I.M. Mamlouk & Co., an ADGM-regulated investment firm, has named Narrative One as its communications partner.The investment firm targets established, profitable businesses with enterprise values of roughly $50–250 million, a segment that is arguably underserved by institutional capital despite driving much of the region's economic diversification. Founded by Issam Al-Mamlouk, formerly of J.P. Morgan's investment banking team in New York and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Riyadh, the firm combines global large-cap discipline and institutional governance to help build the next generation of regional champions.“The Gulf's mid-market is one of the most overlooked opportunities in global private markets — full of strong, well-run businesses that can benefit greatly from strong governance and access to global capital to accelerate their growth. We're building a platform to provide that, and Narrative One understands both private capital and how to communicate what we’re striving to achieve,”  said Issam Al-Mamlouk, Founder & CEO, I.M. Mamlouk & Co.Tarek Fouad, Founder & CEO, Narrative One, added: “Issam is exactly the kind of partner we built Narrative One to serve — global pedigree, real conviction, and a thesis the market needs to hear. Our job is to make sure that by the time the market looks for I.M. Mamlouk & Co., the story is already there.”

At a time when organisations face unprecedented scrutiny from stakeholders, investors, regulators, communities and digital audiences, Corporate Communication & Reputation Advisor Pavan Kaushik has released his fourth book, The Fifth Estate, arguing that Corporate Communication has evolved into an institution shaping organisational trust, credibility and acceptance.Positioned as a boardroom guide for chairpersons, promoters, founders, CEOs, CXOs and communication leaders, The Fifth Estate explores where organisations often go wrong on communication, why communication is frequently excluded from strategic decision-making, and how this oversight can create reputation, stakeholder and business risks.Drawing on more than 35 years of experience across mining, metals, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and sustainability sectors, the book examines why many organisations continue to underestimate communication despite operating in an era of heightened visibility, digital scrutiny and growing stakeholder expectations.The book is based on Pavan Kaushik’s long-held belief that while businesses invest heavily in operations, finance and technology, they often underestimate the strategic value of communication until a reputation challenge, stakeholder conflict or crisis emerges.At the centre of the book is Pavan Kaushik’s proposition that Corporate Communication deserves recognition as “The Fifth Estate” because of its expanding influence on governance, stakeholder alignment and organisational resilience.“The Fifth Estate status of Corporate Communication has not been granted; it has been earned. More than 125 years of evolution, institutional relevance, stakeholder dependence and professional contribution have made Corporate Communication deserve recognition as an institution shaping trust, reputation and stakeholder confidence,” said Pavan Kaushik.The book argues that many promoters, founders and CXOs continue to view communication as a support activity even as reputation, trust and stakeholder perception increasingly influence business outcomes.“Organisations are increasingly judged by what stakeholders understand, believe and trust about them. Operational excellence alone is no longer sufficient in an environment shaped by constant visibility, digital scrutiny and rising stakeholder expectations,” Pavan Kaushik said.The book examines leadership communication, crisis preparedness, stakeholder engagement, reputation management, community relations and the growing importance of communication in governance and institutional credibility. It presents Corporate Communication as a strategic discipline that influences how organisations are understood, trusted and accepted by stakeholders.“Corporate Communication is no longer a support function operating at the margins of organisations. It is increasingly influencing leadership credibility, governance perception, stakeholder acceptance and long-term organisational continuity,” Pavan Kaushik added.According to the author, the growing significance of Corporate Communication is no longer limited to large corporations but is increasingly relevant for startups, unicorns, MSMEs, SMEs and rapidly scaling enterprises navigating complex stakeholder environments.“Performance creates results. Communication creates understanding. Understanding creates trust. Trust ultimately determines whether organisations earn acceptance, credibility and long-term sustainability,” said Pavan Kaushik.Through The Fifth Estate, Pavan Kaushik seeks to initiate a broader conversation among business leaders on why communication deserves a seat at the leadership table and why it should be viewed as a strategic leadership capability essential to modern organisational success.The Fifth Estate argues that while businesses compete through products, technology and capital, their long-term licence to operate increasingly depends on trust, understanding and stakeholder confidence.

RAIYN, the trust-led communications network built for the future, was unveiled today at the Museum of the Future in Dubai by Mazen Nahawi, Founder and CEO of CARMA and RAIYN.The network brings together four of the region’s leading specialist communications firms, Brazen MENA, Cicero & Bernay, Salient Communication Group and SOCIALEYEZ under a single accountable structure. RAIYN is designed to help organisations across MENA and beyond strengthen their reputation, make better decisions, and deliver outcomes with lasting impact.The organisations RAIYN serves operate in an environment defined by constant change, heightened scrutiny and increasingly complex stakeholder expectations. Reputation and business performance are more closely connected than ever, yet many leaders still navigate them through fragmented advice and disconnected specialists. RAIYN brings these capabilities together into one integrated model.It offers clients a team of owner-operators who bring passion and strength, an integrated platform of insights, strategy, and creativity, specialisation that brings in-depth sector expertise, and measurement that proves value. Every engagement starts with regional expertise and aligned thinking, so that communications are relevant, credible and effective from the outset. Its approach is defined by transparent counsel, clear ownership and accountable delivery. Decision-making stays close to the work, and success is measured by the impact created for clients.Commenting on the launch, Nahawi said: "The people of this region, nationals and expats, are best suited to speak on its behalf. That is the belief on which RAIYN is built. We have brought together the best practitioners in the region, combining creativity, sector expertise, AI mastery and cultural depth. Communications needs a new dawn. That dawn begins with trust. RAIYN is a promise to bring people together, to build respect and to put trust at the centre of everything our industry does."Nahawi, who has spent 30 years helping shape the world’s communications intelligence industry, is joined by four RAIYN principals: Ahmad Itani, Founder and Chief Advisor, Cicero & Bernay; Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner, Brazen MENA; Sean Trainor, Chief Executive, Salient Communication Group; and Tarek Esper, Managing Director, SOCIALEYEZ.Each firm contributes distinct strengths to one connected model.Brazen MENA is an insights-led communications agency shaping reputations and building influence for global and regional brands across lifestyle, luxury and corporate communications. Built on strategy, intelligence, care and genuine partnership with every client.Cicero & Bernay has helped define the evolution of strategic communication across the MENA region, bringing analytical rigour, creative discipline and a culture of measurable outcomes, guided by its enduring principle “Empowered by Facts.”Salient Communication Group is a Riyadh-based strategic communication consultancy helping leaders close the gap between what their organisations do and what stakeholders believe they do.SOCIALEYEZ is the Middle East’s leading team of creative strategists, driven by its philosophy “Create No Matter What,” which brings strategy and execution under one roof and ensures ideas land creatively and deliver commercially.RAIYN brings together more than 700 professionals across strategic advisory, creative, digital and intelligence, and operates within News Group International (NGI), which also owns CARMA, the global media intelligence company. Through CARMA, RAIYN embeds real-time intelligence, analysis and foresight into strategy, counsel and outcome measurement, helping organisations navigate complexity and identify opportunities as they emerge.The name RAIYN reflects the principles on which the network is built. Drawing inspiration from light (Ray), growth (Rain), humanity (Ai), intelligence (AI) and balance (Y/N), it represents the balance between human relationships and technology, intelligence and creativity, ambition and responsibility. At its heart is a belief that the strongest communications are built when different perspectives, disciplines and strengths come together to create trust and lasting value.

The Department of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, has renewed its integrated digital communications mandate with Bubble Breakers, the digital communications arm of PRP Group, for another year, marking the third consecutive year of partnership. The renewed mandate reinforces the trust earned by the firm through its successful execution of integrated digital and media communication strategies aimed at amplifying awareness, engagement, and visibility for key educational initiatives across the state.Under the renewed mandate, Bubble Breakers will continue to drive comprehensive digital and media communication strategies for the Department of School Education, Andhra Pradesh. The agency will work towards generating awareness and enhancing the impact of several transformative educational initiatives including the Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) Programme funded by the World Bank, Samagra Shiksha initiatives, Mana Badi Nadu Nedu Programme, Jagananna Vidya Kanuka Programme, and various other education-focused campaigns undertaken by the department. Over the past two years, Bubble Breakers has conceptualised and executed several impactful campaigns and digital outreach initiatives including Teachers Best Practices, Manabadi Magazine, and Mega PTM 2.0, among others. Through integrated storytelling, digital engagement, and targeted outreach, the agency has played a significant role in strengthening stakeholder participation and building greater visibility for educational reforms across Andhra Pradesh.As the digital vertical of PRP Group, Bubble Breakers operates as a 360-degree digital strategy and execution partner, specialising in digital communications, social media strategy, influencer engagement, creative content production, performance marketing, and AI-driven digital intelligence. The agency focuses on creating platform-native, insight-led campaigns that build meaningful engagement, credibility, and long-term brand recall while leveraging strong regional and cultural understanding to connect effectively with diverse audiences.Commenting on the renewed partnership, Dr. Sarvesh Kumar Tiwari, Founder, PRP Group, said, “The renewal of our mandate with Samagra Shiksha Andhra Pradesh for the third consecutive year is a matter of immense pride for us. It reflects the trust built through consistent delivery, meaningful communication strategies, and our commitment towards supporting transformative education initiatives. Through Bubble Breakers, we have been able to create impactful and engagement-led campaigns that connect with stakeholders, educators, students, and communities. We remain committed to amplifying programmes that create real impact at the grassroots level.”The client portfolio of Bubble Breakers spans across diverse sectors including government, infrastructure, education, real estate, mobility, and corporate communications. Its key clientele includes NTPC, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited, Pandrol Rahee Technologies, Bharti Real Estate, Hero Realty, the Department of Revenue and Land Reforms, Bihar State Food Corporation, Bihar Education Department, and Indian Institute of Management Mumbai, among others.Education continues to remain one of the core sectors of expertise for PRP Group. Over the years, the group has worked with several prestigious educational institutions and organisations including Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), ICSE Board, IIT Roorkee, IIM Shillong, SGT University, Manav Rachna University, The NorthCap University, MVN Group of Schools, and Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC), among others. Through strategic communications and digital outreach, PRP Group has consistently helped educational institutions strengthen engagement, visibility, and stakeholder communication across platforms.

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) Indonesia has renewed its partnership with PRecious Communications, extending the agency's role as its public relations agency of record through December 2028.Under the renewed agreement, PRecious Communications will continue to support FedEx Indonesia across corporate communications, media relations, executive profiling, trade communications and community engagement initiatives.The extension builds on an existing relationship during which the agency provided strategic communications support for FedEx Indonesia across multiple sectors and business priorities."This renewal reflects the confidence we have in PRecious Communications as a partner who understands our operations and the local landscape," said Garrick Thompson, Managing Director, FedEx Indonesia."Indonesia's trade landscape is diverse and constantly evolving, and having a communications partner that understands both the market and our business is important. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we support Indonesian businesses in an increasingly dynamic global trade environment."Commenting on the renewal, Lars Voedisch, Founder and Group CEO of PRecious Communications, said the extended mandate highlights the agency's expertise in navigating complex business and trade narratives."Our clients operate in an environment shaped by geopolitical developments, regulatory changes and shifting trade dynamics. Securing a long-term commitment from a global logistics leader such as FedEx reflects the strength of our corporate communications capabilities," he said.Voedisch added that the agency will continue to develop insight-led communications strategies that strengthen FedEx's market positioning and highlight its logistics and innovation capabilities across the region.

