PUBLIC RELATIONS

Hong Kong - Public relations firm Text 100 will split its Asia operation into separate units with its Greater China and India markets to fall under new management.

Global - Google users looking for the latest news on the estimated 25,000 to 40,000 barrels of oil a day gushing into the Gulf of Mexico will find, at the top of their search results, an ad from BP linking users to a microsite.

Shanghai – International self-service wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry has appointed Weber Shandwick to handle corporate communications in the China market.

Singapore - Run for Hope, a corporate social responsibility initiative to benefit cancer research and awareness, has chosen Band Public Relations to assist with its campaign this year.

Regional - Ogilvy PR Singapore has been chosen to work on a regional public relations strategy for Medini, the flagship development of Iskandar Malaysia.

Malaysia - Go Communications has picked up several new accounts including Krispy Kreme, Noxel and OSIM.

Singapore - Racers' Toolbox, a sports science testing and training information provider has confirmed Citrus PR on a retainer basis to consult with its team on public relations activities.

Hong Kong – US-based enterprise content management solutions provider Laserfiche has appointed Waggener Edstrom as its agency of record for Hong Kong in a bid to develop a stronger foothold in Asia Pacific.

Malaysia - Unilever Malaysia appointed local agency Arcis Communications to manage PR for its men's deodorant brand Axe, following a pitch held earlier in the year.

Hong Kong – New Zealand’s healthcare products brand Comvita has appointed Fleishman-Hillard Hong Kong as its strategic communications partner after a pitch.

Global - Watching the BP catastrophe unfold day by day has been an interesting lesson in how not to manage a crisis management situation. Marketing speaks to PR experts on what should BP have done right, from the start.

Seoul – Ketchum has entered an exclusive partnership with South Korea’s public relations firm Prain to advance its PR offerings in the region.

Singapore - Paint manufacturer Nippon has appointed Icon International as its new public relations agency of record for its Singapore operations.

Singapore - SG Changi has appointed Fulford PR to manage communications for its Motorsports Hub.

Malaysia – LG Electronics has shifted its PR account in Malaysia from WestCoast Communications to Longitude One (LG-One), a multi-agency team of WPP companies, as part of a global move.

Singapore - PR Communications, a public relations agency, has just launched a new arm which caters specifically to environmental, clean energy and sustainability sectors.

Singapore - Fightworks Asia, a martial arts training centre has appointed Band Public Relations as its agency of record to oversee all PR duties in Singapore.

BLOG - The events of 2009 have forced PR agencies and the companies they represent to evaluate their communication practices. So where does the PR industry go from here?

Singapore - Eastwest PR has won the account for Welcome Real-time, a loyalty and marketing solutions firm.

Singapore - Paragon Shopping Centre has engaged Fulford PR, on a retainer basis, to aid ongoing publicity efforts as the mall relaunches itself.

Singapore - The National Arts Council has called for a PR pitch for Noise Singapore 2011.

Hong Kong - Finland’s largest airline carrier Finnair has appointed independent PR agency Impactasia to manage its public relations in Hong Kong and Southern China.

Regional - Advertising agency Euro RSCG has launched its public relations arm across South-East Asia with Nor Badron appointed managing director of the agency.

UK - Environmental activist Greenpeace is inviting the UK public to submit redesigns of the BP logo as part of a campaign against the company's practices.

Singapore - The Science Centre has re-appointed Band Public Relations as its agency of record.

Regional – Microsoft has appointed Weber Shandwick as its single agency of record for Asia Pacific region after a review involving five agencies.

Singapore - Brand Incorporated has been appointed as the official public relations agency for Whisky Live Singapore.

India - Public relations agency Corporate Voices Weber Shandwick Mumbai has been awarded the Economic Development Board's (EDB) tender for a public relations agency in India.

Malaysia - Axle Motorsports, the brainchild of former Malaysian F1 racer, Alex Yoong (pictured) and Glen Stidolph has officially appointed Orchan Consulting Asia as its PR agency without a pitch.

Malaysia – Alice George Communication has been re-appointed as the PR agency for the 1Malaysia International Dragon Boat Festival 2010 (1MIDBF 2010) which happens next month at Putrajaya.