Google has announced the appointment of Gaurav Bhaskar to head its Communications & Public Affairs function for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Bhaskar, who has been with Google for over 16 years, recently shared his excitement about taking on the expanded role, which covers India, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.In a post announcing the move, he said, “It’s been an incredible 16-year journey so far, and this next step feels like the most exciting one yet. Leading Comms for India, Southeast Asia & South Asia has been a profound privilege. I’m immensely proud of what we have accomplished and grateful for the lessons in leadership and innovation I’ve learned across these dynamic markets.”The new role comes at a time when the APAC region is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence, and Bhaskar emphasized the importance of shaping communications strategies that foster growth while creating inclusive opportunities.Bhaskar has held several senior positions at Google over the years, including Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs for India, Southeast Asia, and South Asia since 2022, and has been part of Google India in various communications roles since 2009. Prior to joining Google, he led corporate communications at Rediff.com and served as Deputy General Manager at Vaishnavi Corporate Communication Pvt. Ltd, handling clients in the IT and telecom sectors.Reflecting on his journey, Bhaskar acknowledged the teams and mentors who supported him, adding, “This journey would be impossible without the people who have been part of it. I’m deeply grateful for the trust and partnership of all the leaders I’ve worked with and for the creativity and dedication of my incredible teams, you are the ones who make the magic happen.”Based in Singapore, Bhaskar now takes on the challenge of leading communications for one of Google’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions, aiming to champion an AI-powered future that addresses real-world challenges and unlocks human potential.

In a landmark ruling that could reshape the digital advertising landscape, a US federal judge has found Google liable for anti-trust violations, specifically in its control of the online advertising technology market. Judge Leonie Brinkema's decision marks a significant victory for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and raises the prospect of a potential breakup of Google's lucrative ad business.Key findings:?Çó The court determined that Google illegally monopolized the markets for publisher ad servers and ad exchanges.?Çó Specifically, the Judge found that Google had unlawfully tied its publisher ad server (DFP) and ad exchange (AdX) together.?Çó However, the court did not find sufficient evidence to support the claim that Google monopolized the advertiser ad network market.The DOJ, along with several US states, filed the anti-trust lawsuit against Google, alleging that the tech giant had engaged in anticompetitive practices to maintain its dominance in the digital advertising sector. This case is separate from other anti-trust litigation that Google faces, including those related to its search engine dominance. The case has focused on Google?ÇÖs control over the "ad tech stack" the tools that publishers use to sell add space on their websites, and the tools that advertisers use to buy that space.Implications and next steps:The ruling now moves into the "remedies" phase, where the court will determine how to address Google's violations. The DOJ is pushing for a significant restructuring of Google's ad tech business, potentially including the forced sale of key assets like Google Ad Manager.?Çó Experts say that potential remedies could include forced divestitures of some of Googles ad tech assets, or regulations put in place to ensure more fair competition.?Çó The ruling has brought forward discussions about the potential for significant changes to the way that online advertising functions.The ruling has sent ripples throughout the digital advertising industry, with many publishers and advertisers closely watching the outcome of the remedies phase. There are concerns that any disruption of Googles ad tech could have negative impacts to the online advertising ecosystem.This ruling is the latest in a series of legal challenges that Big Tech companies are facing, as regulators increasingly scrutinize their market power.

Arunima Singh has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Urja Communications Pvt. Ltd., effective immediately. With an illustrious career spanning over 23 years in marketing and 13 years in digital and social media, Singh brings extensive expertise in brand experience and communications.Her vast portfolio includes collaborations with leading brands such as Pidilite, Godrej Group, Essar, Parle, HCC, Magma Fincorp, Force Motors, Kotak Mahindra, HUL, Apollo Clinics, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Tata Housing, Intel, Piramal, Kellogg?ÇÖs, HSBC, Colgate, Tata MD, Tata Mutual Fund, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Zydus, Viatris, Aegon Life Insurance, Google, and YouTube.