Marsia Labs has launched an operating system for public relations and communications that brings together a team's tools, AI and people into a single workspace. The platform is built around an AI Council that drafts, researches and supports work at speed, and a Human Council of vetted senior operators for the work that needs human craft and judgement.The launch responds to a familiar challenge in comms teams. Day-to-day work is often spread across separate tools for planning, media lists, drafting, transcription and coverage tracking, along with freelancers managed over messaging apps, with little connecting them. Marsia Labs aims to bring these into one place so teams spend less time stitching tools together and more time on the work itself."Communications teams today carry a lot of moving parts across a lot of separate tools," said Anuradha Chandrasekaran, Founder of Marsia Labs. "We wanted to bring those parts into one place, so AI handles the repetitive work, senior people handle the work that needs judgement, and the team has a calmer way to ship the day-to-day."The AI Council is a set of specialist functions rather than a single chatbot. Among them are Journalist Digital Twins, which build a working profile of individual reporters covering their beats, interests and recent stories, so teams can tailor an approach to the right person. A Pitch Doctor reviews and sharpens a pitch before it goes out, checking the angle, structure and framing. A Predictability Engine estimates how likely a journalist is to run a given story, and a Newsjack Radar flags timely moments to enter a developing story. A Coverage Classifier reviews coverage, scores it and drafts reporting for leadership.The Human Council is a roster of vetted senior strategists, writers, designers and producers, briefed on a client's voice from the outset. Teams can engage them by project, day, week or retainer for work such as strategy sprints, crisis support, executive communications, brand design, decks, video and events.Connecting the two is a shared workspace where tasks, approvals, calendar, meeting notes and coverage tracking sit together. A single point of contact lets a user request help from either AI or a human, with the relevant support stepping in.The workspace can also be themed to suit a team's culture, with options inspired by worlds such as Harry Potter and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Everyday tasks, team rituals and milestones are shaped around a chosen theme, turning routine work into something teams enjoy coming back to rather than another admin chore.Anuradha has spent 12 years in communications, with experience as a journalist, in agencies and in-house at corporates including Practo. Marsia Labs draws on that background across the newsroom, agency and brand sides of the industry.Marsia Labs is localised across 16+ markets including Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the US, with support for local language and media in each market.The company says the platform is designed to learn a team's voice, beat list and preferences over time, improving as it is used. Marsia Labs is available now with a three-day trial that includes the AI Council, the Human Council and the shared workspace, for the whole team, with no credit card required.

Blue Buzz has been inducted as a member of PR Boutiques International (PRBI), a prestigious global non-profit network of founder-led boutique PR agencies operating across more than 30 countries. The announcement was made as part of PRBI’s latest global expansion, which saw five new agencies join the network across India, France, and the United States.Founded in 2015 by Neha K Bisht with a conviction that reputation is a business asset and not an afterthought, Blue Buzz has spent a decade building a reputation for senior-led, strategy-first counsel. Over the years, the firm has partnered with leading names across technology, media and entertainment, BFSI, education, and beyond, advising organisations at pivotal moments in their growth.For Blue Buzz, this membership marks a significant milestone. As a firm that leads with reputation strategy over conventional PR, the partnership with PRBI provides access to a curated global community of senior-led, independent agencies known for delivering executive-level counsel without the overhead of large holding companies. Blue Buzz’s induction into the network reflects the firm’s growing presence across sectors and its work with clients who increasingly operate beyond India’s borders.Neha K Bisht, Founder and CEO, Blue Buzz shared, “Being part of PRBI is a natural extension of how Blue Buzz approaches reputation advisory, with a global perspective and a boutique sensibility. Our clients are building businesses and brands that speak to audiences well beyond India, and this network ensures we can serve them with the same quality of strategic counsel, wherever the conversation needs to happen. This partnership only deepens our connection to a community of award-winning agencies who share our belief that strategy must always come before media.”

Arushi Maheshwari has been appointed Director of Communications, Asia at Live Nation, strengthening the live entertainment giant’s communications leadership across one of its fastest-growing regions.Based in Singapore, Maheshwari will lead strategic communications, media relations, crisis communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives across Asia. Her appointment comes as Live Nation continues to expand its footprint across the region, driven by strong demand for live music, festivals and large-scale entertainment events.Maheshwari brings more than 13 years of experience in corporate communications, reputation management and public relations. She joins Live Nation after holding communications roles at Netflix, where she was part of the streamer’s communications team in Asia, as well as at BookMyShow and Grab. Her career spans the entertainment, technology and consumer sectors, with expertise in brand storytelling, executive communications and issues management.Maheshwari’s appointment comes at a time when Asia is becoming an increasingly important market for global live entertainment companies. Live Nation has expanded its presence across key markets including India, Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, capitalising on growing demand for international concerts and music festivals. The company has also deepened its ties with the Indian market through partnerships with BookMyShow, including the launch of the Asian edition of the globally recognised Lollapalooza festival in Mumbai.In her new role, Maheshwari will be responsible for shaping Live Nation’s corporate narrative across Asia, supporting business growth, artist-related communications and reputation management efforts in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.

Burson London has made history at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, becoming only the second PR agency ever to claim the prestigious Grand Prix in the PR Lions category. The agency secured the top honor for its collaborative work with VML London on Nestlé’s "KitKat Heist" campaign.The historic win marks a significant milestone for the PR sector, which has traditionally seen creative advertising agencies dominate the category since its introduction. Burson follows Golin, which became the first PR agency to take home the PR Grand Prix two years ago for its Specsavers campaign.This year’s PR Lions competition awarded a total of 37 trophies, including one Grand Prix, seven Gold, 12 Silver, and 17 Bronze Lions.Turning a Supply Chain Crisis Into Global Earned MediaThe "KitKat Heist" campaign was born out of real-time creative crisis management. Shortly before Easter, a logistics shipment containing more than 12 tonnes of KitKat bars was stolen en route from Italy to Poland. Rather than handling the multi-ton theft through conventional corporate communications and quiet supply chain adjustments, Nestlé and its agency partners capitalized on the incident.The brand publicised the theft and launched a global earned-media activation, turning consumers into digital "chocolate detectives." Backed by a live digital shipment tracker, the campaign allowed audiences to verify if their local store purchases were linked to the stolen batch. The strategy effectively converted a high-risk operational vulnerability into a massive, highly engaging brand asset.The New Benchmarks for PR Impact: Participation Over InterruptionDana Tahir, PR Lions Jury President and CEO of Havas Red Middle East, noted that this year's judging panel filtered entries through a strict metric of organic consumer pull."We always came back to ask this question: would anyone care about this if nobody paid them? Would they talk about it? Would they share it? Would they pass it on?" Tahir said.Tahir highlighted a broader industry shift where successful brands are moving away from traditional ad placement and interrupting consumer habits, choosing instead to act as "cultural custodians.""The strongest work wasn't designed to interrupt culture, it was designed to participate in it," Tahir added, explaining that the winning campaigns consistently blended cultural relevance with solutions to real-world business or social problems.The jury also praised a visible transformation in the corporate crisis communications sector—traditionally a discipline rooted in extreme caution. "This year’s work changed the rules entirely," Tahir stated. "They didn't just manage a crisis, they transformed it into a cultural moment, proving that creative bravery and crisis can coexist."Global and Regional HighlightsThe United Kingdom maintained a dominant presence across the PR categories. Beyond the Grand Prix, VML London and Burson London secured two additional Gold Lions for "KitKat Heist." Other UK Gold winners included Golin London for Specsavers’ "The Relationship Aid" and Adam & Eve\TBWA London for Columbia Sportswear’s "Expedition Impossible."International Gold Lions were awarded to:• Grey Argentina: For "One More Question," a healthcare campaign developed for the cancer charity LALCEC.• VML Paris: For "T-Rex Leather," an activation promoting bio-engineered, lab-grown leather.• Rainbow Lobster and Comando Con Venezuela: For the "600K Network," a campaign built to scale and safeguard democratic participation in Venezuela.From an APAC perspective, Singapore delivered the region's strongest performance, with Ogilvy Singapore locking in two Silver Lions for "Vaseline Originals." China followed in the Bronze tier, represented by Ogilvy Shanghai’s "Viagra Blue Brands" campaign for Viatris.Tahir concluded that the 2026 winners should serve as a blueprint for executive leadership teams globally. "We really hope this year's work serves as a reminder that the greatest opportunities often hide in a brand's biggest challenges. If handled with creativity and courage, they can become your brand's biggest moment."

Reuters has named Chris Wade as Vice President, Communications, bringing aboard a seasoned corporate affairs and media communications leader with experience spanning global advertising, journalism and publishing.Wade joins the international news and information organisation after serving as Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at WPP, where he oversaw reputation management, corporate communications and stakeholder engagement for one of the world's largest marketing services groups. Prior to WPP, he spent several years at Guardian Media Group as Director of Communications, helping shape communications strategy for one of the UK's most prominent news organisations.Based in London, Wade will lead Reuters' global communications function and serve as a member of the executive committee. His remit will include external communications, corporate reputation, media relations and brand-building initiatives across both Reuters' editorial operations and commercial businesses.He will report to Amy Messano, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, while also working closely with Reuters President Paul Bascobert on strategic communications priorities.Announcing the appointment, Bascobert highlighted Wade's understanding of the Reuters brand and its commitment to independent journalism, noting that his experience across media and corporate communications made him a strong fit for the organisation's next phase of growth.Wade is expected to begin the role in July.The appointment comes at a time when global news organisations are placing greater emphasis on brand trust, audience engagement and strategic communications as they navigate rapid changes in the media landscape driven by digital transformation, artificial intelligence and evolving consumer news habits.Founded in 1851, Reuters is one of the world's largest international news agencies, providing real-time news, market data and information services to media organisations, businesses and financial institutions across more than 200 locations worldwide.

