Comms at the crossroads: PRAXIS heads to Singapore

For months in this newsletter we’ve explored how communicators are navigating an extraordinary moment — where geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, technological disruption, and rising social expectations converge to reshape the role of public relations. Again and again, the themes that emerge are clear: influence is being redefined, reputation sits at the heart of corporate value, and communicators are being asked to prove impact at the very highest levels.

It’s exactly this landscape that we will bring to life at the inaugural PRAXIS Asia-Pacific, taking place on 14 October at the National Gallery Singapore, under the theme 'Communications at the Crossroads'. Building on 12 editions in India, this international debut is designed to convene the region’s most thoughtful voices — and to offer our community the space to debate, connect, and shape responses to the challenges we discuss here every week.

I’m delighted, accordingly, to announce that Dr Bicky Bhangu OBE, the former Rolls-Royce president who now serves as a board-level technology strategist across multiple organisations, will headline the conference. Dr Bhangu brings exactly the perspective our profession needs right now: how communicators can shape organisational vision, influence risk decisions, and anchor reputation at the centre of corporate strategy. In his keynote fireside chat, 'Communications at the Top Table,' he will share insights on building cross-functional influence, proving business value in measurable terms, and navigating the geopolitical, technological, and societal forces reshaping leadership in Asia-Pacific.

In addition to his previous roles as president of Rolls-Royce SEA, Pacific & Korea and the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Dr Bhangu currently holds a number of advisory positions — including president of the UN Global Compact Network Singapore, council member of the Singapore National Employers Federation, chairman of the Singapore Business Federation’s Sustainability Action Committee and panel member of the Future Economy Advisory Panel at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Alongside Dr Bhangu, PRAXIS Asia-Pacific will feature regional corporate affairs leaders including Shweta Shukla (Haleon), Erin Atan (Heineken), and Rimmi Harindran (Kellanova), with agency leaders and advisors such as Nitin Mantri (WE), Emma Smith (Sandpiper), George Kypraios (Yefira) and Lina Marican (Mutant) also confirmed — and more to come. Sessions will reflect the same themes animating this newsletter, from economic resilience and AI disruption to influence, ESG, and the transformation of the consultancy model.

In addition, PRAXIS Asia-Pacific will host the Earned First Consultancy Performance Index awards, recognising the region’s most impactful and innovative firms.

Ultimately, though, this is about community. The conversations we’ve been having here are best expressed when we gather in person, to test ideas, share experiences, and build the collective voice of Asia-Pacific communications. I very much hope you can join us in Singapore this October. 

Be part of the community
Secure your place at the region’s defining communications gathering — PRAXIS Asia-Pacific, 14 October at the National Gallery Singapore.
Early bird passes: US$99 (33% off) — only until 31 August.

Register now

The international debut of PRAXIS is the one of the key initiatives in the partnership announced earlier this year between Earned First and the Promise Foundation. The event is further strengthened by the broad coalition of partners who have come together in support. With Zeno as Premier Partner and Burson as Lead Partner, the conference is further backed by consultancies including WE, Allison, Yefira, Weber Shandwick and Sandpiper. Community partners include CARMA, Golin, and Kommune, alongside professional associations including PRCA, APACD, PRCAI, PRHK, PRSP, and the IPR.

Earned First Podcast 🎙️

Talking with Caroline Hsu reminded me of her unique journey — moving from 15 years in-house to leading one of Asia's fastest-growing tech PR firms. Her belief that agility matters more than scale has powered The Hoffman Agency’s growth, alongside her passion for Asian brands. We also discussed familiar tensions — why so many agency professionals still want to go client-side, and why global brands continue to misread local markets. And then there was Taiwan’s chip documentary, which Caroline connected to identity, resilience and branding in a manner that reflected her own 'third culture' story. Listen/watch here.

Alka Winter, VP of destination marketing and communications at Ras Al Khaimah's Tourism Development Authority, reflects on the Gulf’s optimism, from mega-projects to the UAE's nation-branding strategy. She discusses how AI is reshaping travel planning, the rise of sovereign creators, and shifts in media consumption, while stressing the importance of trust-based agency relationships and authentic storytelling in tourism. Listen/watch here.

I was not expecting Richard Edelman to bring up the topic of agency IPOs, but that was just one of the highlights from a wide-ranging chat with the Edelman CEO on our previous podcast. Edelman was in an expansive mood, discussing everything from the state of trust, the reinventions required to revitalise growth, and the firm's succession strategy. Listen here. 

On my radar 📡

• India's proposed law to ban online gaming is likely to have significant implications for the country's PR industry, given the emergence of this sector as a key player in terms of agency spend and comms teams.
• Reuters' 2025 Digital News Report finds traditional media struggling to connect with the public, amid an accelerating shift towards social media and video platforms.

In rotation 💿

🎈 LWSTD selections: 90s hip-hop classics on Let's Get Better; dub, reggae & calypso from Land of Jam; and, the usual wonderful ambience from Sarah Gregs.

💙 My latest LWSTD show was live and direct, bringing together a lot of newer sounds across r&b and neo-soul.