Tag: Edelman

Australia – Global public relations firm Edelman has recently announced a restructuring of its company, impacting a limited number of roles in the company. Reports have also noted that the exercise impacted senior leadership in Australia.

Among those affected include head of brand Preya McMahon, head of Melbourne and director of corporate reputation Jana Tsiligiannis, and executive creative director Jamil Bhatti.

Edelman has confirmed the news to MARKETECH APAC, but declined to comment on how much of the workforce was affected by this restructuring.

“In line with our efforts to future-proof our business and better meet our clients’ evolving needs, we have made some changes to our team structure. As a result, this has impacted a limited number of roles within the firm. We are sad to part ways with these colleagues. We are grateful for their contributions and the impact they’ve made, and we remain committed to supporting them through this transition,” the firm told MARKETECH APAC.

It is worth noting that this is the latest layoffs from the global firm following a 5% from its workforce back in December 2024. As reported by Axios back then, the layoffs resulted in the shuttering of several boutique agencies including Edible, Revere, Salutem, Mustache, EGA and Delta.

“It’s about evenly split between vice president and up and account executive to account supervisor,” CEO Richard Edelman stated back then.

Singapore – The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has unveiled real stories of drug abuse in its latest campaign with Edelman Singapore. Launched in time for Drug Victims Remembrance Day, the campaign aims to spread awareness of the harmful impact of drug abuse.

Exposing the reality of how drug abuse harms many victims, CNB and Edelman leveraged human-centric storytelling. 

At the heart of the campaign was ‘Museum of Us,’ an exhibition that highlighted stories of pain, love and recovery. Curated from real-life victims, the stories also powered social and online content.

The museum ran from May 16 to 18, inviting visitors for an emotive experience.

Alongside the exhibition, the campaign also featured a series of short films about victims’ narratives. It was co-developed with The Hummingbird Co.

While Edelman led the overall campaign, The Merry Men Works spearheaded the production of physical environments. This includes 8 pop-up installations and 34 information displays across Singapore.

Audrey Ang, director of communications at CNB, said, “This campaign was designed not just to raise awareness about the harms of drug abuse, but to reflect the emotional toll it inflicts on families and loved ones. We’ve seen how global narratives are increasingly shaping more permissive attitudes toward drug abuse and wanted to counter that by humanising the issue. Through real stories and emotionally grounded experiences, the campaign aimed to prompt deeper social and emotional understanding of the wider impact of drug abuse.”

“This campaign is a testament to the power of integrated communications. From insight to impact – We’re proud to have led this campaign from pitch to delivery. Combining strategy, creativity, production, and partnerships to deliver a message that connected deeply with audiences. CNB was a bold and collaborative partner in harnessing different creative approaches that invited reflection and empathy, connecting deeply with audiences,” Jonathan Ha, head of digital and integrated solutions at Edelman Singapore, commented.

India – Edelman has announced a series of leadership elevations across its India team, aligning with the firm’s strategic vision for the next phase of growth and continued commitment to integrated client solutions.

Among the key changes, Ashutosh Munshi, previously lead advisor for brand marketing and communications, will take on the expanded role of lead advisor for integrated communications.

In this position, Munshi will oversee the integration of practices, sectors, and capabilities to support the delivery of comprehensive marketing solutions. Over his 22-year tenure at Edelman, he has played a key role in building the brand marketing practice and establishing the firm’s strategic planning and creative functions in India.

Karishma Gupte has been promoted to India brand lead, moving up from her current role as brand lead for Delhi and food and beverage sector lead. She will also take on additional responsibilities as head of the Delhi office. Over the past seven years, Gupte has led award-winning campaigns and contributed to the growth of the firm’s food and beverage portfolio.

Meanwhile, Vasudevan Rangarajan, formerly SVP for public and government affairs, has been named managing director of the practice. Rangarajan has spent over 13 years with the firm and, in recent years, has focused on strengthening Edelman’s policy advisory and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Also part of the leadership changes is Pankaj Suri, who will relocate to Dubai to serve as EVP, people partner for the Middle East.

