Adfactors PR has announced the appointment of Hemant Gaule as Senior Vice President ?Çô Growth & Development Initiatives. In this newly created strategic role, Hemant will focus on multiple streams including building an AI-first work culture, strengthening the firm?ÇÖs value proposition, building new practices, and execute long-term plans for leadership development. Hemant will work closely with the founders and the leadership team to curate and execute programs aimed at future-proofing the organisation. The creation of the Adfactors Academy ?Çô a one-of-its-kind leadership fast-track initiative designed to identify, nurture, and elevate emerging leaders within the firm will be an important part of his mandate. While the Academy will offer structured learning interventions, its broader mission is to make the agency future-ready, equip consultants to manage complex, ever-evolving client briefs and contribute to institutional-scale growth.Madan Bahal, Co-founder and Managing Director of Adfactors PR, said, "I have known Hemant for more than a decade, and value his clarity of thought, professional integrity, and ability to design talent architectures for the future. I look forward to working closely with Hemant in enhancing Adfactors PR?ÇÖs relevance to its clients and internal stakeholders, in an ever-changing environment."Hemant Gaule stated, "Adfactors is a firm of deep purpose and vast potential, and it is an honour to be working with the founders and the CEO who have built a market-leading institution. This role is not just about leadership development - it is about unlocking a future where Adfactors PR stands as a global benchmark for consulting excellence. We will build the systems, structures, and spirit required to take the firm confidently into the next decade and beyond."An IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, Hemant brings a rare blend of business & academic grounding. He started his career in the management cadre of the RPG Group while for the last 10 years he served as the Director and CEO of the School of Communications and Reputation (SCoRe). Hemant has been recognised by multiple industry forums including ASEAN PR Network, Reputation Today, PRovoke Media and serves on the board of IABC Asia Pacific.This appointment reflects Adfactors PR?ÇÖs commitment to institutional capability building for serving the evolving needs of India Inc., and its long-term vision to lead the profession in both business impact and human capital development.

Google Cloud is currently evaluating its public relations agency partnerships, according to PRovoke Media. A spokesperson for the company stated: "We value our agency partners and their role in our success. As we move into 2025, we recently issued an RFP to assess the agency landscape and ensure we have the right strategic partner in place to support our evolving business. This is part of our regular process.?Ç¥ Google Cloud has recently been working with Nectar Communications. Last week, the company shortlisted finalists from a pool of agencies that responded to an RFI issued in September.The RFI outlines the Google Cloud comms team's search for an agency of record to serve as a "trusted partner and extension of the organization's team." The ideal agency will be responsible for managing and executing effective communication strategies that elevate Google Cloud and Google Workspace's brand presence, increase mindshare among key audiences and industries, and drive business growth.

Rob Morbin, the executive director of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), is departing after a six-year tenure with the global PR organisation.Morbin joined ICCO in 2018 from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and has played a pivotal role in the organization?ÇÖs growth. He initially served as deputy chief executive under the late CEO Francis Ingham and assumed the role of executive director in May 2023. During his time at ICCO, Morbin also contributed to the senior management team of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).Under Morbin's leadership, ICCO has expanded its presence in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, enhancing its services, products, events, and competitions, such as the annual World PR Report. The organization, representing PR associations and agencies across 70 countries, has also elevated the profile of PR at Cannes Lions through collaborations with PRovoke Media and WorldCom, and provided its members with platforms at the Council of Europe and the United Nations through its partnership with the UN Development Programme.Grzegorz Szepanski, ICCO president and CEO of Burson Poland, expressed gratitude, saying: ?Ç£I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Rob for his transformational impact on ICCO over the past six years. He has risen to unprecedented challenges, driven new initiatives, and opened up exciting opportunities for members around the world. We wish him every success in his next venture.?Ç¥The current leadership team at ICCO includes interim CEO Andras Sztaniszlav, a partner at the Hungarian strategic communications agency PersonaR, who joined at the beginning of this year. Additionally, former ICCO and PRCA membership director Steve Miller has recently left both organizations to return to CIPR.

