SINGAPORE—Motorola is searching for PR agency support across a range of Asian countries, as the mobile brand steps up its emerging markets expansion plans.

The Google-owned mobile player is currently reviewing presentations from a number of PR agencies regarding its requirements across South and East Asia.

The pitch comes as Motorola unveils a new low-cost smartphone, the Moto G, which is aimed at consumers in emerging markets. The Moto G follows the Moto X, the US-focused smartphone that was released earlier this year.

Motorola hopes that the new phones will help transform the brand's flagging fortunes. Under Google, the company has lost nearly $2bn and has reduced its workforce from 20,000 to less than 4,000.

The company's plans are not expected, however, to include a focus on China, where it appointed Weber Shandwick as its PR partner earlier this year. Google's difficulties in China, where many of its services are blocked, mean that Motorola is not expected to launch the Moto G in that country.

Most of Motorola's global PR work is handled by Weber Shandwick. In addition to China, the agency consolidated PR duties across the UK and European markets earlier this year, adding to an existing alignment in North America. 

Motorola Mobility director of international and corporate communications Will Moss confirmed the review.