Adecco/DRF tie-up

Adecco India has signed an agreement with Dr Reddy's Foundation (DRF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Hyderabad. The agreement will help Adecco's clients expand their network into towns and rural areas, giving access to young people from rural areas who have undertaken vocational courses conducted by LABS (Livelihoods Advancement Business School), founded by DRF. Adecco will help its clients tap these trained young staff.

Monster appoints Balfouras

Online giant Monster Worldwide has appointed former Nike executive Tony Balfouras as president of its Asia Pacific operations. Balfour comes to Monster from SEEK, an Australian online recruitment company, where he served as director of marketing and product. Prior to that, he was the general manager of Nike's operations in Australia and New Zealand. He has also held a number of other positions with Nike over a nearly 10-year period, including general manager of AsiaPacific.

Skilled begins Catalyst buy

Australia's largest staff and services provider Skilled Group has made a A$47.1m (£17m) recommended takeover offer for Catalyst Recruitment Systems. The Skilled Group has offered 90 cents cash per share. Catalyst directors intend to accept the offer for all the shares they own or control.

Kong in the lead in China

Chinese online recruitment site Zhaopin.com is to set up a recruitment channel on Chinese wireless value-added services provider Kongzhong's WAP portal Kong.net, according to a report in International Finance News. The service will also include an online map service that will allow users to search for jobs according to geographic location. Kongzhong has partnered with several other Internet companies for its WAP portal.