Prudential plc (Prudential) has announced the appointment of Dr Zoe Hibbert as Chief of Corporate Affairs. Reporting to Chief Executive Officer Anil Wadhwani, Dr Hibbert will oversee Prudential’s Corporate Affairs function, including communications, events and brand strategy. The appointment is effective immediately.Based in Hong Kong, Dr Hibbert brings over 35 years of communications experience across Asia and North America to this role. She held senior positions at global financial institutions, most recently at Visa, where she led the Global Corporate and North America communications teams. Prior to this, Dr Hibbert led the Asia Pacific communications function for Visa, as well as the Product, Innovation and Marketing team. Before joining Visa, she was managing director of Burson-Marsteller Australia.This appointment reflects Prudential’s continued commitment to investing in its communications capabilities and to strengthening its brand across Asia and Africa.Commenting on the appointment, Anil Wadhwani said: “I am delighted to welcome Zoe to Prudential’s leadership team. Her diverse skills and extensive experience make her an invaluable asset as Prudential continues to serve all its stakeholders and expand its franchise in the world’s most dynamic regions of Asia and Africa.”Dr Hibbert has a Doctorate in Communications from Charles Sturt University.

Adgcraft, a Delhi NCR-based PR agency, has opened its new office in Mumbai. The new Mumbai office, situated at Hive8, Kohinoor Square, Dadar West, will serve clients in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), corporate, lifestyle, influencer marketing, and hospitality sectors. With the opening of the Mumbai office, Adgcraft aims to leverage its extensive experience and industry knowledge to help clients achieve their communication goals. The agency's proven track record in handling high-profile PR mandates and delivering impactful results positions it as a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance their brand presence and engagement.Abhinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director of Adgcraft, expressed his enthusiasm about the new office launch: "Over the years, we have evolved into a trusted partner for over 100 brands, delivering comprehensive PR services to customise meet our client's diverse needs. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue expanding our capabilities, leveraging our industry expertise and talented team to drive measurable results for our clients. The launch of our Mumbai office marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Adgcraft as we aim to further strengthen our position as a leader in the PR industry."Rahul Adap, Vice-President, Growth & Strategy at the Mumbai office, said: "Establishing our presence in Mumbai signifies a strategic expansion into one of the most dynamic and diverse business environments in India. Our team is ready to bring Adgcraft’s PR strategies to clients here, helping them to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities in this vibrant market. We are committed to offering personalized and effective communication solutions that meet our client's needs and help them achieve their goals."Adgcraft also works with global clients from the USA, South Korea, and other countries, further extending its reach and expertise in the international arena. Additionally, the agency has collaborated with numerous startup incubators, providing strategic communication support to help emerging businesses grow and succeed in competitive markets.Adgcraft's vision is to become a one-stop solution provider for all comprehensive PR and brand communications strategies, delivering complex messages in the simplest manner. The agency's motto, “Your Story is your strength, and communication is ours,” reflects its commitment to crafting powerful narratives that resonate with audiences and drive meaningful engagement.

Fashion retailer H&M has promoted Laura Pietrantonio to the role of Head of Marketing & Communications for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).With over two decades of experience in the industry, Pietrantonio has previously served as H&M’s Head of PR & Communications in the region. Her career spans both agency and client-side roles, including positions at EGPR, Havaianas, Koala, Camilla, and amaysim.In her new role, Pietrantonio will oversee various functions, such as media and customer insights, brand and content, PR, and internal communications.“As we enter a new era at H&M and elevate our customer experience, I’m excited by the strategic vision Laura brings to this role and where she will lead our marketing and communications efforts. “Laura brings extensive experience in fashion and local market knowledge to the position and is a huge asset to the leadership team as we enter this next phase,” said Anna Baldwin, H&M’s AUNZ Country Director.Pietrantonio expressed her enthusiasm for her new role: “I am passionate about elevating our brand experience and cementing our brand purpose of fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way, while connecting with our customer. This year marks our 10th year in the Australian market, as we enter a new era with fashion and the customer at the forefront.”