As we bid adieu to 2024, and ring in 2025, there are endless possibilities and transformative opportunities in the world of public relations (PR). Over the past year, the PR sector has changed tremendously and emerged as a foundation of brand-building strategies. It is a known fact that storytelling needs a holistic approach to craft impactful narratives when it comes to brand management. Now, traditional methods no longer suffice in this competitive field. In 2025, when the PR sector is evolving, it is necessary to follow emerging trends and expand services. This article sheds light on crucial PR trends to look forward to in 2025 that will revolutionize the industry, and empower brands to achieve successful outcomes in the ever-changing world of communication. Public relations or (PR) is the art of shaping and managing how people perceive your brand. It is the job of the skilled PR to ensure that a comprehensive approach is used for building a positive reputation while effectively mitigating the impact of negative publicity. Knowing the current engaging trends in PR can help the PR strategist integrate well-planned strategies for successful brand positioning. Remember to create a robust plan for delivering a memorable experience that effectively communicates your brand's key messages and takes it to newer heights by repositioning the brand and enhancing its visibility and credibility in the marketplace. Vital PR trends to watch out for in 2025 Digital PR: With social media and performance marketing, leveraging digital media will be pivotal in identifying, targeting, and influencing audiences based on their social media activity and Google search interests. PR agencies will have to come out with unique ways to drive traffic, integrate high-performing keywords, and build backlinks while crafting narratives. The PR agency is expected to collaborate with digital marketing teams, paid performance marketers, and influencers when it comes to brand growth and reach. There is a growing demand for Journalists to create SEO-friendly content along with PR professionals. However, the content should be original and not plagiarized or AI-generated. If the content is copied then the story may not get the desired result or Google ranking. The attention should also be on keyword-centric content when it comes to leveling up the brand?ÇÖs digital presence. Paid partnerships with publications are also likely to grow, as media houses increasingly seek revenue streams. Now, digital Pr is also taking the world by storm.AI will be a game-changer in transforming the PR arena: Currently, Artificial intelligence is used in many fields to be able to enhance human capabilities instead of replacing them. AI will also play a pivotal role in the PR industry in 2025. AI uses machines that imitate human intelligence to perform tasks with precision, safety, and without any delay by minimizing the chances of error. AI helps with successful outcomes by helping to improve content ranking in the PR field with the help of SEO optimization, allowing efficient media tracking and understanding the audience response more proficiently. AI will also help with speech-to-text conversion when it comes to media interviews, podcast episodes, press conferences, and conference presentations for uplifting brand positioning. AI will help to translate audio and text files in multiple languages for easy story distribution in media.The focus will be on video and podcasts in 2025: Currently, apart from traditional media, a lot of attention is given to video and podcasts due to their rising popularity. Podcasts will also be a critical tool when it comes to managing PR crises. This can be done as follows- For example- The client can become a guest on the show or have the host read your press release to the audience. High-quality videos will be used to introduce the newest products, services, and even brand events. Not only that, but videos will also help to understand the client?ÇÖs side during the time of crisis. This can be a new path-breaking approach when it comes to crisis management.Social media platforms when it comes to reputation management and networking:  Social media remains one of the trusted platforms for brands to promote and raise awareness even in 2025. LinkedIn, and Twitter, unlike traditional PR methods, make sure to pave two-way communication between brands and their customers, the media, and other stakeholders. This is beneficial for the brand to solidify its position in the market. A large number of PR agencies are using social media platforms to build brand image, and reputation through videos, client testimonials, and postings regarding the brand features or services they offer. This will help with increased brand recognition and visibility and build trust among audiences. This way, the brand will reach a wider audience through social media. There should be a huge emphasis on digital PR, creating content that engages audiences and channelizes traffic to a company?ÇÖs website or social media pages for brand business.Influencer marketing: This is preferred by a large number of PR agencies for brand collaboration and promotion. It is a good idea to pick one relevant influencer whose audience is relevant to your business to be able to promote the brands. This also helps to build credibility and trust among the audience.Brand audit: The post-COVID era has brought significant changes to the marketing landscape, as brands are now allocating over 50% of their marketing budgets when it comes to digital marketing and key performance indicators (KPIs). PR agencies will have to now start conducting audits of brands' social media handles, websites, and reviews. The focus should be on organic media coverage to maximize media mileage. PR agencies should come up with innovative and creative ideas for events to bring desired media coverage.By hopping on these trends, brands will not only be able to increase their visibility but also build meaningful connections with their audiences and organically build a bond of trust with them when it comes to choosing a brand and services. PR agencies will have to put their best foot forward in 2025 to be able to evolve, experiment, and prioritize the values that matter most to consumers. Adopt consumer-friendly strategies for brand building and 2025 will be a revolutionary year for the brand as well as the PR arena.

Google has appointed Housam Alfaleh as the new Communications & Public Affairs Manager for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, based in Dubai. In his new role, Alfaleh will oversee Google's public relations and communications strategy across the MENA region, focusing on fostering relationships with key stakeholders, including governments, media, and community organisations.Alfaleh brings a wealth of experience in strategy, strategic communications, and government engagement. Before joining Google, he was a Graduate Fellow in the MENA practice at McLarty Associates in Washington, D.C., where he was involved in policy analysis and advising clients on political and economic developments in the Middle East. His expertise also extends to diplomatic relations and public affairs, positioning him well to navigate the complex landscape of communications in the region.At Google, Alfaleh will play a critical role in shaping the company's external communications and engagement strategies, particularly as the tech giant expands its presence and influence in the rapidly evolving digital markets of the MENA region. His appointment comes at a time when Google is ramping up its initiatives in the region, including investments in digital transformation, cloud infrastructure, and AI technology to support local innovation and growth.Alfaleh?ÇÖs appointment underscores Google?ÇÖs commitment to deepening its engagement and fostering stronger partnerships in the MENA region, which is experiencing rapid digital transformation and increasing demand for innovative technology solutions.

Priya Dhawan has advanced to the role of Head of Communications, YouTube APAC at Google. Dhawan is a veteran in communications and public affairs, boasting more than 14 years of industry experience. She revealed her promotion on LinkedIn, stating, ?Ç£I?ÇÖm happy to share that I?ÇÖm starting a new position as Head of Communications, YouTube APAC at Google.?Ç¥Priya Dhawan has been a part of Google for over six years, holding roles such as Head of Policy & Reputation Communications for YouTube APAC and APAC Lead for Product & Policy Communications for YouTube, among others. Prior to joining Google, she spent more than five years at Edelman and also worked with 20:20 Media.

Sarah Ogden, the Managing Director of Team Lewis in the UK, has departed from the company after a tenure of almost three years. Ogden assumed the role in August 2021, overseeing the agency's largest global office. Prior to her time at Team Lewis, she dedicated 12 years to Three Monkeys, which subsequently became Three Monkeys Zeno following its acquisition in 2016, later rebranded as Zeno London, where she served as the Head of Corporate and Brand Communications.In the wake of Ogden's departure, Team Lewis has appointed Alicia Solanki, a former leader at Ketchum, as its new Senior Vice President for the EMEA region. Solanki expressed well wishes for Ogden's future endeavors, stating that her departure from the business was by mutual agreement. During the interim period until a replacement is named, the leadership responsibilities for the London office will be assumed by the UK leadership team.Ogden's future plans remain undisclosed at this time. Noteworthy clients under Team Lewis' purview include Google, Palo Alto Networks, Skyscanner, and Schneider Electric.