounges, wellness facilities, meetings and events business, and upcoming cultural programming and brand partnerships. Brazen MENA will spearhead consumer and corporate communications across the region, encompassing media relations, social media, and brand collaborations.The partnership comes as the property embarks on a major multiphase enhancement program. The initiative features a complete redesign of all rooms and suites, the reimagining of two executive lounges, and a large-scale culinary transformation involving the renovation of legacy venues alongside the launch of new lifestyle experiences and homegrown food and beverage concepts. The hotel will stay fully operational throughout the transformation process, with additional enhancements to be unveiled over time.Karin Cohen, Multi-Property Director of Marketing for the hotel, highlighted the significance of the project. "This is an ambitious moment for the hotel," Cohen said. "Our owners are making a significant investment across rooms, dining and the wider guest experience, introducing new concepts that will change how people experience this address and how they use it. Brazen MENA understands luxury in this city and knows how to sustain a story across years of change."Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner at Brazen MENA, added: "JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is far more than a hotel. It is one of Dubai’s defining addresses and one of the largest luxury hotels in the world, and it is about to be transformed. A transformation on this scale is rare, and rarer still in a hotel where there is always something new to experience. We are looking forward to bringing that ambition to a much wider audience."(Source: telummedia)

Mutant has been appointed as the public relations partner for Beyond the Label (BTL), a nationwide movement in Singapore focused on tackling mental health stigma and advocating for the social inclusion of individuals with mental health conditions.Under this appointment, Mutant will deliver strategic communications counsel and manage earned media relations for BTL across its various workgroups, which focus on carers, children and youth, seniors, and the workplace. Additionally, the agency will design PR strategies for public education campaigns, handle issues and crisis communications as necessary, and enhance the movement's reputation and visibility across Singapore.Andrea Chan, BTL Representative and Group Head of TOUCH Counselling & Psychological Services, noted that combating stigma extends beyond mere awareness. "Addressing mental health stigma requires more than raising awareness," Chan said. "It means helping people understand how stigma is experienced and giving them the confidence and practical knowledge to seek help or support those around them."Lina Marican, Regional Managing Director at Mutant, emphasized the agency's goal to make these discussions more relatable. "Our role is to translate a complex and deeply personal issue into stories that people can recognise themselves in, which can help shift both attitudes and behaviours," Marican stated.(Source: telummedia)

Authored By: Avantika Ghildyal, Director – Corporate Communications and Jui Mukherjee, Assistant Manager – Corporate Communications at Khaitan & CoSpain may have lifted the coveted football World Cup but one of the biggest winners this year is undoubtably Norway’s Erling Haaland. Nearly two months after, the charismatic Manchester City striker is still making headlines – be it City’s strong start to the new EPL season, or his new look spurring a resurgence in the much-talked about memes on social media.A bonafide sports star for many years, Haaland’s popularity saw an explosive jump earlier this year as the World Cup turned him from a superstar athlete to a “globally recognised brand”. From his impressive speed and “meditative” goal celebrations to his signature blond hair and cheeky social media presence, “Brand Haaland” crossed over into mainstream pop culture with ease.This jump is evident in the sharp rise in Haaland’s Instagram followers, going from ~40 million before the World Cup, to over 77 million right now. From ads to videos to viral memes, “Brand Haaland” was seen everywhere! Nike’s “Five Stages of Haaland” showed the inevitability of dread mixed with humour when a terrified goalkeeper is faced with the towering soccer star. Chinese herbal tea, Walovi too quickly jumped on the “Haaland-mania” and had him breathing fire like a dragon before sipping the product.So how did “Brand Haaland” manage to make this staggering leap? Is he a footballer or a storyteller? And are there lessons in this meteoric rise that marketers can apply to their own strategies? Real and Relatable It can be easy to look at the staggering growth of “Brand Haaland” on the back of viral memes and come away thinking that virality itself is what brands must chase to replicate this success. However, it is actually the relatability factor that has resonated with audiences, resulting in these inescapable viral moments.From his deliberately exaggerated walk to his cheeky social media replies, and bromance with former Dortmund teammate, Jude Bellingham – brands as well as well people are smitten by how relatable and down-to-earth he seems. While his social media posts were popular even earlier, the last few months shone a bright spotlight on his unfiltered, humorous and naturally relatable personality, allowing a much larger audience to connect with him on a personal level.So how can brands, that aren’t flesh and blood, still be relatable? There is no silver bullet, but brands that are successful in making consumers relate to them are ones that effectively articulate their story, nurture a lasting connection and become memorable. Each brand must take three critical steps to arrive at an appropriate marketing strategy. First, clearly identify their positioning in the market. Second, articulating their value proposition to consumers with conviction. And finally, finding the tone of voice so they can speak their audiences’ language without it coming across as pandering. Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking meaningful connections and making decisions based on how a brand makes them “feel seen”. Be it using sincere storytelling or humour, brands that manage to strike the right chord must assess and re-assess at various stages. The choice isn’t about what is trending, but about what feels true to their core promise.The Axiom of Authenticity  According to the 2026 HubSpot Social Media Trends report, 77% of marketers said authenticity trumps production value for social content. Be it collaborations with influencers or digital campaigns, brands are placing greater value on authentic, relatable and high-quality content to build trust among their audiences.Haaland wears his authentic Norwegian roots on his sleeve – quite literally. During the World Cup, he made a special request to Norway’s football federation to include his mother’s maiden name “Braut” on his official jersey. This, in addition to the now famous “Viking row”, won hearts worldwide. Paired with Haaland’s razor sharp focus and on-field accomplishments, his love for his country and the sport reads as genuine reverence, not a conscious branding decision. It is this authenticity that seemed to immediately connect with audiences. The way “Brand Haaland” has connected with everyone cannot be engineered in a boardroom or focus grouped. It won audience approval and gained brand stickiness that was organically built on the back of someone the crowd deemed trustworthy. Brands everywhere are increasing their spending on marketing content that is relatable and authentic, especially in a time where consumers are starting to feel inundated with polished AI-generated and corporate-approved content. In today’s age, brands must communicate authentic stories and build real connections.  In ConclusionHaaland is widely known for his formidable talent, physical dominance and goalscoring abilities on the field. His undeniable capabilities are not incidental to his brand but form the very foundation of “Brand Haaland”, everything else – the virality, relatability and authenticity simply grow on top of a robust, unshakeable bedrock of undeniable performance and results. After all, it’s tough to sell a brand without essence. True passion and connection can be felt, and audiences are discerning enough to differentiate between curated connections and real ones. For branding experts and marketers everywhere, the key lesson here is that substance cannot be manufactured, only amplified.DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and theprpost.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.

AI lab Anthropic has appointed communications veteran Antonia Sanda to lead its communications strategy across Australia and New Zealand, marking a key milestone in the company's regional expansion.Sanda most recently managed APAC communications for global workforce management unicorn Deel for over four years, prior to which she served as Meta’s head of communications for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific from 2013 to 2022. During her tenure at Meta, she steered the tech giant through major crises, including the 2019 live streaming of the Christchurch mosque shootings and the 2021 news blackout response to the News Media Bargaining Code. Her extensive career also includes serving as head of communications at Australian internet portal Ninemsn.Reflecting on her transition to the AI sector following a company induction in San Francisco, Sanda shared on LinkedIn: "Just back from San Francisco, this week getting on the tools and finding my feet. There is so much to learn and I’m not yet across it all. What I have seen is that people are thoughtful and are asking the hard questions."The strategic hire follows a series of regional investments by Anthropic, which opened a Sydney office in April and appointed Theo Hourmouzis as general manager for Australia and New Zealand. Both Meta and Deel have given Sanda deep experience working with rapidly scaling digital entities; notably, Deel surpassed US$1 billion in revenue by 2025 and heavily invested in artificial intelligence.With over two decades of storytelling experience across global technology ecosystems, Sanda noted on her professional profile: "During this time, I’ve been lucky enough to work as a communications partner to some of the world’s most exciting companies and extraordinary minds. I’ve witnessed first hand the transformative good of technology and its challenges. I relish in telling positive narratives and finding fixes to the issues."

REYNA Group has acquired the corporate and advocacy communications specialist Evident to scale its public relations offering, with the firm officially operating as TREYNA Evident, a business unit of TREYNA PR, starting October 1, 2026.The acquisition establishes TREYNA PR, formerly known as MullenLowe MARC, as one of the country's leading PR agencies, combining consumer and lifestyle expertise with deep specialization in corporate and public affairs. While TREYNA PR has a history of working with major FMCG and lifestyle brands such as Unilever, Monde Nissin, and Galderma, Evident brings extensive experience across finance, technology, transport, energy, telecommunications, and real estate, alongside work with multilateral institutions and nonprofits in areas like sustainability, public health, and climate resilience.Evident founder Cecile Dominguez-Yujuico noted that joining TREYNA PR allows the firm to scale its expertise in navigating complex regulatory and public interest terrain.The move represents the latest chapter in TREYNA Group's ongoing M&A and structural evolution, following the acquisition of ARC Public Relations in 2018, an investment in UX/UI specialist Quiddity in 2021, and the purchase of Xiklab Digital’s ad business in 2024. Following a 48-year history that included Lintas, Lowe, and MullenLowe, the company rebranded from MullenLowe TREYNA to TREYNA Group in 2026.TREYNA Group Chairman and CEO Mike Trillana stated that the acquisition underscores the group's challenger mindset and ongoing commitment to expanding its capabilities rather than staying tied to traditional offerings.

