YOKOHAMA — Nissan Motor Co. has promoted Lavanya Wadgaonkar, currently divisional general manager in charge of global communications, to VP of global communications. In this role, she will lead all of Nissan’s communications including building the company’s reputation globally, engaging internal and external audience and driving sustainability communications. She will continue to report to Sadayuki Hamaguchi, corporate VP, global communications. Wadgaonkar has over 27 years of international experience in strategic communications, public affairs, brand management, marketing and sustainability. She previously led and developed the communications and external and government affairs functions for Nissan Asia & Oceania.

JAKARTA — Edelman Global Advisory (EGA) has appointed public affairs veteran Ana Saleh as senior VP, advisory and trade in Indonesia. Saleh (pictured) will report to EGA’s APAC chair, Ian McCabe. Saleh brings extensive public affairs experience to her new role, having served as the senior economic policy advisor for agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food at the Netherlands Embassy to Indonesia for the last seven years. In that capacity, she advised, lobbied and negotiated as part of the Embassy’s efforts to enhance bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Indonesia.

NEW DELHI — On Purpose has been awarded the PR mandate for Indian tech company Beetel Teletech. As communications partner, On Purpose will be responsible for strengthening brand awareness and enhancing engagement for Beetel among its stakeholders, in addition to telling a compelling story of the company’s legacy and leadership as an integrated communications provider.
 
HONG KONG — Golin has appointed Lottie Longford to the newly-created role of director of marketing & communications APAC for multiple Golin Group agency brands, including Golin and DeVries Global. Previously, Longford was director at Golin Hong Kong, leading the team’s health & wellness accounts, having transferred from the agency’s London location in 2016. In her new role, Lottie will be the Asia-Pacific lead to regionally drive brand positioning and initiatives for both agency brands, working closely with global, APAC and market leaders.
 
BENGALURU — Edtech company BYJU’S has appointed Paroma Roy Chowdhury as senior VP and head of corporate communications. In this newly created role, Chowdhury will be a member of the leadership team and spearhead the development, advancement and execution of the company’s communications strategy. She will be in charge of building an integrated corporate communications strategy that will successfully reinforce the company’s goals, aspirations, business objectives and impact.

SINGAPORE — Mana Impact, an impact investment and advisory firm, has joined forces with Reputation Works to create Asia’s first one-stop shop impact investment service. Mana Impact helps clients direct investments towards positive social and environmental projects and businesses across Asia, while Reputation Works specialises in purpose-driven communications. The partnership will enable companies to spell out their commitment to the communities in which they live, build their reputations and create clear business value.

NEW DELHI — Popkorn Communications, part of Value 360 Group, has announced the appointment of Vishal Mehra as the CEO for its newly re-launched digital vertical. Vishal has more than 16 years of experience working with Fortune 100 brands across industries for emerging technologies and digital/integrated strategy. He has created and led digital practice at top consultancies, agencies, and start-ups and has been actively involved in bringing category-creating digital products into the country.