Digital agency Essence has launched an office in Singapore to service its global clients across the APAC region. Essence currently supports its clients, including eBay and Google, across multiple countries from its hubs in London, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. The launch of the new office will expand its presence in Asia, working with locally- and regionally-based businesses.

Oskar Yasar, MD of VMA International and executive director of VMA Group, has exited the business after nine years. He is currently considering his options but it is believed that he is in the process of establishing his own executive search business, focused on corporate communications, investor relations and marcomms.

Words&Pictures, an internal communications agency, has appointed Steven Murgatroyd as digital insight leader offering clients high-level digital advice and strategy support. Murgatroyd joins the Otley-based firm from client KCOM where he was group internal communications and social media manager. Before that, he worked for Asda as the retailer’s social media and communications manager.

In his new role, Murgatroyd will advise Words&Pictures’ clients on effective use of digital channels such as intranets and internal social media. He will also counsel clients on best practice and future trends, ensuring optimum use of technology in internal communications.

UCi2i, the global video conferencing managed services provider, is launching Video Ready, an all-in-one video calling and conferencing solution to provide businesses with an affordable, smart way to conduct business-quality, hassle-free video calling. 

While video conferencing is not a new phenomenon, UCi2i’s platform allows for significant cost reduction in cost due to flexible maintenance and subscription plans.

Agenda21, an independent media planning and buying agency, is putting online brand safety at the heart of its service after selecting Project Sunblock to provide its content verification platform.

Project Sunblock, which provides website verification to protect brands from appearing on compromising websites in foreign markets, will enhance the Agenda21’s security of its digital strategy, SEO and analytics offer. 

Swiss-based investment group WTV SA has announced the acquisition of World Television’s international trading operations. The purchase will mark a step change in the business and will allow the company to invest further in its proprietary online video technologies and expand its network of international offices.

The company, which has been in operation across Europe since 1991, is undergoing a period of consolidation of its properties in an effort to expand its business. As part of the acquisition of the UK-based offices by the WTV SA group, the organisation will now be able to expand its existing offer of video technology services as a separate arm of the business.

Ogilvy Public Relations in London announced the appointment of Ben Lock to lead the office’s first dedicated issues and crisis team. Lock will provide crisis counsel to Ogilvy’s roster of issues management clients and evolve the agency’s training programme that simulates the pressure of a crisis situation.

The University of Westminster has launched a new Centre for Social Media Research (CSMR) and a new masters degree in social media. The CSMR will conduct and coordinate research into social, cultural, and political-economic aspects of social media, and will also explore how social media might transform the practice of research itself.

The centre will be led by Professor David Gauntlett, and the MA programme by Professor Christian Fuchs and Professor Graham Meikle, who both joined the School of Media, Arts and Design in February to teach and research in social media. Westminster’s MA in social media will welcome its first students in September 2013.

Saffron Building Society, the largest building society serving the east of England, has appointed Sarah Howe as chief marketing officer to take responsibility for the development and management of all marketing capabilities across the business.  

Elmwood, a branding and design agency, has appointed a new group CEO to lead it through its next stage of growth. The agency has brought in David Godber who will join Elmwood in April and be based out of its London office, but will oversee work across the group.

Godber has an extensive experience in looking after global brands with key roles across Europe and America. He spent 10 years in the car industry with Lotus, Audi and latterly as Director of Nissan Design Europe, leading brand and product planning, research and development.