Suri, who has led the people function for Edelman India for more than 13 years while supporting APAC operations, will transition his India responsibilities to Ashutosh Thatte. Thatte will be elevated to vice president, people partner, effective June 1, 2025. Over his nine years at the firm, he has contributed to business alignment and culture-building efforts across the India team.

Speaking on the appointments, Bhavna Jagtiani, CEO of Edelman India, says, “Our clients and teams have placed deep trust in these leaders over the last decade. Together, we have built a culture of collaboration, quality and innovation that has been at the core of our client and people relationships. I am confident that together, we will unlock new dimensions of value for our clients and teams as we chart our next phase of growth in India.”

Singapore – Edelman has added Asia Pacific-based specialists to its global Workplace Advisory team, in response to growing demand for expertise in building and maintaining employer trust in Asia Pacific. The expansion of its workplace communications advisory and solutions offering comes shortly after the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer report found that there is an unprecedented global decline in employer trust. 

The Workplace Advisory specialists operate across geographies to service clients’ requirements across 10 markets in Asia Pacific (Australia, India, Indonesia, Greater China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), embedded within Edelman’s integrated teams to provide full-service communications solutions to clients. 

Jiejun Yan is the Asia Pacific Workplace Advisory lead. She brings two decades of experience as an external and in-house consultant working with C-suite leaders and global organisations in employer brand, transformation, culture and change communications, employee experience and surveys, training and leadership alignment & development. She is completing the executive Masters in Change at INSEAD and is a certified Human Resource professional, change practitioner and executive coach. She is based out of Singapore.

Meanwhile, Meghan Barstow is the president of Edelman Japan and the Asia Pacific Workplace Advisory strategic advisor. She brings decades of experience as a communications strategist with her work spanning across corporate reputation, brand, consumer and employee experience. Meghan has worked with C-suite leaders and global, complex and decentralized organisations to build integrated communication strategies, leveraging new technologies and creative approaches to break through the clutter. She is based out of Tokyo.

Daniel Billimack has come onboard as regional director, Workplace Advisory. He has extensive experience in business transformation, change management, people strategy, employee engagement and culture change. Besides native English, he is fluent in Japanese and has a proven track record working with multinational corporations operating in Japan and beyond. In addition to completing an MBA with a focus on global people strategy, Daniel holds PMP and SHRM-SCP certifications. He is based out of Tokyo.

Cristina Hargrave is regional senior supervisor, Workplace Advisory. She is a certified change practitioner and seasoned employee communications expert who is well-versed in working with CEOs and Communication leaders to effectively communicate with and motivate diverse employees across markets. She is based out of Seoul.

Heng Min Wong brings rich experience in workplace and workforce transformations to his role as regional director, Workplace Advisory. He has a track record of strategic leadership alignment, culture change, operating model redesign and curating workplace relocation strategies across diverse industries in the Asia Pacific region. Heng Min holds a Master’s in Applied Finance, is a PROSCI-certified Change Management Practitioner, and a LUMA-certified Design Thinking Facilitator. He is based out of Singapore.

Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s CEO for Asia Pacific, said, “The recent Edelman Trust Barometer research shows signs that employer trust is at risk in these challenging times of change. This is further accentuated by the current uncertainties that the companies are facing. Productivity, employee welfare and upskilling have a new sense of urgency.”

He added, “Employee trust is now crucial more than ever as companies navigate through these needs and their employer brand needs to be integrated seamlessly into business conduct and communications strategies. With these specialist hires, we are matching the urgent and evolving needs of our clients in engaging employees as a key stakeholder group.”

Edelman’s Workplace Advisory offering helps organisations with the process of strategic employer trust-building, with specialist expertise covering the areas of employer brand, internal communications, change management and culture & transformation, among others.

Hong Kong – Sunkist has teamed up with Edelman Hong Kong to redefine the morning after, unveiling ‘The Sunkist Next Morning Bar’—an energetic daytime hotspot in the heart of Hong Kong’s bustling party scene designed to help locals recover and recharge.

