Red Bull hires Eric Thain as communications director

Thain is now based in Hong Kong and reports to Daniel Beatty, Red Bull's Asia-Pacific marketing director. He will oversee markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Thain's immediate challenge is to bring Red Bull Asia’s communications in line with the brand's activities in Europe and the US. 

Red Bull recently ran into a PR storm in Asia when health authorities in Hong Kong and Taiwan alleged that the product contained traces of cocaine. The brand mounted a fierce defence, insisting it was impossible for its drinks to be contaminated as suggested.

Thain, who is Malaysian Chinese, brings with him 10 years of international PR agency experience, including a stint at GCI, part of Grey Communications in Kuala Lumpur, where he kick-start his career.