Edelman promotes Lankester and Coory in North Asia

The agency has also named Damian Coory as managing director for Hong Kong and Taiwan to fulfil Lankester’s previous duties.

Lankester, who has served as Greater China managing director since May, will relocate to Seoul to take on his new position next month.

Meanwhile, Coory will continue to be based in Hong Kong. Both will report to Asia-Pacific president Alan Vandermolen.

Edelman is looking to appoint a Beijing-based managing director to oversee its operation in the Chinese mainland. In the interim, Vandermolen will act as managing director for China in addition to his regional role.

In a statement, Vandermolen said he was “confident that in these new positions both Lankester and Coory will successfully apply their proven abilities to build our business, reputation and brand in their respective markets”.

Lankester joined Edelman as regional managing director of corporate practice four years ago; Coory has worked as regional managing director for crisis and training since 2004. Prior to that, he held a directorial position at Hill & Knowlton in Australia and Hong Kong.

In Seoul, Danone recently appointed Edelman as PR agency of record ahead of its planned launch in the market.