MJ living on

It's a pity that a star like Michael Jackson is possibly worth more dead and live. His albums are topping charts around the world and as the media says, "Michael Mania is catching on all around the globe once again". I image his last interview as per the magazine image above, is quite literally flying off the shelves as well.

MJ had the $ and the stardom but he was a tormented man. Yes he spent his money dry towards the later years but the least he did right was to enjoy while it lasted. At least he's free now, no longer chained by the physical and mental pressures he had.

With life so short and unpredictable, sometimes we really ought to give ourselves greater space for enjoyment. You never know if you will ever be able to find contentment in your lifetime.

So this whole sadness in the world on MJ's passing. Personally, it is not because I grew up with his music every step of the way - I knew who he was, his later songs, his moves but I wasn't obsessed with owning every album of his.

But he blew me away with his showmanship and for being the genius performer and musician that he was. I think the fans who are more emotionally affected with this tragic end than others have personal regrets of not having the opportunity to watch him perform one more time.

This is my answer after almost a week now - the sense of regret.

I'm realistic, I never expected him to come to Singapore again. But I wanted to watch yet another LIVE performance, even if it's on TV (what an oxymoron) now that I'm old enough to appreciate, remember and keep the memory alive in me.

At least I was ever part of the era he reigned the King of Pop and having witnessed his legacy.

Earned media - PR

There is still a general lack of understanding what PR is about. I find myself not only explaining about what PR is, the impact of PR and very often, differentiating it from advertising (i.e. Earned vs. Paid media).

Ever since the economic collapse that rooted from Lehman's bankruptcy, I feel the scope of work for me has changed somewhat. Previously, it was focused on media outreach, constantly identifying opportunities to raise brand visibility and awareness through influential channels that people trust.

It then evolved "inwards", where clients request for counselling on internal messgaing like content management of what to say in their documents to stakeholders and staff. More media trainings and more selective of the media opportunities we decide to pursue.

Now that the global economy is picking up again... Slowly but surely, clients are ready to be interviewed again. We urge clients not to cut or stop spending on marketing (including PR) not only because we're in this business. But history has shown that some of the greatest brands in the world (Including Apple) emerged during a recession. More details on http://www.ogilvyonrecession.com/.

Journalists are on hot pursuits for stories these days and I believe the exciting changes in today's world can equate to at least 5 more pages of editorial per day. If only advertising in the media can help support their editorial works.

Anyhow, it's Monday and as per my usual practice, I spend at least 1.5 hours to catch up on print news over the weekend. So thoughts flowed and I just had to blog them down.

RIP MJ

A genius like Michael Jackson... It wasn't just about his music and dance. It goes beyond, with what he symbolised. The new era of pop he created and revolutinising the music of Black & White.

Xciting times

Despite the challenges, this is really a very exciting time to be in PR.

iPhone3GS

Come October, I will finally be able to get my hands on the new iphone. It's going to be launched in July but my phone contract only ends then. This must be the best deal ever offered by Singtel, which is the sole service provider selling the iphone in Singapore.

Critics have been harsh on this product. But thus far, I have heard all but one owner of the iphone exclaim how great it is and how it has changed their lives despite its flaws. You know what they say about true love, it's about being attraction to the strengths but also accepting the weaknesses.

It will definitely end up in the history books as one of technological evolution's milestones.

Very Xciting times.

On MAS

I'm on Malaysia Airlines blog / website. :)

http://tinyurl.com/kqr2lq

Now I know, the extra bandwidth was so necessary to cope with emotional pressures from external sources. I'm glad I devoted that extra amount of effort, energy and time into it in recent months so we can all reinforce the message that we are proud of what we have achieved and will stand by our results.

So glad that this is a team consensus.

To place more time and effort into

Learning how to elevate business issues and perspectives.

Thursday is lovely

Thank goodness it's Thursday.

1st day of PC Show @ Suntec, so tempted to pop by but the thought of having to squeeze with the crowd scares me.

Pioneer launch

Here are the photos from my most recent event - the launch of Pioneer's new home entertainment systems. It was also my first stab at a technology press release and I was super glad that minimal changes were made by the client. My colleague even says I should just frame it up.

