Real Chemistry, an AI and insights-driven healthcare communications network, has announced the appointment of four senior international leaders and expanded its regional hub presence.

Kath Harrison has been named Group President, International Growth, based in Dubai. She leads international growth and delivery of end-to-end capabilities across global markets.

Kath also serves as General Manager of the Dubai office, to strengthen Real Chemistry’s presence in the Middle East and its ability to support clients in Asia Pacific and beyond. Most recently, Kath was President, International Markets at GCI Health, where she helped lead the company’s expansion across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Brandon Pletsch has been appointed President, Europe, based in Germany. Louise Clark takes on the role of President, Integrated Communications, Global, and Eleanor Read the role of President, Integrated Communications, Europe - both based in the UK.

The company’s strategy includes further strengthening its presence across its key international markets, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America, through a combination of regional hubs and an expanded affiliate network. Initial investments include new hub offices in Munich, Zurich and Dubai, with additional hub enhancements and in-market team expansion planned later this year.
​​​​​​
“Healthcare companies today are operating in a far more complex, multi-market environment, and they need partners who can think and act globally while delivering locally,” said Suzanne Jacobs, Head of International Markets & Group President, Medical Communications. “By expanding our international leadership and strengthening our regional hub model, we are deepening our ability to support clients across borders - from molecule to market - with the consistency and integrated expertise required to drive meaningful impact worldwide.”

The Hoffman Agency has made two senior appointments in its Singapore office to strengthen client servicing across multiple geographies.

Akansha Rai (pictured left) has been appointed Senior Vice President, Client Partnerships. She will lead regional programmes spanning Southeast Asia, Greater China, and India for brands including Zoom, Oracle, Ripple, and Western Digital. Akansha brings close to two decades of experience across Asia Pacific, spanning stakeholder engagement, reputation management and policy communications.

Keng Wee Ng (pictured right) has joined as Vice President, Client Partnerships. He brings more than 16 years of communications experience across change and issues management, internal and external communications, government relations, and partnerships. Keng Wee spent close to a decade with communications agencies before moving in-house, where he led regional communications at WeWork and PropertyGuru.

Both Akansha and Keng Wee will report to Maureen Tseng, Managing Director, Southeast Asia.

Burson has been appointed to lead integrated communications for Norwegian Seafood Council in Japan following a competitive, multi-year pitch. This news marks the expansion of the agency's partnership with the Council beyond its existing South Korea remit.

With this new appointment, Burson is expected to deliver strategic counsel and integrated execution across earned media, influencer engagement, industry communications, and brand activations to strengthen awareness, consideration, and consumption of Norwegian seafood across the Korean and Japanese seafood markets.

"We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council into Japan, one of the world’s most sophisticated seafood markets," said HS Chung, Asia-Pacific CEO, Burson. "Building on our success in Korea, we look forward to highlighting the versatility of Norwegian seafood and educating both trade and consumer audiences on the wide range of choices and innovative menus available, through culturally fluent storytelling, data-led strategy and consistent execution across markets."

"Burson has delivered excellent strategic thinking, deep market insight and proven performance in Korea," said Johan Kvalheim, Counsellor Fisheries at the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo, representing the Norwegian Seafood Council. "As we enter this next phase in Japan, we’re excited to expand our partnership with Burson to strengthen awareness of Norwegian seafood, highlight its quality and sustainability and support long term demand in two of our key Asian markets."

This news follows a series of new business wins and expanded remits for Burson, including global brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, Kenvue, and the UK Government.