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| Lucy Davies appointed senior vice president in Malaysia |
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| Lucy Davies, senior vice president, Malaysia |
This August, Weber Shandwick Malaysia appointed Lucy Davies as their new senior vice president.
Lucy brings more than 12 years of experience from agency and in-house settings, for both boutique and multinational companies. She most recently worked with The Royal Bank of Scotland, where she managed key stakeholder communications and media relations. Lucy also has several years experience in the corporate and consumer fields—lifestyle, health, diet, entertainment, luxury and fast moving consumer goods.
“Lucy’s appointment will strengthen our overall value proposition in the market. She brings with her a tremendous set of skills and a broad range of experience that will enhance our client relations while giving our operations a new strategic edge,” said Anne Gabriel, managing director, Weber Shandwick Malaysia. “She will be invaluable in helping senior management to maintain and further develop our leading position in the market here.”
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| Stephen May, new vice president of Hong Kong’s technology practice |
Frances Hui joins Hong Kong’s technology practice as consultant |
Weber Shandwick has strengthened the Hong Kong technology/telecommunications practice with two new hires
that add vast experience in technology public relations.
Stephen May has been appointed as vice president of Hong Kong’s technology practice. He is responsible
for leading the technology team with clients including Agilent, Microsoft, Nortel, Palm and Verizon Business.
With more than 10 years of B2B and B2C technology PR, Stephen has led pan-regional and global PR teams in a range
of communications and marketing campaigns. Stephen joins Weber Shandwick from Dassault Systemes, a world leader
in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Deutsche Telekom where he held international
communications roles. Prior to working in-house, Stephen served multiple technology sectors during his agency
experience, including software companies such as IBM software Group, BEA, BMC and Network Associates.
Frances Hui has been appointed as a consultant with the technology practice. With more than five years of PR experience in technology and finance, she has served clients such as eBay Hong Kong,
Experian, Microsoft, Pixel Magic Phoenix Technologies and Samsung.
Weber Shandwick’s Hong Kong technology practice has a strong track record of delivering advocacy,
creativity and results for our clients. The new staff will bolster our already substantial expertise as we continue
to see high demand for services in Hong Kong and the regional technology sector.
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| Nazneen Barodawala, general manager, Weber Shandwick Mumbai |
Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick (CV|WS) recently appointed Nazneen Barodawala as general manager to the company’s
Mumbai operations. Nazneen has been with the company for more than seven years and has been instrumental in the execution
of many successful campaigns for clients across industry sectors.
Commenting on this appointment, Shiv Reddy, CV|WS CEO said, “Nazneen has been a key manager for us since 2001.
She’s done great work for her clients, is an energetic leader and a great people manager. Her astute skill in strategy
development, training sessions, business development, operations and resource management makes her the undisputed choice for
the coveted role. At Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick, we believe in delivering only the best to our clients—with her
expertise in such a wide variety of sectors, we are confident that we will continue to do so.”
Nazneen Barodawala said, “I am truly delighted at this opportunity in such a dynamically growing region. This new role
and position comes at a time when we at Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick have been growing rapidly. Our market-by-market
understanding of the cultural, commercial, political and media environment, matched with unrivalled expertise from Weber
Shandwick’s worldwide network, ensures that we remain competitive in both our local markets and on a global scale.
“It is exciting times for the PR profession in India, and I am really happy to be part of an industry which is growing
leaps and bounds. I hope to leverage my past experience to establish and grow Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick’s business
further” said Nazneen.
Nazneen comes with an experience of over 13 years in the industry. Her earlier work experience includes handling
FII’s in the Securities & Custodial Services at Deutsche Bank, Mumbai for over two years. In addition, she has been
associated with recognised financial companies such as Tata Finance, Mani Investments Pvt. Ltd., etc.
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| Rachel Faulkner, account director in Singapore, also works as regional leader to our global CR initiative |
1. How did you get into PR?
I was elected as my university's Student President; a role in which I developed a passion for building public awareness
campaigns. Then, after a false start as a graduate buyer for Marks and Spencer’s (deciding on manufacturing quantities
of men's socks was not for me!) I moved into the world of public relations and I have never looked back.
2. Please explain what you do at Weber Shandwick.
I am an account director for the corporate practice in Singapore mainly working on the Asia Pacific MasterCard account.
I am also a regional leader for corporate responsibility (CR), an increasingly important area of focus for many of our clients.
3. What is your greatest achievement (personal or professional)?
Personally, learning to fly solo at the age of 16. I was an air cadet at the time (I know—pretty geeky) but sadly my wings
have since expired!
Professionally, while at The Prince’s Trust I shifted the charity’s communications strategy from a focus on
“glamorous” fundraising events to focus on becoming a leading voice for the UK’s disadvantaged and disenfranchised youth.
The results were stunning with increases in youth participation and awareness, funds raised and government and stakeholder engagement.
Best of all, we still worked on the high-profile events, such as royal film premiers and Hyde Park concerts, while delivering stronger,
charity associated messages. A real win-win situation.