With only two dropouts and additional pax turning up, I must say it was a very successful event. Together with the dealers invited by client, it was great to share the fun with everyone.

The venue of Grand Shanghai was also spacious and served yummy food. It has enough 'character' and is definitely worth the consideration for the next client event.

Work aside, the media gift jacket that i received was the highlight. It's really effective in keeping me warm on weekends even though I look like I work in a AV company, a super professional one.












There were too many spotlights around so I couldn't stop them from disrupting my photos.






Turning the venue around for sumptuous 10 course dinner.



The band getting ready for the night.

Even rationality says it's enough

I never take for granted that I have a job that allows me to pursue what I enjoy doing. People relations, strategic message and media strategy development. So I hardly drag my feet into the office in the mornings and dread what is to come. To see obstacles as challenges and set self targets to overcome them adds spark to the career journey.

The salary will never be comparable to other industries such as banking and finance but I do believe we have more intangible perks than they do. Nothing is free in this world, every cent we earn needs to be invested in the form of time. The hours that lawyers, investment bankers and the likes, clock in are reflective of the amount they earn.

More companies are beginning to catch on to the value of PR or earned media and are slowly but surely shifting their budgets in this direction. Local companies are more skeptical but that is the Asia culture for you, something that is arbitrary and cannot be converted into dollars and cents immediately is going to be harder to get buy-in for.

On my way to work this morning and thinking about our staff meeting discussion yesterday, one of our "fun but intangible" moments of a priceless experience is to witness CEOs at their most vulnerable in front of cameras, voice recorders and journalists. They want to look their best on TV and find the reassurance not only from their loved ones but also their PR partners like ourselves on how successful they are as storytellers in front of the media. Deep down inside, I guess there is a tiny part in every one of us that doesn't mind the few secs or mins of celebrity fame.

Which is a pity, that the emotional strain will take its toll one day. Taking pride in our work is a given and at times like these, the line between right and wrong is written very clearly. The comforting thing is today, the team connection is clear. When one member is down, it affects the other too. And then there's also the spirit where we are all contributing to one key goal for the company and we all feel accountable and responsible for bridging any gap.

Neither side is perfect

I have been lucky in meeting some great clients who treat me like their very own colleague in sharing information and sometimes, even offering guidance because I am so fresh in the industry.

There has unfortunately been more bad PR about media agencies and the other side of the story remains untold. There are clients who are unfair and unprofessional about the working relationship. The condescending tone doesn't foster stronger partnerships because we then feel simply like a tool that they are paying and making use of.

Every business collaboration puts both parties on equal grounds. On the other end of the line is simply another person who is working hard to meet his/her KPI and managing expectations like you are.

It takes two hands to clap but I must say we are especially fortunate when there is also the company history and good track record to help boost our credibility, especially for new blood who are learning the ropes.

KL in KL, final episode.

Like most tourists in Singapore, one of the highlights of my KL trip was the food.


On day 1, the taxi driver did not know how to get to Ancase Hotel (just beside Chinatown) from KLIA so I was circling the area for a good one hour before I could check in. by that time, I was actually starving and would settle for anything edible for dinner and settled very casually for a zichar stall just 2 streets away. It offered this unqiue dish of horfun with fried crispy beehoon.


View of KL Tower outside Ancasa Hotel, where I stayed for the weekend before the move to The Saujana.


Taken at Jalan P. Ramlee where all the clubs were situated. Didn't go dance but I did eat at beach club and enjoyed being a voyeur watching expats pick up filippino ladies. There were also Thai and Chinese clubs and Zouk was located right at the end of the stretch.


Roadside stall selling snack sticks that I would boil and eat on the spot. I didn't want to observe the hygiene level so I gave the sauces a miss. Thankfully, my tummy didn't act up so the choice to be "adventurous" that night was worthwhile.


I miss watching the prataman perform in Singapore and having my prata served fresh from the "oven". These days, the prataman hides in the back kitchen from all preying eyes and they serve from a stack of pratas that are "ready-made".



