Singapore, 18 December 2024 – Weber Shandwick, the earned-first global communications firm, today announced strategic leadership appointments to drive growth and innovation across its Asia Pacific operations.

Polka Yu has been named APAC Chief Integration Officer (CIO) and Managing Director for Hong Kong and South China (Shenzhen). In this capacity, Yu will work closely with the regional team to drive and execute integrated marketing communications strategies. She will focus on driving organic growth with top-tier clients while building 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 Hong Kong and mainland China.

Carolyn Devanayagam has been appointed Managing Director of Singapore. As the market lead, 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, partnering with corporations, NGOs, and industry leaders to drive impactful initiatives.

To further strengthen its healthcare practice, Robert Magyar, who was recently appointed as a senior advisor for the region, is now named APAC Head of Healthcare. With over 20 years of experience advising senior executives in strategic communications and healthcare across multiple markets, Magyar will focus on driving growth, enhancing client relationships, and developing talent with the firm’s healthcare vertical.

“These leadership appointments reflect our unwavering commitment to providing world-class services to our clients and partners,” said Tyler Kim, CEO of Weber Shandwick APAC. “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. 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.”

Yu, Devanayagam, and Magyar report directly to Tyler Kim in their respective roles

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Please refer below for quotes by Polka Yu, Carolyn Devanayagam, and Robert Magyar

Polka Yu, Chief Integration Officer (APAC) / Managing Director, Hong Kong and South China (Shenzhen)

“I have long admired the Weber Shandwick team in APAC led by Tyler. As someone who has a passion for integrated communications (IC), I’m particularly excited to be part of a network that consistently delivers some of the most powerful creative campaigns in the industry. I look forward to supporting the team to further elevate our offerings in IC and in the China-going-global segment while continuing to build on the business success in Hong Kong and Shenzhen”

Carolyn Devanayagam, Managing Director, Singapore/ Head of Corporate Affairs, APAC

“My more than two-decade career at Weber Shandwick has been shaped by the agency’s bold culture of change and progress. This is an organization that not only embraces transformation at a company-wide level but also empowers its people to push boundaries and continuously grow. The breadth of my multi-market career has helped shape and steer me to where I am today, equipping me with the perspective and experience to navigate new challenges. I am excited to embark on my next chapter with Weber Shandwick and to contribute to the agency’s continued growth and evolution.”

Robert Magyar, Head of Healthcare, APAC

“The more time I spend with the team at Weber Shandwick, the more impressed I am by the dedication we have to our clients, people, and the industry. With the healthcare landscape evolving rapidly, it is incredibly exciting to be at the forefront, crafting innovative communications that make a real impact. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and contribute to shaping healthcare communications’ future.”

About Weber Shandwick:
Weber Shandwick is the earned-first global communications agency. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, Weber Shandwick has won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including being named #1 in the Public Relations and Brand Strategies category on Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies list, one of Fast Company’s Best Workplace for Innovators in 2023, PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Year in 2023 and being the most awarded PR agency at the 2023 + 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Weber Shandwick has been honored on Ad Age’s A-List in 2024 and 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019, in addition to being awarded PR Agency of the Year by Campaign US in 2021, honored as PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Decade in 2020 and ranking #1 on PRovoke’s Global Creative Index in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, the firm was named PRWeek’s Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 and was awarded PRWeek’s Purpose Agency of the Year in 2020 and 2021. Weber Shandwick also received Honorable Mention (and the only PR agency) on the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global Marketing Agencies in 2021. Part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), Weber Shandwick is the anchor agency within The Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC) – the strategic communications and consulting network. Cumulatively, TWSC has earned more than 225 Cannes Lions. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com