Edelman appoints chief strategy officer for client programming

Edelman has appointed Ranjit Jathanna (pictured) to the newly-created role of chief strategy officer for client programming in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APACMEA), effective 1 November 2017. Based in Singapore, Jathanna will report to Rupen Desai, executive vice chairman of Edelman APACMEA.Jathanna will play a crucial role in ensuring insights are at the core of Edelman's programming to deliver maximum impact for clients. Jathanna has over 18 years of experience and achieved success in leading cross-functional teams in communications, social design, engagement strategy and communications marketing.Prior to his new role, Jathanna with MullenLowe for more than seven years, with his last role being chief strategy officer in Singapore, according to his LinkedIn. During his time there, oversaw strategic functions along with being the global strategic lead role on Unilever's Lifebuoy. He also helmed roles such as chief client officer, Unilever China and associate global planning director. Jathanna was also the regional planning director at DDB.Having lived and worked across Africa, Middle East and numerous markets in Asia, Jathanna has experience in various fields such as food and beverage, personal care, home care and financial services.“Strategies now need to be designed to earn attention. Edelman’s unique perspective on this aspect of communications is bang-on, as is the firm’s proven track record in the fields of data analytics, digital and social media engagement and public relations,” Jathanna said.“We continue to expand the senior bench strength of our strategic offer given the amazing opportunities clients present around relevant and thoughtful storytelling that is not bought but touches people’s hearts, minds or passions,” Desai said.“We are delighted to have Ranjit join us in a significant leadership role. He brings an extremely strong regional creative planning capability to our vision of the new currencies for brands – attention and trust. He is also a superb leader of teams which was critical in our search for a regional strategy head," Desai added.