BEIJING—Aston Martin has appointed Porter Novelli as its agency of record in China. The appointment follows a competitive pitch to select a PR agency partner to build brand engagement with Aston Martin’s target audience of ultra-high net worth individuals in China. The work includes building social media, lifestyle and auto media and influencer relationships.

SYDNEY—Impact Communications Australia has added Horticulture Australia’s Chestnuts Australia account to promote chestnuts and signed Custard Apples Australia for the fourth consecutive year, strengthening the company’s fresh produce portfolio. The firm will address market research by Chestnuts Australia, which revealed sales of chestnuts were adversely affected because consumers do not know what to do with them. For Custard Apples, the firm will educate consumers on the availability of the fruit in 2012, after the previous year’s crop was negatively affected by bad weather.

HONG KONG—The Hoffman Agency has promoted Lydia Lau (pictured) to vice president of global operations. With 12 years of global operations experience at Hoffman Agency, Lau has a role in leading the Asia Pacific business operations and also works closely with the teams across Europe and the United States. She manages a wide range of the agency’s global operations including finance, IT, HR and administration. Prior to joining Hoffman, Lydia was finance manager in Weber Shandwick Hong Kong.

BANGKOK—Vero Public Relations, a full-service firm with offices in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, has joined the Oriella global alliance of independent communications firms. The network recently added Eastwest PR of China and Singapore.

SINGAPORE—Luxury car brand Lexus has signed a 12-month retainer with Ruder Finn for its media communications in Singapore.