Jon Wade Appointed Head of Digital Communications Practice for Weber Shandwick in Asia Pacific

HONG KONG, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick has appointed one of the UK marketing industry's leading digital experts, Jon Wade, to the newly-created role of head of Digital Communications practice, Asia Pacific, effective January 2011. Based in Hong Kong, Wade will provide regional leadership for Weber Shandwick's Digital Communications practice across its 17-office Asia Pacific network.

In this new regional-level position, Wade will be responsible for building cross-organizational collaboration, energising and educating practice groups about future opportunities in digital communications and inspiring creative multimarket solutions for clients, while championing thought leadership in the digital arena. He will report directly to Baxter Jolly, Weber Shandwick's vice chair for Asia Pacific.

"Jon is a leading light in the European digital marketing scene," said Tim Sutton, Weber Shandwick's Asia Pacific chairman. "His joining Weber Shandwick is testament to the dynamism and potential for digital communications in the Asia Pacific market and the momentum of Weber Shandwick's business in the region."

Wade, currently director of digital strategy at WPP-owned advertising and marketing company Wunderman, is one of the UK's top digital practitioners. He has more than 12 years of digital marketing experience encompassing strategic consultancy, client servicing, team management, project delivery, business operations management and online influencer mapping – an area of expertise in strong demand by clients in the Asia Pacific region. Wade is considered to be a leading player in social media marketing in the UK and has delivered award-winning work to some of the world's top brands, helping them to capitalize on the digital channel.

Wade also currently sits on the Europe Board of Directors for the Mobile Marketing Association and spoke at Cannes this year on the subject of "Does the rise of the app spell the end for the browser?" At Wunderman, Wade was responsible for digital strategy definition and execution across all of Wunderman's UK clients which include P&G, Lufthansa, Bank of America, Best Buy and Microsoft. Wade also designed and implemented new social media marketing models for Nokia, Ford and Land Rover worldwide.

Amongst Wade's previous assignments,  he worked with Haymarket Publishing to adjust its digital strategy for the Web 2.0 environment and advised ITV on corporate acquisition strategies to increase online revenues five-fold within 24 months. His earlier roles included country manager, UK & Ireland, for Falk eSolutions, and director of operations and global sales at Bluestreak International, both digital measurement and tracking businesses.

"This is a big step toward our goal of becoming a major player in the digital communications sphere in the region," continued Sutton. "Jon's extensive experience and industry knowledge will allow him to lead this growing practice, as we continue to increase our digital impact and exceed market expectation in Asia Pacific."

Wade's appointment comes on the heels of Weber Shandwick being named a Digital Agency of the Year at the 2010 PR News Digital Awards.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 74 countries around the world. The firm's success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates - engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy

advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an 'Agency of the Decade' by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, a Digital Firm of the Year by PR News, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com or http://www.webershandwick.asia.

SOURCE Weber Shandwick