McGallen & Bolden Group is an award-winning, field-proven, leading strategy, marketing and B2B PR agency in Asia Pacific, headquartered in Singapore. Our motto is “making ideas work”, where our experience since 1991, more than 30 years running, will get your brand and products entrenched and trusted in the Asia Pacific.
Here are some updates, awards we have won, and news about our firm.
July 2023
Separate Crisis Communication Program
Our Media Training programs included crisis communication and basic crisis management modules. But with the increasing sophistication of crisis communication, the introduction of ISO 22361:2022 standard and guidelines for crisis management, the rise of cybersecurity incidents as mainstream crises, we have created a separate and comprehensive Crisis Communications Primer program, with specific incident response for cybersecurity, checklists, and quick guides. Find out more on our Training page.
May 2023
Tough Times, Great PR – dot Zen 3.0: Building brands and publicity for the 21st century
Brands large and small face the toughest times in the 21st century, with global pandemics and conflicts causing roadblocks and downturns. How then, can brands bootstrap to win in the war for branding and publicity? Explore our experience gained from the few years of the global pandemic and crises helping clients build their brands in adversity.
Tough Times, Great PR
Dot Zen 3.0: Building Brands and Publicity for the 21st Century
Buy on Barnes & Noble (bn.com) now!
Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement any existing business large and emerging, and for new startups to learn from. Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement businesses large and emerging. Public relations (PR) builds brands, nurtures sales and opportunities, and protects the reputation of businesses. PR is a sustained effort nurtured by the C-suite, international communications and external specialist partners. Following the good reception of the two earlier Dot Zen books, this book continues a journey through the years of a global pandemic, trade wars and conflicts, with a three decades old PR and strategy consulting firm staying afloat and helping clients grow together through the crises with good publicity, brand building, and reputation management. What were the lessons learned during these crises? How can we benefit from them to nurture and build brands for the long haul? This book serves as an anthology of easy-to-read pieces to stir the imagination with ideas for the C-suite executives and business leaders, peppered with calligraphy and little “Dot Zen Moment” thoughts throughout the book.
Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement any existing business large and emerging, and for new startups to learn from. Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement businesses large and emerging. Public relations (PR) builds brands, nurtures sales and opportunities, and protects the reputation of businesses. PR is a sustained effort nurtured by the C-suite, international communications and external specialist partners. Following the good reception of the two earlier Dot Zen books, this book continues a journey through the years of a global pandemic, trade wars and conflicts, with a three decades old PR and strategy consulting firm staying afloat and helping clients grow together through the crises with good publicity, brand building, and reputation management. What were the lessons learned during these crises? How can we benefit from them to nurture and build brands for the long haul? This book serves as an anthology of easy-to-read pieces to stir the imagination with ideas for the C-suite executives and business leaders, peppered with calligraphy and little “Dot Zen Moment” thoughts throughout the book.
Apr 2023
AI chatbot “Macie” on our website
Our AI chatbot “Macie” is “live” on our website. You can find her on the bottom right corner of the website, or on our Labs page.
Apr 2023
Listed in 100 Best Singapore Blogs and Websites
Our mcgallen.com blog (mcgallen.com/insights) has been listed as one of the best Singapore blogs at FeedSpot, a leading aggregator of websites and blogs around the world.
Mar 2023
Updated Aurea Terras visual identity
We have updated our Aurea Terras – the Asia Pacific PR Collective’s visual identity to be in line with the rest of our group’s visual identity, in bold red and typography.
Mar 2023
Voicemail number change
Our current provider of many years has decided not to suppose Singapore phone numbers, and so we changed a new provider, which requires us to change a new number, at +6531051378. Please note this new number. As always, you can easily reach us by email or through this website.
Mar 2023
Adoption of new logo on website
We have begun to adopt a bolder version of our 1990s logo which persisted till now. The new logo is bolder and easier to fit into the smartphone world of monochrome icons.
