BRISBANE—Rowland has launched a specialty business unit, Rowland Global Access, which will assist Australian organizations access international markets by drawing on a network of over 100 offices throughout the world. The initiative will draw on the resources of Rowland’s global affiliate FleishmanHillard and will offer advice on market research, point-of-entry marketing strategies, government and political environments, media analysis and media relations, social media, corporate communication and reputation management, and community and stakeholder engagement.

SINGAPORE—Nikon Singapore has selected Lewis PR to run its PR campaign in Singapore. Lewis is tasked with positioning Nikon as a world leader in digital imaging products. The remit is to focus on media and influencer relations, broadening the media exposure from professional and niche publications to mainstream consumer media. Lewis will promote the Nikon brand as a leader in professional imaging equipment, as well as an innovative lifestyle brand.

HONG KONG—Jye Smith (pictured) has been appointed Asia Pacific head of Mediaco, Weber Shandwick’s content creation and distribution unit. Smith will oversee all Mediaco activity for the firm in Asia Pacific, including driving new business, expanding key client relationships, and building Weber Shandwick’s Mediaco offering throughout the region. He continues to report into Jon Wade, head of Digital, Asia Pacific.
 
SYDNEY—Ian Pope has joined Edelman Australia as corporate group director. Pope will be responsible for expanding and leading the firm’s corporate communication services across Australia, including the continued development of its financial communications, executive counsel and training capabilities. Prior to joining Edelman, he was a partner and director at Magnus Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, one of Australia’s leading boutique advisory firms. Earlier, he was director and head of corporate, financial services and crisis and issues management at Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

SINGAPORE—Ogilvy Public Relations Singapore has named Rika Sharma to take charge of Social@Ogilvy and spearhead its next phase of growth. Sharma has served as director of Social@Ogilvy and regional director for Unilever’s digital business for the past 12 months. She succeeds Jenna Boller, who is returning to her native North America to drive the social offering for Ogilvy PR’s West Coast offices.

HONG KONG—Racepoint Group is partnering with StartmeupHK, which aims to help innovative and high impact ventures develop their global businesses in Hong Kong. The Racepoint Group Hong Kong team will be providing the three winners of the StartmeupHK venture programme with 12 months of public relations support.

HONG KONG—Edelman Digital has appointed Thomas Tang as director of paid and social media strategy for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa. Tang is based in Hong Kong, overseeing digital operations locally in addition to Edelman’s paid media strategy across the region. Before relocating to Hong Kong, Tang was the paid and social media strategy lead for Edelman’s US Western Region operations working with clients such as Qualcomm, Adobe, PayPal, Microsoft and Starz Networks.

BANGALORE—Aim High Consulting is managing public relations for TenTenTen Digital products. TenTenTen is the brainchild of digital marketing expert Ramesh Srivats, and builds digital properties designed to increase a brand's engagement with its audience.

HONG KONG—DT Communications Asia Pacific was appointed as primary worldwide public relations agency responsible for the upcoming Business of Design Week 2013.