Weber Shandwick has made key leadership appointments to drive growth and innovation across its Asia-Pacific operations. The appointments include Polka Yu as APAC Chief Integration Officer (CIO) and Managing Director for Hong Kong and South China (Shenzhen), Carolyn Devanayagam as Managing Director of Singapore, and Robert Magyar as APAC Head of Healthcare.
Yu will collaborate closely with the regional team to develop and implement integrated marketing communications strategies. Her focus will be on driving organic growth with key clients while cultivating new client relationships across the region.
Additionally, Yu will lead the expansion of the Hong Kong market and oversee the China Go Global initiative, managing international communications for China-based clients from the agency’s Hong Kong and Shenzhen offices. Yu brings 20 years of experience in strategic consultation and planning for integrated global campaigns, business development, and team management in APAC, especially in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Meanwhile, Devanayagam will focus on accelerating the agency’s growth by enhancing its capabilities in key business areas. She recently celebrated 25 years of service with the agency, marking a distinguished multi-decade career spanning Southeast Asia, China, and the United States.
In addition to her new role, Devanayagam will continue to serve as the Head of Corporate Affairs in the region, providing strategic counsel to key global clients, and partnering with corporations, NGOs, and industry leaders to drive impactful initiatives.
With more than 20 years of experience advising senior executives in strategic communications and healthcare across various markets, Magyar will focus on driving growth, strengthening client relationships, and nurturing talent within the firm’s healthcare division.
The trio will report directly to Tyler Kim, CEO of Weber Shandwick APAC.
“These leadership appointments reflect our unwavering commitment to providing world-class services to our clients and partners. Polka, Carolyn, and Robert’s deep understanding of our markets and industry verticals will be instrumental in driving our strategy forward and ensuring we stay at the forefront of the communications landscape in Asia Pacific”, Tyler said.
He added, “As we enter the next phase of our growth, we are focused on embracing change and making strategic improvements to deliver exceptional results for our clients. These appointments, along with our increased focus on industry-specific expertise, position us optimally for continued success in the region”.