PARIS — Publicis Groupe has announced at Viva Technology Paris a strategic partnership with Tencent, the internet giant that operates the most popular social and media platforms in China. The partnership is the first-of-its-kind collaboration across a global advertising group and all 11 products of Tencent, China’s largest internet company.  Through this partnership, Publicis Groupe and Tencent will launch a ‘Drugstore’ incubation facility, to curate, invest in and cultivate the start-ups of the future. Tencent will also offer Publicis Groupe access to its vast and rich online behavioral data. And, the two companies will partner on the co-creation and co-investment of web native content to drive unique content opportunities and new content models for key clients.

SINGAPORE — DeVries Global has hired Roman Kibe as regional VP of social strategy in Asia. In this newly-created role, Kibe will be responsible for building the region’s center of excellence for influencer communications and creative integrated campaigns while enhancing the agency’s overall digital and social offering. He will report to Andres Vejarano, DeVries Global’s, regional MD in Asia. Kibe joins from Lewis Pulse where he managed digital operations for the APAC region.

HONG KONG — Edelman Digital has hired Andrew Ryder as North Asia strategy director; Geoff Dossor as Japan digital creative director; Tetsu Fujikawa as Japan creative director; and Masaki Gunnarson as Japan digital social, paid and analytics director. Ryder joins from Isobar Hong Kong, where he spent the past two years leading the strategy and social team. Dossor was previously CCO of MRM Japan and COO of I&SBBDO Proximity.

DELHI — Glenfiddich has chosen Thinkstr and PPR South Asia as its agency partners in India. Thinksr will handle the creative mandate along with PPR South Asia that will manage the communications campaigns for Glenfiddich.

SINGAPORE — Ketchum has promoted Judith Knight from SVP to deputy GM of its Singapore office. In addition, the firm has hired  Renee Bender from Critical Mass as SVP of creative and digital.