Ogilvy Thailand has appointed Mettipapan Tongton as its new market lead, succeeding retiring CEO Jiravara Virayavardhana following a tenure of more than 31 years.Taking up the role this month, Tongton steps in as WPP advances efforts to streamline and integrate operations across its agency network. With over 18 years of experience in marketing communications, Tongton has ascended through the ranks to serve on Ogilvy's executive board, most recently managing T&PM—a WPP agency collaborating with Ogilvy across APAC—and serving as managing director of Ogilvy One. Her expertise encompasses brand management, O2O communications strategy, customer experience, and martech-enabled CRM.In her new capacity, Tongton will partner with Ogilvy Thailand Chief Creative Officer Pete Thasorn Boonyanate and network leadership to drive creative growth and innovation via WPP Open, scaling integrated capabilities across brand strategy, communications, experience design, and public relations."I am deeply honoured to step into this leadership role," Tongton said. "While the agency landscape is changing faster than ever, Ogilvy Thailand's mission remains constant: to deliver creative excellence and drive growth for our clients."The transition marks the conclusion of a three-decade career for Virayavardhana, who reflected on her time with the agency as a privilege. Ogilvy Global CEO Laurent Ezekiel lauded Virayavardhana’s extraordinary tenure while praising Tongton as the ideal leader to guide the agency into its next chapter under WPP's borderless creativity framework.The leadership change coincides with broader integration efforts across Ogilvy’s advertising, PR, experience, consulting, and health divisions. Within Asia-Pacific, the network has expanded its earned media, social, and creator offerings under its Connected Impact strategy, deploying tools like Generative Impact, CompassAI, CultureBot, and its Believability Diagnostic Tool. Ogilvy Thailand continues to serve as a creative anchor in Southeast Asia, recognized for notable campaigns such as the Thailand Capital Market Development Fund's “Check, Check and then Check Before Investing” and Burger King's “The Real Burger”.

Current Global MENAT, part of Middle East Communications Network (MCN), has appointed Sim Devgun as Senior Account Director, as the agency continues to invest in its growing team and client portfolio.Sim brings close to a decade of PR experience across Dubai and London, specialising in creative consumer communications across travel, hospitality, F&B, entertainment and FMCG. Most recently at Umami Comms, she led communications for brands including talabat UAE, Diageo MENA and Rosewood Hotels across integrated campaigns, experiential launches, partnerships and reputation management.Peter Jacob, Managing Director, Current Global MENAT, said: “The last few months have been challenging for many across the region, so we’re especially proud to be continuing to be able to bring in fresh talent, energy and ideas. Sim brings strong international experience, brilliant strategic instincts and a real understanding of what makes work cut through in the region.”Sim said: “I wanted my next move to challenge me creatively and give me the opportunity to work on brands that genuinely shape the city and wider region. Current Global is without doubt one of the best agencies to be at with the calibre of the work, human-first culture and brilliant people right across the team. I’m super excited to get stuck in.”Now in its fourth year of operations in the region, the agency has continued to expand its team and client roster across the UAE and wider GCC, working with brands including Dubai Airports, Global Village, Dubai Tourism, OURA, Uber, New Balance, Heinz and Puck.(Source: telummedia)

Kaizzen PR has been appointed as the strategic communications partner for Synergia Foundation, an independent strategic affairs think tank led by Tobby Simon, Founder & President.Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Synergia Foundation operates at the intersection of geopolitics, technology, security, economics and global affairs. Through the partnership, Kaizzen will lead media engagement and strategic communications for the foundation, with an aim to strengthen its voice and visibility across national and international conversations.The mandate will focus on positioning Synergia Foundation’s perspectives and expertise around key developments shaping the global and Indian strategic landscape. Areas of focus will include geopolitical shifts, emerging security challenges, technology and strategic affairs, India’s role in the evolving global order, critical infrastructure, economic security, and the intersection of technology and national security.The partnership comes at a time when geopolitical developments, technological disruption and evolving security concerns are increasingly influencing policy, business and international relations. Through strategic media engagement, Kaizzen will work towards bringing Synergia Foundation’s research, insights and perspectives into relevant public and industry conversations.The engagement is expected to further strengthen the foundation’s presence across media and strategic affairs discussions, while supporting its objective of contributing to informed discourse on issues shaping India and the global order.

Adfactors PR has named Nikita Sarwara as Senior Vice President, with responsibility for key client mandates across the firm’s corporate and brand communications work.In the new role, Sarwara will work across communication strategy, media engagement, thought leadership and crisis management. She will also be involved in long-term communication programmes for clients and work closely with senior teams within the firm.Sarwara has spent several years at Adfactors PR, during which she has worked with clients across different sectors and communication requirements. Her work has included corporate communications and brand PR, along with media outreach and digital storytelling. She has also been involved in developing thought leadership programmes for founders and senior business leaders.As part of her responsibilities as Senior Vice President, Sarwara will take on larger and more complex mandates while working with leadership and senior teams across client strategy and delivery. She will also contribute to proposals, pitches and communication programmes being developed for existing and prospective clients.The development comes as Adfactors PR continues to expand both its geographical presence and the range of communications capabilities it offers.The firm recently acquired a majority stake in Australian communications consultancy SenateSHJ, adding to its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Adfactors PR has also invested in WLDD, a creator-led marketing and content distribution company.The two moves reflect the firm’s growing focus on areas beyond conventional public relations, as communication programmes increasingly bring together corporate reputation, brand building, digital platforms and newer forms of content and audience engagement.Adfactors PR works with Indian and international companies, startups and institutions across sectors. Its work spans corporate reputation, brand communications and strategic communications counsel.In her new position, Sarwara will continue to work across corporate and brand communication mandates while taking on a wider role within the firm’s senior team.

Middle East-headquartered ITP Media Group has acquired Singapore-based Heart Media Group, marking a significant expansion of its operations across Asia-Pacific and extending its media footprint into Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.The acquisition brings Heart Media’s portfolio and teams under the ITP Media Group umbrella, creating a combined media business spanning the GCC, India and Asia-Pacific. The integration will be phased, with Heart’s brands continuing to retain their existing editorial identities, client relationships and audiences.Following the acquisition, ITP will have a portfolio of 90 media brands and a physical presence across 10 countries, reaching more than 200 million people every month.Heart Media’s portfolio includes international luxury and lifestyle titles such as Grazia, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, LUXUO, Yacht Style, Men’s Folio, World of Watches and NOBLE.The deal also sets the stage for further investment in the Asian business, with ITP planning to expand teams across editorial, digital, design and live events. The combined group is also expected to develop cross-border digital media initiatives, industry events, gaming tournaments, brand activations and live sporting experiences.Luxury brands seek local relevanceHeart Media managing director Wilson Lim told PRovoke Media that the acquisition comes at a time when luxury brands are increasingly seeking media partners that can combine international reach with market-specific storytelling.“Luxury brands are increasingly asking for locally-resonant content that is part of global conversations,” Lim said.He pointed to the growing importance of working with artistes and personalities who have international influence, arguing that the combined group's broader network would allow brands to take such projects into multiple markets through a single initiative.Lim also highlighted the value of retaining local editorial expertise as the group expands. Local teams, he said, would enable global stories and campaigns to be adapted to individual markets while taking into account cultural differences and sensitivities.Expanding beyond publishingThe acquisition further strengthens ITP Media Group’s move beyond traditional publishing into a broader marketing and media services ecosystem.The group's existing operations include influencer marketing through ITP Live, alongside businesses focused on gaming, sports, events and creative communications. The addition of Heart Media's brands and capabilities is expected to broaden the range of solutions available to advertisers and brand partners.For PR agencies, however, the expansion also raises questions about the increasingly blurred boundaries between media owners, publishers and communications companies.Lim said PR agencies would continue to play an important role in the combined group's growth strategy.“From its genesis, Heart Media Group's aim has always been to be a one-stop media solutions partner,” he said.He added that the business would increasingly move beyond print, digital and social media into influencer marketing, content and brand experiences.“PR agencies have always been and will continue to be our steadfast partners and collaborators in our growth plans as they bring their unique expertise in each vertical,” Lim said.Leadership continuityAs part of the transaction, Heart Media founder and chairman Olivier Burlot will join the ITP Media Group board and continue to provide strategic direction on licensing as part of a phased equity transition.Lim will remain with the business as managing director of ITP Media Singapore and Malaysia, overseeing the existing operational, sales and editorial teams.“When we built Heart Media, the ambition was always to give Asia's luxury and lifestyle audiences media truly worthy of them,” Burlot said in the acquisition announcement.“Joining ITP is the natural next chapter. It takes everything we have created and gives it scale, investment and a bridge into one of the world's fastest-growing luxury markets.”ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi said the acquisition is part of the company's multi-year international expansion strategy, which includes targeted acquisitions designed to build a media ecosystem with greater global scale.The transaction comes shortly after ITP announced a 10-year agreement to operate Time Out Hong Kong and Time Out Singapore, further strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific market.The Heart Media acquisition consequently represents a broader strategic shift for ITP, giving the group a larger presence in some of Asia's key luxury, lifestyle and media markets while creating opportunities to connect brands, audiences and marketing capabilities across the Middle East and Asia.

