Suprawee Poonsawat begins a new marcomms role

Manulife has welcomed Sylvia Evans as Chief Marketing Officer, Global High Net Worth & Head of Brand, Asia. Based in Hong Kong, she leads brand strategy for Asia and spearheads GHNW marketing aligned to business objectives.

Sylvia brings over two decades of marketing and communications leadership, with prior roles at VISTRA, Commonwealth Bank, and Cigna after starting her career in the U.S. in public policy and government affairs and was most recently in New York as Global Head of Communications at Zurich Cover-More, part of Zurich Insurance Group. 

Katch International has welcomed Zeinoun Aridi as Associate Director. In this role, he will lead on strategic communications, client servicing, and business growth, working across a portfolio of hospitality, lifestyle, and corporate accounts in the region.

Based in Dubai, Zeinoun brings over 12 years of experience in PR and communications across the Middle East. He has previously worked with agencies including Four Agency Worldwide, Paradox Events Qatar, Q Communications, and Action Global Communications in Beirut, building a track record across lifestyle, tourism, and consumer brands.

Dhara Bhatia, Group PR Director at Katch International, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Zeinoun to the team at an exciting time of growth for the agency. His regional experience, strong client understanding, and ability to lead with both strategy and creativity make him a valuable addition to our senior team. As we continue to expand our footprint across hospitality, lifestyle, and corporate sectors, Zeinoun will play a key role in strengthening our client offering and driving impactful, integrated campaigns.”

Commenting on his new role, Zeinoun said, “I’m really excited to be part of Katch and to be working on such a fun and diverse mix of accounts. Over the years, I’ve learned that while PR will always come with its fair share of pressure and fast-paced moments, the environment you’re in makes all the difference. Having a team that keeps things collaborative, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable is what really allows the work to flow, and I’m very happy to have found that here.” 

Perspective Strategies has been reappointed as the public relations agency for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, following a competitive pitch.

The agency first secured the account in 2022 and has been on retainer since 2023. After a formal pitch in October 2025, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia re-elected it in December, securing a renewed two-year mandate from January 2026 to December 2027, as the agency told Telum Media.

"Renewing our partnership with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is an exciting step for Perspective Strategies, allowing us to move beyond execution and provide more intuitive, strategic counsel," commented Tan May Lee, Partner & Executive Director at Perspective Strategies.

She further mentioned that with this renewal, the agency looks forward to delivering fresh, purposeful ideas - crafting narratives that not only amplify visibility but also build lasting trust and loyalty for the Mercedes-Benz brand. For May Lee, the partnership represents both continuity and evolution: strengthening ties with an iconic brand while advancing Perspective Strategies’ growth ambitions within Malaysia’s competitive PR landscape.

(Picture: Perspective Team at the launch of the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC)