PUBLIC RELATIONS

Malaysia - Essence Communications has been appointed to handle the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2011, following a four way pitch.

Malaysia - HTC Malaysia has extended its relationship with home-grown public relations outfit, ROOTS Asia Pacific, for another year.

Regional - Strategic Public Relations Group has made a strong start to the year, winning a string of accounts across the region

Malaysia - The Singapore Tourism Board has invited more than 10 public relations agencies to pitch for its PR business covering the Malaysian market.

Regional - Asia Pacific's opinion leaders are quick to trust and quick to punish institutions such as businesses and media, Edelman's Alan VanderMolen explains what this mean to PR professionals.

Shanghai - Ogilvy PR has been named PR agency in China for Harman Consumer Group after a five-way pitch.

Shanghai - Groupon will expand its PR contract with Fleishman-Hillard across Mainland China after its Super Bowl commercial created a firestorm of criticism.

Singapore - Lee Hwa Jewellery has re-appointed Fulford PR for the fifth consecutive year as its lead public relations agency.

Global - International sandwich chain Pret A Manger has appointed Lewis PR as its global PR agency covering corporate, consumer and social media communications.

Singapore - The Singapore Tourism Board is scouting for a public relations agency for its local operations.

Asia Pacific - David Brain, Edelman Asia Pacific's president and CEO, has set his sights on acquiring new talent and additional digital clout as key areas for the PR firm across Asia.

Singapore - Communications DNA (CommsDNA) has won the PR tender put out by the National Heritage Board for the National Museum.

Malaysia - Kitchen-ware maker Kitchmate has launched a major public relations campaign covering various channels including television, print, digital, and on-ground activation.

Regional - In a bid to strengthen its APAC ops since it launched last year, Europe-based PR firm Pelham Bell Pottinger has hired Ogilvy PR's Danny Phan, as its executive director for the region.

Shanghai - As Golin Harris seeks to build up its consumer fashion and apparel portfolio, sportswear brand New Balance China has hired the PR firm after four-way pitch.

Regional - Training and consulting firm Training Vision has appointed Siren-Communication as its PR agency.

Public relations firm, Kim Chew Communications is on the look-out for dynamic, hardworking, and passionate individuals to join its team in the capacity of a senior public relations executive.

Singapore - The Ministry of Information, Communication and Arts (MICA) has appointed Baldwin Boyle Shand to oversee a global PR campaign for enhancing Singapore's reputation.

Hong Kong - Global public relations agency Racepoint Group has expanded its operations to Asia by acquiring PR firm PPR Greater China.

Singapore - The National Heritage Board (NHB) is on the lookout for a public relations agency on a retainer basis, a first for the Board.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong International Film Festival has handed PR responsibilities to New Point Marketing, taking over duties from Waggener Edstrom.

Australia - Canon Australia has appointed Ogilvy PR agencies Howorth and OgilvyEarth to manage PR and communications strategies across its corporate division.

Malaysia – In line with the Klang Valley MRT project which is currently underway, the Land Public Transport Commission of Malaysia (SPAD) called for a PR pitch in December 2010 – a process involving four known agencies.

Global - GSMA, a body that represents the interests of the worldwide mobile industry, has retained Weber Shandwick as its global PR firm for the coming year.

Singapore - The Singapore Sports Hub has appointed Fulford PR as its agency of record for a 42 month period on a retainer basis, following a closed-door pitch.

Malaysia - Low cost air carrier AirAsia sought to move swiftly on the online space yesterday as news of its runway mishap spread across the globe.

Malaysia - Essence Communications has announced it will continue its relationship with all existing retainer accounts, carrying them into 2011.

Malaysia - Public relations firm Fox Communications has confirmed it will cease operations on 31 March after more than three years in business.

Hong Kong - Ketchum Newscan is now known as Ketchum Greater China as the agency takes a majority stake in the operations to expand its presence in the Asia region.

Singapore - Sony Electronics Asia Pacific has launched an open tender for the provision of public relations services.