SYDNEY — Thrive PR + Communications has been reappointed by ASUS as its Australian and New Zealand public relations company of record. The win renews the partnership that has been in place since 2017, following a competitive pitch. Thrive will continue to manage all of the tech giant’s product launches and announcements in AUNZ, and will also work with ASUS on their brand strategy to help drive ambitious growth objectives in the local market.

MUMBAI — NextGen Pharma has appointed Pitchfork Partners Strategic Consulting as its communications agency. Pitchfork will be responsible for designing strategic communication to maintain and build corporate reputation through multi-channel activities. With an aim to support the company’s strategic objectives, Pitchfork Partners will work closely with the brand to build its reputation and engage with relevant stakeholders across the country.

SYDNEY — Adam Wyldeck has joined Janssen ANZ as head of communication & public affairs. Wyldeck (pictured) joins Janssen from BCW, where he was managing director and head of the corporate and public affairs practice in Hong Kong. He has also worked as a communications consultant to a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson & Johnson.

SYDNEY — Sling & Stone has welcomed five new deep technology clients in the health, energy, and autonomous transport sectors. They are Baraja, a manufacturer of LiDAR technology for self-driving cars; Coviu, the creator of the leading video telehealth platform of choice for the Australian Government; EMVision, which is on a mission to transform stroke care; GenieUs, which uses the power of the human genome to unlock new ways to target and treat neurodegenerative diseases and The Future Battery Industries CRC, which brings together industry, government and research participants to increase Australia’s participation in global battery value chains to create jobs and economic value.

HONG KONG — Sandpiper Communications has appointed Kim Spear as director in its Hong Kong office following a period of significant growth. Spear has extensive international communications experience, working with clients on complex briefs spanning Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australasia, and Europe and will work closely with Emma Smith, CEO, Kelly Johnston, COO, and GM Singapore, Sarada Chellam.

MUMBAI — Adfactors PR, has launched an accelerator programme to fast-track its more than 150 new campus hires of 2021. The first-of-its-kind training programme has been co-created by School of Communications & Reputation (SCoRe) and the learning & development team at Adfactors PR. The nine-month long programme will focus on four key areas of professional excellence (data analytics, content strategy, digital media, and stakeholder management) and its objective is to empower recruits and help them transition into the role of PR consultants.