Is Public Relations (PR) always about “sugar and spice and everything nice”? Are there situations where you have to close ranks and fight to defend your corporate reputation?
In the social age, seemingly innocuous events could be blown way out of proportion. At the same time, getting your news out there has become increasingly challenging in an ever-streaming, over-cluttered digital world.
Congratulations to all the winners of the Singapore Blog Awards 2014!
Adopting an equine theme (2014 being the Year of the Wooden Horse), this year’s Singapore Blog Awards – the seventh in the series – crowned a total of 14 winners. Organised by the tireless team from Singapore Press Holding‘s Omy.sg led by Ms Lee Kuan Fung (Head, Chinese Newspapers Digital Strategy, SPH), the awards helped build the careers of numerous social media stars over the years. Many have gone on to become long-time friends and buddies.
Officiated by Ms Sim Ann, Minister of State for Communications and Information, and Education, the awards this year was held at The Ground Theatre at *SCAPE in Orchard. Other than the prize presentation itself, attendees were treated to a rousing dance performance as well as a “best dressed” competition.
Are we ready to wrestle with inflation? (courtesy of Alexis Foundation)
“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” – Sam Ewing
Inflation. The sheer mention of the word brings forth shudders.
Have you wondered why…
a) People aren’t talking about your products – online or offline?
b) Nobody’s interested in your marketing messages?
c) Customer’s aren’t beating a path to your door?
d) Your employees are making a hasty exit?
e) Shareholders are pulling out their funds?
f) All of the above are happening – at the same time?
Our greatest enemy isn’t sugar, fat or empty calories. Rather, it is the overflowing rivers of content streaming from our handheld devices, laptops and television screens.
Swirling on our smartphones like endless puffs of cotton candy, those pleasurable bits of videos, photos, text, and comics can gobble up hours of our time. Along the way, our attention spans are also torn to shreds.
Ben Simpfendorfer of Silk Road Associates
Are China and India still the “factory” and “outsourced service provider” of the world? How big is the market for Muslim-friendly products and services? What are the promises and perils of trading in the East?
In a sweeping expose on the dynamic forces shaping the “New East”, Ben Simpfendorfer’s The Rise of the New East provides an in-depth view of how the economic resurgence of Asia and the Middle East are changing global markets. Spanning halfway round the globe – from Turkey to the United Arab Emirates to India, South East Asia and China – the book brings one on a fascinating tour of the complex business characteristics governing our neck of the woods.
What is the value of your likes, follows, and friends on social networks? Is more necessarily merrier?
Thanks to a recent episode on Michael Stelzner’s Social Media Marketing podcast, I was intrigued with the notion of generating a Return On Relationship from Ted Rubin, an experienced social media marketing expert.
Have you voted for your favourite blogger yet? (from Singapore Blog Awards 2014)
Yes, it is time yet again for the Singapore Blog Awards. Organised by Omy.sg, this annual competition cum celebration of what’s new, hot and happening in the blogging scene is in its 7th year running, with over $30,000 worth of prizes to be won.
This year’s awards has a total of nine Editors’/Judges’ Choice categories and three new Followers categories. Other than the old favourites like Best Family blog, Best Food blog, and Best Photography blog, a Best New Blog award category has been created to acknowledge newbie bloggers who started their blogs in the past year.
Do you wanna fund a start-up?
If so, good news! StarHub’s Crowdtivate – an Asian-focused crowdfunding platform launched in April this year – now has 12 Asia-based projects available for support. As a rewards-based platform, Crowdtivate mandates that listed projects should provide different levels of rewards for funders of differing quantums, with a minimum sum of S$5. Often, funders will enjoy a special “early bird” price for a new product as its backers.
Nick Vujicic is a man on a global mission. And boy is he creating waves wherever he goes.
At the tender age of 31, Nick is a motivational guru, evangelist, and author of several bestselling books. A celebrated speaker, he gets invitations to speak from all over the world – Australia (Melbourne was his childhood home), Europe, US, China, India, Africa, and South East Asia (including Singapore). He is also an avid swimmer, surfer, sky diver, and actor.