Wenen Tang

Insanity or desperation? "141 agencies have responded to the Ministry of Communications and Information's (MCI) whole of government creative pitch." Many of these are far from being small players. They include Accenture Singapore, BLKJ Havas, Cheil Singapore, DDB Worldwide, Dentsu Solutions, Edelman, Fisherman Integrated, Grey Group, IPG Mediabrands, Ruder Finn Asia , TBWA Singapore, and Ogilvy... And the potential prize? To end up on "a panel of an estimated 80 contractors for the whole of government in Singapore." So after all that, there is still no guarantee of getting any projects to recoup your investment in the pitch and maybe make some money. Can somebody please explain how this makes sense for the participating agencies? https://lnkd.in/gpHCQQji

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Never use an agency and always apply for PR yourself and there are quotas: "'I was able to get a PR in Singapore in less than 2 years’ — Woman shares how she did it". Kudos to her but she fits some of the criteria hence why she was successful. I applied for PR almost as soon as I got to Singapore as I realised pretty early on that both the EP and then PEP that I was on weren't very secure. It took me only a year but that was then, this is now when it's many times harder. Many of my business owning friends have failed many times to get it because they are not fitting into the strict criteria that includes: - we do have a quota system and PR applicants like EPs and citizenship applicants have to fit within this which is 76% ethnically Chinese, 14% ethnically Malay, 9% ethnically Indian and 1% everyone else/Eurasian.... So you can see that it's very hard if you're caucasian to get it. - if you're married to a Singaporean it helps - if you own property here it helps - if you are under 40 it helps - if you run your own company and employ Singaporeans it helps - if you're earning lots of money it helps - if you have a son and include him on your application which means that he will have to do NS (conversely if you don't include him you will be knocked out) The whole voluntary side of things is a red herring. ICA don't care, all that they care about is your economic worth and your integration into our society. PR is also not permanent as this lady tells and I have also heard of many people's PR being cancelled for not paying CPF or shortened to a year. But never ever use one of these agencies that promise you PR but 99% fail and get you the same result as if you did it yourself but you're out several thousand dollars! They usually tell people to appeal and charge them for doing so but the fact is that you are no more likely to get it on appeal than the first time. What do you think? What's your experience with the PR process? If you are looking for a portfolio career of multiple income streams rather than just one big role we can help you with our specific low cost Job Seeker Personal Branding Service for LinkedIn which now includes a FREE CV too, details here https://lnkd.in/dqWRi6EZ https://lnkd.in/g4R39_be

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@dearfoodiepebbles on Instagram began as a personal photo diary, capturing everyday small foods that brought me joy. When I moved halfway across the world to #NewYorkCity in August 2023 for the NUS Overseas Colleges, I decided to revive the account, thinking it would document my food journey across America. With only a modest 200+ followers, I took a leap of faith, pitching collaborative partnerships to brands where I would film, edit, and curate professionally crafted posts in exchange for sponsorship in kind. To my excitement, several brands agreed without hesitation, impressed by the quality and aesthetics of my feed. Even if it was just a photograph of a $1 black sesame bun, they believed in the potential of what I could create. With no professional equipment—just my trusty iPhone 11—I shot my very first sponsored reel. I taught myself how to edit short-form reels, mastering CapCut Pro, and experimented with different filming and editing techniques to continually elevate the quality of my content. Soon, my posts attracted exclusive media preview invites and tastings. While balancing a full-time internship and entrepreneurship studies under the NOC curriculum, social media content creation quickly became my passion project. I continued to grow my account with conviction, dedicating a ton of my time to curating my page (my roommates Sean Spencer Manik and Bozheng Z. can attest to this being my second full-time job 🤣). Every 20-30 second reel involved significant effort: 1. Pitching my services 2. Negotiating partnership deliverables and arranging the shoot 3. Shooting the content 4. Editing the reel (raw cuts of video clips, voiceover and caption scripting, voiceover recording, embedding text, animations, background music, and creating the thumbnail) 5. Posting the reel and engaging with the online community In 9 months, I grew my following 16x, partnered with >200+ brands in 6 North American cities, secured sponsorships valued at >$20,000, and even earned from UGC videos. Beyond food, I also carved out niches in lifestyle and beauty. From board game cafes to head spas, these partnerships allowed me to diversify my content and experience the city to the fullest with friends, often at little to no cost. At the end of the day, I loved treating my NOC peers to dining experiences in NYC’s vibrant culinary scene and more. I improved my proficiency in social media management and content creation, learned how to present myself as a professional freelancer, and pitched to many stakeholders to get their buy-in. Of course, I’m still learning how to boost engagement and keep abreast of current trends, but I’m so proud of how far @dearfoodiepebbles has come and I am glad to have started something I can truly call my own 🤍 Follow @dearfoodiepebbles on IG for more! 🤗 https://lnkd.in/ehtMZp9h

