PR agencies swap executive talent in North Asia

Okuwaki was most recently Hill & Knowlton Japan’s president. She joined the agency in 1996 and has been in the communications industry for more than 20 years, working with key clients including Singapore Airlines, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer.

She assumes her role on 1 April.

Key, meanwhile, has worked in Asia-Pacific for more than 10 years and maintains a focus in heath care. At Edelman, she was responsible for growing the agency’s client base and recruiting talent. Prior to her time in Japan, Key was GM of Edelman Korea, leading the agency’s healthcare communications practice.  
 
Key, who will report to Burson-Marsteller Asia-Pacific CEO and president, Bob Pickard, replaces Philip Raskin, “who is currently exploring other opportunities in the firm”, the agency said in a release.

The inter-agency reshuffle comes the same month that Edelman reportedly raided rivals for its new Australia leadership team.

Edelman elected Hill & Knowlton’s Michelle Hutton to take charge of its Australian operation after 15 years at the agency. It additionally poached Weber Shandwick Australia’s head of client services, Alexandra Kelly, to take on the role of GM in Sydney.