Feb 2023
Our new website pages on YouTube and Podcasts
Please check out our pages here, where we reference our YouTube and Podcasts. Be sure to check out each of our channels.
Feb 2023
Podcasts coming up – https://mcgallen.podbean.com
We are taking our video content and converting to podcasts, currently at https://mcgallen.podbean.com, where you can find audible content. We will also be widening our distribution channels. Stay tuned for more.
Jan 2023
Restarting YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/@microwirenews
We are restarting our YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@microwirenews/videos, where you can find product reviews in video formats for easier consumption, even on a TV screen. Stay tuned for more.
Dec 2022
Restarting YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/@mcgallen
We are restarting our YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@mcgallen/videos, where you can find some of our written content converted to video formats for easier consumption, even on a TV screen. Stay tuned for more.
Dec 2022
LinkedIn Content Management for C-suite
For B2B clients, the need to have LinkedIn content is paramount, as much as blog content for your corporate website or a microsite we can host and maintain. We can help you with:
- Build Profile Pages – Editing and building your C-suite personal pages
- Research Trends – Researching trends and topics for your C-suite to share
- Create Short Posts – Write trending short posts for your C-suite to post
- Manage Profile – Moderate and manage your C-suite profiles and content
C-suite LinkedIn Management – We make it easy for your C-suite trying to build their LinkedIn content and reputation. We will strategize the content direction, research current trends, make short posts that are engaging and interesting for your audiences, and your C-suite executives can APPROVE (or reject) the content, and then they go LIVE on their LinkedIn. It is that simple!
Dec 2022
Crisis Management and Communication Program Updated
We have updated our training content to cater to the global conflicts and ongoing medical challenges, cybersecurity threats, as well as studio and home/office environment setups for Zoom and other videoconferencing methods, so that our clients’ spokespersons are more able to communicate corporate decisions and actions on-air and in other media. We have also updated the content for more tips and tricks with videoconferencing (e.g. Zoom, Teams, etc). We have acquired BlackMagic Design’s Studio Camera system for mock broadcast interviews for our clients’ spokespersons. Find out more about our Crisis Communication training.
Apr 2022
TechBehemoths
We are listed on TechBehemoths, the Berlin-based digital and web company that has great work behind its journey. TechBehemoths provide businesses with business possibilities from over 57,000 IT companies spanning the globe, covering over 140 countries and more than 6,800 cities.
Feb 2022
Best 15+ Public Relations Agencies in Singapore
We are listed on Best 15+ PR Agencies in Singapore.
Jan 2022
Best in Singapore
We are listed on Best in Singapore, under “10 Best PR agencies in Singapore”.
December 2021
Sortlist
We are listed on Sortlist, a resource to find agencies, devops consultancies, etc.
March 2021
KOMPASS
One of the oldest online business directories, KOMPASS, has an entry on our firm.
February 2021
Top Training Firms in Singapore (2021)
BOOVE, the Online Book magazine from UK, has kindly included us in their “Top Training Firms and Platforms headquartered in Singapore for 2021“. We are very appreciative of their kind encouragement. Thank you!
September 2020
Bronze Stevie® Winner – PR Agency of the Year
We have won the Bronze Award for PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand (International) at the prestigious 2020 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 3,800 nominations worldwide contested, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic. This is the FOURTH year we have won a Stevie® in the International Business Awards (IBA). Thank you!
Judges’ comments:
- To be the best you need not be the biggest
- Noteworthy success supporting businesses with their PR, marketing and related activities
- Employees as core assets, and allow them to develop beyond their jobs is forward looking
July 2020
Bronze Stevie® Winner – Most Innovative PR Agency
We have won the Bronze Award for “Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2020. Thank you! Read our news release.
June 2020
5 Critical Crisis Management and Communication Tips for 2020
We released a commentary on how to manage communicaton and crises, such as what the world is facing in the COVID-19 situation, using 5 key recommendations, including preparedness, training and drills, first responses, workflow, and courage in speaking the truth.
