AUCKLAND — Clemenger Group has named Strahan Wallis as CEO of Clemenger Group New Zealand. Wallis will return to New Zealand in March, following a successful stint as managing director of Porter Novelli Los Angeles and executive VP, global reputation management. The move follows current CEO, Jim Gall’s return to Australia as CEO of Clemenger BBDO Melbourne Group in April last year. Gall will remain chairman of Clemenger Group New Zealand.

SYDNEY — opr has promoted John Harding-Easson to head of social. Harding-Easson, previously the firm’s senior digital strategist, will work across a broad range of opr clients such as KFC, BCG, Tourism Australia, American Express as well as some of the agency’s public sector clients. In addition, the firm hired communications specialist Cody Desmond to serve as culture editor of Pulse, the consumer brand marketing arm of opr.

SINGAPORE — Eastwest Public Relations has been appointed by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) to lead communication activities across Southeast Asia for the 3rd cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. Eastwest will drive awareness for the prestigious award by offering strategy and planning and through media relations, content creation, digital services and events across Southeast Asia.

NEW DELHI — Jivo Wellness, best known for its canola oil, has struck a partnership with Integrated Centre for Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. (ICCPL). The PR firm will now be responsible for managing the media & communications strategies for the wellness brand, which is expanding into products such as wheatgrass drinks, olive oil, and mustard oil.

CHENNAI, INDIA —  Indian Institute of Technology Madras has renewed its partnership with Footprint Global Communications. The firm has been hired to handle media relationships for IIT. The partners have been working together since 2013.