Independent earned-first and social creative agency alt/shift/ has been appointed to oversee public relations for OMODA JAECOO in Australia, adding one of the country's fastest-growing automotive brands to its client portfolio.The appointment, made by Chery Motor Australia, will see the agency lead media relations, press office management and strategic communications activities aimed at strengthening OMODA JAECOO's profile among Australian consumers, industry stakeholders and the broader media community.The partnership comes as OMODA JAECOO continues its rapid expansion in the Australian market. The automotive marque, part of China's Chery Group, has been building momentum through a growing vehicle lineup and an expanding national dealership network, positioning itself as a challenger brand in the highly competitive SUV segment.According to Roy Munoz, Chief Commercial Officer at Chery Motor Australia, earned media will play a key role in supporting the brand's next phase of growth."OMODA JAECOO has had an extraordinary start in Australia and earned media is a critical part of how we continue to build the brand's credibility and presence. alt/shift/ brings the strategic thinking and media relationships to help us do that, and we're excited to have them as our partner," he said.Sam Vassos, Managing Director of alt/shift/ Melbourne, said the agency was attracted by the scale of the brand's growth ambitions and its increasing relevance in the local automotive market."OMODA JAECOO is one of the most compelling brand stories in Australian automotive right now. The growth trajectory is extraordinary and the product is genuinely earning its place in the market," Vassos said."We're thrilled to bring our earned media expertise to a brand with this much momentum and help amplify its story in ways that resonate with Australian audiences."The account win further strengthens alt/shift/'s presence in the automotive sector, as brands increasingly look to earned media, creator engagement and integrated communications strategies to build trust and differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace.

Aditi Krishnan has joined L'Oréal India as India Lead – External Communications.Krishnan announced the move on LinkedIn, marking a new chapter in her communications career. In her new role, she will lead external communications for L'Oréal in India.Prior to joining L'Oréal, Krishnan was associated with AB InBev India, where she most recently served as Senior Manager – Communications. During her tenure at the company, she also held the position of Manager – Communications.Before moving in-house, Krishnan spent nearly five years at MSLGROUP India, where she progressed through multiple roles including Public Relations Executive, Senior Executive and Public Relations Manager.Earlier in her career, she worked as a Public Relations and Global Communications Intern at FleishmanHillard. Her professional experience also includes roles at Park Hyatt Chennai, where she served as Team Leader Front Office and Operation Support Colleague, and with The Oberoi Group as a STEP Trainee.

Ruchita Masrani has joined Unilever as Public Relations Manager for its Beauty & Wellbeing portfolio in India.Masrani announced the move on LinkedIn, where she shared that she will be leading public relations for Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing brands.Prior to joining Unilever, Masrani spent over a decade at MSLGROUP India, most recently serving as Associate Vice President. During her tenure, she worked across consumer and lifestyle communications, developing communication strategies for brands in the beauty, lifestyle and aviation sectors.Over the years, she held multiple roles at MSLGROUP, including Associate Director, Senior Manager and Senior Account Executive, building extensive experience in brand communications, influencer marketing and crisis management.

Game developer Roblox has announced the appointment of Marc Johnson as the company’s next Chief Communications Officer (CCO). Johnson will oversee Roblox’s corporate communications, media relations, and brand narrative, highlighting our commitment to safety and sharing our innovative vision externally and with the broader Roblox community.“I’m excited to join at this juncture in Roblox’s journey. The company’s global standard for safe, healthy, and age-appropriate youth engagement has never mattered more to stakeholders across the globe,” Johnson said. “I’m committed to telling the story of the platform, the creator community, and the many opportunities Roblox is creating for millions of people around the world.”A veteran strategic communications leader, Johnson is known for translating data-driven insights into authentic brand narratives that resonate with core strategic audiences and business stakeholders alike. Johnson most recently served as Vice President of Content Studio at Meta and prior to that, as Meta’s Vice President of Corporate Communications. As Managing Director and Global Head of Digital Strategy at APCO Worldwide, he supported communications and brand strategy for clients across Fortune 500 organizations and world governments.Johnson’s experience building world-class communications organizations and shaping narratives around transformative business milestones makes him a strong addition to Roblox as we enter our next chapter of growth.

Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has strengthened its communications team with the appointment of Christine Joy Fojas as Marketing and Communications Manager in the Philippines.In her new role, Fojas will lead the company's marketing and corporate communications efforts, overseeing brand strategy, media engagement, corporate storytelling, social media communications, event management, and crisis communications initiatives. She will also support efforts to enhance the firm's visibility and reputation across key stakeholder groups.Fojas joins Cushman & Wakefield after more than seven years with DB Schenker, where she held communications responsibilities spanning media relations, editorial content development, branding, research, and corporate communications. During her tenure, she contributed to strengthening the logistics company's external communications and brand positioning across multiple channels.Her appointment comes as Cushman & Wakefield continues to expand its focus on integrated marketing and communications strategies amid evolving client demands and a rapidly changing commercial real estate landscape across the Asia-Pacific region.

Klook Singapore has named Mutant as its communications agency following a competitive pitch process, entrusting the agency with efforts to strengthen brand visibility and thought leadership in the travel sector.The partnership will focus on reinforcing Klook’s standing as a leading source for travel experiences and destination insights across the Asia-Pacific region. Mutant will support the company through strategic communications, storytelling initiatives, and trend-driven content aimed at modern travellers.According to the company, Mutant’s appointment was driven by its audience-focused communications approach and its expertise in connecting with younger consumer segments. The agency also demonstrated a strong understanding of the changing digital discovery landscape, where AI-powered search tools, social platforms, creator content, and online communities increasingly influence travel decisions.As travellers adopt new ways to research and plan trips, Klook is placing greater emphasis on content that helps consumers navigate destinations, experiences, and emerging travel trends. The company intends to leverage local market insights and compelling narratives to engage experience-driven travellers, particularly Gen Z audiences.Under the mandate, Mutant will work closely with Klook Singapore to elevate destination-focused storytelling, amplify travel intelligence, and spotlight evolving consumer behaviours shaping the tourism industry.Commenting on the partnership, Lina Marican, Regional Managing Director at Mutant, said travel discovery is undergoing significant transformation as consumers move beyond traditional search channels and increasingly rely on AI tools, social media, creators, and peer communities for recommendations. She added that brands now need to build credibility and visibility across multiple touchpoints, and expressed confidence that Klook is well positioned to lead conversations around travel inspiration and discovery in Singapore.

Ralph Lauren has appointed Claudia Crosby as Head of Marketing, PR & Communications for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). In her new role, Crosby will oversee the brand’s marketing, public relations, and communications strategy across the ANZ region, working closely with regional and global teams to strengthen brand visibility and consumer engagement.Crosby brings extensive experience in marketing, communications, and brand building, having worked across luxury, beauty, and lifestyle sectors. Over the course of her career, she has led integrated marketing initiatives, strategic communications programmes, and stakeholder engagement efforts for globally recognised brands.Before joining Ralph Lauren, she held senior leadership roles at The Estée Lauder Companies and L'Oréal Group, where she was responsible for shaping brand and communications strategies across multiple portfolios and markets.Her appointment comes as Ralph Lauren continues to strengthen its leadership team and expand its presence across key international markets.

Teamwork Communications Group, a healthcare-focused integrated communications consultancy, has secured the public relations mandate for RG Hospitals, India’s largest chain of urology and minimal access surgery hospitals, with a 40-year legacy of clinical innovation and patient care.Under the mandate, Teamwork Communications Group will drive strategic communications and media engagement for RG Hospitals across Delhi NCR, Ludhiana, Chennai, Kolkata, and Dehradun. The partnership aims to strengthen the hospital chain’s national positioning around advanced urology care, minimally invasive surgery, and technology-led treatment outcomes while amplifying its clinical milestones and patient success stories.Founded in 1986, RG Hospitals has pioneered several advancements in urology and laparoscopic care in India, including the introduction of Lithotripsy in 1987 and early adoption of high-powered Holmium Laser technology. The network has completed over 7,50,000 successful procedures and is recognized for short-stay and minimal access surgeries, offering faster recovery and reduced hospital stay for patients.Commenting on the development, Nikky Gupta, CEO & Co-Founder, Teamwork Communications Group, said, “RG Hospitals has played a defining role in shaping specialized urology and minimally invasive surgical care in India. With a strong clinical legacy and multiple technology-led innovations, the opportunity lies in bringing greater visibility to outcomes-driven healthcare and patient-centric surgical advancements. The communication strategy will focus on highlighting RG’s leadership in stone and prostate management, robotic surgery, and short-stay procedures, while also strengthening conversations around accessibility of advanced surgical care across emerging healthcare markets.”Avinash Ojha, Managing Director, RG Hospitals, added, “Over the last four decades, RG Hospitals has consistently focused on innovation in urology and minimal access surgery, while maintaining a patient-first approach. As healthcare becomes increasingly information-driven, it is important to communicate both clinical advancements and patient outcomes in a meaningful way. The collaboration with Teamwork Communications Group will support structured communication around our centres of excellence, technological milestones, and expansion across key regions, enabling us to reach wider patient communities and reinforce trust in specialized surgical care.”

Edelman has expanded its creator marketing leadership across Asia-Pacific with the appointments of Sushant Vithaldas as Head of Creator Marketing, India, and Vimlarithan (Rithan) Vijaya as Creator Marketing Leader, Southeast Asia.Based in Mumbai, Vithaldas will lead the firm's creator marketing practice in India, while Vijaya, based in Malaysia, will oversee creator strategy across Southeast Asia. The appointments are aimed at deepening Edelman's creator capabilities and integrating creator-led solutions more closely with social, paid and performance marketing programmes across the region.The move comes as brands increasingly turn to creators to build trust, cultural relevance and audience engagement in an evolving media landscape. Edelman said rising client demand across Asia-Pacific is accelerating the need for market-specific creator strategies that combine influence, storytelling and measurable business outcomes.Kenny Gold, Global Chief Creator Officer at Edelman, said the appointments reinforce the agency's focus on what it calls the "Trusted Creator" model."In an era where audiences increasingly rely on people and communities they trust, creators play a critical role in shaping influence. Sushant and Rithan bring deep market expertise that will help clients build meaningful engagement through earned-led storytelling and partnerships with influential voices across the region," he said.Rakesh Thukral, CEO, Asia Pacific at Edelman, added that creator partnerships have become an essential component of modern communications strategies."Creators are now central to how influence is earned and sustained, particularly in Asia-Pacific's highly diverse and fast-moving markets. Whether B2B or B2C, organisations today need creator partnerships to effectively connect with audiences. These appointments reflect our continued investment in helping clients build programmes that earn both attention and trust," he said.Expanding Creator Marketing in IndiaVithaldas joins Edelman with more than 20 years of experience spanning marketing, digital strategy, content and brand communications.Most recently, he was with Collective Artists Network, where he drove revenue growth and strategic brand partnerships across creator ecosystems and emerging media platforms. Prior to that, he played a key role in scaling integrated digital and creative services at Schbang. His career also includes senior leadership roles with Landmark Group, Dell Technologies and Apple in India."The creator economy is opening new avenues for brands to engage audiences through culture, community and storytelling," said Vithaldas. "Edelman's strength at the intersection of trust, earned media and integrated communications creates a unique opportunity to build impactful creator-led programmes for clients in India."Driving Regional Strategy in Southeast AsiaVijaya brings experience across entertainment, digital media and creator ecosystems. Most recently, he led creator strategy at Monks, overseeing regional and global campaigns for brands including Google and Vaseline.Earlier in his career, he helped develop creator networks at Astro and Rocketfuel Entertainment. Having begun his professional journey as an independent musician, Vijaya brings first-hand experience in audience development and creator-led community building."In Southeast Asia, success depends on understanding what audiences genuinely value and trust," said Vijaya. "Edelman's approach to trust and cultural relevance provides a strong foundation for building creator programmes that are not only visible but also credible, meaningful and enduring."The appointments underscore Edelman's broader investment in creator marketing as brands increasingly shift spend toward influencer and creator partnerships to drive awareness, engagement and long-term brand affinity across Asia-Pacific.

