PR agency strengthens CSR capability

Independent public relations consultancies AKA Asia, has appointed Lauren Wyper (pictured), an experienced CSR communications practitioner to provide counsel for businesses that want to focus on building their brand through sustainability.Wyper moves to AKA from London’s The Good Agency, which specialises in corporate relations, sustainability counsel and professional advocacy. Her experience includes providing strategic direction for new community focused initiatives for American Express and Tesco, advocacy for Wrigley’s health products, environment and sustainability counsel for Forest Footprint Disclosure Project, and community building work with international development agency Plan UK.AKA Asia has conceptualised and executed a number of CSR projects for clients locally and in the region. Earlier this year, leveraging Social Media Week, AKA Asia rolled out an award-winning digital activation to communicate Diageo Asia Pacific’s regionwide women’s empowerment initiative, Plan W.Having already picked up awards for its digital, experiential and community focused work, AKA Asia is no stranger to creating exciting and relevant campaigns that resonate with the media, consumers and multi-level stakeholders.Kate O'Shea, director and partner of AKA Asia, commented: “Research has shown that there is a growing social consciousness of consumers in Asia Pacific, with 70% of consumers in the region indicating that they would prefer to buy products from a company that gives back to society.”“In addition, more than half of consumers polled state a willingness to pay extra for products and companies that implement programmes to value add to the industry and community they exist in. Companies need to be quick to respond to the changing focus and be part of the conversation both internally and externally.”