By Arun Sudhaman

LONDON: Nokia UK and Ireland comms chief Anna Shipley has departed her role for a new position in Bejing, overseeing  the mobile phone giant’s PR across China, Japan and Korea.

The reshuffle, which has also seen Shipley’s Beijing-based predecessor Louise Ingram shift to Nokia’s Finland HQ to head global mobile phone comms, comes as the company searches for one agency to support its PR needs across the US, UK and head office. Currently, three agencies – Ketchum, Good Relations and GolinHarris – handle the separate briefs.

Shipley departs the UK after 10 years, five of which were spent at Nokia. She told the Holmes Report that she will aim to “help build our brand and market presence, as well as showcase innovation in creative and engaging ways that ultimately support the Nokia business across Asia and all around the world.”

Shipley now reports to Nokia’s local communications head, Marianne Holmlund. Last year, Nokia made another significant global appointment, naming former Harvard PR MD Lee Brooke to lead comms for its mobile solutions group, which oversees its smartphone and mobile computing business.

While Shipley said she has no plans to review agency support in the markets under her leadership, Nokia is pressing ahead with plans to consolidate its US, UK and head office accounts with a single agency.

Ketchum currently handles the US business, after successfully retaining the account during a review in late 2009. Good Relations, meanwhile, has overseen the £400,000 UK and Ireland brief for barely a year, the latest in a string of agencies to service the business in London.

GolinHarris won the £300,00 head office account, supporting Nokia’s international communications, in early 2008.

Last year, Nokia also ended its partnership with long-term Indian agency Text 100, opting instead to split the account between Fleishman-Hillard and Six Degrees.

Shipley said that Nokia is seeking a a “joined up approach across key media centers.” It is understood that several global networks have already received RFIs, ahead of a pitch process.