Airbus has appointed Kate Millar as Head of Communications, Asia-Pacific, with the communications executive relocating to Singapore from Melbourne to take up the role.Millar joins Airbus after nearly a decade with Jetstar Airways and the Qantas Group, where she most recently served as Head of Communications.In a LinkedIn post announcing her move, Millar said the new role would give her an opportunity to remain connected to the aviation industry while gaining a different perspective from within the aerospace sector.Based in Singapore, Millar will oversee communications across 26 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. Her remit will span Airbus’ businesses in APAC, while working closely with teams in Toulouse and other locations worldwide.“After almost a decade with Jetstar Airways and the Qantas Group, I’ve relocated to Singapore with my family to join Airbus as Head of Communications, Asia-Pacific,” Millar said.She added that her first few days at Airbus had involved meeting the team and gaining a firsthand view of the scale of the company and the innovation taking place across the region.Millar will also work alongside her predecessor, Sean Lee, during the remainder of the year as part of the transition. Lee is set to retire at the end of the year.Reflecting on her departure from the Qantas Group, Millar thanked Luke Enright for bringing her into the aviation industry and acknowledged the colleagues she had worked with during her career in the sector.Her appointment comes with Millar bringing close to a decade of aviation communications experience at Jetstar to Airbus, as the company continues to strengthen its communications operations across the diverse and strategically important APAC market.

Tania Kohli has taken on a new role as Director, Corporate Communications at Dream Sports, marking a new chapter in her communications career. Kohli announced the appointment through a LinkedIn post.Kohli has been with Dream Sports since November 2024, initially serving as Senior Manager, Corporate Communications before moving into her new leadership role in August 2026.Prior to joining Dream Sports, Kohli spent close to six years at Zomato, where she worked across corporate communications, DE&I, learning and development, and employer branding. Her last role at the company was Lead, DE&I and Communications, where she worked on corporate DE&I and social communications, sustainability and ESG-related communication, internal communities and employee-focused initiatives.During her tenure at Zomato, Kohli also worked on employer branding and communications, including digital platforms, internal engagement, recruitment campaigns and communication initiatives across multiple markets. She began her stint at Zomato as a Senior Associate in Recruitment in 2018.Kohli's earlier experience includes a stint at Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. (Times Group) as Manager, Brand Solutions, where she worked on media solutions across print, digital and events for premium and luxury brands.In her new role at Dream Sports, Kohli will lead the company's corporate communications function.

Simon Shaw has concluded his tenure as Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at King Salman Park Foundation in Riyadh, marking the end of an in-house leadership role he took up after several years of consulting across the Middle East.Shaw announced his departure in a LinkedIn post, describing his time with the foundation as an important professional chapter and an opportunity to contribute to one of the major projects associated with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme.During his tenure, Shaw said he helped shape the organisation's brand direction and strengthen its marketing and communications capabilities, while building a team to support the next phase of King Salman Park's development.The role also represented a move from regional consulting into a full-time leadership position in Riyadh. Shaw said the experience deepened his understanding of Saudi Arabia, its culture and the scale of the transformation underway in the Kingdom.With a professional background spanning strategy, creativity and architecture, Shaw said the opportunity to contribute to a project bringing together nature, culture and community was particularly significant.Reflecting on his departure, he said he was proud of the direction established for the King Salman Park brand, the development of its marketing and communications capabilities and the team assembled to support the project's future.He also thanked colleagues and partners involved during his tenure and said he looked forward to seeing the park's vision develop for the people of Riyadh.Shaw is now working as an independent adviser as he considers his next professional chapter. He said his advisory work will draw on his international consulting experience and in-house leadership background.His areas of focus will include strategy, brand development, corporate reputation, creative transformation, communications and marketing.The departure comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in large-scale cultural, tourism, entertainment and urban-development projects under Vision 2030, creating demand for senior expertise across branding, communications and reputation management.King Salman Park is one of Riyadh's major urban-development projects and is designed to create a large-scale destination combining green spaces, cultural facilities, recreational attractions and community infrastructure.Shaw's departure leaves his next permanent leadership move open, with the communications and marketing executive indicating that he will initially focus on independent advisory work.Simon Shaw has concluded his tenure as Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at King Salman Park Foundation in Riyadh, marking the end of an in-house leadership role he took up after several years of consulting across the Middle East.Shaw announced his departure in a LinkedIn post, describing his time with the foundation as an important professional chapter and an opportunity to contribute to one of the major projects associated with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme.During his tenure, Shaw said he helped shape the organisation's brand direction and strengthen its marketing and communications capabilities, while building a team to support the next phase of King Salman Park's development.The role also represented a move from regional consulting into a full-time leadership position in Riyadh. Shaw said the experience deepened his understanding of Saudi Arabia, its culture and the scale of the transformation underway in the Kingdom.With a professional background spanning strategy, creativity and architecture, Shaw said the opportunity to contribute to a project bringing together nature, culture and community was particularly significant.Reflecting on his departure, he said he was proud of the direction established for the King Salman Park brand, the development of its marketing and communications capabilities and the team assembled to support the project's future.He also thanked colleagues and partners involved during his tenure and said he looked forward to seeing the park's vision develop for the people of Riyadh.Shaw is now working as an independent adviser as he considers his next professional chapter. He said his advisory work will draw on his international consulting experience and in-house leadership background.His areas of focus will include strategy, brand development, corporate reputation, creative transformation, communications and marketing.The departure comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in large-scale cultural, tourism, entertainment and urban-development projects under Vision 2030, creating demand for senior expertise across branding, communications and reputation management.Prior to King Salman Park Foundation, he had worked with Burson as Global Chief Creative Officer.

A new whitepaper from BBG Intelligence titled Not in my backyard reveals that data centre developments across the Asia-Pacific region are facing an escalating public trust challenge as the demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure accelerates. The report examines how these facilities have transitioned from low-profile industrial structures into flashpoints for public debate, becoming proxy issues for broader anxieties around artificial intelligence, energy security, water scarcity, foreign investment, and economic sovereignty.The paper notes that public understanding is severely lagging behind the rapid pace of development. Because data centres lack the everyday consumer visibility of banks or supermarkets, operators are struggling to build confidence while communities grapple with what these facilities are and why they are needed. This information vacuum often breeds skepticism and opposition, particularly when local communities bear tangible burdens—such as industrial noise, construction disruption, and resource strain—while national economic benefits feel abstract and distant.Regional examples underscore the widespread nature of the issue:• In Batam, Indonesia, proposed data centres face heavy scrutiny over water security, with projects projected to consume roughly 32 million litres daily—enough to meet the needs of 320,000 people.• In New Zealand, data centres have ignited political debates regarding electricity constraints, prompting calls from the Green Party to pause AI-focused developments until stronger regulatory frameworks are enacted.• In Malaysia, rapid expansion in Johor has sparked environmental and community concerns over local infrastructure and power networks.• In Australia, local backlash is severe; a proposed development in Lane Cove, Sydney, drew 374 resident objections against only nine supporting submissions. Furthermore, recent polling cited in the report shows that 83 per cent of Australians would not want to live near an AI data centre, and 52 per cent distrust major tech companies regarding transparency over water and power usage.BBG Intelligence warns that communications alone cannot compensate for flawed planning or poor project siting. Communities increasingly demand concrete evidence, visible local benefits, and genuine involvement rather than polished corporate messaging and delayed consultation. To rebuild social licence, the whitepaper outlines six core lessons for organizations:• Start engagement before public positions harden.• Explicitly explain the underlying "why" behind a project.• Make local community benefits clearly visible.• Treat transparency as a fundamental operating principle.• Design infrastructure with community acceptance in mind, not just regulatory approval.• Assume that intense public scrutiny is permanent.

Michael Macfarlane Associates (MMA) has appointed Joe Wallen as Partner and Head of India, as the London-headquartered global reputation strategy firm expands its presence across India and the wider Asian region.Wallen joins MMA after more than a decade working across media, strategic communications and strategic consulting in India. He was previously Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Montfort South Asia, The Daily Telegraph’s multi-award-winning South Asia Bureau Chief, Co-Founder and Host of The Diplomat's Beyond the Indus podcast and South Asia Consultant at Teneo.Based in Mumbai, Wallen will lead MMA’s South Asia business, advising founders, business families, investors, corporates and institutions, while also supporting international clients operating in the market.Michael Macfarlane, Founder of MMA, said: “Our clients are building businesses, investment platforms, institutions and legacies of consequence on a global scale.""India is central to the future of what we are building. Joe brings the experience, relationships and cultural fluency to help Indian founders, families and organisations operate globally, and to help international capital engage with India properly."Wallen is also Chairman of the British Business Group in India; the UK Government's on-ground networking and business arm.MMA operates across eight international offices and advises private families, capital holders, businesses and institutions on reputation strategy and communications.

