MANILA—Cosette Romero, longtime general manager of FleishmanHillard Manila, passed away on January 25, 2017, after a brief illness. Since joining the agency in 2002, Cosette played a leadership role in the agency and the industry, including a stint as president of the International Association of Business Communicators (Philippines). Theresa Defensor, vice president, has assumed the role as acting general manager of FH Manila.

BANGKOK—PROI Worldwide is expanding its presence in ASEAN by adding Midas PR Group in Bangkok, Thailand, to its group of agencies in the sub-region. Founded in Bangkok in 2007, Midas PR Group services include integrated public relations, digital PR, media planning, social media marketing, website creation and design and event management, across industries including technology, hospitality, fashion, online retail, finance and consumer goods.

INGAPORE—AKA Asia has been named agency of record for both Sony Mobile Singapore and Sony Electronics Singapore.  Work will commence with Sony Mobile for PR with immediate effect, while the assignment for for Sony Mobile social and Sony Electronics PR will  begin in March.  

SINGAPORE—FleishmanHillard has formed an affiliate relationship with government affairs consulting firm Vriens & Partners, which is headquartered in Singapore and specialises in public policy and political risk analysis for clients across a Southeast Asia network. The partnership will focus on generating new business opportunities and expanding the agencies’ capabilities and expertise. This includes developing regional policy and regulatory monitoring services, and providing Vriens with access to Fleishman’s global network of public affairs experts outside of Asia. Vriens & Partners has offices in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hanoi, Manila, Yangon and Phnom Penh.

AUCKLAND—KP Communications has expanded its relationship with collaboration technology solutions provider Polycom to cover both Australia and New Zealand. KP Communications will deliver a targeted influencer strategy across multiple media channels to connect and resonate with its partners and customers. KP has been Polycom’s PR partner in New Zealand since 2009.

MUMBAI—BBC Worldwide has signed Pitchfork Partners Strategic Consulting to advise on its communications strategy and campaigns. Pitchfork partners will be responsible for providing overall strategic direction to BBC Worldwide's communication campaigns while the execution will be handled by Seven Communications & Beyond.

HONG KONG—FleishmanHillard has appointed Yu Li, senior vice president and partner, to regional talent development lead for the Asia Pacific region. Yu Li previously served as FleishmanHillard’s head of talent development for Greater China, and spent eight months of her 12-year tenure at the firm working in its global headquarters in the United States.