In celebration of the upcoming International Yoga Day, Bloomingdale Public Relations hosted a Yoga & Sound Healing Workshop for its employees, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. Conducted by a renowned yoga practitioner and Founder of Svadhyaya, Devyani Puri Ahuja, the session brought together team members for an immersive experience focused on mindfulness, movement, and stress management. Designed for working professionals, the session included practical desk yoga techniques, breathing exercises, and relaxation practices that employees can easily incorporate into their daily work routines. The initiative reflects the agency's belief in creating opportunities that support employees' overall growth, development and physical and mental well-being.The initiative also acknowledges the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose efforts were instrumental in securing the United Nations' recognition of 21st June as International Yoga Day. Since then, the observance has evolved into a global celebration of India's timeless wellness traditions. Beyond its wellness benefits, the workshop offered employees a refreshing opportunity to unwind, recharge, and strengthen team connections through a shared experience centered on mindfulness and self-care. Diana Fernandes, Founder & Group CEO - Bloomingdale Public Relations Pte. Ltd, said: “At Bloomingdale, we believe that our people are our greatest strength, and investing in their growth and overall well-being is integral to building a thriving organization. In our fast-paced communications industry, making time to reconnect and recharge is more important than ever. Simple practices such as taking short breaks to avoid prolonged sitting, doing desk stretches, incorporating deep breathing exercises, and embracing mindful habits can help create both physical and mental balance while enabling meaningful and productive work. Through initiatives like these, we strive to cultivate a culture that prioritizes self-awareness, balance, and a healthier, more mindful approach to everyday life.”Devyani Puri Ahuja, Founder of Svadhyaya, said: "Yoga is far more than a physical practice; it is a powerful tool for cultivating self-awareness, balance, and resilience in an increasingly fast-paced world. For younger generations navigating constant digital engagement and evolving personal and professional demands, yoga offers a meaningful way to enhance mental clarity, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. I am delighted to partner with Bloomingdale PR on this initiative and encourage more individuals to experience the lasting benefits of incorporating yoga into their daily routines."The workshop reflects Bloomingdale PR's ongoing efforts to create meaningful employee experiences that extend beyond the workplace. By bringing together mindfulness, learning, and community engagement, the agency continues to foster an environment that supports both personal growth and professional development.

Consumers around the world are becoming increasingly wary of people whose beliefs, values and lifestyles differ from their own; and that growing social divide is beginning to shape how they view brands, according to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Brand Growth in an Insular World.The study found that nearly two-thirds of consumers globally are hesitant or unwilling to trust people who hold different values, rely on different sources of information, approach social issues differently, or come from different cultural and social backgrounds. That mistrust is increasingly extending to brands, particularly when consumers perceive them as being associated with groups outside their own social or ideological circles.According to Richard Edelman, consumers with what the report describes as an "insular mindset" are twice as likely to reject brands linked to people they see as different from themselves compared with consumers who maintain a more open outlook.The findings suggest that brands are no longer judged solely on their products, services or corporate actions. Instead, consumers are increasingly evaluating brands based on the communities and identities associated with them."Brands have taken on greater social significance," Edelman noted. More than half of respondents (54%) said they feel a sense of connection with others who use the same brands, up eight percentage points from five years ago.One striking consequence of this shift is the rise of what the report calls "secret consumption". Four in 10 Gen Z and Millennial consumers say they use certain brands privately to avoid potential criticism or social stigma from peers.National identity is also playing a growing role in purchasing decisions. Two-thirds of respondents said a company's country of origin is now an important or critical factor when deciding whether to buy from a brand, a five-point increase since 2023. Brands headquartered in China and the United States emerged as the most polarising globally.Trust and relevance drive growthWhile trust remains essential, the report argues that trust alone is no longer enough to secure long-term brand growth.Nearly nine in 10 consumers said trust is a critical purchasing factor, placing it on par with product quality and value. Yet Edelman's research suggests that the strongest growth potential comes when brands achieve both trust and relevance."The combination of trust and relevance effectively doubles a brand's growth potential in a way that neither can alone," Edelman said.The findings challenge a recent trend among marketers who have shifted attention toward popular culture as a relatively safe route to relevance following years of purpose-driven marketing debates.According to the study, utility remains the strongest driver of relevance, cited by 85% of respondents. Identity reflection followed at 81%, community connection at 77%, and emotional resonance at 76%. Pop-culture fluency ranked lowest at 67%."Our data reveals that pop-culture fluency is the least effective way to achieve relevance, yet it is often a brand's default strategy," Edelman said.The report suggests that brands seeking stronger consumer relationships must focus on delivering meaningful value, fostering a sense of belonging and reflecting consumers' identities rather than relying solely on cultural trends or viral moments.The challenge is particularly acute in several major markets. Nearly half of respondents globally believe brands are failing on trust, relevance, or both. The highest levels of dissatisfaction were recorded in Japan, South Korea, Canada, Germany, the UK, the US and France.Earned influence matters more than advertisingFor communications professionals, the report reinforces the growing importance of earned influence over paid messaging.More than four in 10 respondents said that what unpaid voices say about a brand has the greatest impact on trust, compared with just 20% who cited a brand's own communications.Edelman argues that trust and relevance must be earned through experience and third-party validation rather than self-promotion.Among consumers with an insular mindset, unpaid voices are five times more influential than paid brand messaging when it comes to building trust.The report also highlights the importance of trusted networks. Consumers are most likely to believe recommendations from friends and family, people they perceive as similar to themselves, credentialed experts, online reviewers and company employees. Trust levels fall significantly when information comes from CEOs, celebrities or other high-profile public figures.Meanwhile, the influence of content creators continues to strengthen. Among those who follow creators, more than one-third have tried a new brand based on creator recommendations, while many have also discussed brands with friends, adopted new behaviours or paid premium prices because of creator influence.The growth challenge aheadEdelman believes brands face a growing paradox. Consumers increasingly want brands that feel personal, authentic and reflective of their identity, while companies simultaneously need broad appeal to achieve scale and growth.The solution, he argues, lies not in narrower targeting but in building enough trust and relevance that consumers are comfortable sharing those brands with people outside their immediate social circles."The central paradox of growth in 2026 is that consumers want brands to feel more personal, while brands need to become more broadly accepted and global," Edelman said.Brands that successfully combine trust, relevance, strong products and earned influence will be best positioned to turn growing consumer insularity from a barrier into a competitive advantage.

Apurvaa Pandey has been elevated to the role of Global Marketing Communications Manager at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF).Prior to this appointment, Pandey served as Global Marketing Communications Associate Manager at the company.In her new role, she will continue to contribute to marketing communications initiatives across IFF's global operations. According to her professional profile, her experience spans strategic communications, food systems, sustainability and stakeholder engagement.Pandey has worked across global communications, public affairs, media relations and stakeholder engagement within the food and ingredients sector.Before joining IFF, she was associated with DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, FleishmanHillard and MullenLowe Lintas Group, where she held communications-related roles.

Bravo Events & Entertainment has appointed Roman Lee as Senior Manager, PR & Communications, strengthening its communications capabilities as the agency continues to expand its events, experiential marketing and brand engagement offerings across the region.Based in Malaysia, Lee will lead media relations, influencer engagement and integrated public relations campaigns for the agency's portfolio of consumer and corporate clients. His remit includes developing strategic communications programmes that support live events, brand activations, corporate engagements and experiential marketing initiatives across multiple sectors.Lee joins the agency with more than eight years of experience in public relations, influencer marketing and integrated communications. Most recently, he served as Account Manager, PR & Influence at Ogilvy Malaysia, where he worked with a range of local and international brands, overseeing media strategy, influencer partnerships and reputation-building campaigns.Throughout his career, Lee has developed expertise in stakeholder engagement, earned media, content-led communications and influencer relations, helping brands navigate an increasingly fragmented media landscape while driving audience engagement across traditional and digital platforms.His appointment reflects growing demand for integrated communications support within the events and experiential marketing sector, where brands are increasingly combining live experiences with influencer engagement, social media amplification and earned media strategies to maximise campaign impact.At Bravo Events & Entertainment, Lee is expected to play a key role in strengthening the agency's communications offering and enhancing visibility for clients through strategic storytelling, media engagement and creator partnerships.

Red Rooster, a quick-service fast-food restaurant chain in Australia, has promoted Stella Katsaros to Head of PR & Communications, expanding her leadership responsibilities as the Australian quick-service restaurant brand continues its brand transformation and growth strategy.Katsaros steps up from her previous role as PR & Communications Manager at Craveable Brands, where she led communications initiatives across Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat. In her new position, she will oversee strategic communications, media relations, brand reputation and corporate storytelling for Red Rooster.The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the brand, which has been investing heavily in marketing, customer engagement and brand repositioning efforts. Earlier this year, Red Rooster launched its nationwide "The Rooster's Calling" campaign, designed to reinforce its Australian heritage and strengthen connections with consumers across multiple touchpoints, including advertising, digital channels, social media and public relations.Katsaros has played a key role in several high-profile campaigns and brand activations during her tenure at Craveable Brands, helping elevate Red Rooster's profile in an increasingly competitive quick-service restaurant market.Before joining Craveable Brands, Katsaros built her communications career across some of Australia's leading media organisations. She held public relations and corporate communications roles at Southern Cross Austereo, Network Ten and SBS Australia, gaining extensive experience in media relations, brand communications and stakeholder engagement.Her promotion follows a period of leadership change and renewed growth across Craveable Brands, the parent company of Red Rooster, Oporto, Chicken Treat and Chargrill Charlie's. The group recently appointed Josh Kilimnik as chief executive officer as it pursues the next phase of expansion across its portfolio of more than 600 restaurants operating throughout Australia and New Zealand.As Head of PR & Communications, Katsaros is expected to play a central role in shaping Red Rooster's brand narrative, supporting franchise growth initiatives and strengthening the company's engagement with customers, media and key stakeholders.