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I don’t network well. Was ruminating silently at a dinner setting. Noticing I was a little flustered, Peter Koh walked over and we exchanged briefly. We arranged for a session at Oceanus Group Ltd. He was right off a session with the top folks from Temasek. Was generous of him to spare the time. He is prolific. I've read up on how he got out of retirement and brought Oceanus out of SGX's watchlist. These are news one could easily google. Not what I'm going to share here. Me, "What is success?" Him, "Being happy. Purpose." Peter ran a brand agency for 20 over years before he sold it off and spent time catching up with old friends all over the world. Him, “Too many times we say that we would catch up, but we never did. So I made it happen.” This was his past life before coming out of retirement. I too, run a brand agency. I was curious. Me, "What made you sell the agency and retired early?" He was on a flight. This was years ago before the era of smartphones. There was a turbulence and he was awaken by a flight attendant. She handed him a piece of paper and a pen. "What for?" Peter asked. He realised that the crew were handing out the same to everyone down the aisle. "What did you write?" asked an American beside him. Peter was gathering his composure as he showed him a blank paper, like his mind then. Him, "Yourself?" The American penned his apologies to his Wife for quarreling over a packet of sugar, and regretted breaking his promise to his Son. Was to take him out over the weekends. But he had to travel to seal a significant multi-million dollar contract. Yet at the critical moment, what seemed significant became insignificant. The seemingly insignificant moments became the ones that matter. This was Peter's story to me. On his epiphany. And his way of sharing with me on finding the right balance. I do find it conflicting in trying to balance between being a passionate creative, astute entrepreneur and a dedicated family man. From one creative to another, he emphasised that we've to be in the moment to capture details, and not to dwell over what's not within control. Compartmentalise. That defines his leadership style. He goes into office happy 6 days a week. Sundays are rest days. He quoted Master Wugui from Kung Fu Panda, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." He didn’t brush off an animation. He quotes what resonates with him. “Get these conflicts out of the way, hope you’re happier the next time I see you. You don't have to tell me, I'll know," encouraged Peter. As he graciously ushered me out of the office. I’ve had these conversations for a while now. This was profound. I left with quite a bit to think about. Now, what would you write if you're given a pen and paper when your life is about to flash past you in 20 seconds? _ ____ __ _____ ____ ____ ____ __ ______ This is mine. Fill in your blanks. #Entrepreneurships #CEOinsights

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What do you do? Although I ask people this myself, I find this question soooo difficult to answer. Probably due to being a portfolio career kind of gal (see: https://lnkd.in/gnVc9MHQ) Because there are many things I do. And it depends on the day. I go to the beach. I overthink. I drink margaritas. I play the Wordle. I do small talk really awkwardly… Maybe that should be my answer! 😆 But in a business/work/networking scenario maybe I miss an opportunity. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I often say “I do a bunch of stuff” which, for a communicator, isn’t particularly sophisticated. So I need a better response. I’d love to hear the different ways people answer this question without sounding like a verbal résumé. Or even better, what alternative questions are there? Please discuss.