The Sunkist Next Morning Bar is a daytime spot that mirrors the lively atmosphere of regular bars but swaps alcohol for citrus-based mocktails, making the morning feel as vibrant as a night out. The bar features an oversized Sunkist crate overflowing with large oranges, along with a mocktail station and DJ booth for visitors to relax and unwind.

The menu, crafted by award-winning mixologist Antonio Lai, offers refreshing drinks like the Citrus Redemption, Unguilty Pleasure, and Morning Mercy Shot—each made with freshly squeezed Sunkist Navel oranges and lemons.

“The insight was simple: the feel-good feeling that comes from drinking fresh citrus is enough to mask anything that happened the night before. So, we created an experience that turns a regrettable moment into something celebratory, social, and fun. The Sunkist Next Morning Bar is a disruptive but fun way to show how Sunkist citrus is exactly what you need the morning after the night before,” said John Koay, executive creative director at Edelman.

The activation took place at Central Market from March 28 to April 2, offering early risers a chance to rejuvenate with refreshing drinks and feel-good tunes by DJ Sinke as the sun rose. This bar is part of a larger brand campaign aimed at reclaiming the morning as a time for revitalisation, powered by fresh Sunkist citrus.

More than just a temporary event, The Next Morning Bar seeks to integrate citrus into daily routines, making it a staple of personal wellness and social moments. To extend the experience, all mocktail recipes are available on the Sunkist Hong Kong website, providing a way for those recovering from a late night to feel better, no matter the time of day.

Cassie Howard, senior director of category management and marketing at Sunkist, shared, “With the Sunkist Next Morning Bar, we wanted to break away from the traditional mould of citrus marketing and create an experience that feels culturally relevant, unexpected, and fun. Hong Kong has such a dynamic nightlife scene, so we saw an opportunity to bring that same energy to the morning, using our citrus as the key to helping Hong Kongers feel good again—regardless of what happened last night.”

Hong Kong – Delivering on their promise of ‘Deliciousness without the Wait’, Pizza Hut Hong Kong has unveiled a comical new pop-up store to urge diners to skip the long queues of the city’s lunch rush.

Conceptualised by Edelman Hong Kong, the ‘Pop-Up Pizza Hut’ plays on the concept of a “pop-up” in both name and function. The activation features a giant pizza box that unfolds into a temporary store, appearing in the middle of Hong Kong’s busy lunch queues to serve diners on the go.

The activation also moves between Hong Kong’s busiest lunch spots, surprising restaurant managers and waiting diners with the message, “What are you waiting for? ”. Once the pizzas sell out, the mobile store relocates to another high-traffic area with a fresh supply.

Amy Cheng, creative director at Edelman, shared, “When Pizza Hut came calling to revive awareness of their lunch menu, we knew we had to find a disruptive way to differentiate the brand – and that’s exactly what we’ve done.” 

“Lunch breaks are always mayhem, and for some reason, queues have become an accepted feature of Hong Kong lunch culture. It’s a behaviour no one has ever questioned or made a point of, so it was the perfect opportunity to do something unexpected and get the brand noticed and remembered,” Cheng added. 

The Pop-Up Pizza Hut, designed as a humorous and unconventional activation, debuted on April 1st—a day when brands often engage in playful marketing stunts. Beyond highlighting the Meal-for-One menu, it also served as a platform to announce the brand’s light-hearted three-day promotion of the controversial ‘Superb Pineapple’ pizza.

Following its initial launch, the initiative is expected to continue appearing across the city, targeting busy lunch crowds and other high-traffic areas where time-conscious diners gather.

“Pizza Hut always has a presence at live events in Hong Kong – and live events always have people lining up for food and drinks. So, along with the daily lunch rush, we will keep finding times and places for the Pop-Up Pizza Hut to give people ‘deliciousness without the wait’,” Cheng said. 

