A Heartfelt Thank You: Celebrating Anu Gupta's Leadership as IPREX APAC Regional President
Anu Gupta - Founder and Managing Director of APRW in Singapore and former IPREX APAC Regional President
There are people in every network who quietly and consistently make things better — who show up for their peers, champion their region and leave the community stronger than they found it. Anu Gupta, Founder and Managing Director of APRW in Singapore, is one of those people. After two years serving as IPREX APAC Regional President, Anu is stepping down from the role and passing the baton to incoming APAC Regional President Nicole Reaney of InsideOut PR in Sydney. As she closes this chapter, we sat down with Anu to reflect on her time leading the region, the highlights that stand out and what being part of the IPREX community has meant to her.
On her journey with IPREX
Q: Anu, can you tell us a little about yourself and APRW — what does your agency do and what makes Singapore such a dynamic place to be in communications?
I was raised in India, lived across India, Dubai and Singapore. APRW is one of Singapore’s oldest and largest integrated communications agency. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Singapore, we are uniquely led by a team of owners-directors who combine keen business acumen with a wealth of experience to deliver transformational communications solutions and marketing campaigns for our clients across Asia Pacific.
Singapore is a dynamic hub for communications because it brings together global business, regional influence, and a highly multicultural environment in one market. Communications professionals gain exposure to complex cross-border work, fast-evolving digital trends, and high-stakes reputation management across Asia-Pacific. Its role as a gateway to Southeast Asia, combined with strong governance and innovation, makes it an ideal place to build strategic communications expertise.
Q: How did you first become involved with IPREX and what made the network feel like the right home for APRW?
APRW has been a member of IPREX since 2020. The membership came via blind date via zoom with the IPREX team and we felt it came to us at the right time. The agency was turning 25 years old and we thought this may be the right way for us to open our doors.
The network felt right when we attended the first conference in-person, Annual General Conference 2022 in Amsterdam. We were surrounded by a room full of like-minded business owners running communication agencies across the globe. The space felt ‘safe’ and a great platform for learning and sharing, especially as we were all navigating the challenges of the pandemic.
Q: What did you know about the APAC region's place within IPREX before you took on the Regional President role?
APAC has always been one of the most diverse and fast-evolving regions within IPREX, bringing together markets with very different cultural, political, and media landscapes. That diversity made collaboration both highly valuable and inherently complex. It was also important to ensure that smaller and emerging markets had a strong voice within the network. At the same time, the region was navigating rapid shifts in digital communications and evolving client demands, making adaptability essential. Strengthening meaningful cross-border collaboration between member agencies remained a major focus throughout.
On her time as APAC Regional President
Q: What made you want to take on the Regional President role two years ago and what did you hope to bring to it?
One of the biggest attractions for me was the opportunity to work alongside the Global Board team, with Ann-Marie leading IPREX as Global President. I already knew many of the Board members and recognised that it would be an invaluable learning experience beyond the traditional classroom setting. What made it especially meaningful was the shared sense of purpose and the opportunity to collaborate with highly experienced leaders from across the global network.
Q: What have been the highlights of your two years leading the region?
One of the biggest highlights has been strengthening collaboration and connectivity across the APAC region, especially at a time when the communications landscape has been evolving so rapidly. It has been rewarding to see member agencies engage more closely, share expertise more openly, and build stronger cross-border relationships. Another key highlight has been helping elevate APAC’s presence and contribution within the broader global IPREX network. On a personal level, leading such a diverse and dynamic region has been an incredibly enriching experience, allowing me to grow as a leader while working alongside some exceptionally talented professionals across markets.
Q: One of the truly special moments of your tenure was hosting the IPREX Annual Global Conference 2026 in Singapore — what was that experience like, and what did it mean to bring the global IPREX family to your home city?
Hosting the IPREX Annual Global Conference 2026 in Singapore was both a proud and deeply meaningful experience for me and everyone at APRW, especially as it coincided with APRW’s 30th anniversary milestone. It was a special opportunity to celebrate not only the growth and journey of APRW over the past three decades, but also Singapore’s position as a dynamic global communications hub. Bringing the global IPREX family to our home city during such an important year for the agency made the occasion even more memorable. It allowed us to showcase the energy, diversity, and innovation of the APAC region while strengthening relationships, exchanging perspectives, and celebrating the spirit of collaboration that defines the IPREX network and in truly Singaporean ways.
Q: What's the most meaningful connection or relationship your time as Regional President has brought into your life?
One of the things that has always stayed with me is the incredible sense of warmth, trust, and genuine camaraderie within the IPREX network. I do not think I ever imagined being in a room filled with leaders from such diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives — all with different ways of thinking and communicating — yet still finding such strong common ground and shared purpose. That human connection is truly unique to IPREX’s DNA.
I experienced this personally during a trip to Scotland in 2025, when Jonny and the team at MC2 invited me to Manchester. They hosted me for lunch, welcomed me into their office, gave me the opportunity to speak about APRW, and even arranged a meeting room for me to join an IPREX Global Board call — all within the same afternoon. It was a simple but powerful reflection of the generosity, mutual respect, and peer support that define the network. Special mention also to Lucy & Liam!
Q: What has been the biggest challenge of leading a region as geographically and culturally diverse as APAC — and how did you navigate it?