Nestlé has appointed Antonia Wanner as chief communications and sustainability officer and a member of the group's executive board, expanding her responsibilities beyond sustainability to include corporate communications.Wanner succeeds Lisa Gibby, who will leave the company later this year and return to the United States after more than three years leading the communications function.The leadership change comes during a period of significant transformation for the Swiss food and beverage giant. During Gibby's tenure, Nestlé navigated multiple CEO transitions, operational restructuring and a series of high-profile corporate challenges, including scrutiny of its bottled water business, concerns over infant formula sugar content, a global product recall affecting dozens of markets, and workforce reductions.Reflecting on her time at the company, Gibby said: "It's been an extraordinary journey—supporting leadership changes, navigating complex issues, and helping transform the communications function along the way. It challenged me in ways I couldn't have imagined and remains one of the most rewarding chapters of my career."Gibby joined Nestlé's global leadership team in 2023 after serving as vice-president of corporate communications for the company's US operations. Earlier in her career, she held the role of director of global communications at ONE Campaign and founded LKG Communications, a consultancy serving corporate and advocacy clients.Wanner brings nearly three decades of experience within Nestlé. Since joining the company in Germany as an in-house lawyer in 1996, she has held senior leadership roles across legal, procurement, sales and sustainability functions. Most recently, she served as chief sustainability officer, leading the company's environmental and social responsibility agenda.Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil said the move reflects the company's intention to more closely align communications and sustainability."Antonia will make corporate communications an even stronger driver of business impact, closely aligned with our strategic priorities and focused on disciplined execution. Bringing corporate communications and sustainability closer together will strengthen credible stakeholder engagement and support long-term value creation," he said.

Global communications, data and marketing company DEKUPLE Group has entered the Middle East through a strategic partnership with communications veterans Hubert Boulos and Ramsey Naja, launching Das Kapital Dekuple Group, a communications consulting agency based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.Majority-owned by DEKUPLE Group with a 51% stake, the new venture aims to become a leading marketing and communications partner for brands across the Gulf region. The move marks the latest phase of DEKUPLE's international expansion strategy, building on its established presence across Europe, North America and China.The agency will support both multinational clients seeking growth opportunities in the Middle East and regional businesses looking to strengthen their market positions. Das Kapital Dekuple Group plans to gradually expand across key Gulf markets.Hubert Boulos, Co-Founder of Das Kapital, commented: "Marketing and communications are undergoing a profound transformation accelerated by artificial intelligence. Ramsey and I bring decades of strategic and creative experience, together with a strong reputation across the Middle East.Joining DEKUPLE Group enables us to accelerate our development, reach a new technological milestone, and gain access to a broad range of complementary capabilities. The Group offers a powerful ecosystem of growth-driving expertise—including influencer marketing, SEO, GEO, link building, consumer insights, media, automation, social media and local marketing—as well as proprietary solutions that are leaders in their respective markets. In addition, through its consulting firm Converteo, DEKUPLE has become a major player in the field of agentic AI transformation. This partnership enables Das Kapital to evolve into a next-generation MarCom agency capable of supporting brands' growth in a rapidly changing environment.""The strength of this region lies in its remarkable capacity to adapt. Gulf countries have navigated recent crises—from the Global Financial Crisis and the Arab Spring to the COVID pandemic—and have consistently emerged stronger. I believe this resilience will once again prove decisive in the very near future," added Ramsey Naja, Co-Founder of Das Kapital.

In a significant initiative to further strengthen and enhance digital communication, the Information and Public Relations Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh today launched its official YouTube channel, 'Suchna Pravah', at Lok Bhavan, Lucknow.The channel was inaugurated by Director, Information, Vishal Singh, and Additional Director, Information, Arvind Kumar Mishra. The launch was attended by Film Producer Abhay Kumar Srivastava, Film Production Manager Sandeep Pandey, along with other officers and staff members of the Information Department.'Suchna Pravah' is the official digital platform of the Uttar Pradesh Information and Public Relations Department. Through this platform, authentic, fact-based and timely information related to the State Government's public welfare schemes, development projects, key decisions, achievements, public interest programmes and various governance initiatives will be disseminated to citizens. The platform will also regularly feature documentaries, special reports, inspirational videos, government campaigns and coverage of important events produced by the department.On the occasion, Director, Information, Vishal Singh said that digital media has emerged as the most effective medium of mass communication in the present time. He stated that the 'Suchna Pravah' YouTube channel will serve as a strong bridge of communication between the government and the public. Through this platform, citizens will have access to reliable and authentic information on government schemes, policies and development works in a simple, accessible and engaging format.Additional Director, Information, Arvind Kumar Mishra said that the department is adopting modern technologies in line with changing times and establishing new dimensions in public communication. Through 'Suchna Pravah', the State's development journey, public welfare programmes and the achievements of the government will be communicated to a wider audience, enabling citizens to receive accurate and timely information about government schemes.The YouTube channel will serve as an effective platform for disseminating information on the achievements of the State Government and other matters of public interest. It will also play an important role in further strengthening communication between the government and the public.

Global marketing agency TEAM LEWIS has announced the appointment of Fairil Yeo as Executive Vice President, AI and Growth, in a new global role.Fairil will form a key part of the agency’s global strategy to accelerate growth through the strategic application of artificial intelligence, innovation, and modern marketing capabilities. Working closely with leaders and specialists across the global business, he will focus on expanding AI-enabled services and solutions, strengthening strategic partnerships, and helping clients unlock measurable business value through the convergence of technology, creativity, data, and communications.Fairil’s remit will centre on three priorities: accelerating AI-enabled revenue growth across the agency, helping clients navigate and capitalise on opportunities created by artificial intelligence, and scaling AI adoption, capability development, and innovation across TEAM LEWIS globally.This is a boomerang role for Fairil, who previously worked at TEAM LEWIS for 7 years, between 2016 and 2023, including leading the region as Senior Vice President, APAC. He most recently held roles at Accenture Song and Mastercard and brings more than two decades of experience spanning consulting, marketing transformation, digital acceleration, customer engagement, and growth strategies. Having worked with leading organizations across Asia-Pacific, he excels at modernising capabilities to unlock growth, and deliver measurable commercial outcomes through technology, data, and innovation.Commenting on his appointment, Fairil said: “AI continues to create one of the most significant shifts our industry has seen in decades. The opportunity isn’t simply in the adoption of new technology, but to fundamentally rethink how we create value for clients, empower our people, and drive growth.At TEAM LEWIS, we see AI not as a feature, but as a fundamental operating advantage. AI should not sit on the sidelines as a specialist capability. It should be embedded into how we think, create, collaborate, and grow.I’m excited to work alongside our talented leaders and specialists around the world to help clients unlock new opportunities and shape the future of growth through the combination of human imagination and machine intelligence.”Chief Operating Officer, Yvonne van Bokhoven, shared “We are delighted to welcome Fairil back to TEAM LEWIS in this new global role. His track record in client leadership, combined with deep experience across consulting and innovation, makes him uniquely positioned to help accelerate our AI ambitions worldwide.AI is reshaping how brands compete. Fairil will play a crucial role in scaling our AI-enabled services offering to deliver measurable value for our clients.”

Shilpi Dasgupta has joined Tata Capital as AVP Corporate Communications. Operating out of the company’s Mumbai headquarters, Dasgupta will lead strategic media relations, internal communications, and brand reputation management for the financial institution. She announced appointment role via LinkedIn.Dasgupta brings a wealth of experience to the Tata Group, having spent over a decade designing and executing high-impact communication strategies across the financial services, corporate, and real estate sectors.Throughout her career, she has specialized in building strong media footprints, handling sensitive crisis communications, and driving integrated external messaging for premium brands.

Luxury Concierge Real Estate (LCRE) has named Vinita Hirani as Head of PR and Marketing, entrusting her with leading brand communications and marketing initiatives across both LCRE and its premium division, LCRE Privé.In her new role, Hirani will oversee brand storytelling, corporate communications, public relations, media relations and integrated marketing efforts. She is also responsible for enhancing the company's visibility across key markets and strengthening relationships with developers, investors, partners, clients and media stakeholders.Hirani brings more than 18 years of experience spanning public relations, branding, marketing and strategic communications. Her responsibilities include developer relations, stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships, thought leadership, reputation management, content strategy, events and influencer collaborations.She will also lead executive profiling, media engagement and corporate communications programmes, while developing bespoke marketing campaigns aimed at reinforcing LCRE's positioning in the luxury real estate sector.Working closely with internal teams and external partners, Hirani will focus on building a cohesive brand narrative, supporting business growth and further elevating the market presence of LCRE and LCRE Privé across the region's prime and ultra-prime real estate segments.

Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta has appointed Yudith Dwi Astuti as Director of Public Relations and Marketing Communications, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening brand visibility and guest engagement in Indonesia's luxury hospitality market.Bringing more than 20 years of experience across hospitality, media and marketing, Astuti joins the hotel's leadership team with expertise in strategic communications, brand storytelling and stakeholder engagement.In her new role, she will lead the hotel's public relations, marketing communications and digital functions, overseeing initiatives designed to enhance brand awareness, drive audience engagement and further elevate the property's market position.Astuti began her career in 1998 as a radio announcer while teaching business management at university level before moving into television, where she worked as a reporter and creative production professional at Trans TV Jakarta.Her hospitality journey started in 2004 with The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain in guest relations. She later joined Fairmont Dubai as an income auditor before returning to Indonesia, where she held leadership positions at Shangri-La Jakarta, PT Holcim Indonesia and Gran Meliá Jakarta.She subsequently advanced into senior public relations and marketing roles at The Westin Jakarta, Grand Hyatt Jakarta and Keraton at The Plaza, building extensive experience in luxury hospitality marketing, brand development and corporate communications.Known for her collaborative leadership style and relationship-building skills, Astuti brings a combination of operational expertise and strategic vision to the role as Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta continues to strengthen its presence in the competitive luxury hospitality sector.

Independent communications agency In The Media PR has strengthened its presence in the tourism and travel sector, securing 10 new clients over the past year while announcing key promotions within its senior leadership team.The agency's recent client wins include Frankston City Council and its three flagship festivals, Funfields Theme Park, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Paul Bennet Airshows and GirlsTrek.According to co-founder Oryana Angel, the agency's growth reflects increasing demand for positive, people-focused storytelling."With ongoing global uncertainty, cost-of-living pressures and a relentless news cycle, audiences are increasingly drawn to stories that inspire and provide a sense of optimism," Angel said.She added that tourism and travel brands are uniquely positioned to deliver compelling narratives centered on memorable experiences and authentic human connections."From artisans creating remarkable works to dedicated volunteers preserving local heritage, these are stories about real people. They're exactly the kinds of stories former journalists are passionate about uncovering and sharing," she said.Alongside its client growth, the agency has restructured its senior leadership team. Former Nine Sydney journalist Laura Tunstall has been promoted to Executive Campaign Director, while former ABC journalist Andrew Arthur has stepped into the role of Campaign Director. They join senior team members Amie Meehan, formerly of 2GB, and Erin Maher, former National News Director at Nine Radio.Co-founder Janyne Moore said the agency's momentum is driven by its journalist-led approach to communications."Effective earned media goes beyond distributing press releases. It requires understanding what makes a story resonate and building campaigns that capture genuine audience interest," Moore said.The agency says its expanding tourism portfolio and strengthened leadership team position it for continued growth across the travel, tourism and lifestyle sectors.

