Senior marcomms appointment at SJ Group Hong Kong

Vero has elevated Peerapong Pongpakdee (pictured middle) to Director of AI, Innovation, & Insights for Southeast Asia.

In the role, Peerapong will oversee the consultancy’s regional capabilities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital innovation. He has led the insights team, formerly known as Vero IQ, for the last five years.

Based in Bangkok, Peerapong works with clients and colleagues across Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and more recently, with colleagues from Mad Hat Asia. He will lead Vero’s social listening and media monitoring capabilities, in addition to its Generative Engine Optimisation offering.

Additionally, Peerapong will also spearhead internal AI adoption initiatives across six markets through training, playbooks and workshops, while strengthening the implementation of Vero’s AI usage policy, covering client confidentiality, data privacy, intellectual property, and human oversight.

He also leads the management of Vero’s existing tech stack, which includes AI-powered content optimisation tool, EditorialIQ, as well as agentic AI for client, media, and back-office work.

Peerapong said: “The new name of our team reflects the work we are doing for our clients today,”

“We are here to help clients achieve their goals in Southeast Asia, navigate what AI means for their communications campaigns, understand their audiences more deeply, and build AI-powered solutions tailored to their needs so that brands and organizations are visible in the right places.”

Vero’s Chief Commercial Officer, Umaporn Whittaker-Thompson added: “The PR industry is expanding at a rapid pace, and strengthening our AI, Innovation, & Insights team is one of the crucial steps we are taking to ensure that we are not just keeping pace, but also pioneering the next generation of storytelling.

“We’ve already seen the value and impact of AI and data on client counseling and communications strategy. We are confident that this reinforced focus on the team’s capabilities will supercharge the delivery of high-impact work for our clients, accelerate our own business growth, and further elevate the standard of communications in Southeast Asia.”

Umesh Ratnagobal has joined Australian construction company, Kapitol, as Head of Corporate Affairs. He was previously at Laing O'Rourke as Head of Government and Client Relations. Prior to this, Umesh held comms roles within the government, tech, and oil and gas sectors.

Amy Wilson has begun a new role as Principal Communications and Corporate Affairs at Stanmore Resources. She has wrapped up a stint in the water sector at Urban Utilities as Senior Engagement Specialist. Prior to this, Amy held comms roles at mining company, Bravus Australia (formerly Adani Australia) for nearly eight years.