FleishmanHillard Announces Hong Kong Leadership Changes
Geoff Bilbrough Named GM, Patrick Yu Named Deputy GM
HONG KONG, 25 April, 2017 – FleishmanHillard has appointed Geoff Bilbrough general manager of its Hong Kong operations. Bilbrough has been deputy general manager and senior vice president at FleishmanHillard since arriving in Hong Kong four years ago from New Zealand; he became partner in 2016. In his new role, he will report to former managing director Rachel Catanach, who remains FleishmanHillard’s senior partner and president, Greater China.
“In addition to being a seasoned counselor, particularly in the areas of crisis communications, brand marketing and reputation management, Bilbrough will bring a renewed focus on operational excellence in all aspects of the business. His promotion supports the growth of the Hong Kong office and FleishmanHillard’s evolution into a fully integrated communications company in Greater China,” said Catanach.
FleishmanHillard in Hong Kong has also received numerous industry awards for its creative campaign work across a diverse portfolio of clients. In 2015, its excellence in corporate affairs was recognized when it received PublicAffairsAsia’s Gold Standard award for In-Country Consultancy. In 2016, Marketing magazine named the office B2B Agency of the Year (Gold).
“Geoff has been integral to the success of our Hong Kong office over the past four years and is highly respected as a senior counselor, team leader and mentor,” added Catanach.
Before joining FleishmanHillard, Bilbrough served as group operations director and then managing director (London) for Metia — formerly Write Image — a leading global digital marketing agency. While at Metia, he focused on general management, overseeing the company’s international offices in New York, Seattle and Singapore. Prior to this position, Bilbrough was Group Account Director at an agency in Wellington, New Zealand for 10 years. He also held roles in government, an industry lobby group and worked as press secretary for a minister in the New Zealand Parliament.
“Geoff is an impressive leader and superb at cultivating client relationships, securing new business and providing clients with strategic skills-based training and support. His new role is a very natural progression and leaves the Hong Kong office in excellent hands as we evolve into the region’s leading agency,” Catanach concluded.
To support Bilbrough, Patrick Yu is promoted to deputy general manager. Yu joined the firm in 2005 and has risen through the ranks to become senior vice president and partner, and the lead of the region’s financial and professional services offering. Yu has a broad range of experience in strategic communications including reputation management, corporate marketing, media relations and managing international communications programs for financial institutions in the region.
In 2011, he was awarded FleishmanHillard’s prestigious John D. Graham Award of Excellence, which is given to counselors who demonstrate outstanding leadership and exemplify the firm’s values.
“In more than 10 years with the company, Patrick has worked his way up to be the agency lead for financial and professional services in the region, where he has built strong and valuable relationships with key members of the business and financial industry, including media. He will continue to play this essential role in addition to his new responsibilities as deputy general manager,” said Catanach. “I congratulate both Geoff and Patrick as they take the helm at this exciting stage of the company’s development.”
About FleishmanHillard
FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. FleishmanHillard was named Agency of the Year at the 2017 North American Excellence Awards, PRWeek’s 2014 Global Agency of the Year and 2014 Asia Pacific Network of the Year, “Standout Agency” on Advertising Age’s 2013 A-List; NAFE’s “Top 50 Companies for Executive Women” for 2010-2017; and among PRWeek’s 2013 “Best Places to Work.” The firm’s award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Omnicom Public Relations Group, and has more than 80 offices in 30 countries, plus affiliates in 43 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.
About Omnicom Public Relations Group
Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.