View from my Ancasa Hotel room on Day 2. The hotel is located in the bustling area of KL, just beside Chinatown.


Pavilion shopping centre from the inside.



"The Loaf" breadshop in Pavilion, opened by Dr Mahathir. Yes THAT Dr. Mahathir, previous Prime Minister of Malaysia. i didn't have the honour to dine beside him like my colleague did though.



Starhill Gallery, where the ultra-luxurious brands are. Obviously, I didn't walk out of the shopping centre with any purchases but I previously dined in a buffet restaurant named Jogoya there. It is a very popular chain in Taiwan and has a wide variety of food and desserts. The sole indulgence of Haagen Daz ice cream is worth the value.
The floors of the mall also breaks convention by being non-numerical.

KL Part II

I've been trying to upload the rest of my KL photos for days now but the blogger photo upload function refuses to work. Somehow time and technology are just not on my side.

My last trip to KL really wasn't that long ago in December but it was a day trip so I was in a rush to get a quick look around the city area, especially my client's properties. I had more time to explore this time and the experience was different.

I returned home a charmed tourist and KL exceeded my expectations for sure. It is an up and coming city yet it possesses the old school elements that Singapore has since lost a long time ago. Ironically, I miss pasaar malam stores that offer amazingly cheap buys, the uneven pavements that are full of holey traps and good ol' shopping malls that aren't overtly designed with glass, and only glass.

Singapore has not kept anything old in its original form. Even places like Chinatown and supposedly “preserved” heritage places have undergone some forms of renovations or another that have inevitably eroded the original essence of what it used to be. Even the pasaar malams today are "classier" and sell things that are more expensive and can easily be purchased in any heartland malls.

The reason Singapore struggles with letting go of the past completely is obviously due to the lack of space. So I think KL is in a "good position" now because the current phase of development is a balance of the old and new. I hope the change will not cause it to be all cold and grey, like most cosmopolitan cities of today are.

Security was still a worry though and I made a point to cling on tightly to my handbag wherever I went. I heard horror stories about how people got robbed even when they were in their cars only for a couple of seconds waiting for the traffic lights to turn green. So valuables must be placed in positions where snatch and grab will not be made possible. ER also mentioned that she can't travel alone because loading and unloading in the carpark now takes at least 5 minutes with the baby and it makes her an easy target to be mugged. Times like these, I do appreciate Singapore a whole lot more. It is possibly the only country in the world where we can use our laptops to reserve seats and still them find intact upon return.


This is Pavilion shopping centre where I met up with ER for lunch on my second day. It is huge and houses many brands under one roof, including luxury names that are not found in Singapore. The natural lighting and spaciousness definitely help to ensure shoppers are in their best of moods.


Photos of The Saujana Hotel in Subang. The service is great and the environment is very pleasant. Honestly, it isn't a spectacular resort that I can't find anywhere else in a tropical country, the novelty lies in how I am not a golfer so the chances of me staying in a resort with two championship golf courses right at the doorstep is practically zero. The prices are reasonable too so I strongly recommend it to avid golfers for their next visit to KL. Oh and it was awesome that MAS complex was only a max 15 minutes drive away.




On the way to KLIA, I had the time to sit back, relax and appreciate the vast landscape of Malaysia. I love billboards and think it is a pity that we don't have them here. Advertisements will be brought up to a new level of experience.

Do wish I have the ability to cramp more photos in this entry but blogspot is defiant. I'll see what i can do in later entries.

Okto

Okto channel may be branded as a kids' channel but it has aired a couple of documentaries that are worth catching at night.

Success!

Of those who RSVPed, Pioneer launch event only had 2 dropouts yesterday. That must be a first.

Pioneer to launch new range of home entertainment products today

Getting ready for Pioneer press event later. It's the first time I'm meeting the client, should be great fun.

It makes me realise how PR has changed since the economic collapse. We now focus more on 1-1 and internal strategy like message development so I haven't organised an event from scratch for some time. I play a supporting role with tech and consumer accounts.

Even though my scope has pretty much been desk-bound but definitely exhausts my mind and challenges me in the intellectual department.

