Jeremy Seow

#Opinion | Agency holding companies face a new crossroads: Reunite media and creative or risk irrelevance. Iain Jacob predicted five years ago that buying tech and data, rather than renting it, would help agency “dinosaurs” modernise. Now, he says, merging media and creative will be a key differentiator in the AI era. Read his perspective here: https://lnkd.in/gp9BCirU

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I had the privilege of speaking on a panel today at the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management World PR Forum in Bali, alongside esteemed colleagues, to discuss the evolving role of public relations in advancing global sustainability. Here are a few highlights from my contributions: - The role of PR has evolved - it is now a gateway to change. Today, we are not just storytellers—we are agents of change, driving positive social and environmental transformation. - To truly support sustainability, we must communicate honestly and responsibly, back up environmental claims with verifiable evidence and affirm messages with meaningful action. - Greenwashing is more than just misleading - it can be harmful. Beyond reputational damage, loss of trust, and financial penalties, greenwashing jeopardises genuine climate actions and hinders environmental progress. #SustainabilityCommunications #PRForChange #Greenwashing #GlobalSustainability #ResponsibleCommunication #earthmaverick Noella M. @Kristy Nelman and moderator T. Marlene Danusutedjo, IAPR

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Recently the PR mess originated by the series of outrageous remarks of a senior Baidu PR executive in Douyin aroused a tremendous backlash in Chinese social media. Her behaviors were unfathomable and generated many questions at first sight: Aren’t PR executives supposed to work behind the scene? How could she take the liberty to come to the centre stage instead? More importantly, the mandate of communication professionals is to help companies uphold their reputation. Why did she act in other way round?           Later there were news reports divulging that this female PR executive of Baidu has already established her own company in April. Its businesses are to sell FMCG, household appliances, telecommunications devices and garments online, i.e. via livestreaming selling. Logically people tend to think that she did this in order to grab Internet traffic for herself and her own company.         I could only say the entire incident is utterly lack of professional decency. It brings a dark day to the PR industry in China in which many stakeholders are being impacted. For instance, female PR professionals have been working very hard for decades to fight for respect and recognition they legitimately deserve. Such efforts are particularly important in the China market where female PR executives sometimes are being wrongly stereotyped with stained glasses. This Baidu PR lady has pushed her peers’ years of painstaking efforts backwards for miles and left them in tatters.             Baidu’s reputation also receives a big blow. But this incident begs a question: This senior PR leader has been with the company for quite a while and her idiosyncrasies are not formed in one day. This means the company should have known these for some time and decides not to do anything about it. What kind of signal in terms of the company’s corporate culture does this reflect?   Email: [email protected] WeChat: Edwinparadigm

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What do you think will be the big trends for professional communicators in 2025? Here are some ideas I’ve been considering: AI – Its influence on productivity, creativity, and reputation management continues to grow. Climate Action – As severe weather events become more frequent and impactful, they’re affecting communities and employees. At the same time, some regions seem to be reverting to a "drill baby drill" mindset. Diversity and Inclusion – Advances in this area may face setbacks as some regions attempt to rewind progress. The Impact of Social Media – Governments are increasingly focused on minimising the harmful effects of social media, especially on children and in political discourse. The Role of Traditional Media – Wealthy individuals and organisations continue to exert significant influence through these channels. While these trends are fairly obvious, here’s a sleeper issue I think will gain traction: Freedom – A growing tension is emerging between those who view freedom as the right to do as they wish, and those who see it as the right to dignity and be free from harm.

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Where does the #publicrelations industry in #Asia and beyond move towards? Who are the movers and shakers? What are the latest trends? #PR is certainly not dead at all! Great conversation with communications expert and industry veteran Robert Pickard, OG. Onwards and upwards! #growth #asiapacific #integrated #corporatecommunications #reputationmanagement #value

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I love that it's no longer taboo to talk about burnout. Having worked in an agency environment for the past 16 years, it has been refreshing to witness the change first-hand. In the past, you would often hear consultants humblebrag about how many hours they had billed that week, or how they had coffee in their veins instead of blood, or how little sleep they were able to survive on. 🙄 The funny thing was that quantity didn't always equate to quality. Quality work happened when you were able to bring your best self to work. 🙌 I was reminded of this when I listened to this podcast featuring Stephen Lew from The School of Positive Psychology. Take a listen if the subject interests you! #client #wellbeing #flourishing #burnout

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It has not been an easy year , by any measure, for Asia-Pacific PR firms — so it's worth shouting out: 😇 The agencies that put their heads above the parapet and spoke to us honestly about their performance, warts and all, in this year's Agencies of the Year competition. 🏅All of the firms that were subsequently shortlisted across the 14 Geographic and Specialist categories. The best firms, surely, prove their mettle under challenging conditions, and it seems unlikely that many have experienced a more testing period than the past 12 months. Full analysis of the 52 shortlisted firms can be found at the link below, the result once again of an extensive research process that is either a labour of love, or a love of labour 😍 🔬 Our Agencies of the Year competition might be best known for the baubles it bestows at the annual SABRE Awards ceremonies, but I often view the process as an invaluable means of taking the current temperature of the various regional PR industries that we cover. So I'll be back soon with further analysis of the key trends that have emerged from the research. A big thank you to everyone that participated this year. I'll see you at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Summit & SABRE Awards in Singapore on 19 September. Get your tickets soon!

