Zeno Group has named David Lian Regional President, Asia Pacific. A 10-year veteran of the agency, Lian will succeed Paul Mottram, who is stepping down from the role to pursue personal interests. Lian was most recently Managing Director for Growth and Innovation in APAC, where he pioneered Zeno’s data-driven strategic approach and played a leading role in the development of the firm’s adoption of AI technologies, in addition to anchoring several client relationships. Prior to that, David established and led Zeno Malaysia, where he grew the business to a team of 40+ people over a five-year period. Lian will continue to be based in Singapore and will report to Zeno global Chief Executive Officer, Barby K. Siegel. Mottram will remain with Zeno through January 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. “David has been a pillar of Zeno APAC for more than a decade, a capable and visionary leader and staunch champion of our culture, said Barby K. Siegel, global CEO. Together with the region’s talented team of leaders, I am confident in David’s ability to take Zeno forward – building and innovating in ways that will advance our now and next ambition.” “Meanwhile I would like to thank Paul Mottram for his many contributions over the past five years, helping to guide us through the challenges of the pandemic, providing valuable counsel to our clients, and playing a significant role in establishing Zeno China Consulting, our new venture in Mainland China,” she continued. Commenting on his promotion, David Lian said: “I’ve seen Zeno evolve significantly since our beginnings in Asia Pacific in 2012 to become one of the region’s most progressive communications firms. As I look ahead with my trusted leaders and colleagues, we will be focused on ensuring that we are well positioned to help our clients solve business challenges with modern communications and sharp business acumen while also preparing for what’s to come.”  Mottram has led Zeno in Asia Pacific since early 2020. “I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to work with such talented global, regional, and local teams in my time with Zeno. The company has an ethos and approach that’s unique and perfectly suited to help clients in the region deliver tangible outcomes, across brand and corporate reputation. As David and his team continue to develop and grow the business, I’m going to be cheering loudly from the sidelines,” he said.

Rekha Rao has announced her resignation as Managing Director of Zeno Group after four years with the company. She shared her decision on LinkedIn, writing, "It's here, this day. In nearly three decades of my work life, I never really took a break, as I moved from one job to another. So it feels weird to be doing it now, even as I realize the need to slow down, stop, take a breath, and re-energize! So here I am, bidding adieu to Zeno, as its Managing Director, after nearly 5 years of living FEARLESS and painting the world GREEN :), and a BIG thank you to this bunch of amazing colleagues who allowed me to live so."She also expressed gratitude toward her colleagues for their support during her tenure.Prior to joining Zeno, Rao served as Senior Vice President at 20:20 MSL. She has also held roles including Principal Consultant at Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick, Senior Client Services Director at IPAN, and Head of Corporate Communications at Dr. Batra's. Additionally, she has been associated with firms like Versatile Communications, Triton Communications, and Lintas.

Zeno Group announces the appointment of Abhishek  Gulyani to lead Zeno India, overseeing teams in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, and  serve as head of the firm’s corporate affairs practice in Asia-Pacific. Abhishek will report to  Paul Mottram, Zeno Regional President, Asia Pacific and serve on the agency’s regional and  global leadership teams.  Abhishek was most recently CEO at Hill & Knowlton India, where in a four-year tenure he  grew the business, introduced new services, and strengthened sector and service  verticals. Prior to this, he held leadership positions at Avian WE and Genesis Burson  Marsteller and was also part of American Express Public Affairs and Communications team.  “Abhishek’s client orientation and innovation mindset is a perfect combination to continue  Zeno’s growth story in India and the region,” said Paul Mottram, Zeno Regional President,  Asia Pacific. “India’s continued development as a globally important market continues to  create opportunities for Indian companies and overseas multinationals alike. With  Abhishek’s leadership, our teams are well placed to offer clients the counsel to grow both  reputation and market share.”  Sharing details on his new role, Abhishek Gulyani said, “I’m inspired by Zeno’s fearless,  ambitious and entrepreneurial culture. Together with the talented teams across India and  Asia Pacific, we will continue to challenge the status quo, innovate with new formats, and  deliver measurable results.” Abhishek added, “Today, our zeitgeist is shaped by both data and creativity. Our focus, at  Zeno, will be to craft narratives and campaigns that capture the cultural shifts of our times.  I look forward to Zeno’s next chapter of growth and success in India and the region.” ??Rekha Rao who led Zeno in India from 2020 has left the agency to pursue new opportunities. 

Abhishek Chauhan has been promoted to Director at Ola Electric, a move he announced on LinkedIn. In this new role, he will oversee Corporate Communications and PR for Ola Electric, Ola Consumer, and Ola Krutrim. Previously, Chauhan served as Associate Director. "I'm excited to share that I’ve started a new position as Director at Ola Electric," he stated in his LinkedIn post.Chauhan joined Ola Electric in March 2022 as Senior Manager of Corporate Communications. His career includes roles at Edelman, 20:20 MSL, and Zeno Group, among others. He is a seasoned professional with expertise in the automotive, technology, FMCG, and e-commerce sectors, as well as in public relations and corporate and crisis communication.

