Edelman hires new Shanghai head

Edelman today revealed that it has hired Jackie Xu Rui as managing director of the agency’s Shanghai office, effective 1 June.

Xu Rui arrives from MullenLowe Profero, where she was China managing director. The move is another indication of Edelman’s continuing pivot from a PR agency to a marketing and communications consultancy.

“I am very excited to join the passionate and talented Edelman team on a journey of developing innovative new ways of adding value to clients and consumers,” Xu Rui said.

With more than 15 years’ in senior industry management roles, Xu Rui is charged with leading Edelman’s digital transformation in China. Her portfolio includes the likes of Unilever, Diageo, Fiat, PwC, TongRenTang and Haribo.

Jeffrey Yu, president of Edelman China, said Xu Rui is a "best-in-class leader" who has the digital experience and business proficiency to marshall the company's "multi-faceted corporate and consumer PR talents".

In tandem with Xu Rui’s appointment, Edelman’s China COO and Beijing managing director, Sanjay Nair, is relocating to become head of the US tech sector, based out of Edelman’s San Francisco office.

Nair spent five years at Edelman China, and prior to that set up the technology practice at Edelman Singapore. He will advise US tech companies looking to grow internationally, as well as Asian tech brands seeking a US presence.

While Edelman conducts a search for Nair’s replacement, Yu will take over as acting managing director of the Beijing office.