Xiaomi India has appointed Disha Sharma as Communications Manager. In her new role, Disha will lead Xiaomi India's communications strategy, overseeing external communications, brand reputation, and media relations to further enhance Xiaomi’s position in the Indian market.Disha brings with her a wealth of experience in strategic communications, public relations, and brand management, having worked with major global brands like Logitech, Realme, Paytm, and Abu Dhabi Tourism. A postgraduate from IMT Ghaziabad with a major in Marketing and minor in Finance, she has honed her skills in areas such as media relations, crisis communications, digital PR, and content strategy.Before joining Xiaomi India, Disha played a pivotal role in Samsung India’s Strategic Communications team, where she managed brand reputation and external communications across several verticals, including CSR, B2B, HR, and Consumer Electronics. Prior to this, she was working with BCW Global as Senior Manager. Her expertise extends to managing high-impact communications, developing media plans, building corporate reputations, and executing successful social and PR campaigns.Disha’s diverse background and proven track record in managing both global and local communications will be instrumental in strengthening Xiaomi’s brand presence and supporting its growth trajectory in India.

Leading Australian communications agency alt/shift/ has secured the Tinder Australia public relations account, following a competitive pitch process. The news comes after a successful tenure by previous agency Thrive PR.alt/shift/ announced their exciting win on LinkedIn, expressing their enthusiasm about unleashing creative ideas and leveraging their expertise in behaviour change to enhance Tinder's Australian presence. This strategic approach aligns perfectly with Tinder's mission of fostering meaningful connections amongst users.Andie Crawford, Managing Director of alt/shift/, echoed the team's excitement, calling it a "massive team effort" and expressing their eagerness to "shift the dial" for Tinder in Australia.This win positions alt/shift/ to play a key role in shaping the narrative around Tinder in the Australian market. Their expertise in behaviour change communication could prove invaluable in understanding user preferences and crafting targeted campaigns that resonate with the local audience.alt/shift/ previously worked with clients like Samsung and Menulog, demonstrating their experience with high-profile brands and digital marketing.It will be interesting to see how alt/shift/ leverages their creativity and strategic communication skills to further establish Tinder as the go-to dating app in Australia.

Global brand communications agency Manifest strengthens its UK leadership with Vithlani at the helm.Seasoned industry leader Rowena Vithlani joins Manifest as UK managing director, bolstering the agency's growth ambitions. Vithlani brings a wealth of experience from top ad agencies like BBH, AKQA, and most recently, Uncommon.Her appointment reflects Manifest's commitment to expanding its creative offerings in branding, advertising, and digital marketing. Vithlani will lead the UK team and collaborate with regional leadership across the US, Nordics, and Australia.Ali Maynard James, former UK managing partner, transitions to a new growth-focused role, overseeing multi-brand clients, partnerships, and ventures. The new UK executive committee also includes creative director Daisy Shepherd and associate director Emma Seddon.Vithlani is impressed by Manifest's innovative and client-centric approach. "Manifest is a game-changer, creating groundbreaking work and reinventing the agency model. From tech to social responsibility, they represent the future," she says. "Leading the UK charge is a tremendous opportunity."Founded in London (Vithlani's base), Manifest has a second UK studio in Manchester and a global network spanning New York, Los Angeles, Stockholm, and Melbourne. This "24-hour creative cycle" fuels work for clients like Diageo, WWF, and Reckitt.Global CEO Alex Myers outlines ambitious plans for the UK business to reach £10 million in annual revenue by 2030, significantly up from 2023's £3.1 million."Manifest turns 15 this year," says Myers. "We've grown from a startup to a global force. Now, we aim for continued creative and commercial success. Rowena's appointment is key to our UK evolution."Myers highlights a shift in the marketing landscape. "Today, brands need to stand for something, not just sell something. That's how to make a cultural impact. After Covid, established brands are increasingly seeking this connection. This fuels our UK growth, as disrupted brands adapt quickly."Founded in 2009, Manifest boasts award-winning work for clients like BrewDog, Samsung, and WWF. They achieved B-Corp certification in 2023 and hold the Blueprint diversity mark since 2020. This commitment to social responsibility aligns with their focus on meaningful brand impact.