- WRDE Coast TV
- FOX 54 News Now
- StarTribune
- Finance News World
- The Atlantic Report
- Ask
May 2020
Crisis Management and Communication Program Updated
We have updated our training content to cater to the COVID-19 situation, with provisions for videoconferencing. The content also have specific additions which include crises related to epidemics and outbreaks and what spokespersons and teams can do to communicate decisions and actions. Find out more about our Crisis Communication training, or read our blog.
August 2019
Bronze Stevie® Winner – PR Agency of the Year
We have won the Bronze Award for PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand (International) at the prestigious 2019 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 4,000 nominations from 70 nations contested. This is the THIRD year we have won a Stevie® in the International Business Awards (IBA). Thank you!
Judges’ comments:
- Creative initiatives and focus on moving one step ahead of the digital curve
- Very solid entry – good job in developing diverse offerings
- I love the newsroom you have developed
- Clearly a creative hot shop with a broad portfolio of differentiated services
- Great company with a strong team
April 2019
Bronze Stevie® Winner – Most Innovative PR Agency
We have won the Bronze Award for “Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2019. Thank you! Read our news release.
February 2019
NetJanus new trademark
Our legacy email security appliance project in the 1990s has its trademark updated and approved for publication with the USPTO.
October 2018
IRM mention about our blog
We are grateful for IRM’s Enterprise Risk Magazine for featuring our insights on crisis management and communication.
August 2018
Bronze Stevie® Winner – PR Agency of the Year
We have won the Bronze Award for PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand (International) at the prestigious 2018 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 3,900 nominations from 60+ nations contested. This is the SECOND year we have won a Stevie® in the International Business Awards (IBA). Thank you!
June 2018
McGallen & Bolden OÜ (Estonia) for the EU market
The greater Europe region, including the European Union (EU), Russia, etc, is an important and potential market for us. Through the years, we have moved our entity from Ireland, to Cyprus, to the UK, and now, to the most digitally savvy nation of Estonia, as McGallen & Bolden OÜ.
June 2018
Dissolution of McGallen & Bolden Ltd (UK)
With the impending “Brexit” from the European Union and the uncertainty a business may face, our UK entity is dissolved, and we are moving to another domicile within the EU.
April 2018
Bronze Stevie® Winner – Most Innovative PR Agency
We have won the Bronze Award for “Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2018. Thank you! Read our news release.
November 2017
Digital Firm of the Year – Honorable Mention
We won a Honorable Mention second year running for “Digital Firm of the Year 2017” at the PRNews Digital Awards 2017, alongside two U.S. digital agencies from DC and Chicago. Thank you!
August 2017
Silver Stevie® Winner – PR Agency of the Year
We have won the Silver Award for “PR Agency of the Year for Asia, Australia and New Zealand (International)” at the prestigious 2017 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 3,900 nominations from 60+ nations contested. Thank you!
PR Agency of the Year 2017 for Asia, AU & NZ (IBA)
- Judges comments:
- Nice effort, impressive work
- Really nice work for diverse clients
- Commendable work
June 2017
Red Teaming services
We have been red teaming for our retained clients for decades! Now it is time to make it serious and make it something new clients can tap on. Visit our Red Teaming page.
April 2017
Bronze Stevie® Winner – Most Innovative PR Agency
We have won the Bronze Award for “Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2017. Thank you! Some news sites that picked up our news include:
20170429 – Yahoo Finance
20170429 – PR Newswire
20170429 – SATPRnews
April 2017
Updated website
We have reflected our comprehensive and holistic services in our updated website, including Digital PR, Digital Marketing, Training, and Branding consultancy. Many offerings that we have always offered are now more visible in their own pages, including Digital PR, Asia Pacific network, Crisis Communication, and Video (Marketing and PR). Talk to us for your entire Digital PR and Marketing needs.
