SINGAPORE — MSLGroup has hired Suya Kim as its managing director in order to strengthen its integration into the multi-disciplinary Publicis Communications team in Singapore. Kim will focus on new business development and brand leadership. She will report to Publicis Communications Singapore CEO Lou Dela Pena and work closely with MSLGroup Asia president Glenn Osaki. 

HONG KONG — The Hoffman Agency has named Caroline Hsu as managing director for Asia-Pacific. She returns to the consultancy after 20 years working across marketing, communications and branding. Hsu recently served as a chief marketing officer at Appier, a tech company that works with businesses and artificial intelligence. Prior to that, she was head of communications for Google Taiwan and Hong Kong. Before that, Hsu led marketing and communications at TomTom Asia and Dopod, as well as brand communications at BenQ.

SINGAPORE — Footwear company Crocs has appointed Hill+Knowlton Strategies as its PR and communications agency for China and Korea following competitive pitches in both markets. H+K will help further develop and implement the brand's PR strategy for the marketplaces in China and Korea and will also run Croc's press offices and KOL relations. Senior strategist Mark Leong will lead the charge as director of integrated marketing for Japan.

BEIJING — Low cost airline Scoot has appointed DeVries Global as the company's public relations agency to spearhead its communications and advocacy program in China. Scoot is the medium-to-long haul arm of the Singapore Airlines Group. 

SINGAPORE — Strategic Public Relations Group (SPRG) has hired four new team members. Jian Yang and Jin Ooi join as business directors and Ivan Lim as editor of the group's newsroom. Yang was the head of content and ideation at OMD Singapore, and was a global strategy director for the Transformers brand. Meanwhile, Ooi has over 20 years experience in strategic communication and is the former business director at Dentsu Singapore. Lim, who has over 30 years experience in media and journalism, and has helped launch the TODAY Newspaper. 

SYDNEY — Global automotive company SAIC Motor Corporation has appointed DEC PR to lead strategic communications for MG Motor in Australia. SAIC is one of China's largest automotive manufacturers and is increasing its trade to the Australian automotive sector. The firm is tasked with leading consumer brand building activities spanning PR, media, events, social media and influencer marketing. DEC PR will be working closely with Atomic 212, which was recently appointed to lead the advertising, creative and media buying activities for MG Motor. 

SINGAPORE — French spirits group Remy Cointreau has appointed DeVries Global to spearhead its communications program for its full brand portfolio in Singapore, including LOUIS XIII, Remy Martin, Cointreau, Bruichladdich, The Botanist and Mount Gay. The new partnership will help grow the positioning of the group's brands in Singapore through stronger brand awareness and advocacy. 

HONG KONG — ManWah Holdings has appointed Kevin Castellani into the newly created role of director of corporate communications. He will be responsible for external communications and brand positioning to the trade and consumer press. He will also be responsible for the company's digital strategy, updating the website and building a stronger e-commerce platform. Castellani is also tasked with working on mergers and acquisitions and strategic partnerships with North American companies that want to enter the Chinese market through an alliance with the firm. He will work with the US team and the parent company in China on all global communications as the company continues to expand. 

WELLINGTON — Sling & Stone has announced its first international expansion in Wellington, New Zealand. Recent new wins for the firm include bringing Chicago brewery Goose Island to Australia, introducing health care booking and access HealthEngine to Australians, and online shopping platform BigCommerce.