Edelman appoints new execs in Asia

HONG KONG: Edelman made three high-level Hong Kong-based appointments in its Asia-Pacific operations last week.

Martin Spurrier has been hired away from Weber Shandwick Worldwide, and will become Edelman's EVP for Asia-Pacific and chairman of Hong Kong operations. Dr. David Li, chairman and CEO of the Bank of East Asia, has been named Edelman's chairman for Asia-Pacific.

"These appointments cap eight months of restructuring of our operations in this region," said Alan VanderMolen, Edelman's regional financial director, in a prepared statement. "(During this period), we have opened an office in Melbourne, and brought in a significant number of senior, Asia-Pacific experienced consultants to strengthen our client offer."

During Spurrier's time at WSW, he served as Asia-Pacific chairman. His clients have included AsiaSat, British Airways, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Dresdner RCM Global Investors, Fortis, Grant Thornton, and Newsweek.

Li's experience in public affairs and PR includes representing the finance constituency in the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.