NorthStar Insights, the senior-led, AI-powered PR and communications advisory firm, has appointed Stefano Hesse as Senior Advisor. Based in London, Hesse joins to strengthen the firm's reputation management practice, bringing more than three decades of in-house communications experience across some of the world's most consequential technology companies and the high-stakes transactions that defined them.The appointment comes as the demands on corporate communications during high-stakes moments continue to intensify. For companies navigating IPOs, acquisitions, and periods of acute regulatory and reputational scrutiny, the narrative a business builds around a transaction have become as consequential as the transaction itself. Fewer advisers can draw on direct, in-house experience of steering that narrative through moments of this scale. Hesse's career sits precisely at that intersection.Over the course of his career, Hesse built and executed global strategic communications programmes for large, complex organisations, including through the Google and Meta IPOs and a series of major acquisitions pursued by both. His experience spans the operational reality of leading communications from inside the business, where reputation is tested quickly and publicly, and where the quality of counsel in the room determines how a company is understood by investors, regulators, and the wider market.The appointment reflects where NorthStar's own growth is heading. As the firm deepens its reputation management practice for clients navigating IPOs, M&A, and complex cross-border situations, embedding senior practitioners with direct, in-house experience of those moments is central to how it delivers for boards and leadership teams.Arth Malani, Founder and CEO of NorthStar Insights, said: "The moments that carry the most risk for a business that is an IPO, an acquisition, a reputational challenge are the moments where senior judgment matters most. Stefano has sat inside some of the most scrutinised companies in the world and steered their communications through exactly these situations. That is a rare perspective, and it is precisely the counsel our clients need in the room. His joining strengthens our reputation management practice and reflects the seniority we are building into every engagement." Stefano Hesse, Senior Advisor at NorthStar Insights, added: "I'm delighted to be joining forces with NorthStar Insights as Senior Advisor. Over three decades in communications, including at Google, Facebook and eBay, I've built and executed global strategic communications plans for large, complex organisations, including through high-stakes IPOs and M&A, where the story a company tells is as critical as the transaction itself. That's exactly the lens NorthStar brings to its clients, and I'm looking forward to helping organisations build the resilient, credible narratives they need to navigate high-stakes markets and moments with confidence."The appointment marks the latest step in NorthStar's growth, strengthening the firm's reputation management and financial communications capabilities for clients across global markets. Stefano continues to lead Stefano Hesse advisory while working alongside us to strengthen our capabilities.

Global creative communications agency PURPLE has expanded into the Middle East and North Africa with the launch of PURPLE MENA, headquartered in Dubai and led by Sonia Ben Maaouia and Emma Norström as Managing Directors.The new operation will offer strategic communications, brand positioning, media relations, talent partnerships, brand community building, social strategies, events and cultural programming across the MENA region.PURPLE MENA will work with the agency’s international network on regional and global campaigns for luxury, fashion, beauty, hospitality, lifestyle and cultural brands.“MENA is one of the world’s most influential global stages, where culture, creativity and ambition are redefining the future of luxury,” said Ben Maaouia and Norström.“Our ambition is to build the region’s leading luxury communications agency by combining international excellence with genuine regional insight,” they added.The launch also strengthens Together Group’s presence in MENA, complementing its regional headquarters in Riyadh and the group’s existing business, Noë & Associates Middle East, which focuses on brand consultancy for design and architecture.Fergus Lawlor, CEO and Co-Founder of PURPLE, said the Middle East and North Africa had become “one of the world’s most dynamic cultural and luxury markets”.“Launching PURPLE MENA is an important milestone for the agency, and I am incredibly proud to have Sonia and Emma leading our presence in the region,” Lawlor added.PURPLE has expanded beyond its origins as a luxury fashion and lifestyle communications agency into a creative communications consultancy spanning fashion, beauty, hospitality, travel, property, arts, culture, design and lifestyle. The agency currently operates across Europe, North America and Asia, with MENA now added to its international footprint.

Vodafone Egypt has elevated May Yassin as Head of Corporate Affairs, bringing more than 16 years of experience across communications, marketing and development roles.She joined Vodafon in 2014 as marketing communication and peop engagement manager.Yassin’s professional background spans several large corporations and industries, with experience covering external communications, sustainable development, strategic planning and budgeting, and creative initiatives.Yassin describes herself as a communications leader driven by purpose and focused on creating a positive impact on society.Based in Egypt, Yassin has built her career across multiple functions, combining corporate communications with marketing and development experience. Her current role at Vodafone Egypt places her at the intersection of corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement and communications for one of the country’s major telecommunications companies.

Media Mantra Consultancy FZCO has announced the appointment of Abhishek Singh as Partner in its UAE business, marking the next phase of the independent communications firm's growth in the region.Abhishek will work alongside Udit Pathak, Co-Founder of Media Mantra Global, to shape the strategic direction, market positioning and growth of the UAE business. He continues in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Peergrowth, the Dubai-headquartered executive search firm he founded.The two mandates are complementary by design. Executive search and strategic communications both work closely with founders and senior leadership teams. Through his extensive engagement with the region's C-suite and entrepreneurial community, Abhishek brings valuable insight into how UAE businesses build their reputations, attract leadership talent, and position themselves for sustained growth.Having spent nearly 15 years in the UAE, Abhishek has developed strong relationships across the region's corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystem. His understanding of the local business environment is expected to support Media Mantra's ambition to build a credible, differentiated and locally relevant communications consultancy in the market.Speaking on the development, Udit Pathak, Co-Founder of Media Mantra Global, said:"Dubai has become an extremely important chapter in Media Mantra's journey. As we enter our next phase of growth, we wanted a partner who understands not only business, but also the pulse of this market. Abhishek brings nearly 15 years of UAE experience, strong corporate relationships and a genuine entrepreneur's understanding of what it takes to build and grow a business here."As someone who continues to lead his own firm in this market, he brings a perspective that is difficult to replicate. His partnership will allow us to build Media Mantra's UAE business with greater depth, stronger local understanding and a sharper long-term vision."Commenting on the partnership, Abhishek Singh, Partner at Media Mantra Consultancy FZCO, said:"Having spent nearly 15 years in the UAE, I have had the opportunity to witness the extraordinary evolution of its business ecosystem. What drew me to Media Mantra was the ambition with which Udit and the team have built the organisation, as well as their vision of creating an Indian-origin communications firm with genuine global relevance."I continue to lead Peergrowth and remain fully committed to its executive search mandates and client relationships. This partnership sits alongside that work, and I look forward to helping build a credible and differentiated communications business that understands the ambitions and complexities of organisations operating in the UAE."As part of its next growth phase, Media Mantra plans to strengthen its regional capabilities across strategic communications, public relations, influencer marketing, digital communications, corporate reputation and leadership positioning. The firm will also focus on deepening its relationships with businesses, founders and senior leaders across the UAE.

PRecious Communications has strengthened its Singapore leadership team with the appointment of Sarah Cavanaugh as Director, as the agency expands its capabilities across corporate reputation, healthcare communications and AI.Cavanaugh will be based in the agency’s Singapore office and will lead client initiatives spanning Southeast Asia. Her remit will include corporate reputation, healthcare innovation and the application of AI-driven strategies to communications.Working under PRecious Communications’ “ONE PRecious” model, she will advise regional and global brands, with a focus on translating innovation into measurable business outcomes.Cavanaugh brings more than 10 years of experience working with multinational organisations across the Asia-Pacific region. Her expertise covers corporate reputation, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and issues management, alongside senior experience in corporate affairs and healthcare communications.Her previous client portfolio includes LinkedIn, AWS, Money20/20, Organon, Takeda and Visa.Lars Voedisch, Founder and Group CEO of PRecious Communications, said Cavanaugh’s appointment strengthens the agency’s ability to provide strategic counsel as communications continues to evolve around AI and other emerging technologies.He highlighted her experience in corporate reputation and healthcare, as well as her approach to the intersection of AI and communications, adding that she would help lead client initiatives and develop measurable solutions.Cavanaugh said she was drawn to PRecious Communications’ combination of data-led strategy and authentic storytelling.She added that the agency provides an opportunity to further develop its capabilities around areas such as AI visibility and strategic reputation, while delivering practical value for clients.The appointment comes as communications agencies across Southeast Asia increasingly integrate AI into reputation management, stakeholder engagement and broader corporate communications strategies.(Source: Telummedia)

Singapore-based communications agency Ellerton & Co. has appointed technology journalist, investor and communications consultant Jon Russell as Executive Director, strengthening its capabilities across technology, venture capital, crypto and investor communications.Based in Bangkok, Russell will join the agency’s senior management team, with a remit covering venture capital, startups, crypto and technology.Russell brings more than a decade of experience reporting on Asia’s technology sector. He has worked with publications including TechCrunch, The Next Web and The Ken, covering areas such as startup funding, fintech, crypto, consumer internet, artificial intelligence and Southeast Asia’s digital economy. During his journalism career, he interviewed hundreds of founders and CEOs and published thousands of articles.He subsequently moved into venture capital, including a stint with Crypto.com Capital, before spending the past three years working independently as a marketing and content consultant. He also continues to publish Asia Tech Review, a newsletter focused on technology, startups and investment across the region.“Technology companies in Asia don't just need more press coverage. They need clearer stories,” Russell said.Ellerton & Co. said Russell’s appointment comes as the communications landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, with tighter funding conditions and a contracting traditional media environment. The agency said companies increasingly need narratives that work across earned media, owned content and investor communications.His experience across journalism, investment and consulting is expected to strengthen the agency’s work in investor relations, founder and executive positioning, owned content, narrative development and go-to-market communications, alongside traditional media relations.The appointment follows a year of expansion for Ellerton & Co. In April, founder Oliver Ellerton was elevated to Managing Partner, while Michael de Waal-Montgomery and Prayaank Gupta were appointed Partners.The agency has also launched Ellerton Creative Studio to expand its creative capabilities beyond traditional communications. It now has more than 30 consultants across nearly 10 markets, including Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Japan.Through its partnership with the GlobalCom PR Network, Ellerton & Co. also has access to a network spanning more than 100 countries.The agency said Russell’s appointment is part of its strategy of bringing senior consultants into the business to support its growing international client base.His remit will include communications around funding announcements and investor narratives, founder and executive positioning, crypto and Web3, and go-to-market launches across Asia.

