What's the difference between publicity stunts and PR? One is focussed on looks and cosmetics, the other is focussed on substance and reputation, I argue in this post.
Did the Jakarta Post malign the PR profession?
Startups and their irresistible offers to our employees
If, like me, you run a small to mid-sized business then I’m sure you’d empathize when I say that the startups are the bane of our lives when it comes to staff retention. Like voracious vultures their HR officers and talent scouts circle our businesses for any of our staff who show promise. When they... Continue Reading →
Mining for trouble
This is a post I wrote for our company's blog Those who have an interest in media handling skills would find this interview — between the BBC’s Rebecca Henschke and Terry Filbert, the CEO of Baru Gold Corp that runs Tambang Mas Sangihe — a masterclass on what and how not to say things. The... Continue Reading →
Was Naomi Osaka professional in not wanting to take press conferences?
As someone who trains the C-Suite on Media Handling Skills, what we in the PR profession sometimes shorten to Media Training, I can empathise with Naomi Osaka for not wanting to speak with journalists after her matches. At the same time I cannot but help wonder if Osaka was professional in citing mental health as... Continue Reading →
Clubhouse is all the rage – and the likely site of the next business crisis
Don’t get me wrong. I think Clubhouse, the audio chat app that is taking the world and Indonesia by storm is fantastic. Here you have an app that makes interaction easy among people with same interests. And because its audio only it also creates a feeling of intimacy and ability to network during sessions. Another... Continue Reading →
Eiger IV: Wow, what a turnaround – in a good way
CEOs are like the rest of us. They make mistakes. But because of their elevated position and their egos many times its easier for them to bluster and get defensive over these mistakes. And it takes a really big man to admit theirs and ask for an apology. After the Eiger letter berating Youtubers reviewing... Continue Reading →
First Media: Snark can’t buy them love
First Media’s blundering tweet last night is a lesson why corporations and brands should be concerned about their social capital. At about 10pm First Media social media admin thought they’d be clever and ride on the Eiger letter fiasco that earned the ire of Indonesian netizens. Through its twitter account @FirstMediaCares they posted a letter... Continue Reading →
Eiger III: the Legal Eagle’s wings are clipped, but has the root cause been addressed?
Note: I got the information about the sacking from an online news portal in Indonesia. Have been told that the twitter account of Hendra Lim is actually a fake. So apologies all. Disregard this post but rather than me deleting it I think it best to clarify it here and leave the rest as is... Continue Reading →
Eiger II: A lame apology and more trouble coming
Latest update on Eiger saga here Yesterday the outdoor adventure gear brand Eiger got into a hot mess when its Leagal Eagle went a step too far and dissed off YouTubers reviewing their products. (See post here) By late afternoon the Eiger CEO Ronny Lukito had had enough and decided to take matters into his... Continue Reading →
Plumbing the depths with Eiger
I love the Eiger outdoor brand. Their products are affordable and often of good quality. A sandal I bought has lasted me years and looks like it will continue for at least another year or two. Damn comfortable too. But good as they are in making outdoor gear they apparently suck at customer relations. Here’s... Continue Reading →
Mr President: Apart from professional help, you need honest feedback
Even the usually mild-mannered Endy Bayuni was forced earlier this week to rant against the President and his team’s egregious handling of the Coronavirus outbreak in the usually tepid The Jakarta Post. He counseled seeking professional help instead of relying on amateurs for something as serious and critical as the matter staring us in the... Continue Reading →
Kurawa, Big Media, and the GoodBener who would be president
A battle royale is raging on Twitter between established online media houses including kompas.com, kumparan.com and professional buzzer @Kurawa and so far there have been threats of legal suits, applying the Draconian UU ITE and others. The story unfolded on January 5 when Rudy Valinka, aka @kurawa, tweeted an accusation against Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan for... Continue Reading →
Unspun 