November 2016
Honorable Mention – Digital PR Firm of the Year
We are privileged to be awarded an Honorable Mention under the “Digital PR Firm of the Year” for the PR News’ Digital PR Awards 2016. See other winners and honorable mentions here.
October 2016
Finalist – Digital PR Firm of the Year
We are privileged to be named as a Finalist under the “Digital PR Firm of the Year” for the PR News’ Digital PR Awards 2016.
September 2016
FlightLeaders.com – Leadership Training for Aviation
We have launched our new training initiative, aimed at providing Leadership Training for the Aviation industry, at https://flightleaders.com. We are providing an all NEW Customized Decision Making Training Program with interactive video scenarios and role-plays.
April 2016
Silver Stevie® Winner – Most Innovative PR Agency
We have won the Silver Award for “Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2016. Thank you!
Judges comments include:
- Very solid team and company indeed.
- Excellent use of technology and video.
February 2016
IntrinSelling™ Primer – Sales Training Workshops
We have developed corporate sales training programs since the 1990s, for multinational corporations and emerging companies alike. If your company needs a quick primer to inspire your salespeople, the IntrinSelling™ Primer is your fastest route to sales effectiveness, developed and trained by our lead trainer Seamus Phan:
- Understanding the Behavior of Buying
- Primal (Primary) versus Learned (Secondary) buying desires
- 3-step Sales Cycle
- Building credibility in a sales process
- What is the Greatest Motivator?
- Non-Verbal Communication in sales
- Power of Mimicry
- 3 Types of Customers and the Lingo
- Case Studies
November 2015
“Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet” Workshops
Retired veteran airline Captain Michael Caston and our lead trainer Seamus Phan co-developed the corporate training program titled “Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet”. The workshop is highly experiential and hands-on, where CXOs, senior business leaders and managers, can be briefed on aviation best practices, and then apply these within the B737NG flight simulator, instructed by real pilots, and then synergize and integrate these time and field-proven ideas back at running their businesses, more effectively and more profitably. Visit https://flightleaders.com!
June 2015
RAGAN’s PR Daily Awards 2015 – Honorable Mention
We are named as Honorable Mention in the category “Best Online Newsroom” for our microwire.info.
May 2015
RAGAN’s PR Daily Awards 2015 – Finalist
We are named as a Finalist in the category “Best Online Newsroom” for our microwire.info. See the finalists here.
April 2015
Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2015 – Bronze Award
We have won the Bronze Award at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2015, under the category “Best Industry Websites”. The last time we seriously participated in awards was 2003, as the Intelligent20 Finalist for our technological innovation. Thank you folks!
December 2014 (amended Jan 2021)
Integrated Owned, Communal, Earned and Paid Media Programs
We have progressed steadily to provide an integrated media program for all clients (new and old), that moves beyond mere “earned” media (e.g. media coverage), to embrace an integrated owned media, earned media, and paid media, to give you the most effective brand and market voice and outreach. Stop chasing just media clips and advertising equivalence, and pursue a sustainable brand and market voice. Contact us today!
November 2014
Shorty Awards Entry
Our news and PR outreach platform, microwire.info, has entered into the “B2B” and “Small Agency” categories of the prestigious Industry and Agency Shorty Awards, which honors brands and agencies on social media. Wish us luck!
November 2014
Holmes Report Playbook
Our firm is listed on the Holmes Report Playbook. The Holmes Report is by the Holmes Group, focusing on the international Public Relations scene, with research, summits, reports, and awards.
September 2014
Dot Zen 2.0 Book Launched
Dot Zen 2.0 – On Marketing, Social Media, Technology, Public Relations, Human Capital & Leadership, authored by our lead creative and strategist Seamus Phan, is a business management primer based on field experience of Seamus Phan and contributions from Ter Hui Peng. This book is an extension to the original Dot Zen book published in 2003. This book carries more insights and experience on leadership, human capital, branding, customer service, sales, marketing, public relations, social media, mobile apps, and interactive multimedia, with a focus on field-tested experience and tactics. This is targeted at small business owners, business executives, and marketers who want to build their brands in the marketplace. Visit our Books page to order.
