WE Communications names new regional executive MD for APAC

Communications agency WE Communications has appointed Nitin Mantri (pictured left) and Ruth Allchurch (pictured right) to regional executive managing director, APAC and regional executive managing director, EMEA, respectively.

Both will report to president of International and global chief operating officer Kass Sells, who will maintain oversight of WE’s eight international markets and its affiliate network.

Mantri and Allchurch will be responsible for strengthening WE’s APAC and EMEA operations, including oversight of client retention and business development, nurturing the teams of talent, and playing cross-agency roles in driving strategic growth initiatives like the development of new client services and capabilities.

Melissa Waggener Zorkin, global CEO of WE Communications, said that the sector and services growth, expanded client partnerships and acquisitions in international markets have created an exciting inflection point for the business. “We are well positioned to make strategic changes to our broader international leadership team that will enable us to build our blueprint for future growth,” she added.

Mantri will maintain his AvianWE, WE’s Indian arm, group CEO title, which he has held since 2006 according to his LinkedIn. He will also expand his leadership over AvianWE, and Chase India to include WE's WATATAWA, as well as the markets of Singapore and Australia.

 “With India as one of our fastest-growing markets, Mantri has demonstrated his ability to develop teams and business operations that fuel growth,” said Sells. Before joining WE Communications in 2006, Mantri was the director of PR agencies, Pleon, from 2000 to 2006, and consulting associate at Genesis Burson-Marsteller from 1996 to 2004.

Allchurch will assume regional leadership, which will include Germany and Africa, extending her current remit over WE’s UK operations. Sells said that Allchurch has created a culture that has led to the highest retention rate and employee engagement scores on record. “She is a leader of action, who will extend her knowledge to EMEA as we continue to build our teams and centers of excellence in Germany and Africa,” he added. Prior to WE Communications, Allchurch worked at PR agency, Cirkle, from 2014 to 2017, Diageo from 2006 to 2013, Cohn & Wolfe from 2002 to 2005 and started her career at Weber Shandwick where she spent 3 yeard, from 1999 to 2002. 

In addition to partnering with local market managing directors, both Mantri and Allchurch will collaborate closely with Rebecca Wilson, executive vice president, International. “This is an exciting time for WE,” said Sells. “These moves enable us to stay ahead of where our business is going and what our clients need today and into the future: best-in-class solutions that drive positive impact.”

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