PUBLIC RELATIONS

Singapore - Barclays Singapore Open has named Icon International Communications as its public relations agency of record for the upcoming golf tournament.

Shanghai - Automobile components manufacturer ArvinMeritor has appointed Weber Shandwick to launch a brand campaign in China.

Malaysia – Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) has officially called for a pitch in which its PR business covering major household brands Tiger, Guinness, Anchor, and Heineken is up for review with four known agencies involved in the exercise.

Hong Kong - Simeon Mellalieu, newly elected chairman of the Council of Public Relations Firms of Hong Kong, said developing an ethical guide to social media and agency accreditation will be priorities for the industry group.

Hong Kong - Fleishman-Hillard Hong Kong has been appointed as the regional agency for the Doha Film Institute, to manage public relations across 11 markets in the region.

Singapore - The Asian Civilisations Museum has made a call for a public relations agency to raise its profile.

Singapore - The biggest challenge for PR professionals in Singapore is determining the ROI for their communications campaigns, the Media Influencers Survey (MIS) reveals.

Hong Kong - Waggener Edstrom has been named the agency of record for storage solutions provider Hitachi Data Systems and application delivery networking specialist F5 Networks.

Indonesia - PR and communications firm Burston-Marsteller has appointed Daisy Primayanti as managing director and market leader for Indonesia, where she will report to Asia-Pacific president and CEO Bob Pickard.

Malaysia - Fox International Channels (FIC) has appointed Text 100 Malaysia as its official PR agency, tasked with providing strategic communications services for the brand as well as the various channels under its management.

Singapore - Avnet Technology Solutions has renewed its regional account with Eastwest PR.

Shanghai - French wine estate of Bordeaux Château Margaux has named Ruder Finn as its retainer PR agency for the China market.

Singapore - The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports has appointed Siren-Communication as PR agency of record for its Businesses for Families Council

Malaysia - GO Communications has won the Public Relations account for J.D. Power, Asia Pacific after a pitch with other local and international PR agencies.

Hong Kong - In a bid to uplift its image, the Real Estate Developers Association has appointed Ogilvy PR to ensure effective communications with the public.

Hong Kong - Lewis PR has launched Chatterscope, a free platform that helps organisations track negative and positive Twitter conversations mentioning their brands.

Regional - Singapore-based Peter Knipp Holdings (PKH) has retained Citrus PR to oversee all media relations and publicity activities for the 15th installment of the World Gourmet Summit and for the third Gourmet Abu Dhabi in 2011.

Regional - Hill & Knowlton Japan has been appointed the public relations agency of record for Merck Serono's corporate communications and oncology business unit since June 1.

Regional - Icon International Communications has been appointed the public relations agency for the second season of Supermodelme, Asia's multi-platform, reality-based branded entertainment programme.

Singapore - The Health Promotion Board of Singapore has chosen Baldwin Boyle Shand and Waggener Edstrom to handle its PR.

Malaysia – Following a formal proposal presentation in March 2010, Safilo Optical Malaysia has awarded its PR account to Brandthink who will handle all media-related duties and events for nine of its eye-wear brands.

Malaysia – In conjunction with the upcoming premiere of Asian Food Channel’s (AFC) 10-episode cooking series called Best Wan, the brand has appointed Alice George Communication to manage all communications and PR duties surrounding the show.

With PB now seeing some relief to its public image after slowing down the oil seeping into the Gulf of Mexico, Rachel Catanach, SVP and general manager of Fleishman-Hillard Hong Kong, looks at what the oil giant and its CEO could have done better.

Singapore - Waggener Edstrom has seen a revenue growth of 32% from 2009 to 2010 due to the increase in its digital capabilities, the launch of their healthcare practice and a strong momentum in its technology and corporate teams.

Hong Kong - IT memory products designer and manufacturer Lexar Media has appointed Bite Communications to handle its public relations after a pitch in June.

Hong Kong - Online shopping site of premier brands Reebonz.com has appointed Bite Communications to handle public relations in Hong Kong and Australia.

Hong Kong - Luxury marketing group The Luxury Network has teamed up with impactasia to expand its reach into Asia Pacific with Aston Martin and KEE Club already signed up as members in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong - Fujitsu has awarded its public relations business for Hong Kong and Southern China to The Hoffman Agency to run its corporate B2B and social media programs.

Singapore - Singapore-listed ST Engineering has moved its PR account to Ogilvy from Edelman following a competitive pitch.

Hong Kong - The Economist Intelligence Unit has hired a number of PR agencies as it readies for a global PR push to help boost its international profile.