4. What person (alive or dead, industry or non-industry) would you most like to work with?
Mary Robinson—first female president of Ireland and ex-UN High commissioner for human rights. Today she chairs Oxfam International
and the Council for World Women Leaders and is inspirational as a leader, negotiator and calming influence. Skills I think we would all
love to learn.
5. What’s the best book you’ve read recently and why?
I have just finished “A Sea of Poppies” by
Amitav Ghosh,
a turn-of-the-century tale about a ship carrying American, European and Asian passengers on their way to start a new life in Mauritius.
Ghosh paints a fabulously vivid picture with his words.
6. Who is your favorite band/singer?
I’m a massive fan of female singer/songwriters, and Sheryl Crow is perhaps my all time favorite. Right now though, I particularly
love “On a Clear Night,” a new release by Missy Higgins, an Australian artist with an angelic voice and sassy songwriting
skills. Check her out for yourself! www.missyhigggins.com
7. What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
I’ve been lucky; I have lots! But perhaps the most bizarre took place while I was a press officer at the Millennium Dome in London.
This included being “on call” when a heavily armed but bungling group of south London criminals tried to steal the DeBeers
Millennium Star diamond using a fork-lift truck as their break-in and getaway “car.” A scary, funny and exciting piece of
issues management experience!
8. Tell us something that your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you.
In the past, I have sung in bands of various kinds. Not looking to hit the stage in Singapore just yet but there is always karaoke or
the shower for practice in the meantime…
9. What location would you most like to visit next on a holiday and why?
I really want to go to Northern India as it is such a historically and geographically fascinating place.
10. How are you an advocate?
Fundamentally, because I believe I can make a positive difference, otherwise why are we here? We can achieve this difference in so many
ways; in how we support a colleague, the extra thought we put into a client proposal or how we use our spare time (I am a volunteer for
UNIFEM and WWF here in Singapore).
I truly believe we work in one of the greatest professions around—where else can you get exposure to so many businesses with
so many fascinating issues and events? So it’s really up to us to make the most of the opportunities we have!
11. What is your motto/what words do you live by?
“Unless you knock, no one is going to open the door for you.” (African proverb)
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| Weber Shandwick China arrive in Phuket, Thailand |
In July, over 100 people from Weber Shandwick’s Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou offices attended an annual company trip—one
group headed for the beaches of Phuket and another headed to shoppers’ paradise Tokyo.
Katy Chang shares her experience on Thailand’s golden beaches
In Phuket, we travelled to Coral Island by speed boat, where some of us cooled off in the shallow waters, drifting
and floating in our life jackets—made mandatory since the 2004 tsunami. Others participated in water sports on and under the sea: From
the high-speed twists and turns of jet boats and banana boats, to the “ocean walker helmet dive” —walking on the sea floor
wearing what looks like an astronaut’s helmet. Back on Phuket Island, we visited the largest Buddhist temple in Phuket, Chalong Temple,
where some of us also sought blessings from the four-faced Buddha at the Erawan Shrine.
At the end of the day, all of us winded down with a full-hour Thai massage, which while relaxing for most, induced giggles and yelps of pain
from others, making it all the more of a bonding experience.
The rest of our time in Phuket went by like a flash. Days were filled with strolls along Patong beach, more massages and the nights were
marked by bar hopping and general merriment. The highlight of the trip was an authentic Thai feast in a residential neighbourhood, which opened
our eyes to mouthwatering Thai cuisine beyond shrimp cakes and tom yum soup.
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| Weber Shandwick China arrive in Tokyo |
Carolyn Devanayagam shares her experience in the dynamic city of Tokyo
We left Shanghai without a hitch, flying straight over the Sea of Japan to Tokyo in just under three hours. The weather upon arrival was
glorious and set the tone for a splendid summer escape.
We headed for Ginza, a shopper’s paradise and a feast for the eyes. The streets were bustling with crowds of immaculately dressed
women and dashing men in suits. The shops were filled with all the latest styles and of course, hi-tech gadgets. From Ginza’s manicured
streets to its quaint little cafes, we were already sold on destination Tokyo.
We then headed for Hakone—a famous tourist spot and weekend retreat for many Japanese. The journey provided stunning views which
included the captivating site of Mt Fuji. The mere sight of such natural grandeur, so close to Tokyo, made all of us a little envious of
Tokyo’s residents who get to enjoy it far more often. We spent the night at a charming hotel that had access to hot springs. We also
enjoyed delicious Japanese cuisine. With friends, good food, and an excellent location, what more could we ask for?
On our penultimate day we returned to Tokyo where we took the time to visit the Emperor’s Palace and its famous gardens. In the
midst of sky scrapers and bustling streets, seeing ancient Japanese architecture in the setting of lush green gardens was a highlight for
many. And, before leaving we made sure there was time for some last minute shopping—at a huge mall near Narita—where many of
us bought more than we could carry home.
The trip was rejuvenating despite Tokyo’s reputation for its fast pace of life and precision train timetable. We certainly savoured
the best of the city and its neighbouring town. It was also fascinating to learn more about the culture, which although is clearly hardworking
appears to have the right balance to achieve health and longevity.
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