Authored by : Rishu Singh, Deputy General Manager - Corporate Communications Fortis Healthcare Ltd.“PR is not strategic. It’s just issuing press releases.” A colleague said this to me recently. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it, and it probably won’t be the last. Recently, a renowned healthcare practitioner gave me a one-line brief “Make me a hero.” I smiled, because if PR could simply “make” heroes, our jobs would be much easier.The reality is different……Public Relations isn’t about creating an image. It’s about discovering stories worth telling, earning credibility instead of buying attention, managing reputation when it’s under scrutiny, and building trust that compounds over years. After 12 years in leading PR consultancies and the five years in corporate communications, I’ve come to believe that our biggest challenge isn’t getting stories placed. It’s helping people understand what PR actually does.Marketing creates awareness. Sales generates revenue.PR builds trust, reputation and influence.And here’s the irony……Trust rarely appears on a balance sheet. Reputation doesn’t have a quarterly revenue target. Yet when a crisis hits, a regulator asks questions, a patient chooses a hospital, an investor evaluates a company, or top talent decides where to work - these intangible assets suddenly become the most valuable ones.Perhaps it’s time we stopped asking whether PR contributes to revenue and started asking a better question: Can any organization build sustainable revenue without trust? This distinction becomes particularly important in healthcare. Patients don’t choose hospitals based only on advertising. They choose institutions they trust. They seek clinicians whose expertise has been consistently demonstrated. They rely on credible information when making some of the most important decisions of their lives.Trust influences behavior long before revenue appears on a financial statement.Yet PR often struggles for recognition because its greatest contributions don't always fit neatly into a dashboard. Revenue can be reported quarterly. Sales can be tracked daily. Marketing campaigns can be measured through impressions, clicks and conversions.But PR creates value in ways that extend beyond immediate metrics. It builds stakeholder confidence, strengthens credibility and shapes reputation - assets that influence every business outcome, even if they cannot always be captured in a single number. While trust and reputation may be challenging to quantify, their impact is unmistakable: It take years of consistent effort to build and become invaluable when an organization faces uncertainty or crisis. Increasingly, the communications industry is also adopting more sophisticated frameworks that connect reputation, stakeholder sentiment and business outcomes, making PR's contribution more measurable than ever before.Ironically, organizations often recognize the value of communications only when trust is at risk. During a crisis, everyone looks to communications. During regulatory scrutiny, communications becomes indispensable. When attracting talent, engaging investors, reassuring patients, strengthening partnerships or navigating change, communications suddenly moves from being a support function to a strategic business function.The reality is that PR has always been strategic. It simply operates on a different timeline.Revenue is an outcome. Trust is an enabler.One without the other may produce short-term success, but sustainable growth requires both.Because in the end, reputations are built by purpose, performance, consistency - and by the stories that truthfully connect organizations with the people who matter most.DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and theprpost.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.

As housing finance expands beyond metropolitan centres and technology transforms the way lenders originate and underwrite credit, the sixth editor of SGA PR’s The Pulse 2026 examines the forces reshaping India’s evolving housing finance landscape — from digital distribution and changing consumer behaviour to expanding credit access beyond traditional lending centres.Designed to bring together research, industry analysis and a communications lens, The Pulse goes beyond reporting what happened to examine the shifts that could shape what happens next — and what they mean for businesses, brands and consumers. Each edition turns that lens on a different sector.SGA PR’s latest report, “Housing Finance in India – The Silent Giant of Retail Credit,” is a secondary research report drawing on industry reports, market data, company disclosures and publicly available sources. It examines how digital discovery, technology-led distribution, changing consumer expectations and the rise of smaller cities are reshaping the home-loan journey.Data cited in the report indicates that 92% of housing-finance applications were processed digitally by 2024, compared with around 60% in 2020. Separately, 42% of housing finance firms report that a majority of borrower enquiries now originate digitally. Yet the journey remains only partially digitised, with physical verification, field support and human intervention continuing to play an important role.The shift is also geographical. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities account for around 64% of home-loan volumes, with volumes growing 81% YoY in 2025, pointing to a changing geography of India’s housing consumer.Rahul Jain, CEO, SGA PR, said, “Most industry reports tell you what happened. We wanted The Pulse to ask what is changing underneath, and why it matters. As a communications firm, we see how industries evolve and how those shifts shape the conversations around them. The Pulse brings that lens into research, identifying the shifts worth paying attention to. Housing finance is our latest lens — a category where the market, the borrower and the way financial products are accessed are all changing.” The report also spotlights the emergence of technology-led distribution platforms, using Urban Money as a case study to examine how mortgage distribution is moving from fragmented, relationship-led sourcing towards technology-enabled origination infrastructure, combining digital discovery with assisted distribution and a broad lender network.Amit Prakash Singh, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Urban Money, said, “Housing finance is going through a meaningful transition as technology changes how borrowers discover and access credit. But a home loan remains a high-involvement financial decision, particularly for first-time buyers and consumers outside the metros. The opportunity is therefore not simply to digitise the transaction, but to create a more transparent and guided experience that combines technology with the right human support.”For SGA PR, The Pulse 2026 reflects its focus on identifying structural shifts across business, financial services and consumer ecosystems and translating them into narratives relevant to industry, investors and the wider business community. 

Singapore-based luxury and hospitality PR agency Upcycle Communications is expanding its footprint across Southeast Asia through new hires in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, a refreshed brand identity, a new website, and a series of key business wins.Among its latest milestones, the agency has renewed its partnership with Tourism New Zealand for FY27. Having first secured the account in a 2025 competitive pitch, Upcycle will continue managing strategic communications, earned and paid media, and influencer campaigns across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, focusing heavily on considered travel, active escapes, and culinary experiences.Upcycle has further expanded its roster with three new client additions:• Deboss Collective: Hong Kong-based interior architecture and design studio.• B.P. de Silva Jewellers: Singapore heritage jeweller.• Altum Pilates: Classical Pilates brand.These new accounts join a luxury and lifestyle portfolio that already includes Hilton luxury brands, andBeyond, Pernod Ricard’s Royal Salute, TUMI, PAÑPURI, Heveya, and The RuMa.To support its growth, the agency has rolled out a refreshed visual identity and website centered on its philosophy of "upcycling," which emphasizes thoughtful transformation to drive value and relevance. The new design features an editorial layout styled in earthy neutral tones—such as espresso brown, terracotta, and glacial blue—paired with a sophisticated typeface tailored to the luxury sector.Founder and Managing Director Jennifer Dembitz emphasized that the agency's trajectory focuses on quality over mere expansion."We have continued to grow from strength to strength, ensuring meaningful growth is about more than scale," Dembitz said. "We prioritise the people we choose to partner with and the quality of ideas we can create together. As the world evolves, we see an opportunity to keep challenging how communications, content and community can create meaning, relevance and lasting value."(Source: telummedia)

WLDD, a new-age content distribution and creator-led marketing company founded in 2018, has announced that Adfactors PR, India’s largest public relations firm, and Vikas Khemani, Founder & CIO at Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors, have acquired a stake in the company.The investment will enable WLDD to scale its technology, creator ecosystem, content platforms and brand solutions as businesses increasingly compete for relevance, trust and recall in the attention economy. This investment follows WLDD’s previous funding round in 2023, which was led by Negen Capital.WLDD has maintained a strong growth trajectory, recording an impressive 55% CAGR over the last three years. Headquartered in Bengaluru, the company has grown to over 350 employees, with offices in Mumbai and Delhi. The firm works with leading brands such as Amazon, Coca-Cola, OpenAI, Spotify, Netflix, Tata Motors, Philips, Rapido, Tinder, Audible and more.Built at the intersection of communities, creators, content and distribution, WLDD helps brands earn and sustain attention across fast-moving digital culture. Its proprietary platform, Solo, connects brands with creators and enables campaign execution using AI, tech and human judgement. Meme’d helps transform brand content into highly shareable short-form formats, Crunchy Studios adds production capabilities across branded and digital-first content, while Imagined Studio functions as WLDD’s end-to-end product and brand design studio, focused on research-led brand building, positioning and digital experiences.WLDD has also expanded its media and content footprint through the acquisition of ScoopWhoop, the popular content and lifestyle platform. Together, these assets position the company as a full-stack attention infrastructure company for brands looking to engage consumers through creator networks, short-form storytelling, community-led distribution and owned media channels.For Adfactors PR, the investment marks a strategic expansion of its digital and creator-led offerings for its 700-plus retained clients. Nijay N. Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Adfactors PR, who also leads the firm’s M&A and global initiatives, will join WLDD’s board.Arihant Jain, Co-founder and CEO, WLDD, said, “When we started WLDD, we saw that memes, creators and internet communities were not just entertainment; they were becoming the new language of attention. Today, brands need more than campaigns – they need cultural understanding, speed, distribution and credibility. With the support of Adfactors PR and Vikas Khemani, we are building WLDD as the partner of choice for brands that want to create lasting currency in the attention economy.”Madan Bahal, Co-founder and Managing Director, Adfactors PR, said, “Reputation and influence are being reshaped by digital culture, creator communities and the speed at which narratives now travel. For communications consultancies, staying relevant requires investing in new capabilities at the intersection of media, markets, technology and earned influence. WLDD has built a distinctive and entrepreneurial platform for this new world, and we are excited to explore the synergies from this partnership.”Vikas Khemani, Founder & CIO, Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors, said, “In three decades of investing, I have learnt that great businesses are ultimately a bet on great founders. Arihant and the WLDD team have that rare combination of energy, hunger to build and obsessive client-centricity. India’s attention economy is at an inflection point, with spends shifting from traditional media to creator-led distribution, and WLDD is well positioned at the centre of that shift. I am delighted to invest in WLDD in my personal capacity.”The investment comes at a time when Indian brands are rethinking how they build influence across fragmented digital platforms. As audiences increasingly consume content through creators, communities and short-form formats, WLDD intends to use the capital to deepen its creator marketplace, strengthen technology-enabled campaign execution, scale its media properties and expand its design and brand-building capabilities.

