PR

Singapore - Singapore Snow City, a permanent indoor snow centre, has appointed Lewis to undertake a series of public relations activities for it in 2008.

Two practitioners in the healthcare PR field give the run down on this practice.

Hong Kong - The Council of Public Relations Firms has appointed David Croasdale, managing director of Newell PR, as chairman of its board of directors.

Qingdao - The future of Haier's agency roster for its Olympic marketing is uncertain following the departure of Larry Rinaldi as chief brand officer.

Singapore - Lewis PR is currently in discussions on the possibility of launching its sister company, Octane PR, in Asia Pacific.

Singapore - Interactive agency 8RewardsRoad has hired Grayling Global to manage its public relations and media programmes.

Hong Kong - Grebstad Hicks has landed the PR brief to help hotel and restaurant group Relais & Chateaux's expand its regional operations.

Singapore - Communications DNA has won the Esthetic International Group (EIG) and The Wellness group (TWG) accounts this month.

Singapore - Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) regional account director Karen Flynn will be departing the agency to join UK-grown Blue Communications as managing director in May.

India - Burson-Marsteller has formed a South Asia Network (BMSAN) with the signing of strategic alliances with independent public relations companies across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Middle East - Gavin Anderson & Company, a financial, corporate and public affairs consultancy, has opened its regional headquarters for the Middle East & North Africa in Abu Dhabi.

Singapore - Royal & SunAlliance, an international insurance company, is now known as RSA, a brand identity change that supports its growth plans and marks a milestone in its 180-year history.

Singapore - Tribob has appointed Media Flair Communications as the public relations agency for Bintan Triathlon 2008, after a pitch with other agencies, including Fulford Public Relations.

Singapore - Ekinops, a designer and supplier of optical equipment, has appointed Eastwest Public Relations to provide support for its foray into Asia Pacific.

Singapore - BBH Asia Pacific has hired Deborah Abraham to the newly created role of PR and marketing manager, effectively changing the agency's relationship with Grayling Public Relations.

Regional - Hill & Knowlton (H&K) Singapore has been appointed as PR agency for Sony Electronics Asia Pacific and Sony Singapore - making it the first PR AOR appointment by the electronics giant in the region.

Singapore - Fulford PR has won the Volvo Ocean Race PR account as this year, through a partnership with One15 Singapore Ocean Race, Singapore makes its debut in the fourth leg of the round-the-world yacht race.

Malaysia - Hong Kong-based Strategic Public Relations Group has opened an office in Malaysia, appointing Stefanie Braukmann as its first general manager.

Singapore - Kaiiten Communications has bagged a retainer contract with Geek Terminal as its public and media relations agency.

Singapore - McDonald's Singapore has handed its PR business to GolinHarris following a pitch which incumbent agency, of almost 20 years, Citigate Dewe Rogerson, i.MAGE did not take part in.

B-M Asia Pacific digital strategist Charles Pownall tells Marcus Chhan how marketers can leverage on the power of e-fluentials...before it's too late.

Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Involving your employees more for better career development results.

Jeremy Woolf, Text 100 Hong Kong managing consultant, review David Meerman Scott's 2007 book The New Rules of Marketing and PR.

PR-wise, what can SMRT do to regain commuters' favour following its frequent disruptions and subsequent fine?

Creating credibility throughout all aspects of marketing & communications - established brands usually have strong corporate reputations but it doesn't mean that you can't start young.

Singapore - Communications DNA has won three new ad-hoc projects to handle PR for Asian Civilisations Museum's Peranakan Museum, entertainment outlet Thumper and restaurant 1 TwentySix.

Hong Kong - Philips Healthcare has nabbed Fina Wong, former client service director for Waggener Edstrom in a newly created role as regional marcom manager to strengthen strategic support for stakeholders across Asia Pacific.

Pattaya - More than 1,000 delegates came together the ADFEST 2008 Welcome Party last night to grease the wheels for what is shaping up to be a interesting debate about the role, relevance and standard of creativity around the region.

Singapore - Science Centre Singapore (SCS), as part of a yearly review, is looking for a new PR agency for to handle its public relations - the contract is for 12 months.