Chinese PR firm Influence Matters expands into Indonesia

Influence Matters, a public relations (PR) and marketing services firm based in China, has expanded its operations in Indonesia. Indonesia will also serve as its Southeast Asia (SEA) hub. 

Headed by Simon Vericel (pictured left), managing director and founder of Influence Matters, the Indonesian office is currently operating between Jakarta and Bali. It aims to bring the agency’s expertise to one of the most populous countries in the world, while also seeking to capitalise on its fast-growing economy.  

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As the SEA hub, it will be tasked with strengthening existing partnerships and building new ones with like-minded agencies in each market in the region. In doing so, Influence Matters hopes to benefit Chinese business-to-business (B2B) technology clients that are expanding to Indonesia and the SEA region through effective and impactful PR programmes. 

Over the past eight years, Influence Matters has developed a recognised expertise in supporting cross-border B2B technology businesses with communications services in China. With offices in Beijing and Shanghai, it has worked with close to one hundred clients, including businesses and governments. Its hyper-targeted awareness programmes are designed to connect clients with decision-makers and solution adopters, said the release. 

The expansion comes as the agency served an increasing number of clients across Asia in recent years, such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. As these clients begin to expand to the SEA region, Influence Matters is expanding alongside to support these operations.  

“Influence Matters’ mission has always been to bring innovators closer together, and innovations closer to markets and customers in Asia by delivering influence through storytelling that reaches business leaders and technology adopters,” said Vericel. 

“Our PR and digital communication programs have helped numerous technology innovators find customers, investors and partners in China. We are proud to now bring our expertise to SEA and connect more innovators together,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the offices in China will continue to serve its clients in the Greater China markets, as well as serve as the North Asia hub for the company.  

In line with the firm’s expanded direction, it has also appointed Emily Xu (pictured right) as its managing partner, who will oversee and develop its growing cross-border corporate communications business for international companies in China. Xu will also continue to hold her roles as director of people operations and director of operations, which she held from 2017 and 2021 respectively. She will continue to oversee these functions for China, along with supporting Chinese companies expanding in Asia.  

Influence Matters enters Indonesia amidst a recent series of new appointments in the agency scene. In October 2023, Wunderman Thompson named Samir Gupte as its new chief executive officer for its Indonesia operations. Under his leadership, the agency sought to strengthen its capabilities in CX, data, content, and eCommerce, driving growth for clients in the country. 

Havas Indonesia also recently named a new head of strategy in September 2023, as it sought to strengthen its senior leadership team and to further its competitive position in the market. David Byron Johnson took up the role with a focus on spearheading the agency’s strategic initiatives, driving growth opportunities, and moulding the market footprint of Havas Indonesia. 

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