TOKYO — Dentsu Public Relations will be rebranding as PR Consulting Dentsu Inc. on its 60th anniversary on 20 September 20. The rebrand is part of an effort to emphasize the firm’s position as a comprehensive communications consultancy and increase investment in research of its internal think tank, the Corporate Communication Strategic Studies Institute (CSI). President and CEO Masahiro Makiguchi said the rebranding reflects the company’s shift from focusing primarily on traditional PR to covering all paid, earned, shared, and owned media types.

SINGAPORE — VaynerMedia APAC has promoted VJ Anand to managing partner of its APAC region, in addition to his existing head of creative role. In his new role, Anand will continue to oversee creative excellence, as well as play a key role in the agency’s growth strategy across the region. He will report to Tim Lindley, the newly appointed managing director in Asia Pacific.

DELHI — Footprint Global Communications has been awarded the public relations mandate for three science and technology institutions: the National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh, IIT Jodhpur  and Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU). Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has also recently extended its engagement with Footprint for a second term.

MANILA — EON has appointed four new business unit heads. They are Denise Ching and Joanarc Sales, who will serve as joint business unit heads of EON PR; Pam Enriquez as business unit head of Tangerine (EON’s experiential marketing arm); and Erielle Pineda as business unit head of DiG (EON’s digital arm).

SHANGHAI — Gusto Luxe has named Aslada Gu to the newly created role of director, product and innovation. Gu is in charge of spearheading the development of new products and solutions, with a focus on technology, customer experience and impact marketing.