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From BlackPink to Samsung to Squid Games – Korea’s 'Hallyu' “Life isn’t long enough for people to mature” “I wish you luck. Going through this life is the first time for all of us anyway.” “Bad memories stay longer in my heart.” Just a few examples of impossible to miss quotes from K-dramas. Within a remarkably short span, Koreans have not just redefined "K" but also become synonymous with a global cultural export powerhouse! The "Hallyu" or Korean Wave has unleashed a tidal wave of K-dramas, K-pop hits, delectable K-food, and even revolutionary K-skincare products across the globe. According to a report by InvestKOREA, the cultural content industry has surged, generating an astounding US$ 12.5 billion in exports! Even Netflix has doubled it’s spend on Korean content to US$ 2.5 billion last year. During my recent travel to South Korea, I tried to delve deeper into the global phenomena that is the Korean Hallyu and discovered a multi-faceted narrative of history, ambition and most importantly execution. The role of the Korean government, effective management of all touch points, the minute attention to detail and the scouting and preparation of talent are all factors which contribute towards the trend. It’s even more impressive once you consider that this phenomenon has been created in just over two decades – Korea went through an economic crisis in the 90s and had to take an IMF loan in 1997. Personally, what impressed me the most is how the old and new have both amplified the crest of this wave. The K-Pop stars like BTS and Blackpink have virtual avatars, are ubiquitous on social media and infuse technology into each part of their musical act. The K-dramas and movies on the other hand do not compete with the razzle and dazzle of Marvel, but focus on age old concoctions of love, humour, violence, history and sarcasm resulting in masterpieces like the Oscar winning ‘Parasite’. It’s very interesting that as a country, Korea's marketing strategy goes beyond showcasing glitzy buildings and natural landscapes. They effectively highlight a balanced mix of streets, culture, food, entertainment, and people to present a comprehensive view of the country.

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141 creative agencies are gunning for a place in WOG. Having spent my entire career in Singapore with network agencies, this is always a constant topic. 1. It doesn't make money 2. It is propaganda 3. It is not creative The fact is that in Singapore, a lot can be done to improve how we communicate policies, engagement, recruitment, and whatever else needs to be done to improve the lives of Singaporeans and those living here. The government will always need our expertise to distil policy into effective communications. We make money by operating and working with the right government clients, just as we review our other commercial clients. You have the power to still say,"No." It is not seen as propaganda but how we give ourselves a greater sense of purpose. It has to mean more. Creativity is a journey and a balance of what needs to be achieved and be accountable for. Why 141 and not just 10? Well, we all know that part of WOG's function is to provide another source of revenue for agencies of all sizes, granted that we all start at different stages and circumstances. My advice is to do the work, be part of WOG, and give yourself a chance to produce work that matters.

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I’ll be honest, the most creative freedom I’ve ever had was never in a creative agency, it was being in-house in a tech company working directly to the founders. Am going to tell you the back story of my favourite project at Gojek and give a simple why. So 2017, I joined this Indonesia decacorn called Gojek ( mainly funded by Google and tencent ) in Jakarta. And as the CMO was leaving, I was told I would report to the founders directly. You would think no CMO it’s going to be a mess but instead I had so much creative freedom. The founders asked for one thing. “VJ can you make us cool” That became the most simple but hardest instruction ever. But a worthy challenge. One evening one of the founders, Kevin messages me and asked me if I wanted to do a music video with rich brian. ( dope indonesian rapper in LA ) of course I jumped at it and said yes. But I told him I don’t wanna do a normal mv brand collab, I wanted to do something different. No typical press release to announce it. Let’s take fans on a journey on social and create brandter between Gojek and rich Brian on twitter ( which was huge in Indonesia ) The rest of the work is in this case study below https://lnkd.in/g7JFB6eS But what I want to say here is the total creative freedom I got dealing directly with the founder of a company, minus all the layers inbetween was how I had total creative freedom. And that’s how we broke the internet back then. It worked because the idea wasn’t watered down. Only Kevin and me knew what was going on w this project. Fast forward to now, Gary our founder at Vaynermedia has this let’s start with a Social Media Ad, A simple social post or a single tweet ( in this case ) and grow it to something bigger. Let the internet decide the journey of the campaign. Love this formula, uncertainty and the best part is I got to do this even before joining Vayner. #socialmedia #indonesia #musicmarketing #creative #inhouse #creativefreedom

