New Delhi, India – Integrated communications consultancy Ruder Finn and digital marketing agency RFI have teamed up to launch a new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practice to help accelerate business growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Called ‘Ruder Finn Diversity Communications Practice’, said endeavour will provide dedicated and bespoke consultation services focused on DEI.

Moreover, it will tap into over a thousand world-class communications experts around the world. These accomplished professionals have an impressive track record of developing DEI strategies with a wide variety of clients, including the Singapore Ministry of Manpower, the Women’s Foundation and the upcoming Gay Games in Hong Kong.

For Elan Shou, CEO of Ruder Finn Asia-Pacific, the new practice is in alignment with the company’s recognition of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as with broader societal shifts towards more inclusive practices.

“For businesses aiming to develop DEI strategies, they must focus on more than just cultural capital. Today’s consumers perceive brands as the voice of their employees and support those brands that resonate with their values. This can be a daunting prospect for businesses, which is where our team of seasoned experts comes in to ease the journey,” he said.

Meanwhile, Atul Sharma, CEO of Ruder Finn India and head of Middle East, commented, “We believe that commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential for driving business growth and success in today’s global landscape. As communication professionals, it’s our responsibility to craft messaging that not only reflects the diversity of our society but also resonates with individuals from various backgrounds. 

He added, “With the launch of the DE&I Practice, we will drive focused communication strategies for our clients catering to their specific needs, providing them with tools and expertise required to build inclusive and innovative organisations.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Publicis Groupe today has announced the appointment of Elya Eusoff as the new General Manager for MSL Malaysia, the communications network’s PR firm. Eusoff will lead and further strengthen MSL’s end-to-end integrated communications offerings while accelerating the Groupe’s innovative influence proposition using the ‘Power of One’, the network’s ethos.

Eusoff joins MSL from Ruder Finn, where he was responsible for overseeing the integrated marketing communications efforts of the agency. Prior to that, he led the public relations department at Bonsey Jaden. Eusoff brings a wealth of experience in public relations, digital marketing, and marketing communications to his new role as general manager.

Margaret Key, CEO for APAC & MEA at MSL, said, “I am pleased to welcome Elya to the MSL family. The industry is evolving, and MSL has developed an exceptional approach to client service that prioritizes digital media and social influence. Elya’s extensive understanding of digital PR and influence will undoubtedly ensure that we can put together the best, most agile solutions that ultimately drive business impact for our clients.”

Meanwhile, Neil Hudspeth, CEO of Publicis Groupe Malaysia and Global Client Lead for Asia Pacific at Publicis Groupe, said, “Public Relations has evolved rapidly to become a crucial component for brands trying to win in a platform world. With a digital content and experience-first approach coupled with the right Influencer and earned media strategies, I am looking forward to accelerating our holistic customer-centric PR solutions that will continue to drive our clients’ and the Groupe’s growth.”

Eusoff on his appointment, “I’m excited to be joining MSL during the rise of the platform era. With platforms serving consumers with abundant amounts of content, I am eager to collaborate and create humanized, relatable campaigns in collaboration with the leadership team of Publicis Groupe in realizing the client’s business objectives.”

MSL’s network in the Asia-Pacific has been growing rapidly over the last few years and currently includes 25 offices spread across APAC markets such as China, Singapore, India, Japan, and South Korea, and also Hong Kong, and Taiwan, among others. MSL’s activities in the Asia-Pacific region are coordinated by its Singapore hub and overseen by Key.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The national domain name provider in Malaysia, MYNIC, has recently appointed integrated communications agency Ruder Finn as its new public relations partner.

MYNIC is the official .MY domain registry recognized by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It provides Malaysian organizations and individuals their unique brand identity on the Internet.

The strategic partnership will see Ruder Finn supporting MYNIC in driving its brand positioning and accelerating the adoption of the .MY domain in the nation and beyond. Ruder Finn will also be responsible for providing strategic counsel and managing public relations duties in thought leadership, executive profiling, and media relations, as well as stakeholder engagement for various internal and external initiatives. 

In addition, Ruder Finn will be amplifying MYNIC’s initiatives to support MSMEs transition from offline to online such as the Program Realisasi Impian Ekonomi Digital (PRIME). The initiative, which translates to Digital Economy Dream Realisation Program, was launched in November last year. It aims to support and guide MSMEs to digitalize their businesses, increase their competitiveness in the market, and engage in the digital economy through key components consisting of digital branding, digital platform, and assets, as well as human capital development. 

YBhg. Datuk Ts. Hasnul Fadhly Hasan, MYNIC’s chief executive officer, said that the pandemic has greatly accelerated digital adoption not only in Malaysia but worldwide, and the ongoing challenge is to keep brands, businesses, and corporations informed of the benefits of adopting the .MY domain. 

“With close to 8.02 million businesses registered in Malaysia, we believe that Malaysia has the potential to be a strong contributor to the global digital economy,” said Hasan.

Meanwhile, Elya Eusoff, the general manager of Ruder Finn Malaysia, commented that they are excited to partner with MYNIC to create value for the digital community. 

“Upon learning MYNIC’s values and desires to create innovation that matters, enrich user experiences, and be committed towards excellence, we trust that this partnership will be able to uncover new possibilities for all,” said Eusoff.