COMCO Mundo builds seven-market communications network across SEA

Philippine communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is strengthening its international footprint through its growing Southeast Asian network, while building on its established presence in the Middle East and Africa.

The moves come as COMCO Mundo marks its 10th anniversary, as the group looks to strengthen its ability to support brands across markets through local expertise and cross-border collaboration.

At the centre of the Southeast Asian expansion is the SEA CAN Alliance by COMCO Mundo, a network comprising independent communications agencies and affiliates across seven markets: Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

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The alliance includes Chi Communications in Vietnam, 2COMMU in Thailand, COMCO Southeast Asia - Singapore, COMCO Southeast Asia - Pilipinas, Ink PR in Malaysia, Agrakom PR in Indonesia and Mekhala Radiant Communications in Cambodia.

According to COMCO Mundo, the network is designed to give brands access to market-specific communications expertise while providing a more integrated regional approach. It will focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, local market insights and the adoption of industry and technology best practices.

Alongside the alliance, COMCO Southeast Asia - Singapore serves as the group's Singapore-based strategic communications operation. Led by Ampy Corpus, managing director and head/partner, the office focuses on strategic communications, integrated storytelling and digital-led solutions.

The Singapore team has worked on regional communications initiatives for clients including Lubrizol, WWF Singapore, The Ocean Cleanup and Crypto Fight Night. Its work has included communications for Lubrizol's Southeast Asia Innovation Centre, social creative campaigns for WWF Singapore and regional communications around river plastic pollution for The Ocean Cleanup.

COMCO Mundo also operates COMCO Middle East & Africa (COMCO MEA) from Dubai, UAE. Now in its fifth year, the operation was established in 2021 and is led by Tricia Cusi-Jimenea, senior vice president for business development and managing director and head/partner and co-founder.

The MEA operation has built a portfolio spanning hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment, fashion, real estate, education and technology. Its clients have included Costa Coffee, Paramount Hotels, Café Kitsuné, The Wizarding World Shop by Fandom, LEOS Development, Rixos, Taj Exotica, Dubai Comic Con and Geidea.

The expansion gives COMCO Mundo a presence spanning Southeast Asia and the Middle East and Africa, while the group said it can also support markets where it does not have a direct operation through its network of partners and providers.

Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Mundo's interregional president and group chief executive and head of global and strategic communications, partner and co-founder, said the expansion builds on the group's origins in the Philippines.

"Reaching Decada de COMCO or our 10th anniversary is a meaningful milestone, but it is also a reminder that our journey is far from over. What began as a Filipino-led communications vision has grown into a network that reaches across borders, and we see this expansion as the beginning of many more years of growth, collaboration, and meaningful storytelling," he said.

"As we enter our second decade, we remain committed to building bridges across markets, creating opportunities for our partners and stakeholders, and bringing the strength of our communications excellence to the global stage."

The group said its next phase of growth will also extend beyond public relations through its other businesses and programmes, including communications training through COMCO School of Communications; digital, social, storytelling and multimedia through SEA Wave & Spice; events, brand experience, media production and creative talent management through Purple ALAB; and CSR and advocacy initiatives through Citizen COMCO.

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