PR Professionals (PRP), an integrated communications firm and the flagship company of PRP Group, has been awarded the public relations mandate for Spark Minda Group, an automotive integrated systems and solutions provider and a partner to global automotive OEMs.With over six decades of legacy, Spark Minda is a technology-focused mobility solutions provider, offering a diverse range of products across the automobile sector and components for leading passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, two-wheeler, and off-road vehicles, which are manufacturers in India and international markets. Under this mandate, PRP will manage Spark Minda’s comprehensive PR strategy, including media relations, leadership profiling, thought leadership initiatives, corporate communications, and strategic stakeholder engagement. The focus will be on strengthening visibility, amplifying the brand’s leadership in the automotive and mobility sector, and highlighting its differentiated offerings as a trusted partner for premium services, convenience, and flexible mobility solutions.Nidhi Khanna, Head - Group Communication & Branding, Spark Minda Group, said: "Laser focus on innovation, technology, and customer experience remain at the core of everything we do at Spark Minda. As the automotive industry experiences a rapid transformation caused by electric vehicles, connected mobility, and advanced technologies, effective communication becomes increasingly important, we are delighted to partner with PRP Group and look forward to strengthening our engagement with stakeholders while sharing our growth journey and vision for the future."Dr Sarvesh Kumar Tiwari, Founder and Managing Director of PRP Group, said: "Spark Minda Group is amongst India's most valued automotive integrated system solutions provider with a strong foundation in innovation, manufacturing quality, and customer trust. The company has played a major role in supporting the growth of the automotive sector with its advanced technology solutions and strong commitment to quality, and we are honoured to be a part of the vision and the journey."As the automotive sector continues to evolve through electric vehicles, latest technologies, and smart mobility solutions, Spark Minda remains focused on developing future-ready products and solutions that address the changing needs of customers and the industry. This cooperation further strengthens the PR Professionals' growing portfolio in the automotive, manufacturing and technology sectors, where strategic communications play an important role in building credibility, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and encouraging business growth.

Dena Vassallo, founder of SOCIETY Marketing Communications, has launched CREW, an independent communications intelligence company designed to help organizations transform communications data into measurable impact and actionable insights.The platform connects metrics across audience behavior, traditional media, corporate reputation, large language model (LLM) visibility, and market trends to establish structured measurement systems aligned with business goals. By leveraging AI-enabled analysis, CREW helps marketing and communications leaders identify shifting dynamics, evaluate performance, and determine strategic priorities.Established separately from SOCIETY, the new venture is built for brands, in-house teams, and industry practitioners grappling with how to prove the value of their work. Vassallo noted that the core challenge facing communicators is not a lack of data, but a need for greater clarity."Over the years, I've heard the same frustration from brands again and again: 'I know communications matters, but I need a better way to demonstrate its impact.' CREW is our answer to that problem," Vassallo said. "The opportunity isn’t to give communicators more data. They already have it. It is to give them greater clarity, stronger measurement, and the intelligence to know what matters and what to do next."(Source: telummedia)

The leadership team behind Weber Shandwick Australia has officially launched VOCAL, a new earned-first communications agency designed to help brands build authority across both traditional media and AI-driven information channels.Headquartered in Sydney, the agency opens its doors with foundation clients spanning the corporate, technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors. VOCAL is spearheaded by co-founders and managing partners Angela Malkin and Jami Gandha, alongside head of strategy Addie Freyne and client director Akina Taniguchi, supported by a broader team of former Weber Shandwick talent.The agency's creation stems from a fundamental shift in how brands are discovered and evaluated, as artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes how information is surfaced, interpreted, and recommended. VOCAL’s core proposition focuses on helping brands establish themselves as trusted entities that human audiences rely on, journalists quote, and AI systems reference.Co-founder Angela Malkin noted that the communications landscape has evolved past simply capturing attention. “For decades, communications has been about earning attention. Today, it's about Earning Authority,” Malkin said, emphasizing that while traditional fundamentals like trusted relationships and independent credibility remain vital, the ways people and AI search for information have fundamentally transformed.To back this approach, VOCAL has introduced a proprietary Earned Authority Index framework designed to measure a brand'

Specialist financial communications firm Honner has unveiled a slate of senior promotions to drive the next stage of its growth strategy following its integration with FINN Partners.Founder Philippa Honner steps into an expanded dual role as Managing Partner and FINN Financial Services Practice Leader for the Asia-Pacific region. Additional executive elevations include Craig Morris and Sam Rockliff advancing to Senior Partner, alongside Natasha Moldrich, Holly Bagley, and Rashmi Punjabi being named Partners.The leadership restructuring supports a dual-pronged expansion strategy: leveraging Honner’s core financial services expertise to scale FINN's financial practice across APAC and globally, while introducing FINN’s broader, multi-sector international capabilities into the Australian market.(Source: telummedia)

Judhajit Basu has concluded his tenure as Associate Director, Corporate Communications at Tata Communications, marking the end of a nearly three year stint with the company.Basu joined Tata Communications in November 2023 and was based in Mumbai. During his tenure, he worked across corporate communications, media engagement and storytelling initiatives, collaborating with teams across business units and geographies, as well as PR agencies.Reflecting on his tenure, Basu said it had been an “amazing ride” spanning areas ranging from the ocean floor and cloud to Formula 1. He also expressed gratitude to colleagues, business teams and PR agencies for their support throughout his time at the organisation.His work at Tata Communications included media interviews, bylines, executive op eds, crisis communication, speaker opportunities and other corporate communications initiatives.Prior to joining Tata Communications, Basu served as Director, Brand Content at Harappa, upGrad from March 2022 to October 2023. He has also held editorial roles at Times of India, Web18 & Mobile18, India Today, Fortune India, Cricinfo and The Economic Times.At India Today, Basu worked as a data visualiser and storyboarder of macroeconomic, business and sports data for Newsflicks, while at Fortune India, he was part of the core team involved in launching the Indian edition of the business magazine.Basu began his career at The Economic Times as a Senior Copy Editor in 2005 and subsequently worked with Cricinfo as Senior Sub Editor before moving into broader editorial and communications roles.He has not disclosed his next professional move.

Queen's University Belfast, one of the United Kingdom's leading research-intensive universities and the first Russell Group university to establish a campus in India, has appointed Redhill India as its strategic communications partner to strengthen its presence and stakeholder engagement across the country. Under the mandate, Redhill India will lead integrated strategic communications for Queen's University Belfast in India, including corporate communications, media relations, executive profiling, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and reputation building. The agency will work closely with the University to amplify its academic achievements, research impact, industry collaborations and student success stories while supporting its broader growth ambitions in the Indian market.The appointment marks the next chapter in Queen's University's India journey as it expands its engagement with students, academia, industry and policymakers following the launch of its campus in GIFT City, Gujarat. The communications mandate will support the University's vision of building greater awareness around its academic excellence, research leadership, innovation ecosystem and long-term commitment to India's higher education landscape.As international collaboration in higher education continues to gain momentum under India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Queen's University Belfast is strengthening its role as a partner in developing globally relevant talent, advancing research collaborations and creating opportunities for academic and industry engagement between India and the United Kingdom.Located in GIFT City, India's emerging international education and financial hub, the University's campus offers postgraduate programmes in future-focused disciplines including Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, Cybersecurity and Business Analytics, enabling students to access a globally recognised Queen's education within India.Prof. M. Satish Kumar, Dean of Queen’s University Belfast – GIFT City Campus, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, said: "India is a strategically important market for Queen's University Belfast and central to our long-term international vision. Our presence in GIFT City reflects our commitment to creating meaningful academic partnerships, nurturing future talent and contributing to innovation and economic growth. As we continue to strengthen our engagement across India, it is important that we build lasting connections with students, educators, industry and government. We are pleased to partner with Redhill India to help tell this important story."Ankita Juneja, Country Head – India, Redhill, said: "India is witnessing a transformation in higher education, with increasing demand for globally recognised learning experiences and stronger international collaboration. Queen's University Belfast brings together academic excellence, pioneering research and a clear commitment to India's growth story. We are delighted to partner with the University and look forward to shaping meaningful conversations that enhance its visibility and strengthen engagement with students, academia, industry and policymakers across the country."The partnership underscores the growing importance of strategic communications as leading global universities establish a stronger presence in India and seek to engage meaningfully with an increasingly discerning student community and a rapidly evolving higher education ecosystem.

