Quek led the agency through a period of sustained growth in China, netting Consultancy of the Year at the 2006 Asia-Pacific PR Awards.
Meanwhile, H&K has continued to bolster its regional leadership, naming Australasia technology director Myrna Van Pelt to oversee industry analyst relations.
Technology analysts are critical influencers who shape the development and roll-out of products, solutions and services in the technology sector. Their views help drive sales, influence stock valuations, and can build or hurt corporate reputations, said Joshua Reynolds, Hill & Knowlton’s global technology practice director, and a former Gartner analyst.
The agency has promoted Rachel Chan to also head its Greater China financial communications, and has appointed Crystal Dong as director of financial communications in Beijing.
Since joining H&K in 2004, Chan has played an instrumental role in developing the agency’s financial communications practice, advising on a number of listings, including Alibaba.com, and China Construction Bank.
Investors and listed companies increasingly look at both Hong Kong and mainland China markets, with more and more corporates listing both A and H shares and the development of the QDII scheme, said Hill & Knowlton head of financial communications Denise Maguire. Rachel and Crystal’s appointments enable us to offer clients H&K’s geographic reach combined with senior financial PR and investor relations expertise.
The appointments come as Hill & Knowlton retains its hold on the Australia and Japan accounts of International Business Wales, the economic development arm of the Welsh Assembly Government. In addition, the governmental body has also hired Apco in China, KPR in Korea, and R&PM Edelman in India.
Award-winning Hill & Knowlton chief resigns
BEIJING - Hill & Knowlton China CEO Esmond Quek (pictured) has resigned after four years with the agency.
