Associate Director Archives

Sydney, Australia – UM’s consultancy practice, Business Analytics Engine (BAE), announces the appointment of Nimesh Chaturvedi to the newly-created role of associate director of data and technology. He brings in a decade of in-depth experience working with data and analytics in cloud-based platforms.

His immediate remit is to lead the data and martech solutions for brands realising the value of their first-party data and data science and optimising audiences and paid media, to drive growth.

Most recently, Chaturvedi was the senior data and analytics manager with Middle Eastern telco Etisalat and prior to that data and analytics manager with Reprise Digital MENA (Middle East and Africa).

His experience creating digital transformation strategies and roadmaps is crafted from a deep understanding of a range of martech tools and technologies, including CDP, attribution solutions and first-party data warehousing in cloud and on premise, to help brands become more digitally mature.

He has also gained a solid understanding of identifying and proposing digital transformation strategies. working across a very diverse media landscape, audience base and level of digital maturity in sectors including retail, CPG, banking, telecom, travel and hospitality, media and entertainment.

Chaturvedi reports directly to Michelle Yeates, head of BAE and will work alongside Adam Krass, chief digital, data and technology officer at UM.

Speaking on his appointment, he said, “Opportunities to build and evolve a MarTech practice don’t come around very often. My mission is to help BAE deliver results for our clients through innovative growth strategies based on precision targeting high value audiences. In a world of big data, that means technology and analytics.”

Meanwhile, Yeates said that Chaturvedi’s appointment supports BAE’s ambition to invest in the critical skills and expertise to accelerate clients’ digital transformation and roadmaps beyond cookie-based media.

“With experts like Nimesh on our team we now have additional capabilities to build on the strong data & analytics foundations of the practice. His expertise futureproofs BAE’s offering, providing unparalleled experience in first-party data; propensity modelling; and digital measurement through privacy first clean rooms, ultimately unlocking client growth through more effective audience targeting and measurement,” she said.

Manila, Philippines – Uniquecorn Strategies, a PR agency based in the Philippines, has launched a new PR and marketing arm called ‘Blockceler8’, as part of a larger effort to expand its offering focused on blockchain, crypto, NFT, Web3, GameFi, and Metaverse projects.

The new marketing arm began operations with a focus on communications and marketing for cryptocurrency businesses. It employs engaging long-term marketing practices to bring cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to the forefront.

Additionally, Blockceler8 offers services that revolve around educating the audience, including full-stack public relations services, thought-leader marketing, commentary, content marketing, and branding. The agency also provides social media and forums management.

Uniquecorn Strategies said that its genuine interest in disruptive technology motivates its team of marketing experts to employ engaging strategies that will allow companies to reach more customers, partners, investors, and other stakeholders. The power of storytelling is central to the growth of its clients, and it wanted to bring this to its existing web3 clients, such as Tetrix Network, Moneybees, and The Mega Maxi, which will be transferred under the management of Blockceler8.

Dean Bernales, CEO and managing director of Uniquecorn Strategies, said, “The blockchain space is fueled by innovation, so as much as we like to be tech-savvy, we still want to keep its human element. Blockcele8 uses the power of information and persuasive communication to relate crypto to the masses.”

Moreover, Uniquecorn Strategies has promoted co-founder Irene Manansala as its new associate director, a step up from her position as public relations manager. In this new role, Manansala will be leading all Uniquecorn Strategies’ communications, including building the company’s reputation, managing client relationships and long-term partnerships, and developing sustainable communication strategies.

Manansala brings nearly seven years of experience working in advertising and PR to the company. She has worked with companies across various sectors, managing their projects, events, campaigns, and relationships with clientele including Johnson & Johnson (Johnson’s Baby line, Modess, Trade & Marketing, Shopper Marketing, and Retail), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi-Aventis Philippines, Cignal TV, TV 5 Network, and Reckitt Benckiser Philippines, as well as Mead Johnson, and Petron Corporation, amongst many others.

On her appointment, Bernales commented, “Irene’s extensive communication experience with a very open and collaborative approach to team building and management is something that is necessary and of great importance, as we execute on the next chapter of our company’s future.”

Singapore – APRW, one of Singapore’s earliest and largest integrated communications agencies, has announced the expansion of its local team in Indonesia with Debora Prescillia, former head of marketing & corporate communication of MNC Life Assurance, joining as new associate director.

Aside from roles in MNC Asset Management and MNC Life Insurance, Prescillia joins APRW with a long career journey of more than 10 years of corporate experience, including with Pertamina, McDonald’s Indonesia, Eculine Indonesia, and Pos Logistics Indonesia. She was also a former journalist in Koran Jakarta and MNC Media Group.

Cho Pei Lin, APRW’s MD, said that the addition of Prescillia to the team is part of the firm’s commitment to serving the Indonesian market, believing that a strong foothold in Singapore combined with the local expertise in the Indonesian market will play a vital role in unlocking the potential of the clients from a communications standpoint.

“Debora will focus on leading the operations in Indonesia, ensuring that the agency continues to provide strategic communication consultation, and to oversee the business development opportunities,” said Cho Pei Lin.

Prescillia comments on her appointment, “I’m excited about leading the APRW Indonesia team and furthering the role that APRW plays in supporting and being a reliable communication partner for our clients in Indonesia. It is also important for us to build camaraderie with the team to have fun, grow and be fruitful in the work that we do and the projects entrusted to us by our clients.”

APRW said the Indonesia team will continue to work closely with its counterpart in Singapore, to be overseen by Anu Gupta, Director of APRW, to provide expertise and support to clients in the startup and technology industry.

Last September, APRW announced a partnership that seeks to empower future comms professionals for its 25th anniversary. The tie-up was with Nanyang Technological University’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (NTU WKWSCI) in Singapore with APRW-NTU WKWSCI Student Development Fund at the center of it. The fund aims to help students fund their final-year projects at the school and recognize and celebrate the best ones.

Singapore – Integrated communications agency PRecious Communications has announced a number of key regional appointments aimed at strengthening its presence in the Southeast Asia region. The new appointments are namely Daniel Tan as associate director of PRecious Sparks, John Paul Palileo as creative director, and Georg Ackermann as content lead.

In his role, Tan counsels a range of startup, VC and accelerator accounts around corporate communications, financial communications and integrated communications initiatives, while lending strategic support to other practices. A former journalist who has written for numerous regional publications, Tan specializes in media relations and strategic communications across APAC.

Meanwhile, Palileo is a strategic brand builder and visual storyteller with a solid background in outcome-driven design across markets. He has more than a decade of experience across various advertising and marketing agencies in Southeast Asia, and has led teams in designing creative solutions and shaping brand personas through visual content.

Ackermann, meanwhile, has worked nearly two decades with leading media organisations in Europe and Asia. Most recently, he has been a managing editor at KrASIA, covering the startup and tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

Prayaank Gupta, vice president for growth and innovation at PRecious Communications said, “With more brands trying to get their marketing, communications and content mix right across Southeast Asia, we’re seeing a greater need to tailor our approach and offerings and offer counsel beyond our core offerings. Our investment in hiring and developing talent enables us to not only better seize opportunities, but also provides us with more ways to delight our clients by deepening our collaborative efforts.”

PRecious Communications actively plans and executes client communications programs across Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.