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“The post-cookie world is not the end of digital advertising; it's the beginning of a new paradigm of trust and transparency,” says Spark Foundry’s Rachida Murray. In an article for Campaign Asia-Pacific, Rashida stresses that the key to navigate this paradigm shift lies in leveraging first-party data and reimagining the approach to building consumer relationships. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/gKz2MQUr

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Can our key messages stay forever young? One challenge we often face is knowing when to revise these key messages. They may have served us well in the past, but as our brands and organisations evolve, so too should our key messages. So, how do we tackle this challenge? It’s all about staying attuned to our organisation’s growth and changes. Here are a few tips I have used over the years: 1. Monitor and Measure: Regularly review your key messages against your current goals. Are they still aligned? If not, it might be time for a revision. 2. Feedback is Key: Listen to your stakeholders. Are they resonating with your messages? Use surveys or feedback sessions to gauge this. 3. Stay Current: Keep an eye on industry trends and shifts. Your key messages should reflect not only who you are as an organisation but also the context in which you operate. Remember, our key messages might not be forever young, but with regular revision, they can stay forever relevant. Need more help? Join our new Run Your Own Marketing community at www.ryom.strtgcommsgrp.com. I provide tools + resources (templates, guides, etc.), training, and solution-ing (process, curation, etc.) as well as a peer community to learn with, to support you establishing a successful brand and business. With over 20+ years in the industry, I have created frameworks, methods and content that enable you and/or your team to launch, grow, execute and earn revenue effectively and efficiently. Follow me on LinkedIn/subscribe at my website (https://lnkd.in/gQJ5ePbH) to receive my weekly newsletter where I share my learnings and opinions from a communicator’s perspective. #strategiccommunications #strtgcommsgrp #levelup #training #upskilling #lifelonglearning #publicrelations #PR #prstrategy #communications #storytelling #narrative #branding #brandstrategy #runningaPRbusiness #pragency #projectmanagement #marketing #marketingstrategy #leadership #marketingtips #prtips #SMEtips

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Retail media isn’t just a trend; it’s becoming a core part of how consumers shop today and how brands reach the right audiences. In a recent interview with MARKETECH APAC, Ken Mandel, Regional Managing Director and Head of #GrabAds & Enterprise at Grab, discusses the unique capabilities of RMNs and the best practices for brands to make the most of this fast-growing channel in the new year – whether that’s leveraging the #omnichannel nature of RMNs or considering the audiences unique to each RMN. Explore more insights here: https://lnkd.in/gjd7-P4T #Grab #SuperappAdvertising #RetailMedia

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The latest Brand Insider Quick Take features Jason Lim, Chief Planning Officer at EssenceMediacom. Jason talks about the fusing of the art of expertly thought out media planning with the science of modern media allocation. #MediaPostInsiderSummits

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Another interesting PR crisis case study. I think companies need to be ready for issues that may arise from the current climate. In this case, cultural appropriation.

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Space to watch #2 Social Commerce. Amid the shifting dynamics of the media landscape, social commerce is set to soar across APAC in 2024. Dentsu expert Arin Phummarin, Head of Total Commerce, dentsu has spotlighted Social Commerce as a must "Spaces to watch" in 2024 and beyond.    In 2024, social commerce in APAC is booming with TikTok and Meta leading the way. 🌟 Key trends include TikTok's seamless shopping for over 1.5 billion users, Meta's enhanced Instagram shopping and WhatsApp Business, and high engagement on live commerce platforms like Taobao Marketplace Live and Shopee Live. 🚀 Brands must innovate with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) to stay ahead. Ready to elevate your social commerce strategy? https://lnkd.in/gxXM6B9G   #SocialCommerce #eCommerce #AdvertisingForecast #APACAdSpend2024 #dentsuAPAC

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According to dentsu's 2024 index, the number of brands involved in B2B buying has jumped to 62% since 2021.   “Our goal is to provide B2B brands with the tools and insights they need to connect their marketing, IT, and sales efforts more effectively and these solutions represent a significant leap forward in our commitment to driving B2B success," Patrick Hounsell, president of Dentsu B2B, said. #b2b #marketing #singapore ------ -[Conferences] Our "What's NEXT" series is in full swing for 2024 and 2025, and will be held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore to lead the discussion on the future of the marketing industry in the region. Check out our events lineup HERE: https://bit.ly/3AOYWKA -[Webinar] Join us for an insightful event where industry experts delve into the transformative power of conversational marketing to forge deeper, more personalised relationships. Register your interest for this webinar happening on October 3 HERE: https://bit.ly/4dI06WE -[Workshop] Exclusive for brand marketers in Singapore. Embark on a journey to harness the full potential of WhatsApp for Business from discovery to re-engagement, upselling, and beyond. Ready to level up Your WhatsApp marketing game? Register for this workshop HERE: https://bit.ly/3XcOZxU 

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If you are in the APAC Region, this is worth your time. And no matter where you are in the world, if you are a #communicationprofessional and find yourself becoming increasingly focused internally, Monique Zytnik's book is worth reading.

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⚡ JUST IN: What are the three non-negotiables for brands entering the social commerce space? Connie Chan (CEO, OMD China) and Dileep Raj Singh (Head of Digital, OMD APAC) share their three must-haves and the latest social commerce trends that brands can capitalise on today. Watch the full episode: https://lnkd.in/g87nji4m #OMDDigest #SocialCommerce #CommerceCentricity

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If any of our commercial insurance clients are thinking about entering the social commerce space for the first time, these tips will help you. #BusinessInsurance

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Most spokespersons are "great" until they say a little too much. Then begins the race to stop the journalist from publishing the extra bit. "Please don’t print that.” "It will damage the brand." "We will talk about that topic in a separate interview." Multiple reasons are given to ensure that the journalist cooperates. Here’s the hard truth: Once it’s said, it’s out there. You’re at the mercy of the media. That's why Prevention > Damage control. Here's how you can ensure prevention: - Plan your talking points before any interview - Role-play potential questions - Pause before you answer. Do these to control your narrative before the media does. How have you been approaching media interviews so far?

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