Campaign Asia

How these six brands are collaborating with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

The characters are everywhere, toning down the film’s R-rated humor for brands.

Burson hires Damion Potter as global chair of public affairs

Potter joins from Haleon, where he was VP and global head of policy and government affairs.

17 business leaders react to Trump assassination attempt

CEOs rushed to social media to condemn the shooting after staying quiet about politics for most of this election cycle.

Bumble removes ‘vow of celibacy’ ads following backlash

Bumble said it has heard criticism of the ad and is removing it from a global campaign.

TikTok global comms head exits

Hilary McQuaide says she is leaving the platform for “a new adventure.”

Apple's 'Crush' ad elicits backlash from marketing and PR pros

“This Apple ad is what happens when you try to be ‘edgy’ with no consideration for strategy,” said Lulu Cheng Meservey.

BCW, Hill & Knowlton warns staffers to brace for layoffs related to Burson merger

The firms have “identified areas in the business where we must eliminate roles, many of which were duplicate,” staffers were told in a memo.

Brands were not ready for Taylor Swift's new album announcement

Some tried to get ahead of the announcement and got it wrong.

How health influencers Nadya Okamoto and Dr Mike approach social media

Both shared their strategies—and platform likes and dislikes—at the PRWeek Healthcare Awards+Conference.

Former and current executives sue top US ad agency Horizon Media alleging discrimination

Horizon Media is facing federal allegations from a current and former executive claiming the company’s claimed dedication to DEI masks a culture of bias, retaliation, and hostile treatment by its senior leaders.

When brands become the villain: Lessons from Coffee Mate's 'White Lotus' collab

The Nestlé product’s team was as surprised as anyone at the HBO show’s season finale. Here’s how brands and their agency partners avoid shocking plot twists involving their products.

Allison Worldwide names Ray Day executive chair as Scott Allison steps back

Vice chair Andy Hardie-Brown is also leaving his role for an advisory position.

FleishmanHillard hires Ketchum’s Jim Joseph as global head of brand impact

Joseph previously held roles at Ketchum such as US CEO and global CMO.

Publicis Media dismisses dozens of US employees for violations of return-to-office policy

The job eliminations were focused in the French holding company’s media division.

Porsche deletes post on Threads that said ‘9.11 is my favourite time of the day’

Some social media managers are defending Porsche’s post, saying it clearly did not allude to the 9/11 attack on the United States.

Duolingo comms head Sam Dalsimer leads 'wholesome unhinged' strategy

Duolingo killed off its brand mascot and brought it back to life as part of an unhinged social media strategy and more wholesome comms approach.

Finn Partners acquires Singapore-based Ying Communications

New York-based Finn Partners is making its first move into Asia-Pacific with the deal. Its Singapore office will serve as the hub of the agency's operations in the region.

X appoints Nick Pickles to lead global communications

The social media platform is expanding Pickles’ role as global head of government affairs to include comms.

What vibes is the Toys 'R' Us AI ad giving you?

The toy brand's short film, which premiered at Cannes and was created almost entirely on OpenAI’s new text-to-video tool, has sparked online backlash from creatives.

Summerween: Why Michaels, Home Depot and General Mills are launching fall campaigns earlier than ever

It’s not just you. Everyone is noticing a lot of orange and spooky stuff in stores while it’s still summer. Here’s why.

Report: X brings on Targeted Victory for comms support

X taps Republican consulting firm Targeted Victory, owned by Stagwell Group, to manage the fallout from its suspension in Brazil, according to Wired.

Dow Jones ups Ashok Sinha to chief communications officer

Sinha oversaw communications efforts and media exposure throughout the wrongful detention of WSJ’s Evan Gershkovich in Russia.

How content creators can brush up on trademark law to protect their catchphrases

Poaching a catchphrase is not very demure and certainly not very mindful. Here’s how influencers can protect themselves.

JJ Carter to succeed John Saunders as FleishmanHillard CEO

Saunders will become the firm’s chairman in October and plans to move back to his native Ireland.

Burson launches healthcare-focused AI service

Decipher Health will predict the impact of communications across six therapeutic areas, the WPP firm says.