Astrum, India's first research-based strategic communications consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Harsh Shrivastava as Senior Advisor. Harsh's appointment is part of Astrum's continued investment in building specialised advisory capabilities to serve Indian and global clients operating in fast changing, high-stakes environments. Joining a distinguished roster of Senior Advisors, Harsh will counsel Astrum's clients on matters at the intersection of regulation, and reputation related stakeholder engagement, working alongside the firm's leadership to expand its leadership bench in executive content, policy advocacy and government relations. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Harsh brings more than three decades of distinguished experience spanning government, industry, media and civil society. He served in the Planning Commission and in the Prime Minister Office. He has subsequently been the CEO of the Public Affairs Forum of India and the Microfinance Institutions Network, an SRO under the Reserve Bank of India. He has represented the sector before regulators, government, investors, media, customers. His corporate career includes senior roles at the Confederation of Indian Industry, and Feedback Ventures, and other large companies, where he led mandates spanning policy advocacy, corporate affairs, and business development. Commenting on the appointment, Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner, Astrum, said, "Harsh's unique vantage point having shaped communication at the very centre of government, led national industry bodies and operated at senior levels in corporate India gives our clients an extraordinary advantage in navigating today's interconnected world of policy, regulation and reputation.” "What drew me to Astrum is its distinctive belief that great counsel begins with rigorous research. In a country where policy, regulation and public perception are increasingly intertwined, that discipline is more relevant than ever, “ says, Harsh Shrivastava, “I look forward to working with Astrum's capable and committed team. And with Astrum’s clients to shape strategies that are not only effective, but built on insight, evidence and a deep understanding of India's evolving public landscape."

PRCA APAC has announced the launch of the PRCA Thailand Conference and PRCA Thailand Awards 2026, expanding its efforts to support and celebrate the country's communications industry.The conference will bring together public relations and communications professionals to discuss the trends and challenges shaping the sector, with sessions focused on leadership, trust, technology, reputation management and the evolving role of communicators.The PRCA Thailand Awards 2026 will honour exceptional campaigns, teams and individuals demonstrating creativity, innovation and measurable impact across the communications landscape.

Truescope, the media intelligence platform built for modern communications professionals, today announced the launch of Truescope AI, giving communications teams two intelligent teammates to autonomously analyse, summarise and deliver insights across their media landscape. The launch marks a pivotal step in Truescope’s transformation to a fully AI-powered intelligence platform.“The new age of media monitoring and analysis is AI-first,” said John Croll, Truescope Co-founder and CEO. “Truescope AI puts two intelligent team members to work the moment you log in, so communications professionals spend less time on research and more time on strategic work that actually moves the needle.”For communications professionals who need to understand the real-world impact of media and social coverage, Truescope AI delivers what legacy monitoring tools cannot: the ability to construct and execute complex queries across aggregate data in real time, surfacing actionable intelligence in minutes rather than hours. Truescope AI works across the entire media landscape simultaneously to deliver sentiment breakdowns, executive briefings, competitive analysis and crisis-ready reports on demand.Truescope AI introduces two purpose-built AI teammates designed to capture every development and turn coverage into intelligence you can act on:Truescope AssistantTruescope Assistant is the always-on AI summariser teammate that ensures no piece of relevant coverage goes unnoticed. The moment a user is on the platform, Assistant has already processed and summarised the day’s media across every monitored source — surfacing what matters most and making media awareness effortless for every member of a communications team and their executives.Instant coverage summaries. Assistant summarises coverage across broadcast, online, print and social channels in Truescope in real time, collapsing hours of manual reading into a single structured brief. Daily and weekly digests run across saved searches automatically.Spike alert explainers. When coverage volume spikes, Assistant explains the topic, the driver, the lead outlets and the sentiment shift so the team can respond before the inbox fills.AI report sections and natural-language search. Drop an AI-written summary into any Truescope report in one click. Ask a question in plain language across your inbox and saved searches and Assistant returns the answer in seconds with the underlying articles cited.Truescope AnalystTruescope Analyst is the multi-agent AI media analyst purpose-built for communications. Ask one question and Analyst breaks it into parallel research threads (sentiment, share of voice, journalist profile, narrative risk, social conversation), runs each across Truescope's enriched media pipeline, and returns one structured, source-cited report in minutes. What used to take a dedicated analyst days, or a third-party retainer weeks, now happens on demand. It delivers structured, evidence-backed intelligence that typically takes analysts hours to produce manually.Plain-Language Query Engine: Users ask questions the way they naturally think and Analyst returns clear, sourced answers within minutes. Every insight is backed by transparent, traceable citations and source references so PR and comms professionals can walk into any meeting or crisis fully prepared.Sentiment, Journalist and Competitive Intelligence: Analyst reports include granular sentiment breakdowns by source, topic and time period, alongside detailed journalist profiles that identify who is covering a story, how they frame it, and what their history reveals about their likely angle. Competitive analysis surfaces how your brand’s media presence stacks up against rivals across any defined period, giving teams the context to act decisively.Pre-built comms templates and comment-level social intelligence. Pick a template (share of voice, executive scorecard, crisis brief, journalist profile, competitor comparison, narrative analysis and more) and Analyst runs it across the entire monitored media set in minutes. On social, it covers comments and reactions across platforms for the full reaction beneath each post.“AI should function as a true teammate for communications professionals, not just another tool,” said Michael Bade, Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer. “Truescope AI combines advanced reasoning with real-time media analysis to turn complex coverage into the strategic insights teams need to act faster and with greater confidence.”

Mike Doyle, the former global CEO of Ketchum, has joined Brunswick Group as a New York-based partner. This marks Doyle’s first major appointment since his departure from Ketchum last year, concluding a nearly 30-year tenure at the firm.At Brunswick, Doyle will leverage his extensive experience to advise clients on reputation management, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and organizational transformation.Doyle served as Ketchum’s global CEO for five years, steering the agency through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and counseling boards and C-suite executives on complex business and reputational issues. He previously held several key leadership roles at Ketchum, following an early-career stint in senior communications at NBCUniversal. He also serves as the chairman of the board for GLAAD."We are thrilled that Mike is joining Brunswick," said Brunswick CEO Henry Timms. "His experience, judgment, and leadership will strengthen our ability to help clients build trust and navigate risk, while adding real depth to our senior advisory team."Commenting on his new role, Doyle stated: "Brunswick's reputation as a trusted advisor to the leaders of the world's most influential organizations is unequaled. I am excited to join Brunswick's talented team and to partner with clients as they navigate increasingly complex stakeholder, reputational, and business issues."Doyle's transition comes after he left Ketchum in July 2025, a move Omnicom Public Relations Group attributed to a strategic shift in leadership direction. Following Omnicom's acquisition of Interpublic, Ketchum recently merged with Golin to form Golin Ketchum.

FTI Consulting, Inc. has announced the appointment of Tom Evrard as Head of Asia for the firm’s Strategic Communications segment, effective immediately.Evrard will work closely with regional and global leadership teams to further expand FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications offering across Asia, supporting clients navigating transactions, crises and other high-stakes situations. He also will help drive the firm’s event-driven capabilities while strengthening collaboration with colleagues across the wider business, including Corporate Finance, Technology, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, and Economic Consulting.“Tom has played an important role in building our Strategic Communications platform across Asia over many years, and he is exceptionally well placed to lead the business through its next phase of growth,” said Mark McCall, Global Leader of the Strategic Communications segment at FTI Consulting. “As clients face increasingly complex situations across transactions, crises and geopolitical issues, demand for integrated, bespoke solutions continues to grow. Tom’s appointment further strengthens our ability to support clients through these critical moments as they navigate the realities of working across borders, cultures and stakeholder expectations.”Evrard’s appointment comes as Asia continues to be a key contributor to growth for FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications segment globally, driven by increasing demand for multi-market counsel. It also reflects the firm’s continued investment in the region through senior talent, expanded client relationships and broader market presence. This includes the appointment of Jason Leow as a Senior Managing Director and the return of Kainoa Blaisdell as a Managing Director earlier in 2026, alongside the promotion of Natalie Carter to Senior Managing Director in 2025.Evrard said, “This is a pivotal moment for our business in Asia, and I am proud to step into this role with a team that has built a differentiated platform in one of the world’s most complex regions. We combine deep local expertise with global connectivity, supported by an agile model and smart use of AI, to deliver results when it matters most. I look forward to helping enhance our collaborative model, providing high-impact advice on crisis and transformation while deepening relationships, expanding our capabilities and bringing the full strength of FTI Consulting to every engagement.”

The University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) has released its Digital News Report: Australia 2026, revealing a massive generational shift in how Australians consume, understand, and pay for news, heavily driven by audiences under 35.The Death of Traditional Media for Gen ZYounger Australians are highly engaged with news and politics, but they are completely bypassing legacy channels. The report highlights that 60% of Australians aged 18 to 24 have never used print newspapers, 53% have never listened to radio news, and 25% have never turned on the TV for news. Instead, 48% of this demographic relies on TikTok, turning to independent creators and influencers who they find more entertaining (59%), relatable (55%), and easier to understand (56%).Younger Demographics are Willing to PayDespite ongoing economic pressures, under-35s use more news sources than older Australians and are far more likely to pay for them. While only 16% of those aged 65 and over pay for news, 27% of 18-to-24-year-olds and 41% of 25-to-34-year-olds do. Furthermore, younger audiences view news as a social good: 30% of under-35s pay for news specifically so others can access it for free, compared to just 15% of older generations.The Rise of Generative AI and the Trust GapGenerative AI (Gen AI) is securing a permanent spot in the news ecosystem. Nearly one in ten Australians (9%) now use AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for news—a figure that climbs to 16% for under-25s. Audiences use these tools primarily to follow up on stories (49%), summarize data, and simplify complex issues.However, credibility remains a major hurdle. Trust in news via AI chatbots sits at a low 19%, with 49% explicitly distrusting it. This skepticism coincides with an overall rise in online misinformation anxiety, with 77% of Australians worried about what is real or fake on the internet.Social Media as the Primary GatewayFor the first time, social media has officially overtaken direct visits to news websites as the primary pathway to online news (32% vs 31%). Social media is now the second most-used news source overall (56%), sitting just behind television (57%) and ahead of dedicated news apps and sites (52%)."Young Australians are not disengaged from news - they are reshaping how news is accessed, consumed, and understood," said Professor Sora Park, lead author of the report and Director of the N&MRC. "We are seeing a generational shift away from fixed routines and traditional platforms towards more fluid, platform-driven, and personalised news habits."Other Notable 2026 Statistics:• Overall Interest & Consumption: General news interest has risen to 57%, and consumption has jumped to 56% since 2023.• Perceived Bias: 77% of Australians believe media owners influence coverage, while 75% point to government influence, and 70% blame advertisers—all higher than global averages.• General Trust: Overall trust in news remains steady at 43%, though trust in the specific brands people actually use has jumped 5 percentage points to 54%.• News Avoidance: 68% of Australians admit to avoiding the news at least some of the time.