June 2014
Dissolution of McGallen & Bolden PR Corporation (USA)
As the global markets begin to shift to the East, there is a greater emphasis for focusing our team’s efforts in helping our clients grow in the Asia Pacific region. In line with our change in strategic direction for the long-term, we have dissolved our long-running U.S. entity, McGallen & Bolden PR Corporation. Book publishing efforts will temporarily be shifted to our local office until further notice. Our regional rep office will now be McGallen & Bolden Ltd (UK).
May 2014
McGallen & Bolden Ltd (UK) Incorporated
We identify that the greater Europe region, including the European Union (EU), Russia, etc, will eventually see greater importance in trade and business. Therefore, we incorporated McGallen & Bolden Ltd (UK), to support our long-term goals.
Oct 2008
McGallen & Bolden Incorporated in Singapore
We dissolved our partnership in Singapore after more than 14 years, and incorporated as a Private Limited (corporation) in Singapore in 2008, preparing the firm for more commercial and business opportunities.
Dec 2005
McGallen & Bolden USA moved to Nevada
We moved our USA corporation from Delaware to Nevada.
Apr 2004
McGallen & Bolden expanded Book Distribution to Australia and Malaysia
With the launch of our business book “Dot Zen” and health and fitness book “This Body This Life“, we expanded our book distribution through distribution partners to Malaysia and Australia.
Dec 2003
Our first Business and Marketing Leadership book launched
We launched our first business and marketing leadership book – Dot Zen, co-authored by principals Dr Seamus Phan and Ter Hui Peng, sharing our experiences in marketing, branding, public relations, technology adoption, entrepreneurship, knowledge management, and so on.
Jan 2003
McGallen & Bolden Singapore – Intelligent20 Finalist
Intelligent Enterprise Magazine, a leading business technology magazine, ran an awards for the most intelligent use of technology in businesses. We were selected as a Finalist in the Intelligent20 Awards, for our adoption of Mac OS X and custom in-house developed apps.
Apr 2002
Dissolution of McGallen & Bolden in Ireland
The Irish corporation was retired and dissolved, and pending work and development were distributed to our Singapore office and the USA entity.
Nov 1999
McGallen & Bolden Incorporated in USA
As the Internet became progressively vibrant from the USA, we incorporated then in Delaware, in preparation for future Internet and content development.
June 1998 (to 2004)
Mail Server Security Development On BSD/Linux
Together with our long-time technology partner in Australia, we started exploring the development of a custom Sendmail mail server module to block out malicious attachments (this eventually became our BSD-based NetJanus™project for a while). Our first mail servers were run on Cobalt Qube (which was later acquired by Sun Microsystems), running a modified Red Hat Linux. The last prototype ready for commercial deployment was in the year 2004. We also experimented and developed Mac and UNIX based Macs for servers.
Jun 1998
Launch of our first Java Applet
As a pioneering Web developer, we developed with our partner in Novosibirsk, our first Java applet for the Web. Known as JAEM (Java Applet Expanded Menu, or you could call it “Just Another Expanded Menu”), the applet provided a drop-down menu feature for the rather primitive Web then, when CSS and Javascript were non-existent.
1996
Pioneer in Internet Consulting
We became one of Singapore’s pioneers in Internet consulting, when the Internet was opened to commercial entities (it was only used by the government and the academia before that). We offered web design and web hosting to local clients, including government, industrial, tech, and others.
1994
Foray into Public Relations and Training
We migrated from graphic design and advertising, to becoming McGallen & Bolden, a partnership offering public relations and corporate training consultancy.
1991
Start of our firm
We started in 1991 as ab initio, a design consultancy, serving the high-tech industry.
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