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ABOUT THE COMPANY
The largest independent tech-focused communications agency in Singapore, XPR is a specialist in consumer/lifestyle and enterprise technology public relations and digital communications, and comprises well-established and veteran practitioners in the regional marketing communications landscape. Unique to XPR is a team of professionals with proven, award-winning expertise in mainstream PR and next-generation media that can deliver integrated communication campaigns targeting traditional media, bloggers, online and virtual communities, virtual worlds and social media networks.
This provides a unique advantage to XPR clients in the effective reach of key media audiences, while establishing a firm foothold in next-generation, user-generated content channels.
XPR is co-founded and led by technology PR veteran Karen Ho, who most recently managed the Singapore and Asia-Pacific technology practice group for global agency Fleishman-Hillard. She is joined by Gavin Foo, who heads the agency’s consumer technology and integrated digital communications offerings, and Adrian Lee, who takes charge of enterprise technology and corporate communications. Their combined client experience includes global brands like Motorola, Intel, Sony, LG Electronics, Philips, Palm, Maxtor, Avaya and Tata Consulting Services.
KAREN HO, Managing Director
Karen Ho is the Managing Director of public relations and digital communications firm, XPR. She is responsible for the overall running of the agency as well as the strategic directions of all the accounts.
Karen was most recently the Senior Vice President and Group Manager of the fastest growing Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITT) practice group for an US-based global PR agency in Singapore. As the Group Manager of the agency’s biggest revenue generating group, Karen works in the areas of strategic counseling, as well as corporate and media relations for a wide range of information technology, telecom, and multinational clients.
Karen has supported many high-profile retainer and project accounts during her long PR career, and these include well known brand names such as Intel, Maxtor, Avaya, Philips, Yahoo!, Network Associates and Hewlett Packard. She also managed and grew her team of accomplished IT professionals and oversaw the strategic directions of a variety of regional and local accounts such as Palm, AT&T, Gemalto, BEA Software, Cybertrust, Serena Software, Fair Isaac, Avaya, Lenovo, Motorola, and Autodesk.
Karen has also undertaken many successful and high-profile events for her clients, many of which are multi-faceted campaigns covering the whole spectrum of communication from media, government, industry analyst, customer to employee communications.
Karen is also a proficient trainer and has conducted many well-received media training sessions for senior executives from blue chip companies such as Motorola, Avaya, Maxtor, Intel, Tata Consulting Services, IBM, Palm, Autodesk and Philips.
Karen speaks fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Communications from Macquarie University, Australia, topping her class with straight distinctions. Karen also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English Language and English Literature from the National University of Singapore.
GAVIN FOO, Senior Vice President & Head, Digital
Gavin Foo is SVP and Head of Digital for XPR, and is responsible for the oversight and management of key consumer and vertical/specialist technology accounts. Gavin is also responsible for driving client digital communications strategies, as well as coordinating the research and development of next-generation media technologies, social channels, and client solutions.
With over a decade of PR & marketing experience, Gavin was most recently Account Director & Regional Head, Digital for one of the largest global PR agencies in Singapore. Charged with a dual portfolio of client account leadership as well as building its fledgling digital practice, Gavin introduced some of the most innovative next-generation media solutions for clients, and grew the Singapore digital practice into the network's largest revenue earner for next-generation media work in Asia.
Gavin also held senior management roles in marketing, and was previously the marketing director for one of Singapore's largest public-listed technology firms by way of market capitalization. He has also assumed leadership roles in technology start-ups and R&D outfits across telecommunications, networking and online gaming sectors.
Gavin has supported many high-profile retainer and project accounts including Dell, Autodesk, LG Electronics, Oracle, Motorola, and Gemalto amongst others. Gavin was also instrumental in driving the digital communication efforts of Tech500 companies such as Philips, LG Electronics, Motorola, and Fair Isaac.
Gavin is a firm advocate and supporter of a free and independent blogger & social-network community across Asia, and speaks at various industry events. Gavin reads his DBA at the University of Wales
ADRIAN LEE, Senior Vice President
Adrian Lee is an SVP at public relations and digital communications firm, XPR. He is responsible for developing and executing strategic public relations programs and assisting clients with their external public relations and communications activities. Adrian currently manages high-profile clients such as Yahoo! Connected Life and LG Electronics.
Prior to XPR, Adrian was one of the senior managers within Fleishman-Hillard’s technology practice group, managing global and regional accounts such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Lenovo, Palm, Interwoven, Serena Software, Huawei, and Sony. He also headed the agency’s Youth & Marketing division in Singapore, focusing on mobile communications, trends, and research.
Adrian is also a proficient media trainer and has conducted training sessions for senior executives from various blue chip companies. He has provided media training for specific announcements, events, and interviews, as well as overall skill development.
With over 9 years of experience in the IT industry, Adrian has held several key positions across multiple geographies in companies like Hewlett-Packard, Strategic Intelligence, and ITC.
Adrian holds a Masters of Management Science Degree from Victoria University as well as a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from Otago University.
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