Reshmi Rema has joined L&T Realty as Manager, PR & External Communications.She shared the update on LinkedIn, stating that she will be responsible for driving the company’s communications mandate across public relations, social media and reputation management.Prior to joining L&T Realty, Rema spent eight years at Canon India, where she most recently served as Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications. During her tenure, she worked across media relations, executive thought leadership, reputation management and integrated communications initiatives spanning corporate, product, CSR and employer branding narratives.Earlier in her career, Rema worked with Text100, now known as Archetype, as Senior Account Executive, managing communications mandates for technology clients. She was also associated with Weber Shandwick, where she handled media relations and public relations activities for clients across the technology and corporate sectors.Her professional journey also includes an internship with The PRactice and an earlier stint at Aaj Tak.

Few brand-building exercises are as complex as redefining an identity after a major business transformation. Following its carve-out and subsequent public listing, Sagility, a healthcare operations and technology transformation company, embarked on a journey to sharpen its positioning, strengthen its fundamentals, and create a brand narrative that resonates across clients, talent, and investors. Sagility builds on more than two decades of operational experience in India and the global healthcare outsourcing sector. The company focuses on AI-driven healthcare operations, revenue cycle management, member engagement, and digital transformation, helping healthcare organisations improve efficiency, compliance, and patient outcomes. In conversation with Adgully, Dhaivat Mehta, Vice-President, Global Brand & Corporate Communications, Sagility, speaks at length about the evolution of the brand, the role of stakeholder-led brand building, how the company is balancing consistency with local relevance across global markets, and more. In highly specialised sectors like healthcare operations, brand storytelling can often become too technical or corporate. How do you ensure communication remains accessible, engaging, and differentiated? Our go-to-market marketing teams, many of whom are specialists in the US healthcare space, play a key role in showcasing the value we create through case studies, whitepapers, experiential events, and other initiatives.As the corporate brand and communications team, our role is to build a strong and consistent brand foundation that supports client marketing, talent branding, investor communications, ESG initiatives, and other stakeholder engagement efforts. Building a healthcare operations brand in today’s market requires balancing trust, innovation, and scale. How is Sagility positioning itself differently within the US healthcare ecosystem? Sagility brings decades of healthcare operations expertise with a dedicated focus on the US healthcare market.Our brand promise is centred on delivering value through deep domain expertise, technology and AI-led transformation, and trusted collaboration. We see ourselves as the decision intelligence and outcomes layer for healthcare operations, helping clients drive efficiency and better outcomes.Sagility has gone through a significant transformation journey following its carve-out from a large Indian conglomerate. How would you describe the evolution of the brand identity and what were the key strategic priorities while rebuilding it as an independent global brand? Following the carve-out nearly four years ago, we undertook a brand naming exercise in partnership with a specialised healthcare brand naming firm. While we brought decades of healthcare operations experience, we were building a new brand from the ground up. The name ‘Sagility’ emerged through a collaborative process that involved employee participation and feedback. Alongside this, we established the initial foundations of our brand design system. After going public in November 2024 and as the brand gained visibility in the market, we recognised the need to strengthen our brand fundamentals and better articulate the value we deliver to clients, talent, and investors. This led to a comprehensive brand rejuvenation exercise in partnership with a leading brand strategy consulting firm. Through extensive conversations with clients, employees, analysts, and other stakeholders, we refined our brand promise, brand principles, core narrative, and design system. This brand refresh involved deep engagement with clients, talent, and stakeholders across markets. How important is internal alignment when shaping an external brand narrative? Internal alignment is critical. Our global leadership team was deeply involved throughout the process, and we engaged with the Board at multiple stages. We also brought together a representative cross-section of employees across regions and seniority levels to gather perspectives and feedback. A data-backed and future-focused approach ensured that the refreshed brand remains credible today while supporting our long-term aspirations. The new global campaign spans markets like India, the Philippines, Jamaica, Colombia, and the US. What were some of the biggest challenges in creating a unified narrative that still feels locally relevant across geographies? Our refreshed brand framework provides a cohesive narrative across audiences and markets. With a workforce of over 50,000 employees across five countries, strengthening our employer brand remains a key priority.While the core narrative remains consistent globally, the brand system is designed to adapt to regional and audience-specific nuances. This allows us to remain globally consistent while staying locally relevant. The campaign uses a mix of outdoor, digital, and social media platforms. How has the role of integrated marketing evolved for B2B and healthcare-focused brands in recent years? We view this as a corporate brand-building initiative designed to engage key stakeholder groups, with the current phase focused on talent and investors. Media choices are guided by audience priorities and campaign objectives in each market. Outdoor delivers scale and visibility, while digital and social platforms enable targeted engagement. Together, they help us balance broad awareness with meaningful audience interaction. 

Agent99 secures client renewals and launches social growth engineIndependent public relations agency Agent99 has entered the new financial year with a series of client renewals and the launch of a new social media offering designed to help brands strengthen their digital presence through integrated communications.Among the renewed partnerships, Agent99 has been reappointed by Click Frenzy to lead communications strategy for the e-commerce sales platform, focusing on consumer and retail media engagement around its upcoming shopping events.Outdoor apparel brand Fjällräven has also returned to the agency's client roster as it looks to expand its footprint in Australia. Agent99 will support the Swedish brand through media relations and social content initiatives aimed at building awareness among outdoor, lifestyle and streetwear audiences.Meanwhile, Proof Drinks Australia has renewed its partnership with the agency to support a portfolio of beverage brands including Crystal Head Vodka, Cazcabel Tequila, Ole Smoky, Regal Rogue and Ukiyo Spirits. The remit covers consumer and trade communications, media relations and campaign execution.Sharon Zeev Poole, Founder and Director of Agent99, said the returning partnerships provide strong momentum for the agency amid a competitive market environment."Entering the new financial year with the return of valued clients including Fjällräven, Click Frenzy and Proof Drinks is an incredibly positive way to begin the next chapter for the agency in an increasingly challenging and fast-moving market," she said."Long-term partnerships are something we're extremely proud of, and these renewals reflect the trust our clients place in us to deliver strategic, results-driven campaigns consistently."Alongside the client wins, Agent99 has launched its Social Growth Engine, a structured programme designed to help brands build stronger social media communities while integrating earned media opportunities into their content strategies.The programme combines social content development with PR-led storytelling, enabling brands to strengthen visibility across owned and earned channels.According to Poole, brands that stand out on social media are not necessarily those producing the highest volume of content but those with a clear point of view and the ability to generate conversations beyond social platforms."The brands winning on social right now are not the ones posting the most. They're the ones that stand for something clear, show up cleverly and are being talked about beyond the feed," she said."That's exactly what the Agent99 Social Growth Engine is built to do. We know what consumers want to hear and what captures media attention, and that same instinct now shapes every piece of content we create for clients in this programme."As part of the launch, Agent99 is offering brands a complimentary audit designed to identify opportunities across social media, content and communications strategies.The developments reflect the growing convergence of public relations, content creation and social media marketing as brands seek more integrated approaches to audience engagement and brand building.(Source: telummedia)

The Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) has appointed Michelle Elias as Director, Communications and Partnerships, strengthening its leadership team as the organisation continues to expand its advocacy, fundraising and stakeholder engagement efforts across Singapore.In her new role, Elias will oversee strategic communications, corporate positioning, partnership development and fundraising initiatives for SCWO, the national coordinating body representing more than 60 women's organisations and over 600,000 women across Singapore. Based in Singapore, Elias joins the non-profit organisation after serving as Regional Marketing and Communications Director for Asia Pacific at sustainability consultancy ERM, where she led regional communications and marketing initiatives across one of the world's largest sustainability advisory firms. She brings more than two decades of experience spanning corporate communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement and reputation management across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Throughout her career, she has worked across areas including sustainability communications, public affairs, executive positioning, crisis communications and strategic partnerships.Prior to her move to SCWO, Elias played a key role in strengthening ERM's communications presence across Asia Pacific during a period of regional expansion and growing demand for sustainability and ESG-related advisory services. Her appointment comes as SCWO continues to advance initiatives focused on gender equality, women's leadership, safety and economic empowerment. Founded in 1980, the organisation serves as Singapore's umbrella body for women's groups and advocates for its "Equal Space, Equal Voice and Equal Worth" agenda through advocacy, education and community programmes. SCWO's programmes include Star Shelter, which provides temporary refuge for women and children affected by family violence, as well as a range of initiatives supporting women's development, leadership and social wellbeing. The appointment reflects the growing importance of strategic communications, fundraising and cross-sector partnerships within purpose-driven organisations as they seek to increase awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement and drive greater social impact.

Western Union has appointed Nandini Prashad as Communications Manager for Asia Pacific, strengthening its regional communications leadership as the global financial services company continues to expand its digital payments and cross-border money movement capabilities across the region.Based in Singapore, Prashad will lead public relations, media engagement, executive communications and internal communications initiatives across Western Union's Asia-Pacific markets. Her remit includes supporting the company's corporate reputation, leadership visibility and stakeholder engagement efforts in one of its most strategically important growth regions.Prashad joins the role with more than 12 years of experience spanning corporate communications, public affairs, media relations and strategic storytelling. Prior to joining Western Union, she held communications roles at Intel, where she supported regional communications programmes across Asia, including product launches, corporate messaging and executive engagement initiatives.Her career also includes communications positions at the British High Commission in Singapore and Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), where she worked on policy communications, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement and thought leadership programmes.The appointment comes as Western Union continues to evolve beyond its traditional remittance business into a broader digital financial services platform. Founded in 1851 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company operates in more than 200 countries and territories, offering cross-border payments, digital money transfers and financial services solutions to consumers and businesses worldwide. Asia Pacific remains a key market for Western Union as demand for digital payments, cross-border transactions and remittance services continues to grow across emerging and developed economies. The company has been investing in digital transformation initiatives, strategic partnerships and product innovation to strengthen its position within the increasingly competitive fintech landscape. Prashad's appointment reflects the growing importance of strategic communications in supporting financial services organisations as they navigate regulatory developments, technological transformation and evolving customer expectations across the region.

