Weber Shandwick Brings in Industry Veterans Across Asia Pacific to Boost Bench Strength

Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global communications and marketing solutions firms, has made several key appointments across Mumbai, Singapore, and Tokyo. Adding to the firm’s creative, consumer, operations, healthcare, and public affairs capabilities, the new appointments further expand Weber Shandwick’s expertise in Asia Pacific and ensure an even greater range of creative solutions for clients going forward.

In Tokyo, KenZo Makino returns to the Interpublic Group of Companies as head of consumer, Weber Shandwick Japan, almost 20 years after opening FutureBrand in Tokyo. Since then, Makino has honed his craft as a brand consultant – first at Landor, then at PwC, and most recently at local consultancy Enjin, and joins the PR industry at a time when more and more clients in Japan are demanding communications that are integrated with their marketing and brand strategies.

Kaoru Nakagawa was appointed senior vice president, healthcare, Japan, after almost a decade at Edelman Japan. Nakagawa brings more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, branding, sustainability and risk communications for multinational and public sector clients in Japan and New York, across healthcare and wellness.

Megumi Takayama joins the firm as vice president, public affairs, Japan, following a five-year stint as unit chief and global communications strategy lead at the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan, serving under both the Abe and Suga administrations. Specialising in economic policy, Takayama has rich experience developing global communications strategies and campaign plans and has led diverse teams while executing complex campaigns.

In Singapore, Neil Leslie joins Weber Shandwick Singapore as executive creative director, Leslie has worked with numerous major brands across his more than twenty years of marketing and communications experience with leading agencies throughout Asia, including DDB, Ogilvy, BBDO, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Edelman. In addition, Sharon Mueller joined the healthcare team as vice president, healthcare, to meet the growth in medical communications.

With a focus on clients, people, and processes, Kavita Lakhani joins Weber Shandwick India as director, operations, India, working closely with Rohan Kanchan, managing director.  Lakhani has counselled a wide range of senior executives and organisations across a broad array of initiatives throughout her career.

“Fostering growth for our clients and our people will always remain a key priority for our business. Kavita, KenZo, Kauru, Megumi, Neil, and Sharon bring an extremely diverse portfolio to Weber Shandwick. With fresh perspectives, a wide range of capabilities, and extensive experience across different sectors and specialties, our new colleagues will play an instrumental role in helping our community grow and evolve into the future,” said Tyler Kim, CEO, Asia Pacific.