One of the biggest challenges of leading a region as diverse as APAC was navigating the wide differences in culture, business practices, market maturity, and communication styles across countries. Each market has its own priorities and pace, so building alignment while ensuring every member agency felt heard and valued required a thoughtful and collaborative approach. I focused heavily on open communication, relationship-building, and creating opportunities for more meaningful cross-border engagement. At the same time, it was important to remain adaptable and respectful of local perspectives, while still driving a shared regional vision and stronger sense of collective purpose across the network.
Q: What are you most proud of from your time in the role?
Being able to host an IPREX conference in Singapore during a milestone year for APRW.
On IPREX as a people network
Q: IPREX is fundamentally built on relationships — how has that shown up in your experience of the network?
IPREX, for me, has always been built on genuine relationships rooted in trust, collaboration, and mutual support. What stands out is the willingness of partners across markets to openly share knowledge, support one another, and build meaningful connections beyond business. The strength of the network lies not just in its global reach, but in the authenticity and trust between its people.
Q: What does being part of a global community of independent agencies actually give you that you couldn't find elsewhere?
Being part of a global community of independent agencies gives you the best of both worlds — strong local expertise combined with global perspective and reach. Unlike larger network structures, there is a unique level of agility, authenticity, and peer-to-peer collaboration within IPREX. Most importantly, it provides a genuine sense of community and shared purpose that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Q: What would you say to an independent agency leader in the APAC region who is considering joining IPREX?
I would say that IPREX offers far more than just a global network — it gives independent agencies access to a trusted community of like-minded leaders who genuinely believe in collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual growth. For agencies in the APAC region, it provides valuable global exposure while still respecting local market expertise and independence. It is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, learn from diverse perspectives, strengthen cross-border capabilities, and grow both professionally and personally alongside some exceptionally strong agencies around the world.
On passing the baton
Q: You're handing over to Nicole Reaney of InsideOut PR in Sydney as the incoming APAC Regional President — what would you like to say to her as she steps into the role?
I would like to congratulate Nicole and wish her every success as she steps into the role. APAC is an incredibly dynamic and diverse region, and I have no doubt she will bring fresh energy, perspective, and strong leadership to the network. Having worked alongside her within the network, I know she is deeply collaborative, highly respected by peers, and passionate about strengthening connections across the region. APAC is a diverse and fast-evolving market, and I believe Nicole’s leadership style, strategic perspective, and ability to bring people together will serve the region exceptionally well.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone taking on regional leadership within a network like IPREX?
My advice would be to lead with openness, humility, and a genuine willingness to listen. In a network like IPREX, relationships and trust are everything, especially when working across diverse cultures, markets, and leadership styles. It is important to focus on bringing people together, creating opportunities for collaboration, and ensuring every voice feels valued within the network. At the same time, staying adaptable and open to continuous learning is essential, because regional leadership is as much about understanding people and perspectives as it is about strategy and business growth.
Q: What do you hope the region looks like in another two years time?
I hope the APAC region continues to become even more connected, collaborative, and influential within the broader IPREX network. I would love to see deeper cross-border partnerships, greater knowledge-sharing between member agencies, and stronger engagement from both established and emerging markets across the region. Most importantly, I hope the region retains the strong sense of trust, openness, and community that makes working within IPREX so unique.
Reflecting and looking ahead
Q: As you step back from the Regional President role, what will you carry forward from the experience?
As I step back from the Regional President role, I will carry forward the relationships, perspectives, and lessons that came from working closely with such a diverse and talented group of leaders across the region and globally. Coming from a small country like Singapore, it was especially meaningful to represent both the APAC region and APRW on the Global Board for the first time. It reinforced the idea that influence is not defined by size, but by the ability to contribute meaningfully, build trust, and bring people together. The experience broadened my perspective tremendously, strengthened my leadership journey, and deepened my appreciation for the value of genuine collaboration and shared purpose within a global network like IPREX.
Q: APRW remains part of the IPREX network — what does continued membership mean to you and your agency going forward?
Continued membership in IPREX remains deeply valuable to both me and APRW because it represents far more than a professional network — it is a trusted global community built on collaboration, shared values, and long-term relationships. For APRW, it provides global connectivity, diverse perspectives, and strong cross-border opportunities while allowing us to continue contributing our expertise from Singapore and the APAC region.
Q: How would you like your tenure as APAC Regional President to be remembered?
I’d like my tenure to be remembered as a period where the APAC region became a little more connected, a little more collaborative, and hopefully had a lot more conversations, laughter, and shared experiences along the way. If people remember me as someone who brought people together, encouraged stronger friendships across markets, and helped make the region feel a bit more united and energised, I would be very happy with that. Most importantly, I hope I leave behind stronger relationships and a continued sense of excitement about what APAC can achieve together within IPREX.
Anu Gupta has been an exceptional Regional President — generous, thoughtful and deeply committed to the agencies and relationships that make the APAC region such a vital part of the IPREX network. From welcoming the global IPREX community to Singapore for the 2026 Annual Global Conference to championing regional connection and collaboration throughout her tenure, Anu has left a lasting mark on this network. She remains a valued partner and a valued friend to IPREX, and we are so grateful for everything she has given to this role.
As we welcome Nicole Reaney as the incoming APAC Regional President, we do so on the strong foundations Anu has helped build. Thank you, Anu — from all of us across the IPREX network.
To find out more about IPREX and our global network of independent agencies, visit https://www.iprex.com/.