Sagility, a leading tech-enabled healthcare operations and transformation company, has appointed Srushti Rao as Vice President, Global Corporate Communications and PR.  In her new role, Srushti will lead Sagility’s global and corporate communications, with a mandate including public relations and investor communications, as well as workplace and employer branding.  This will include playing a key role in strengthening the company’s brand narrative and creating consistent thought leadership, media engagement and brand experience across its global ecosystem. Prior to this, Srushti Rao has held senior marketing and communications roles at XBP Global, IKS Health, and Pearl Academy. An alumna of the IIM-Ahmedabad, Srushti also holds a degree in Fine Arts. Commenting on the appointment, Srushti said, “I am excited about my new journey with Sagility where I will focus on strengthening the organization’s brand story, its technology-driven services, customer-centric approach and vibrant work culture.”

Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Dr. K. N. Raghavan as Senior Advisor. A decorated former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer with more than three decades of distinguished service across customs, taxation, trade, and diplomacy, Dr. Raghavan will strengthen Astrum’s counsel to clients operating in a complex policy environment that invite intense regulatory scrutiny.Dr. Raghavan joins Astrum’s distinguished roster of Senior Advisors to deepens Astrum’s policy and regulatory governance practice at a moment when boards, CEOs, and leadership teams are navigating an increasingly complex risk, regulation, and reputation landscape, from trade and tax policy to ESG and stakeholder governance.Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner, Astrum, said, “Dr. Raghavan brings a rare combination of frontline policy and governance experience, regulatory sophistication, and cross-sector insight. Having operated at the highest levels of customs, taxation, trade, and diplomacy, he meaningfully deepens our ability to help clients communicate with clarity and credibility in today’s risk, regulation, and reputation landscape.”Dr. K. N. Raghavan said “I am pleased to be associated with Astrum, a recognised thought leader in research-based strategic communications. Its disciplined and ethical approach in helping clients articulate their narratives in a complex regulatory and governance environment is particularly relevant for organisations today. I look forward to working with Astrum’s dynamic team.”About Dr Raghavan: A career at the frontline of policy, trade, and governanceDr. Raghavan superannuated from the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) in 2024 after a 34-year career, spanning anti-smuggling operations, GST enforcement, commodity board leadership, and diplomatic representation. As Executive Director of the Rubber Board, he simultaneously held charge of the Tea Board, the Tobacco Board, and the Marine Products Export Development Authority.As Director General of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), he oversaw the completion and inauguration of a new national training campus by the Prime Minister in January 2024. His diplomatic and stakeholder-engagement experience includes serving as First Secretary (Commerce) at the High Commission of India in Singapore, and as CEO of NORKA-Roots, the Government of Kerala’s agency for non-resident Keralite welfare. He currently serves as Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), leading the industry’s policy, regulatory, and stakeholder engagement.An MBBS graduate from Calicut Medical College, Kerala, Dr. Raghavan combines an unusual breadth of disciplinary training with frontline regulatory and diplomatic experience.

Benedicct PR & Brand Building has entered the UAE market through an exclusive partnership with DigifyMe IT Solutions, offering brands in the Emirates a single mandate that runs from newsroom relationships through to digital distribution.The partnership splits the work along clear lines and joins it at the output. Benedicct brings earned media, crisis communication and strategic storytelling, the practice it has built across clients in India spanning startups, SMEs and corporates. DigifyMe brings UAE market expertise and on-ground distribution across its digital media landscape. The narrative that earns a brand its coverage will be the same one carried across its owned and social channels, rather than the two running on separate tracks, which is where most integrated pitches break down. A client gets one strategy, one measurement framework and one point of accountability.The move marks Benedicct's first international expansion since its inception.Anjali Sehwwag, Founder & CEO, Benedicct PR & Brand Building, said: "There is a particular joy in watching something you wrote down as an ambition turn into an actual address. But I want to be clear about why we came. Dubai does not reward volume; it rewards clarity. Every brand here is competing for the same inches of editorial space against global capital, and most are still leading with product specs instead of a point of view. That gap is our opportunity. What we needed was a partner who already understood how attention moves in this market, and the moment we met the DigifyMe team, that question answered itself. New market, new opportunities, same commitment to excellence."Equally enthused about the tie-up, Aaryan Kapur, Founder, DigifyMe IT Solutions, said, "Brands in the UAE are competing hard for attention, and digital visibility alone no longer settles the question of whether a brand is taken seriously. That comes from earned coverage, and it is what Benedicct does well. Bringing our digital capability together with their media practice gives clients here something more complete than either of us could offer separately. We are looking forward to building this market with them."

Anjali D’Mello has joined Mastercard as Director, ESEA Communications, taking charge of communications across East and Southeast Asia.D’Mello announced the appointment on LinkedIn, stating that her new role will involve building connections across the region’s markets and working with Mastercard’s leadership team to shape the communications narrative and direction for ESEA.Prior to Mastercard, D’Mello spent over five years at Nium, where she held several communications and public relations roles. Most recently, she served as Global Head of PR & Communications from February 2025 to July 2026. Before that, she was Head of PR for APAC, Middle East & Africa from August 2023 to April 2025, and previously served as Head of PR at Instarem and Nium.D’Mello began her tenure at Instarem in August 2021 as Head of PR & Social before moving into broader communications responsibilities within Nium.Earlier in her career, she held senior communications and marketing roles at Circles.Life, TenX and Lazada Group in Singapore. At Lazada, she worked across branding, social and communications, including brand positioning, integrated campaigns, PR, media, events and influencer engagement.Her earlier experience also includes roles at Social@Ogilvy, Tickled Media, Cosmopolitan TV and IndiaSe Media, along with editorial internships at WGSN and ACP Magazines.

Imogen Long has been appointed Director at Edelman, marking her latest leadership step at the communications firm.Long has been with Edelman for nearly a decade, having joined the company in March 2018 as an Intern in Corporate Reputation. She has since held several roles across corporate affairs, strategic partnerships and account management.Before taking on her current role, Long served as Associate Director from April 2024 to August 2026. She previously held the position of Account Director between January 2023 and April 2024.Her earlier roles at Edelman include Senior Account Manager, Account Manager, Senior Account Executive, Account Executive and Assistant Account Executive.Long began her professional career in communications at STOP THE TRAFFIK Global, where she worked as a Digital Communications Assistant and Communications and Operations Intern.

Global technology major Lenovo has appointed Kiran Balasubramanian as its new Head of Communications for India.Balasubramanian took to LinkedIn to announce his new role, which encompasses the brand's external communications, internal communications, and analyst relations mandates. He takes over the role following the elevation of Shirley Coses Dsilva to Asia Pacific Commercial Communications Lead at Lenovo.In his new capacity, Balasubramanian will work closely with Lenovo’s leadership team to drive and communicate the brand's Hybrid AI roadmap, which spans both personal and enterprise AI solutions. His mandate also includes strengthening brand affinity and strategic positioning across Lenovo’s portfolio, including ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion and Motorola.Sharing the announcement on LinkedIn, Balasubramanian highlighted that India remains a crucial growth hub for Lenovo, not only in terms of revenue, but also across R&D innovation, manufacturing scale and supply chain capabilities.Balasubramanian brings over 23 years of rich experience across corporate communications, technology public relations and analyst relations. Prior to joining Lenovo, he served as the Director of Communications at DigitalOcean. He also spent six years at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in key PR leadership roles, including Principal – Public Relations and PR Lead for Public Sector & Government (India & South Asia). Earlier in his career, Balasubramanian held senior communications and PR roles at Accenture, Six Degrees PR and Synergy PR.

Strategic communications firm Burson has named Ross Hall to the newly created role of EMEA Chief Client Officer, assigning him direct oversight of client leadership, retention, and organic expansion across the region.Hall, who has served as the agency’s EMEA head of clients since July 2025, will lead strategic management for Burson’s top-tier client relationships. Working alongside practice and regional market leaders, his mandate centers on improving service delivery, embedding unified client leadership practices, and driving long-term account growth.The appointment rounds out a structural split in Burson's regional expansion strategy, following the recent elevation of Helen Searle to EMEA Chief Growth Officer and Global Growth Partner. While Searle previously managed a dual client and growth remit, her focus now shifts exclusively to new business acquisitions and international pitches, leaving Hall to concentrate on deepening existing client partnerships.Hall’s background across the agency network includes key milestones:• Burson Tenure: Joined in 2023 to lead the EMEA corporate and public affairs practice—a role now co-led by Lisa Welsh and Peter Gitmark—before shifting to head of clients in 2025.• Prior Experience: Served as Edelman’s regional client services director for EMEA, alongside senior leadership stints at Ketchum and FTI Consulting.Burson EMEA CEO Jon Hughes noted that the structural shift highlights the agency's commitment to delivering client value in the current intelligence era. Hall added that the agency's focus remains on seamlessly connecting internal expertise to client goals, ensuring organic growth stems directly from delivered value rather than sales targets.The executive restructuring is the latest step in refining Burson's regional leadership model following Hughes’ appointment as EMEA CEO in mid-2025, a year after WPP merged BCW and Hill & Knowlton to establish the brand.