The Sandpiper Group has announced the appointment of Francesca Boase as Managing Director, Professional Services. Sandpiper, renowned as one of the foremost independent communications, public affairs, and research groups in the Asia Pacific region, is set to leverage Boase's extensive expertise to further elevate its specialized Professional Services practice on a global scale.Based between the bustling metropolises of Hong Kong and Sydney, Francesca Boase brings over two decades of invaluable experience to her new role. Her career trajectory spans both agency and in-house positions, where she has collaborated closely with executive teams and boards, carving out a niche in reputation strategy, corporate communications, and crisis and issues management.Prior to joining Sandpiper, Boase held the prestigious position of Director of Communications for Oceania at EY. During her tenure, she spearheaded corporate affairs, issues management, and external communications initiatives, leaving an indelible mark on the firm's strategic landscape.Boase's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Sandpiper, coinciding with the burgeoning expansion of its professional services reputation advisory endeavors across the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. The consultancy's unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it prestigious accolades, including recognition as an Asia Pacific Agency of the Year by esteemed industry voices such as PRovoke Media, PRWeek, and the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA). Furthermore, Sandpiper has emerged as a trailblazer in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Sustainability realms, cementing its position as a frontrunner in the ever-evolving communications landscape.Emma Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Sandpiper, said: ?Ç£As one of the region?ÇÖs most experienced advisers in reputation management for professional services, Fran brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience to our clients across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond. Her appointment coincides with the growth of Sandpiper?ÇÖs professional services reputation advisory work across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Over the past 12 months, Sandpiper has been named Asia Pacific Agency of the Year by PRovoke Media, PRWeek, and the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA), as well as PRCA?ÇÖs 2024 Specialist Consultancy of the Year.?Ç¥Francesca Boase, Managing Director, Professional Services, Sandpiper, said: ?Ç£This is an exciting and challenging time for the professional services industry, and Sandpiper?ÇÖs global reach and deep expertise in corporate and public affairs makes it ideally positioned to partner with clients across the corporate spectrum. I?ÇÖm looking forward to collaborating with an international team of dynamic and dedicated professionals to lead the practice globally. I?ÇÖm excited about the opportunities ahead.?Ç¥With Francesca Boase at the helm of its Professional Services division, Sandpiper is poised to navigate new horizons, delivering innovative solutions and unparalleled expertise to its diverse clientele, and solidifying its status as a powerhouse in the realm of communications and public affairs.

McDonald's "Grimace's Birthday" campaign, created by Golin, was the star of the North American SABRE Awards, winning the top prize for Best Public Relations Campaign of 2023. This marks a historic night for Golin, becoming the first agency ever to snag three major awards: Best Agency to Work For, Large Agency of the Year, and Best in Show.The award-winning campaign addressed a significant drop in birthday celebrations at McDonald's. They brought back a beloved character, Grimace, to reignite excitement. This clever strategy resulted in a staggering 900% increase in birthday celebrations at McDonald's after five years of stagnation."This campaign was pure, fantastic consumer marketing," said Paul Holmes, head judge and founder of PRovoke Media. Awards often favor purpose-driven initiatives, but sometimes, great PR boils down to a creative idea that captures consumer imagination and fosters meaningful engagement."And the results in this case were nothing short of phenomenal," he concluded."Grimace's Birthday" triumphed over other impressive campaigns to win the coveted Platinum SABRE. These finalists included:  Dove's "Black Hair is Professional" with Ogilvy  SAG-AFTRA's "2023 Negotiations and Strike Campaign" with SAG-AFTRA  DHL Supply Chain's "Step Up for Safety" with Fahlgren Mortine  Aura Freedom's "For Her" Campaign with Veritas Communications and Forsman & Bodenfors"These finalists represent the incredible range of PR work seen this year," said Holmes. "From social justice efforts by Dove to navigating the Hollywood strike for SAG-AFTRA, to internal communications for DHL, any of these campaigns could have rightfully won the top prize."Ogilvy walked away as the biggest award winner, taking home eight trophies. MSL and Weber Shandwick followed with five awards each, while BCW snagged four. Finn Partners, Golin, and M Booth rounded out the top with three awards apiece.