PR News
Steve Fontanot

Havas Red's 2026 Red Sky Prediction report on key trends for year ahead

Havas Red has released its 2026 Red Sky Predictions report. This ninth edition of the report included input from 24 of the agency's markets in the region.

It highlighted 14 trends that will impact brand communications in Asia Pacific, in particular cultural fragmentation, rising misinformation, private digital communities, and acceleration of AI.

Steve Fontanot (pictured), Commercial Managing Director APAC at HAVAS Red, commented: “The Asia-Pacific region is a wonderfully diverse, with a lot of contrasts - hyper-connected yet privacy-conscious, tech-driven yet deeply human. Our 2026 predictions show that success will come to brands that embrace bold creativity, invest in trust and adapt to technologies like generative AI without losing cultural nuance and human intelligence. Now in its ninth year, this report from Havas Red brings together the brightest minds in our global Network, and we’re pleased to share it once again with the world.” 

Key predictions from the report include:

  • Crisis mode as business as usual: With geopolitical tensions, climate volatility and economic uncertainty impacting APAC markets, crisis readiness will become a core competency for communicators. 
  • Synthetic research becomes standard: AI-driven audience simulations will accelerate campaign planning and stress-testing, enabling brands to adapt quickly to APAC’s fragmented consumer landscape. 
  • Truth as the ultimate brand value: In markets where trust is fragile and misinformation rampant, brands that demonstrate transparency and authenticity will win loyalty. 
  • Boldness is the new benchmark: From experiential activations in Australia to influencer-led campaigns in Southeast Asia, brands must push creative boundaries to cut through content fatigue. 
  • Closed communities > public feeds: With consumers in APAC gravitating toward private digital spaces like WeChat groups, Discord, and Telegram, influence will hinge on authentic engagement within niche communities.

Key APAC case studies include:

  • In Australia, Wise’s “Fleece Free FX” activation at Bondi Beach featured live sheep and theatrical stunts aimed at depicting hidden bank fees.
  • Across Southeast Asia, from Cebuano hashtags in the Philippines to regional dialect videos on TikTok in Indonesia, brands picked up on dialect-first content trends and engaged lo-fi, creator-led storytelling. 
  • As part of their closed community strategies, brands invested in WeChat and Telegram micro-groups to build intimacy and loyalty within fandoms. 

The report further touched upon the shift in discoverability, with brands transitioning from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimisation, as well as the move towards creator-led storytelling and niche voices. 

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CampaignLab promotes team member to General Manager

Independent creative communications agency, CampaignLab, has promoted Thalia Mills to General Manager, as the agency celebrates its tenth anniversary.

She joined the team in 2021 and now takes on a leadership role with responsibility for team development, client excellence, operational leadership and driving innovation across social, earned and AI-enabled creativity.

Thalia said: "CampaignLab has always been a place that backs people, champions bravery and celebrates creativity. It’s the trust we build with our clients that makes the best work happen and lets us truly join the conversation."

Founder and Director, Andy Scales, said the agency's milestone offers a moment to reflect on its roots and continued evolution.

"When we launched CampaignLab a decade ago, the idea was to help brands join the conversations that matter - regardless of channel. Our first three hires were in digital advertising, content production and social media to complement our earned media heritage," he said. 

"Ten years later, while the industry chases new models and approaches, ours hasn’t changed, but the opportunities have exploded."

(Pictured: Thalia Mills)

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Fresh agency chapter for Caitlin O'Hagan

Caitlin O'Hagan has joined the team at Neon Black as Account Director. She has wrapped up nearly five years at Ogilvy PR ANZ, most recently as Senior Account Manager for clients including Westfield, American Express and ALDI. Prior to this, Caitlin was at Archetype. 

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Edelman bolsters APAC leadership with two senior appointments

Edelman has appointed Pooja Rawat as Chief Strategy Officer for APAC, and Quang Nguyen as Managing Director of its Vietnam operation.

Based in Mumbai, Pooja brings 18 years of experience in building brands across regions, from India to Southeast Asia, Central Asia and China. She joins the agency from MullenLowe Lintas, and has worked with Axis Bank, Tata Motors, Saridon, Supradyn, Godrej, PhonePe, Jeep, Vim, and Lifebuoy.

Quang steps into the role as the firm strengthens its presence and capabilities in Vietnam, with a focus on integrated communications, brand reputation, and corporate advisory. She builds on the strong foundation established by former CEO Thi Thien Thanh (TT) Nguyen, who remains with the firm in an advisory capacity. Quang was most recently Managing Director at BCM Vietnam, where she led a team of 100 and deepened partnerships with clients including Unilever Food Solutions, Organon, Masan and Vinamilk.

Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s CEO for Asia Pacific, said, “Pooja’s appointment strengthens our strategic consulting capabilities across the region. This is a moment of transformation for Edelman APAC, and Pooja’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping how we show up for our clients and our people.

He added, "Quang’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Edelman Vietnam. Her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and proven ability to drive growth make her the ideal leader to build on TT’s legacy and lead our business into its next phase. I want to sincerely thank TT for her exceptional leadership and am grateful that she will continue to support us in an advisory role to ensure continuity and stability.”

Pooja said, “I’m delighted to join Edelman and take on the opportunity to shape strategy across diverse markets, as well as partner with some of the world’s most dynamic brands. I look forward to collaborating with the firm’s talented teams to deliver bold, integrated solutions that drive real impact.”

Quang commented, “I am thrilled to join Edelman Vietnam at such a pivotal moment for the business and the industry. I look forward to working with the firm’s talented teams and valued clients to drive growth, build trust, and deliver impactful work that elevates Vietnam’s reputation on the global stage, and takes the firm into its next chapter of success.”