The inside story of the Kamala Harris-inspired ice cream from Ben & Jerry's co-founders

The flavour is not from Ben & Jerry’s. But that’s not showing up in a lot of media coverage.

Ebay names Gigi Ganatra Duff as new CCO

Duff joins the online marketplace from Nordstrom, where she was VP of corporate affairs.

Burson launches healthcare-focused AI service

Decipher Health will predict the impact of communications across six therapeutic areas, the WPP firm says.

Jonathan Heit replaces Scott Allison as Allison global CEO

The agency has also formed a new global board with co-founder Andy Hardie-Brown becoming vice chairman with a focus on strategic growth initiatives, and business in Asia-Pacific.

What other brand should have an edible mascot?

Pop-Tarts allowed their mascot to be devoured as part of its sponsorship of an American college football match.

Coca-Cola hires Meta's Katherina Jawaharlal to lead global corporate, brand PR

She previously built and ran Meta’s partnership communications team.

Why every organisation needs a ‘disability guy’

Authentic representation is important for every company, experts said at PRWeek's PRDecoded Purpose+ conference in the US.

Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis is another reminder for social media managers to think before posting

Brands joked this week about “spotting” Kate, who hadn’t been seen in public for months.

South Australian Tourism Commission names Praytell North America PR agency of record

The agency will share stories about the region’s native wildlife, wine and outback experiences.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies returns to original name of Hill & Knowlton

The firm has also created services that address evolving client needs.

How Colgate is getting consumers to confess the lies they tell dentists

For two days in New York City, people can come clean in the brand’s Totally Honest confessional.

Target ranked as top brand in support of LGBTQIA+ community

The survey took place after Target removed some items from its Pride merchandise following a backlash.

Edelman launches global B2B marketing group

It aims to create integrated marketing programs aimed at reaching and earning the trust of B2B buyers.

Don’t expect sponsors to flee pro golf after the PGA Tour-LIV merger, say experts

One has a 'gut feeling' most people won’t care about the merger, while others say sponsors will have to make tough decisions.

No, Tony the Tiger and Dylan Mulvaney are not working together

Some conservatives threatened to boycott the brand after its mascot was seen with the trans influencer at the Tony Awards on Sunday night. The brand says there’s no partnership.

How Microsoft is changing its comms function because of AI

The company is also updating its team to keep pace with the speed of news, including bringing in former Twitter APAC comms lead Lauren Myers-Cavanagh to head its Asia comms.

Royal Caribbean Group names Heather Hust Rivera global communications head

Hust Rivera has worked in various comms roles for Disney since 2005.

Trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney bashes Bud Light for not publicly standing by her

“I was waiting for the brand to reach out to me, but they never did,” she said.

McDonald’s Grimace ‘pretending not to see’ shake trend

Other brands are lending moral support to the mascot, as TikTokers pretend that drinking the purple shake leads to horrific outcomes.

Anheuser-Busch: 'No truth' to report Bud Light fired agency responsible for Dylan Mulvaney partnership

The brewer was said to have told beer distributors last week that it fired a ‘third-party ad agency.’

Was that toothpaste on the Met Gala carpet? Here’s how Colgate responded

The toothpaste brand joked that it didn’t expect to “be the carpet."

Alphabet’s X hires Impossible Foods alum Jessica Appelgren as it builds out marcomms team

X works to invent and launch breakthrough technologies and businesses to solve major problems.

What’s the best time to post on social media? The answer has changed since just last year

Sprout Social’s 2023 Best Times to Post on Social Media report shows that consumer behavior has shifted a lot in one year.

Which candy brand has the best Halloween 2022 invention?

Reese’s, Airheads and Kit Kat are getting creative this Halloween season.

WE Communications acquires two firms in Asia

The firm's acquisitions include Watatawa and Red Bridge Communications.

‘People got up in arms’: The inside story on A&W’s tweet parodying M&M’s

Who would get mad about a bear mascot wearing jeans? Turns out, a lot of people.

BCW global CEO Donna Imperato to retire

Imperato, who has led the firm since the combination of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe, will step down once her successor is found.

Silicon Valley Bank deletes Twitter page

The move comes after the bank’s collapse.