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In the age of ChatGPT, creating content is easy. But your audience will connect with realness, not posturing. Here are eight tips from the Singapore Writers Festival: 1️⃣ Use your imagination for caring, not violence. 2️⃣ The world craves your unique perspective, not another lecture. 3️⃣ Don’t try too hard to sound impressive. 4️⃣ Write, not perform. 5️⃣ Authenticity is magnetic. 6️⃣ Stop trying to please everyone. 7️⃣ Your best writing will never be universally liked—and that’s okay. 8️⃣ Tap your subconscious to share your emotional truth, even when it feels raw or vulnerable. #lbfalumni #skyhightower

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Once a upon a time, a wise producer whom I used to work with in my early VHQ KL Post days said ; Always look 100 steps ahead and always have a rationale behind the idea. Be transparent with the message and clear communication for the brand. She's absolutely right. I've kept this words with me until today. Unfortunately, this isn't always being applied to a recent encounter which I've had with a 5 star hotel brand, The W with one of their restaurant online booking website, flock. The whole idea of having a website with online booking is to give your patrons a convenience to book online with all the information clearly stated on the site. If the marcomm team do not have the time to maintain and update any information of the restaurant's buffet details, have a prompted copy based call to action to drive the patrons to an alternative solution. Something as simple as so is already sufficient: Our buffets are available on alternate weekends. To find out more details on the booking date and timing, please contact us at so and so contact number. Another alternative would maybe not have the online booking at all, for all buffets since the ui/ux of that portion is rather vague with no options or buttons to choose buffet or ala carte. Imagine if I hadn't called them a day before to double confirm our booking for our 24th anniversary dinner plans, that would be a full on disappointment. We ended up going to Belly and the Chef in Section 17, PJ for a yummy, scrumptious Big Break; a cosy brunch and to die for cendol at Kwong Wah for dessert the next day instead. I would highly recommend checking out The Belly and the Chef's food and drinks. Really, really good quality and super yummy with efficient and friendly service. As for big service industry brands out there, do better and look 100 steps ahead before embarking on any platform which your marcomm team thinks "it's just to get onboard onto digital platforms, just because" #TheWhotel #hospitality #transparency #ui #userexperience #informationarchitecture

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What Running SquidJC Taught Me (Besides How to Survive on Coffee and Optimism) Thanks to my adventurous journey from Copywriter to Chaos Manager, I’m officially ready to jump on the bandwagon of “3 things I’ve learnt” posts from leading SquidJC - haha! Let’s dive in: 👉 Helping gets you those brownie points I play the long game, so instead of swooping in to solve my own business problems, I focus on solving the client’s. Yes, even if it means passing on the industry standard of taking an easy win with an unsuspecting client - at the expense of my bottomline. But this “radical” concept of transparency has an odd side effect: it builds trust. Clients tend to remember that, often circling back, ready to work together in a different professional capacity. Turns out, being honest is the ultimate hustle.    👉 Making clients part of the process The old-school agency-client dynamic? Not my style. I’d rather take clients behind the scenes, pull back the curtain, and say, “Let’s do this together!” It’s about crushing their business goals while making them feel involved and valued - where we’re on the same team. This approach keeps the client informed about any progress and challenges, but it also taps into shared expertise - like a collaborative masterclass - with a bonus of speedy approvals. 👉 It’s not just hiring; it’s finding the right fit. Cultural fit often gets treated like the white crayon in a child’s box - ignored and forgotten. We obsess over hiring the “perfect” candidate with stellar skills but overlook whether they align with our vision and values. In the creative field, this oversight can be fatal. That’s why I’ve come to value potential team members who fit the culture I’m trying to build - Hunger. I want those who are as hungry for a challenge as me, but also know how to steer through chaos, collaborate easily, and share the load without breaking a sweat. Hope my lessons struck a chord! Do you have your own cheat codes for running a business? Spill them in the comments - I’m all ears! #SquidJC #MyTwoCents #LessonsLearned #BuildingTrust #CultureFit #ContentMarketing #AgencyLife