Zeno Group has announced the appointment of agency veteran Leah Katz to lead Zeno East, overseeing teams in New York and Washington, D.C. Katz joins Zeno from FleishmanHillard in New York where she established a proven track record of sustaining growth, managing global teams and cultivating a culture of high performance. Katz has over 20 years of industry experience, across health, consumer, corporate and digital capabilities.  “Leah’s fresh vision, dynamic leadership, and unwavering commitment to culture make her a smart choice to drive Zeno East forward,” said Grant Deady, Zeno U.S. president. “With deep agency experience, a global perspective, and results-oriented mindset, Leah is poised to help our clients and teams navigate today’s complex business environment.”Katz will report to Deady and serve on the agency’s global leadership team.“When competing against Zeno, I was always impressed by their creativity, purpose-driven leadership, and impactful work,” said Katz. “Our industry is undergoing a transformation, and I couldn’t be more proud to join the leadership team of such a fearless future-focused agency.”Cheryll Forsatz, who previously served as Managing Director Zeno East, will be departing the agency for a new opportunity later this month.

Kaizzen, a leading independent Communications Agency, announces the strategic appointment of Ankita Malik as Vice President-North. With more than 14 years of experience in the communications industry, Ankita brings a wealth of expertise in crafting impactful strategies and fostering client relationships.Ankita's appointment underscores Kaizzen's commitment to enhancing its presence and service offerings in the Northern markets. In her new role, Ankita will spearhead initiatives to drive growth, expand client engagement, and elevate Kaizzen's standing as a trusted partner for strategic communications solutions across verticals."We are thrilled to welcome Ankita to our team as Vice President for North," said Vineet Handa, CEO, Kaizzen. "Her proven track record of delivering results and her deep understanding of the communications landscape will be instrumental in propelling our North operations to newer heights. Ankita's strategic vision and leadership will undoubtedly reinforce Kaizzen's position as a preferred communications partner in the region."Ankita’s expertise spans technology, telecommunications, auto, and lifestyle sectors. With her dynamic leadership, Ankita is poised to deliver top-notch services and drive competitive advantages for products and services, bolstering Kaizzen's revenue portfolio.Welcoming her to the team, Nikhil Pavithran, Group President, Kaizzen said, “Ankita’s experience will not only help us in growing Kaizzen’s portfolio but will also be instrumental in expanding our other specialized verticals. With her appointment, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering diverse leadership perspectives and working towards a more inclusive organization. I welcome her formally on-board and wish her the best.” "I am excited to embark on this new journey with Kaizzen and contribute to the company's continued success," said Ankita Malik. "The opportunity to lead the North operations presents an exciting challenge, and I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Kaizzen to deliver unparalleled value to our clients."Ankita has served on senior counsel teams and contributed to renowned PR consultancies such as Zeno Group, MSL Group, and Six Degrees BCW. She has also led marketing communications for notable brands like Intex Technologies and Comio Smartphones. With over 14 years of experience, Ankita has managed brands across India, China, the USA, and APAC regions, showcasing her versatility and global perspective. Based in New Delhi, she brings a wealth of international expertise to her role at Kaizzen.

Zeno Group has promoted two global leaders to newly created roles essential to the agency’s ongoing growth and evolution. Mark Shadle has been appointed Chief Reputation Strategist and Julie Georgas has been named President of Zeno Canada.  Currently Global Managing Director of Corporate Affairs, Mark Shadle joined Zeno in 2010 to establish and build the firm’s Corporate practice, which today is an award-winning, multi-dimensional global offering that works with clients across myriad industries addressing complex business challenges. Shadle’s new role comes at a pivotal time as C-suite executives are navigating geopolitical and societal issues with the potential for significant business impact.  Shadle will continue to lead the agency’s global Corporate Affairs practice, which grew 27% last year with a range of specialty areas including purpose and impact, employee engagement, executive positioning, C-suite consulting and issues/crisis management.   Shadle has also spearheaded several Zeno research initiatives that explore key corporate affairs topics from research on the evolving workplace and corporate structures to "Signals of Change: The Future of Corporate Affairs." In his new role, he is driving the firm's new global study that compares C-suite and consumer expectations on today's societal issues. Julie Georgas has led Zeno Canada’s transformation over the past seven years as Managing Director, significantly building its presence and reputation in the country. Georgas has grown her team to more than 40 people across three markets – Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec – and built a multi-sector client portfolio. In her new role, Georgas will continue to oversee all operations and develop additional growth strategies for the region.  “Mark and Julie embody Zeno’s commitment to driving both impactful client work and a culture that invites all points of view and opens opportunities for talent to grow. They have inspired colleagues and clients alike and have written many important chapters of Zeno’s story with more to come as we continue to evolve and expand,” said Global CEO Barby K. Siegel.