Tech advocate, crisis management expert win 2025 Communicator of the Year Awards

After much deliberation and vetting, the International Association of Business Communicators – Asia Pacific Region (IABC APAC) finally selected the best communicators in the region for 2025.

In its 2025 Communicator of the Year (COTY) Awards, IABC APAC recognized Donald Lim, Chief Operating Officer of DITO CME Holdings Corporation in the Philippines, as the winner in the Executive Leader category, while Syed Mohammed Idid, General Manager at Strategic Communications & Stakeholder engagement at West Coast Expressway (WCE) Malaysia, as the most outstanding in the Senior Communication Professional category.

IABC APAC Chair Barbara Pesel praised Donald and Syed, stating, ‘Donald and Syed exemplify the inspiring qualities, exceptional expertise, and significant influence we deeply admire and strive to emulate within IABC APAC. They are true case studies of success, offering lessons we can all learn from.

Executive Leader Category Winner

Dr. Donald Patrick Lim (Philippines)
Chief Operating Officer, DITO CME Holdings Corporation

Widely regarded as the Philippines’ Father of Digital Marketing, Dr. Donald Lim has been instrumental in transforming communication practice within dynamic organisations and championing human-centered, tech-enabled narratives. A strategic and visionary business leader, he is admired for his ability to understand, analyze, build, connect, and advocate in ways that drive people-centric change.

“He creates trust and truth without hubris, despite his numerous achievements,” said Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, IABC Fellow, who nominated Donald. “Donald is a leader who not only manages—he mentors and moves people toward meaningful change through authentic communication.”

Senior Communication Professional Category Winner

Syed Mohammed Idid (Malaysia)
General Manager, Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, West Coast Expressway (WCE) Malaysia Deputy Chairman, Public Relations Practitioners Society of Malaysia (PRPSM)

Syed Mohammed Idid has similarly made an impact in Malaysia. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Syed Mohammed Idid is recognised as one of Malaysia’s leading crisis communication experts, often sought after for his steady guidance in high-stakes, complex situations. His work is defined by professionalism, empathy, and a deep commitment to developing the next generation of communicators.

“Syed exemplifies what it means to be a generous communicator and mentor. He shares decades of experience with sincerity and zero hesitation,” said Daniel Delaney, PR Intern, VoxEureka Malaysia, who nominated him for the award.

The past winners of the IABC Asia Pacific Communicator of the Year Awards include Kate Carnell (Executive Leader) and Gabrielle Dolan (Senior Communication Professional) in 2020, Sia Papageorgiou (Senior Communication Professional) in 2021, and Charlie Agatep (Executive Leader) and Aniisu Verghese, Ph.D. (Senior Communication Professional) in 2022.

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. IABC serves as a resource for professionals who want to excel in the field of communication and advance their careers.

About the IABC Communicator of the Year Awards

The IABC Asia Pacific COTY Awards celebrate outstanding communication professionals who demonstrate excellence, ethical leadership, and strategic impact in their organisations and communities. Winners are selected based on their achievements, contributions to the profession, and alignment with IABC’s Global Standard of the Communication Profession.