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Looks like I am going to be wizarding brand till the end of my time. My next brand-related undertaking is as Director, UIPM Digital & Branding Academy (previously I was running my own Asia Brand Academy). That in addition to my current: 1. adjunct lecturing in brand-related subjects for 2 universities 2. PhD candidacy in branding 3. keeping BrandLab afloat whilst completing my full-time studies 4. received Honorary Doctorate in brand-related fields 5. curriculum developer for online brand courses It is going to be 30 years of branding experience since I started in 1995. It proves a point, that if your passion is in X, X will will find you and keep coming to you even when you are not aggressively looking for X.

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Are Gen Zs and millennials happy with their pay? Between pay 💰, work-life balance and flexibility, what do they value most? Profiles by Kantar did a survey on Young Working Adults in collaboration with The Straits Times (SPH Media\). The survey delved into current job satisfaction and #career aspirations of Gen Z, younger millennials and older #millennials. Click the link to read more. https://lnkd.in/gF2s4apv #MarketResearch #MRX #MarketTrends Sachin Somaiya May Ling Tham Shaz Mustaffa Swee Yee Lim Xuan Lin Phang Mervin Boey

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The future is age inclusive - commercially, culturally and socially. At Ageism Is Never In Style® we’re proud to partner and consult on marketing strategy, campaigns and visuals for brands, businesses, agencies and organisations that want to be at the forefront of this movement and understand they can’t afford to be left behind. #AgeismIsNeverInStyle #Ageing #Aging #Ageism #AgingPopulation #AgeingPopulation

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I always blame my mentor. You're doing okay, he said, but what's next? what's the plan? (far more articulately than that, but you get the jist). I'm pretty sure he never meant that I should tear headfirst to Asia, but here I am, six months later. ...And what a six months. If I've learned anything - and there's no guarantee that I have - it's this: 📝 The paperwork, especially when relocating with children, is INTENSE. No joke, the admin alone nearly made me quit the process 🪜 Starting again is *hard*. But there is huge satisfaction with proving to yourself that you can do it. Bonus points if you have some awesome cheerleaders that keep urging you on. 👋🏼 Culture goes a long way. I'm forever amazed at the consistency of culture in JPM - it gives you faith that kindness and intelligence is the norm (no matter how gloomy the world can sometimes seem) Mostly though, get a mentor, listen to other people...and then go with your gut instincts anyway. And if anyone asks how you got here, blame your mentor. #jpmorgan #mobility #career

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Sovereign clouds are sweeping through the global tech landscape, reshaping strategies and challenging norms. Here's my latest story on this topic for Network World.

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OpenMinds DIGITAL is live! Fully co-owned by female powerhouses Michelle Phang and LiYee May. Super proud of them! We decided to place more emphasis on our digital offerings to cater to the rising need for effective digital solutions for both MNCs and SMEs. Enhance your online presence and digital marketing efforts: 1. Digital transformation advisory and execution 2. Digital audit and diagnosis 3. Data reporting and analytics 4. Online marketing and brand positioning 5. Performance marketing, funneling, product market fit Need digital help but not where to start? Drop me a PM! #digitaltransformation #digitalmarketing #onlinepositioning #onlinemarketing #digital #digitalmalaysia #businessgrowth OpenMinds®

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