Renee Chan, customer experience and marketing director of Pizza Hut HK, commented, “With only a 1-hour lunch break, what are you waiting for? ’… It’s the question no one seems to ask themselves, but it resonates with everyone. QSR in Hong Kong is very competitive, and we need to use what we can to our advantage – without terrorising the competition too much. This insight and idea really show our personality and playful side and, most importantly, highlight one of the many ways Pizza Hut always delivers.”

India – Edelman has promoted Bhavna Jagtiani, formerly chief operating officer of India, to chief executive officer for its India operations. Additionally, Kunal Arora, previously managing director for India digital and APAC studio lead, has been elevated to head of digital, APAC, expanding his regional responsibilities.

Over her 22-year tenure at Edelman, Jagtiani has grown with the firm, starting as an account executive and advancing to lead integrated teams across India and briefly in Hong Kong.

As COO of India, she enhanced operational efficiencies, fostered a strong organisational culture, and expanded client mandates both locally and regionally.

Now, as India CEO, Jagtiani will oversee business strategy, drive market growth, strengthen client relationships, and further enhance the firm’s capabilities to deliver award-winning, impactful solutions.

Meanwhile, as MD of digital in India for the past 10 years, Arora has developed global client offerings in digital crisis management, social media, and digital reputation. He has also led the APAC expansion of Edelman Studio, strengthening the firm’s global production capabilities with local expertise and AI-driven solutions.

As head of digital for APAC, Arora will collaborate with leaders across the network to scale the firm’s digital operations. His responsibilities include overseeing APAC Studio, enhancing team capabilities, and integrating digital solutions across all client offerings.

Jagtiani and Arora will continue to report to Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s APAC CEO, with their appointments taking effect immediately.

Speaking on the appointments, Thukral said, “Bhavna is an undisputed culture champion, having fostered a strong workplace community of collaboration and empowerment. Her leadership in India has been instrumental in driving consistent growth for the market. And Kunal has ensured we continue to integrate the best capabilities and innovation into our offerings, ensuring the firm is equipped to help our clients excel in a constantly changing landscape.”

He continued, “Having worked side-by-side with Bhavna and Kunal, I can personally say their commitment and ability to nurture client relationships and talent make them deserving of their new roles, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together next, in their new capacities. Our digital business in Asia and our India business have the potential to grow, and I have no doubt that Kunal and Bhavna are the right leaders to partner with our teams and clients to achieve this.” 

Singapore – Edelman has announced the appointment of Christiane Schulz as chief operating officer for Asia Pacific (APAC). Schulz moves from her current role as CEO of Edelman Germany. She will report to Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s CEO for APAC, and focus on enhancing operational excellence and client growth across the region.

Schulz joined Edelman in 2019 to lead its German operations and has been successful in expanding the firm’s presence, strengthening its market position and driving business growth. 

Under her leadership, Edelman Germany has grown, diversified its client portfolio, and enhanced its capabilities in key sectors. She has also been instrumental in fostering a collaborative, people-first culture and driving innovation across the business.

As Schulz transitions into her new role, Nils Giese will succeed her as CEO of Edelman Germany, ensuring continuity and continued growth in the market.

Speaking on her new role, Schulz said, “I’m honoured to take on this new challenge and excited to work alongside our talented teams across Asia Pacific. Edelman has a strong foundation in the region, with deep regional expertise and client relationships, presenting incredible opportunities for growth. I look forward to continuing to elevate our work and helping our clients navigate today’s complexities to drive meaningful impact.”

Meanwhile, Thukral commented, “Christiane’s deep understanding of working in a diverse environment and a dynamic region like EMEA will be invaluable as we work on strengthening our APAC business. She brings a wealth of experience in leading large teams and building trusted, long-term client partnerships. I look forward to working closely with her to further enhance our operations and accelerate growth across the region.”

Lastly, AJ Hesselink, president and CEO, Edelman EMEA, added, “We are incredibly grateful for Christiane’s leadership and the impact she has made in Germany. She has been an exceptional leader for her team and a trusted counsellor to many of our clients. Her contributions have not only strengthened our position in Germany but have also shaped the broader region. I am delighted to see her step into this new role, where she will bring her talents to an even wider stage.”