Always good to enjoy the balance.

Secondment

My friends said the term "secondment" sounded like I was going to be away for at least 3 months.

But there really was no other appropriate term since it was a "venture" beyond our client base.

Professionalism

I've kept a personal blog for 8 years now but I only learnt recently that being a professional blogger is a different ballgame altogether.

Blog Report

I didn't have enough time to share all my learnings at staff meeting just now.

So I've decided to submit my report the "Gen Y way" with the blog entries.

Learnings

I am due to share my learnings with my colleagues tomorrow. Specifically on the client's perspective and areas I personally feel have room for improvement. I don't think these are brand new findings that we do not already discuss but they definitely serve as reminders of the new priorities on the clients' side given the unpredictable nature of today's world. The change has been tremendous and the agencies that will stand out are the vigilant ones that can anticipate clients' needs even before they are aware of the lack-of themselves.

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Quoting Sue, measurement of a PR agency's success with media clippings and value is "so old school". Clients now define it on whether the campaign has opened doors to more channels or even a whole new project > Are there ways in which the client / agency can leverage on the existing campaign to explore new opportunities? Perception and/or messaging audits will add the most value.

Campaigns must be based on the client's business objective and priorities. It seems so obvious but sometimes we forget how they might have evolved since the start of our engagement.

Other than client-agency WIP meetings, we can aim to become the client's extended team by grasping opportunities to sit in their internal meetings (especially with senior leaders of the company) or even with their other agencies. Internal meetings can bring about new insights on the company while the latter is a good opportunity to synergise and ensure consistency of the entire communications campaign. Our proprietary information should be so strong that we are willing to share and not be over-possessive of what we have.

It's so simple but why do we sometimes lose sight that the client's key priority ultimately boils down to sales, sales and sales. We overthink and complicate things with abstract ideas when the solution is simplicity.

There is no need to present theories to clients. They want to know the forecast of the campaign results and a strategy that is aligned to the overall business objective of the company, not just in the communications aspect. The "big idea" ought to be suitable for implementation by all teams within the company.

Indi on digital: Digital is about people going in to find content, not told what to do. - With this, I'm really proud of how the DI team in Ogilvy PR has stuck firmly to their beliefs that bloggers we engage should not be paid. The nature of blogger events must also be different from traditional media because it should be built on the foundations of our understanding of their needs and our relationships forged with them. There's a reason why they are bloggers and not journalists.

It seems agencies do not own their specialisation or area of expertise strongly enough. We shouldn't be expecting clients to feed us even basic information like the 5Ws and How, especially since we have full knowledge that these elements can make or break the success of a campaign.

I think it is unfortunate that as a communications expert, we have yet to find the key to building a successful internal communications network. Our staff strength of 300-350 employees in Ogilvy Singapore's office is only but a fraction of MAS's 19,000 staff, not considering the fact that majority of them are not desk-bound and constantly on the go across continents. Taking heed from MAS's internal communications initiatives, the baby steps we can take include transparency, over-communication and decreased power distance.

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Agency traits that clients look for:
1. Agility - the ability to adapt to rapid changes in the client's industry and deliver quick turnaround results. It's not just about the concept but also the execution and the understanding in how to localise for different markets.
2. Digital Influence strength - Especially for clients that do not have the budget to spend on print / display in other markets. E.g. In the case of MAS, 70% of the budget is reserved for online efforts in the European market since cost of traditional media is extremely high.
3. In the recession, companies save costs by engaging in boutique agencies with sister companies in other markets.
4. Team chemistry may be important but it is not the deal breaker.

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Interesting tidbits you may not have known about the aviation industry:
Asian customers are not willing to pay more than economy class when the seats are the same. They do not see the value in simply paying more for better service and food.

The entry of budget carriers has created the war on ad spending. The impact of disparate campaigns will produce weaker impact than that of fewer but consistent ones. The aggressive AirAsia competitor has made MAS a more nimble company in dealing with the changes and overcoming obstacles.

Sense of accomplishment

Nothing beats having the first press release draft for a new client largely unmodified. :)