HONG KONG—Citizen Relations has named Chris Chamberlin as Asia-Pacific managing director, one of a number of global leadership appointments at the BlueFocus-owned PR firm.

Chamberlin, who previously led Citizen's US operations, has relocated to Hong Kong to spearhead the firm's Asia-Pacific expansion. “Our Asia expansion is a key driver for our global growth plan, and a desire from many of our clients,” said Citizen global CEO Daryl McCullough.

Chamberlin, added McCullough, will lead wholly-owned operations and strategic partnerships through the region, including collaboration with BlueFocus and BlueDigital, which acquired Citizen parent company Vision7 last year.

In addition, Citizen has enlarged EMEA MD Mark Cater's role to include global client leadership responsibility for its key Procter & Gamble business. Cater, who also oversees India, joined the firm last year and is based in London.

The firm has also entrusted Canada president Nick Cowling with responsibility for business development and marketing for North America and re-hired Jennifer Stansfield earlier this year to oversee Latin America. And Citizen has hired former Golin executive Robert Villanueva as finance VP.



These five leaders, together with McCullough and long-standing global COO Cynthia Rude, now comprise Citizen's global executive committee. Hasan Khair, who heads Citizen's global talent initiatives from the UK, will plan a consultative role on the ExCo.

"We have long been a great mid-sized North American and UK agency, but we are experiencing tremendous demand and opportunities that take our brand further in capability and geography," said McCullough.

Citizen Relations currently operates in nine offices across the globe, including London, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Toronto and Montreal.