Veritas Reputation PR has appointed Amit Dalvi as Senior Account Director, strengthening its senior leadership team and communications capabilities. Amit brings over 14 years of experience across public relations and strategic communications, with expertise spanning client stakeholder, media relations, reputation management, strategic counsel and new development. In his new role, he will work closely with clients and internal teams to deliver integrated communication programmes and build impactful, insight-led reputation strategies.Prior to joining Veritas Reputation PR, Amit was associated with leading communications firms including Adfactors PR, Fortuna PR and P4C. Over the course of his career, he has successfully integrated communication strategies for a diverse portfolio of marquee clients, including Kotak Bank, HDFC Bank, Tata Capital, NIIF, NARCL, Manappuram Finance, Vedanta Group, Ananya Birla and Hinduja Group. His experience across financial services, infrastructure, corporate and diversified businesses has enabled him to develop a nuanced understanding of stakeholder expectations and deliver communications that support business and reputation objectives.A graduate of the University of Mumbai, Amit has further strengthened his expertise through certification programmes in Public Relations, Corporate Communications and Digital Marketing from NMIMS and MICA. A seasoned communications professional with a keen interest in sports, Amit also enjoys networking and building meaningful professional relationships in his free time. His appointment reflects Veritas Reputation PR’s continued focus on bringing experienced communications professionals into its leadership team as the firm expands its client partnerships and strategic advisory capabilities.

Chicago-based independent communications agency Motion Agency has acquired Cincinnati-based integrated marketing and PR firm Vehr Communications, strengthening its presence in the US Midwest.The acquisition will take effect on October 1. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.Following the deal, Motion will have nearly 90 employees across three US offices in Cincinnati, Chicago and Nashville.Vehr founder and CEO Nick Vehr will join Motion as Executive Vice President. In his new role, he will focus on business development and driving growth for the combined agency.Expanding in CincinnatiThe acquisition builds on Motion's existing presence in Cincinnati. The agency entered the market in 2023, when it acquired Rick Miller Communications.Motion is now also looking to appoint its first Creative Director based in Cincinnati, indicating plans to further develop its local capabilities.Founded in 2006, Vehr Communications provides integrated marketing and public relations services to businesses and nonprofit organisations. The agency has also been part of the IPREX communications network since 2018.Motion Agency was established in the same year and provides integrated communications services across sectors including consumer, healthcare, nonprofit, manufacturing and B2B.The agency is also a certified woman-owned business.The acquisition gives Motion an expanded platform in Cincinnati while adding Vehr's client relationships, communications expertise and local market presence to its wider US operation.With the integration of the two businesses, Motion is positioned to broaden its capabilities and scale its independent agency model across the Midwest and other key US markets.

EMOMEE, the fast-growing children’s entertainment brand helping young audiences build essential life skills through its beloved characters E, Mo & Mee, has appointed Maars Communicates, a leading integrated communications and digital marketing agency, as its strategic communications partner in India.The mandate comes at an important phase in EMOMEE’s growth journey, following the brand’s debut on Netflix with EMOMEE: Big Skills for Little Ones, Minis. The first Netflix series features 20 curated 11-minute episodes centred around life skills including confidence, kindness, curiosity, emotional intelligence, resilience and problem-solving.The appointment will see Maars Communicates lead EMOMEE’s communications and PR strategy, while also leveraging its expertise in social media and digital marketing to strengthen the brand’s visibility across business, entertainment, lifestyle, parenting, education and digital media.Through the mandate, Maars Communicates, co-founded by sibling duo Mausam Shah and Aayush Shah, will work closely with the EMOMEE team to build the brand’s narrative as it expands beyond content into streaming, consumer products, licensing, live experiences and international markets. The communications strategy will also spotlight the entrepreneurial journey of founders Pooja Jauhari and Varun Duggirala, while highlighting EMOMEE’s larger vision of building an Indian-origin children’s IP with global relevance.Speaking about the mandate, Mausam Shah, Founder & Director- PR, Maars Communicates, said, “EMOMEE is an exciting example of how an Indian-origin IP can think globally from day one. We’re delighted to partner with the team to build a strong and differentiated narrative around its growth and global ambitions.”Aayush Shah, Co-Founder & Director- Digital & Business Development, Maars Communicates, added, “EMOMEE’s unique blend of entertainment, life-skill learning and global ambition makes it a compelling homegrown IP with tremendous potential. We’re excited to bring its story to wider audiences and support its growth across markets and formats.”Pooja Jauhari, Founder & CEO, EMOMEE, said, “As EMOMEE enters its next phase of growth, communications will play an important role in helping us articulate our vision of building a global children's franchise from India. Maars Communicates brings strong experience across entertainment, consumer and kids’ brands, and we look forward to working together to tell the EMOMEE story to audiences, partners and the larger ecosystem.”For Maars Communicates, the mandate further strengthens its growing portfolio across entertainment, children’s brands, consumer businesses and social-impact-led organisations. With over a decade of experience, the agency has spearheaded communications for leading brands and platforms including MX Player, EPIC Channel and IVM Podcasts, India’s podcasting pioneer, and has also handled the PR mandate for the launch of Billboard India. Its portfolio further includes marquee IPs such as the Lux Golden Rose Awards and Event Capital’s properties including WindMill Festival and PetFed.Alongside its PR and strategic communications expertise, the agency has a strong focus on social media and digital marketing, developing digital-first narratives, content strategies and audience engagement campaigns for brands across categories.Its consumer and social-impact experience includes communications for leading kids and parenting brands such as R for Rabbit and BabyOrgano, as well as social-impact initiatives of the Aditya Birla Group, including Mpower, Ujaas by Neerja Birla and Aditya Birla Education Trust. The agency has also worked on Project Naveli by Navya Naveli Nanda, which focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women across India.The EMOMEE mandate adds another high-growth children’s entertainment brand to Maars Communicates’ portfolio and reinforces the agency’s focus on building integrated communications and digital strategies for brands at significant stages of growth, expansion and transformation.

Language strategy consultancy Maslansky + Partners has elevated founding partner Keith Yazmir to president as part of a broader executive leadership expansion aimed at accelerating growth in healthcare and synthetic research.Yazmir, a 20-year veteran of the firm, will steer growth initiatives and drive deeper integration across Omnicom Public Relations Group and the wider Omnicom network. His background spans executive communications and marketing roles across the pharmaceutical, technology, automotive, and travel sectors.To reinforce its footprint in life sciences, the Omnicom-owned agency promoted Katherine Hettrich and Amanda Kealey to partners. Hettrich brings over two decades of healthcare experience from ZS Associates, Ogilvy, and Publicis Healthcare. Kealey, a trained anthropologist with 20 years in strategy and insight, previously held senior roles at Hall & Partners, Brado, and Shapiro+Raj.The firm is also doubling down on research technology and client management:• Jaime Hodges, Senior Vice President and Head of Research & Innovation, sees her mandate expand to oversee quantitative and synthetic research capabilities, including the proprietary Chorus platform.• Catherine Farr, a 12-year agency veteran based in Washington, D.C., has been promoted to Executive Vice President. She will oversee core language strategy initiatives and key client relationships alongside her existing team leadership.Chief Executive Officer Michael Maslansky noted that the leadership shuffle aligns directly with the firm's strategic focus on scaling its high-growth healthcare and research verticals.

Prajesh Kalathil has announced his departure from Bharti Airtel Limited after a 23-year career with the telecom company.Kalathil joined Airtel at a time when mobile phones were primarily used for calls and SMS, and went on to hold leadership roles across B2C, SME, enterprise and government businesses.In his most recent role as Enterprise Business Head, he was responsible for the enterprise business. His experience at Airtel also included serving as Senior Vice President and Business Head for the enterprise business, where he managed the P&L for enterprise and government operations across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.During his tenure, Kalathil worked across business operations, sales, distribution, customer acquisition and enterprise solutions. His responsibilities included leading teams, driving business growth, managing customer relationships and expanding the adoption of digital products across areas such as cloud, cybersecurity, CPaaS, IoT, SD-WAN and private LTE.Prior to his enterprise leadership roles, Kalathil served as Vice President and Business Head for Emerging and Enterprise Business, managing operations across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He also held the position of General Manager and Zonal Business Manager, overseeing sales, distribution and customer acquisition across multiple product categories, including mobility, fixed-line services, DTH and Airtel Payments Bank.Reflecting on his 23 years with Airtel, Kalathil highlighted the company's evolution from 2G to 5G and from voice and data services towards digital and AI-led technologies.He also credited the people he worked with, including leaders, mentors, teams, customers, partners and colleagues, for shaping his professional journey.

Shirley Coses Dsilva has taken on a new role as AP Communications Lead, Commercial at Lenovo, marking a transition from her previous position as India Communications Head.Dsilva announced the new role on LinkedIn, stating that she will lead communications for Lenovo’s Asia Pacific commercial business. Her responsibilities will include developing communications strategy aligned with commercial business priorities, shaping the commercial narrative and executive positioning, and strengthening storytelling around enterprise technology and Hybrid AI.She will work closely with Sumir Bhatia and the broader Commercial leadership team in the new role.Dsilva joined Lenovo India as India Communications Head in April 2022 and held the position for over four years. Prior to Lenovo, she served as Vice President, PR Practice at Strategic Growth Advisors Pvt. Ltd.Her earlier experience includes roles at Prose Integrated Private Limited, Parle Agro, Reliance Capital, Larsen & Toubro, Saimatex Lda, DB Realty and Le Royal Meridien. She began her career as a Management Trainee at IPAN Public Relations & Public Affairs Company in 2004.