FleishmanHillard Opens in Thailand, Appoints Sophis Kasemsahasin as General Manager

Firm to Offer Digitally Led, Integrated Communications Services to International and Thai Clients

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Nov 20, 2013, 08:00 ET

BANGKOK, Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FleishmanHillard, the world's most complete global communications firm, further strengthened its presence in Southeast Asia by opening a wholly owned office in Bangkok, Thailand. The move boosts the agency's offering in the fast-growing Southeast Asia region, which already features owned operations in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The firm named industry veteran Sophis Kasemsahasin as senior vice president and general manager of the new office. FleishmanHillard's Thailand team will provide digitally led integrated communications services to clients across the corporate, technology, financial services, consumer and hospitality sectors. In addition, the firm will offer online reputation management, public relations, public affairs and other strategic communications consulting services to multinational companies operating in Thailand and to Thai companies operating locally and internationally.

"Thailand is an important hub for international trade and a gateway to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), so it made good business sense to establish a wholly owned office in this market," said Dave Senay, president and CEO of FleishmanHillard. "We see a great opportunity to lead the communications industry in Thailand by providing a truly differentiated service that combines digital with integrated communications solutions. The powerful combination of the two will help companies build corporate reputation and engage consumers via the latest online and offline media."

The Thailand team's full suite of digitally integrated communications services includes strategic communications, corporate reputation and brand marketing counsel. In particular, the office specializes in CEO communications, issues and crisis management, digital consulting, corporate positioning, media interview and presentation training, reputation audits, and stakeholder engagement.

"The launch of our Thailand business is an exciting milestone in our regional growth strategy, as we now have five fully owned offices across Southeast Asia," said Lynne Anne Davis, FleishmanHillard president of Asia Pacific. "This is an exciting time to start a business in Thailand, and with Sophis at the helm, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the enormous business development opportunities. We see clients demanding integrated communications solutions that our Bangkok office is uniquely set up to deliver. Sophis' strategic planning skills, high-level consulting expertise and entrepreneurial spirit will ensure our clients benefit from the latest thinking and an integrated set of communications services. We are thrilled to welcome her to our senior management team."

A seasoned public relations consultant with deep local market knowledge and regional experience, Kasemsahasin has worked in the financial and corporate communications sector. She also has spent time leading CSR and consumer marketing campaigns for multinational corporations, Thai blue-chip companies and government organizations, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Prime Minister and the Thailand Board of Investment. She has provided strategic counsel in the areas of corporate branding, IPO, mergers and acquisitions, and marketing communications, including social media planning and strategy development. In addition, she has supported a number of Thailand's large market cap IPOs and has overseen communications for the launch of Thailand's first infrastructure fund. Kasemsahasin also contributes considerable corporate experience, having served as the Asia Pacific marketing communications leader and Thailand marketing communications manager for Accenture.

To celebrate the launch of its Thailand operations, FleishmanHillard is partnering with PublicAffairsAsia to host a panel discussion on "Future Thailand: Securing the ASEAN advantage." The event, held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan, features Kristie Kenney, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand; Craig Hoy, executive director of PublicAffairsAsia; and FleishmanHillard's Senay.

About FleishmanHillard
FleishmanHillard is the world's most complete global communications firm, specializing in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard delivers on The Power of True, reflecting the firm's high values, and unique ability to guide clients through a world demanding unprecedented authenticity and transparency. FleishmanHillard was named "Standout Agency" on Advertising Age's 2013 A-List; NAFE's "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" for 2010-2013; Advertising Age's 2012 "Best Places to Work"; and The Holmes Report's 2012 Global "Public Affairs Agency of the Year." The firm's award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., and has more than 80 offices in 29 countries, plus affiliates in 42 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

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