Omnicom Oceania has appointed Kate Racovolis to the newly created role of Head of Communications as the company continues to strengthen its connected capabilities model across media, creative, customer experience, communications, data and technology.Reporting to Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Kim Hamilton, Racovolis will lead the group's communications function, overseeing executive communications, corporate reputation and strategic stakeholder engagement across the business.The appointment brings an experienced communications and corporate reputation specialist into Omnicom Oceania's leadership team. Racovolis joins from The Australian, where she served as Editor of The Growth Agenda, leading coverage of Australia's marketing, media and advertising sectors. Her background spans both journalism and strategic communications, with experience advising organisations and senior executives on thought leadership, reputation management and stakeholder engagement.Announcing the appointment, Kim Hamilton said Racovolis' combination of editorial, communications and industry expertise would be a valuable addition to the organisation."Kate brings a unique combination of journalism, communications and industry experience, having previously worked closely with many of the leaders, businesses and ideas shaping Australia's business, marketing and communications landscape," Hamilton said."Through her work at The Growth Agenda and across a career spanning journalism and communications, Kate has contributed to important conversations around growth, marketing effectiveness and business impact. That perspective, combined with her understanding of reputation and stakeholder engagement, makes her a strong addition to our leadership team."Hamilton added that Racovolis would help elevate conversations around marketing, communications and business growth while supporting clients in bringing their growth stories to market.Commenting on her appointment, Racovolis said the opportunity to join Omnicom Oceania at a transformative period for the business was a key attraction."Throughout my career, I've had a front-row seat to how businesses grow, transform and compete – and the role marketing and creativity play in driving that," she said."What attracted me to Omnicom Oceania is the ambition behind the business, the calibre of its people, and the opportunity to work with some of the industry's most talented leaders and specialists."She added that she looks forward to supporting the organisation's leadership team, showcasing the expertise across the group and highlighting the impact its businesses create for clients.The appointment reflects Omnicom Oceania's continued investment in strengthening its communications capabilities as it advances a more integrated approach across its network of agencies and specialist disciplines.

KRBL India has promoted Sumanyu Jain to Associate General Manager – Digital, PR & Corporate Communications.Jain shared the update on LinkedIn, announcing his elevation within the organisation. He has been associated with KRBL India, where he previously served as Senior Manager – Digital Marketing, leading digital strategy and growth initiatives across the India Gate Foods portfolio.In his previous role, Jain worked across categories including basmati rice, health products, ready-to-cook offerings and new product development. His responsibilities spanned digital marketing, e-commerce, influencer marketing, social media, online reputation management, website development and digital-first go-to-market strategies.Prior to joining KRBL India, Jain was Assistant Manager – Digital Marketing at Mankind Pharma, where he worked on digital media strategies, e-commerce initiatives, influencer campaigns and brand marketing projects.Earlier in his career, he held multiple client services leadership roles at Grapes Digital, serving as Associate Director, Senior Manager and Assistant Manager. During this period, he worked with brands across sectors including healthcare, automotive, education, tourism, FMCG and consumer products.Jain's professional journey also includes stints at Sportz Interactive, Cricket Graph and DLF, where he worked across digital marketing, account management, content strategy, brand partnerships and marketing communications.

Kaara Hotels, one of India's emerging hospitality management companies, has announced the appointment of Honey Kumar as its Head – Marketing & Communications. Bringing over 18 years of experience across hospitality, retail, staffing, media, and consumer marketing, Honey will lead the company's brand strategy, marketing communications, guest engagement initiatives, partnerships, and integrated marketing efforts as Kaara accelerates its expansion across India.Honey joins Kaara Hotels with an extensive track record of building brands and driving business growth through strategic marketing. Her career spans leading organizations across India and the UAE in staffing, security services, retail, and radio broadcasting. Over the course of her career, she has successfully conceptualized and executed high-impact marketing campaigns across traditional and digital channels, delivering measurable business outcomes and enhanced customer engagement.Among her notable achievements, Honey led the launch of the first-ever VIP loyalty shopping card for electronics customers in the UAE. Supported by a comprehensive ATL, BTL, and social media marketing strategy, the initiative significantly strengthened customer loyalty and contributed to driving sales in the segment to nearly 40 percent, establishing a benchmark in customer engagement and retail marketing.In her new role, Honey will be responsible for strengthening Kaara Hotels' brand presence, driving integrated marketing and communications strategies, enhancing guest engagement, building strategic partnerships, overseeing digital and offline campaigns, and supporting the company's business growth objectives across its portfolio. She will also play a key role in shaping brand narratives that resonate with modern travellers while reinforcing Kaara's positioning as a trusted hospitality brand offering experience-led stays at accessible price points.Commenting on her appointment, Honey Kumar, Head – Marketing & Communications, Kaara Hotels, said, "I am excited to join Kaara Hotels at a time when the company is building a distinctive presence in India's hospitality landscape. What drew me to Kaara is its commitment to creating experiences that feel genuinely personal and welcoming. My focus will be on fostering a culture where marketing is viewed not as a standalone function but as a key driver of business growth. Every campaign, partnership, guest engagement initiative, and brand communication will be designed to reflect the spirit of 'Apna Sa' hospitality while strengthening customer connections and supporting the company's expansion journey."Welcoming Honey to the leadership team, Puneet Sethi, Managing Director of Kaara Hotels, said, "Hospitality is about creating memorable experiences, and marketing is central to that journey. Honey brings deep expertise in strategy, brand building, customer engagement, and execution across diverse industries and international markets. We are confident her leadership will strengthen Kaara's brand as we expand our footprint and continue to elevate the guest experience." The appointment comes at a significant phase of growth for Kaara Hotels, following the recent launch of its Dehradun property and the company's continued focus on expanding its presence across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities. Through its dual-brand strategy comprising Kaara Hotels and Aayra Hotels, along with its proprietary hospitality technology platform HOSPINS, the company is building a scalable, asset-light hospitality network designed to serve India's evolving travel and accommodation needs.Headquartered in Gurugram, Kaara Hotels operates in India's mid-market hospitality segment, positioned between luxury hotel chains and budget aggregators. Founded in 2021, the company caters to corporate travellers, leisure guests, and social celebrations through experience-led hospitality offerings. With ambitious plans to expand to 120 hotels and achieve annual revenues of ?500 crore by FY30-31, Kaara Hotels continues to strengthen its leadership team to support its next phase of growth.

Ruder Finn India has promoted Aashima Malik to Senior Vice President and Consumer Tech Practice Lead, expanding her leadership responsibilities across the agency's consumer technology portfolio and integrated communications business.In her new role, Malik will continue to drive strategic communications programmes, consumer technology mandates, integrated brand campaigns and business growth initiatives, while strengthening the agency's capabilities in reputation management and brand storytelling.Malik has been part of Ruder Finn India for several years, progressing through a series of leadership positions including Vice President – Consumer & Tech, Senior Account Director and Account Director. During her tenure, she has played a key role in developing communication strategies for leading global and Indian brands across the consumer technology landscape.With extensive experience spanning public relations, corporate communications, digital campaigns, influencer engagement and consumer outreach, she has built a strong track record in delivering integrated communications programmes and enhancing brand visibility for clients across multiple sectors.Prior to joining Ruder Finn India, Malik held positions at Genesis BCW, Imprimis Life PR, Good Works, Meow 104.8 FM and Asian Age, gaining experience across media, public relations and strategic communications.Her elevation reflects Ruder Finn India's continued focus on strengthening its leadership bench and expanding its expertise in consumer technology communications, an increasingly important area as brands navigate rapid digital transformation and evolving consumer expectations.

Ryan Rahardjo has joined the Global Affairs team at Netflix, leading the streaming giant’s public affairs efforts across Asia-Pacific.Terming the creative economy as a powerful driver of growth and innovation across APAC, Ryan wrote on LinkedIn: “I’m looking forward to collaborating with governments, policy partners, and voices across sectors to help support a thriving ecosystem — one that drives economic opportunity, fosters talent, and brings world-class APAC storytelling to the global stage.”Prior to joining Netflix, Ryan worked with Google for ten years, serving as Public Affairs Lead, Southeast Asia, ANZ and South Asia Frontier in Singapore. A graduate of The London School of Economics and Political Science, he worked with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) before Google.

India's leisure and experience economy is no longer on the horizon- it has arrived. At the centre of that shift stands Imagicaaworld Entertainment Limited (IEL), one of the country's most recognised entertainment and theme park destinations, now partnering with SGA PR to deepen how its story is told, heard, and remembered.The partnership expands SGA PR's existing investor relations mandate into a full-spectrum public relations and communications role- a signal of both confidence and intent. SGA PR will advise on communications efforts that showcase the group's ambitions and build a sustained, strategically anchored narrative across the segments defining India's next consumer era: travel, leisure, and lifestyle. The mandate spans IEL's portfolio within the Malpani Group- Imagicaa, Aqua Imagicaa, Wet’n Joy, and Sai Teerth Theme Park.Dhimant Bakshi, CEO said: "SGA PR's strength in building industry-first narratives, backed by deep insights through its in-house research capability, will help us bring Imagicaa brand closer to the hearts of  our customers and the wider world of travel, leisure and family entertainment. It is a partnership built for the long game."Rahul Jain, CEO, SGA PR, added: "As India's leisure and entertainment landscape evolves, iconic brands like Imagicaa are actively shaping how consumers engage with experiences, travel, and family entertainment. Our mandate is to build a narrative that goes well beyond visibility. One that creates genuine, enduring brand salience in the lives of Indian consumers."For Imagicaa, this marks a decisive move from campaign-driven communication to an always-on, narrative-led presence, one as ambitious as the experiences it creates. For SGA PR, it is a deepening of purpose, partnering with brands that are not just growing, but defining the categories they compete in. A firm that doesn't chase headlines, but builds the narratives that create them.

Primex Media Services, a leading media management and public relations agency in India, has been awarded the public relations mandate for Ajay’s Cafe, the rapidly expanding Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain known for its burgers and cold coffee offerings.Under the mandate, Primex Media Services will manage Ajay’s Cafe’s strategic communications, media relations and brand positioning initiatives as the company embarks on its next phase of strategic expansion.Commenting on the development, Nitesh Desai, Founder & CEO of Primex Media Services, said, “We are delighted to partner with Ajay’s, a homegrown brand that has built a strong presence in the QSR segment. Ajay’s Cafe has emerged as India’s Fastest Growing Vegetarian Café Chain, and we look forward to strengthening its communication strategy and expanding its brand visibility as it enters a new phase of growth and expansion.”Ajay Solanki, Founder & Director of Ajay’s Cafe, said, “Ajay’s Cafe has always focused on delivering good food that is accessible, affordable and consistent in quality. As we expand into new markets and scale our operations, strategic communication will play an important role in deepening our connection with consumers. We are pleased to partner with Primex Media Services and look forward to building the brand further through this association.”

Sazerac Company has appointed Mitali Jain as PR Manager, India.Jain announced the move in a LinkedIn post, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter in her career."Excited to begin my next chapter with Sazerac Company as PR Manager, India. Here's to new stories, new brands, and a spirited journey ahead!" she wrote.Prior to joining Sazerac Company, Jain was associated with Third Wave Coffee, where she held the roles of Manager, PR & Partnerships and Assistant Manager, PR & Partnerships.Before that, she worked at The Mavericks as Reputation Manager and Reputation Analyst.Jain also held positions at Genesis BCW, serving as Senior Account Executive and Account Executive, after beginning her journey with the agency as an intern.Earlier in her career, she completed internships with The Hindu's MetroPlus and NDTV. She also served as PR Lead for The Debate Club and was Head of PR for The Bait & Changemakers Conference.