Singapore – Edelman has strengthened its leadership in Southeast Asia with the appointment of Delicia Tan as CEO for Singapore, expanding her current role overseeing Hong Kong and Taiwan, and Vorasit (Gigg) Turongsomboon as the new managing director for Edelman Thailand.

Currently serving as CEO for Hong Kong and Taiwan, Tan will now expand her leadership to include Singapore, succeeding Julia Wei, who is leaving the firm at the end of the month to pursue a new venture.

Tan, who joined Edelman Singapore in 2006, has extensive experience leading integrated teams across Asia Pacific. She has worked on diversified communications strategies and served as regional and global client leader for several of the firm’s major clients.

During her two and a half years as CEO of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, Tan has led the business through the post-pandemic period and developed an integrated communications team serving clients across the region.

Turongsomboon, who has over 16 years of experience in strategic public relations and communications, also joins Tan as the new managing director for Edelman Thailand.

Turongsomboon will lead Edelman’s Thailand office, which has expanded in response to growing client demand. The office has worked on notable campaigns, including the Cannes Lions-winning Dove #LetHerGrow campaign in 2023 and the Vaseline Transition Body Lotion campaign in 2024.

Before joining Edelman, Turongsomboon was managing director at MSL, overseeing clients in the tourism, automotive, and consumer products sectors. His experience also includes a decade-long tenure at Procter & Gamble.

Speaking on the leadership appointments, Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s CEO for Asia Pacific, said, “Delicia’s new role is an acknowledgement of her experience and contribution to our firm. We have a strong team and a great set of clients in Singapore. With Delicia’s leadership, I am confident that we will continue to do impressive work in that market. I would like to thank Julia for her contribution to the Edelman business in APAC.” 

Thukral added, “We are also very pleased to have Gigg onboard to lead our business in Thailand. Through these appointments, we are strengthening our ability to deliver the best communications advisory solutions for our clients across Asia Pacific. I am confident both Gigg and Delicia will make a positive impact in their new positions.” 

Tan and Turongsomboon’s appointments are effective immediately.

Singapore – Edelman has announced that Rakesh Thukral will succeed Warren Fernandez as CEO for the firm’s operations in Asia-Pacific (APAC). Fernandez will be stepping down from the role to pursue a new opportunity and will remain with the firm until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.  

Thukral has a long-standing career with Edelman. As the current APAC chief operating officer and managing director of India, he has championed growth through a relentless focus on the firm’s clients, people and diversification of specialties and offerings across its portfolio. 

Speaking on his new role, Thukra said.“We have a strong team across the region and great client relationships across sectors and markets. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to continue elevating our work, and ensuring our clients receive solutions that help them evolve and grow their businesses in these complex times.”  

Meanwhile Ed Williams, Edelman’s President for International, spoke on the recent development stating, “I am grateful for everything that Warren has done for the firm, and for his leadership both regionally and globally. He has broadened and sharpened the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his decades of experience in the news and media sector has been hugely important to many of our clients. We sincerely wish him all the best with his next move. 

“The APAC region continues to present significant opportunity for Edelman and our clients, and therefore remains a key focus for us. Rakesh’s experience of partnering with global companies to enter the Indian market, and for Indian businesses to expand globally, will be invaluable to our clients across the whole region. He has a deep understanding of the business, political, and societal dynamics of the region, and I have confidence that under his leadership, our business will be well positioned”, continues Williams. 

Lastly, Fernandez says, “I am grateful for having been part of the Edelman team and to have worked with some of the industry’s most talented and committed colleagues. A new opportunity has arisen which is hard to say no to; it is a role that plays to my longstanding interests in public policy, and where I will have the opportunity to engage on some of the significant political and geopolitical issues of the day.” 

Thukral will report into Williams in his new role, and the appointment is effective immediately.