How Hatchimals became this year's toy craze

Every holiday season sees one toy that catches everyone's imagination and becomes a cultural phenomenon. We spoke to the key players behind the marketing of 2016's toy sensation.

Why TikTok is not the place to be for brands during the Super Bowl

Before and after the game are a different story as brands “scratch the surface” of what they can do on the platform for big events.

Edelman global revenue up 12.8% in 2022 to $1.1 billion

APAC revenue increased by 4.8% on a constant currency basis to $104.5 million.

TikTok's comms team tweets through CEO testimony to Congress

TikTok’s head of policy comms for the Americas clarified points made by CEO Shou Zi Chew during Thursday’s hearing.

PRSA condemns Twitter suspensions: ‘Journalists should not be penalised for sharing accurate reporting’

Journalism organisations, publications and PR pros are also voicing concern over the suspensions.

CCO Alan VanderMolen leaves SC Johnson

The former international president at WE Communications worked at the company since March 2020.

Twitter to form content moderation council; Elon Musk says no reinstatements until then

The council will determine content decisions and account reinstatements, owner Elon Musk said.

Russia puts Richard Edelman and other global PR CEOs on latest sanctions list

Leaders from APCO Worldwide, SKDK, Brunswick and other firms were among the 200 to be sanctioned.

A break, not a break up: Why agencies are telling clients not to abandon Twitter… yet

Things at Twitter under Elon Musk are weird. Very weird. But not enough for brands to say goodbye to the platform.

Hellmann’s creates hub inspired by viral TikTok recipes

The mayonnaise brand is using social media trends to tout its products.

Coca-Cola-focused WPP Open X names Andrew Keller global chief creative officer

Keller has worked at Meta for the last seven years and at CP+B.

‘One of a kind’: Weber Shandwick New York chief creative officer Angela Mears dies at age 35

Mears started at the agency as an intern in 2011.

‘Not a formal campaign’: AB InBev distances from Dylan Mulvaney outreach

The maker of Bud Light also said it will pay a $500 bonus to workers who were harassed over Mulvaney’s video, but will continue to support LGBTQ+ organisations.

SoulCycle wants Peloton customers to trade in their bikes for 47 in-person classes

Virtual workouts can’t replace the energy of live ones, according to SoulCycle CEO Evelyn Webster.

George Bryant elevated to Golin group chief creative officer

He will oversee global creative operations for Golin, The Brooklyn Brothers, Virgo Health and DeVries Global.

How Coinbase stole Pepsi's thunder as the most-talked about brand during the Super Bowl

Even though Coinbase’s website wasn’t ready for its own success.

Peloton halts promotion of Chris Noth ad after sexual assault allegations against actor

The ad was applauded by PR and marketing pros this week for its quick response to Noth’s character dying of cardiac arrest in And Just Like That.

'A masterclass in reactive marketing': Industry pros applaud Peloton's response to Sex and the City reboot death

The fitness company had some help from Ryan Reynolds and his marketing firm Maximum Effort.

Peloton ride on 'Sex & The City' steers brand into damage-control mode

The premiere episode of the reboot of the HBO show in the US sent the fitness brand trending—and its communications team into action.

Behind the scenes of pharmaceutical giant Sanofi’s rebranding

The France-based company reemerged this week with a new logo — and a new way of thinking about its mission.

TikTok and Nick Tran: What happens when brand stunts miss the mark

Everyone loves a good stunt. But they can get tiresome after a while if they don’t align with a brand’s broader goals.

Adidas defends decision to tweet image of bare breasts

There appeared to be two schools of thought surrounding the campaign: Controversy around the blurring of nipples in the Instagram version of the ad as well as the use of bare breasts as 'titillation'.

Publicis Groupe restructures into four client-oriented hubs (Updated)

PARIS - Publicis Groupe is restructuring its business model by breaking down its disciplines into four "solutions hubs" with each client led by a chief client officer, effective January 2. The change includes a new role for Jarek Ziebinski, currently Leo Burnett's APAC chairman and CEO.

‘Sexy’ doesn’t always sell: M&M’s get positive feedback on mascot changes

Diana Bradley