PR News
<span id="hs_cos_wrapper_name" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="meta_field" data-hs-cos-type="text" >Entries open for SMMA and Gong Awards</span>

Entries open for SMMA and Gong Awards

The Association of Advertising and Marketing Singapore (AAMS) has opened entries for its flagship award programmes, including the Singapore Media Marketing Awards (SMMA) and Gong Awards.

Themed Fearless Frontiers, SMMA 2026 aims to recognise campaigns and teams from local and multinational organisations that used AI to move faster, while drawing on human intelligence and capabilities. The media, content and communications category includes awards such as Best in Communications / PR, Best PR Campaign and Best Use of Integrated Media.

The Gong Awards 2026, themed Defiers of Destiny, aims to recognise the industry’s best ideas that move culture and drive business results. Award categories include PR Gongs, as well as Brand Experience and Activation Gongs. 

Previous story

Former ASIC comms head launches Hume Strategies

You might also enjoy

PR
Moves

PR LAB appoints Executive Director

Mei Ling Foo (pictured left) has been named Executive Director at PR LAB in Malaysia.

In her role, she will work closely with Natasha Loo (pictured right), Founder of the communications agency, to oversee day-to-day operations, client partnerships and the internal team, while supporting business growth.

Mei Ling brings more than 15 years of PR and strategic communications experience, having worked with brands across the luxury, lifestyle, hospitality, and consumer sectors. 

Praytell
Industry update

Praytell expands into Asia, appoints Debbie Chin as lead

Praytell has expanded into the Asian market and set up a new office in Singapore. Leading the new operation is industry veteran Debbie Chin, who joins the agency as Executive Vice President (EVP), Asia.

The office is built to support global brands navigating the Asian markets, while serving as a launchpad for brands looking to expand into the U.S. and beyond. Debbie drives global brand strategy alongside regional specialists, helming an integrated, growing team of six marketing and communications professionals supported by Praytell’s global creative, strategy, and insights teams.

"Launching in Asia is a massive step forward in our global journey," said Beth Cleveland, CEO of Praytell. "While much of the industry is consolidating, we are actively investing in growth. With Debbie leading the charge from Singapore, we are pairing our independent, agile spirit with her deep regional expertise to deliver the innovative, localized storytelling that global brands need right now."

Debbie brings more than 25 years of global communications experience across London, Shanghai and Singapore. She has partnered with companies across FMCG, luxury, beauty and lifestyle, including Unilever and P&G, helping brands navigate change, build reputation and drive growth through strategic thinking, creativity and integrated communications.

"Joining Praytell at this moment of global growth is an incredible opportunity," said Debbie. "Singapore sits at the crossroads of global business, and brands today are looking for deep local insights paired with world-class innovation. I’m thrilled to bring Praytell’s global centres of excellence to Asia, and to combine our best-in-class capabilities with genuine regional fluency to drive smart, culture-first impact for our clients."

Debbie also joins Praytell’s recently launched Global Impact Team. This specialised leadership group includes CEO Beth Cleveland, President Katelyn Driscoll, CFO Akash Desai, EVP and Australia Lead Zoe Watson, EVP and Travel Practice Lead Jamie Simpson, and Project Chief Growth Officer Charles Robinson, who work collectively to support Praytell’s overarching global growth and cross-border connectivity.

The launch of Praytell Singapore is designed to create an integrated collaboration point within the Project Worldwide alliance, which is aimed to help brands build meaningful brand experiences by connecting expertise across marketing, communications, entertainment, strategy, and innovation. Based within Project Hub at The Concourse in Singapore, Praytell will unite its creative communications capabilities with the regional strengths of sister agencies including global experience marketing agency George P. Johnson and cultural brand experience agency DARKHORSE.

"In today's fragmented landscape, clients are increasingly demanding seamless, cross-disciplinary innovation," said Ben Taylor, CEO of Project Worldwide APAC. "Bringing Praytell’s world-class earned and creative capabilities into Asia is a key accelerator for Project's global growth ambitions. By partnering Praytell’s independent, agile spirit with our established regional footprint, we are delivering the complete, hyperconnected creative ecosystem that global brands need to win."

Senior
Moves

Senior comms promotion at PNB Holdings

Von Edrian Villanueva has stepped up to the role of Assistant Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications at PNB Holdings.

Based in the Philippines, he spearheads a range of communications initiatives, spanning corporate branding and reputation, public relations, press engagement, content development, digital communications, and events. Von has garnered more than a decade of communications experience across the non-profit, retail, and property sectors.