# McGallen and Bolden PR > McGallen & Bolden is a leading boutique public relations (PR) and business strategy firm in the Asia Pacific, headquartered in Singapore. McGallen & Bolden helps multinational businesses around the world grow and profit in the Asia Pacific through public relations (PR), marketing, branding, and GTM strategy consulting. - Brand: McGallen & Bolden, McGallen and Bolden --- # Impactful PR Events & Product Launches in Asia Pacific Source: https://mcgallen.com/events/ ## What impactful and creative events can McGallen & Bolden help you with? As the leading marketing and PR agency in Singapore and Asia Pacific, we believe field events are a powerful tool in your overall marketing program. There is nothing like a great event to personally engage your prospects and customers. People crave the personal touch, and a great, fun, fulfilling event can help you get closer to your prospects and customers. As event creative directors, McGallen & Bolden's team has led and managed press launches, creative mega-events, and themed events for clients since our inception. Some past events we have conceived, directed, and managed include: - **brand launch events** - **store launches** - **mall events** - **media conferences** - **yacht events** - **fashion shows** - **press tours (international)** - **game shows** - **conferences, seminars, and symposiums** - **seminars** - **influencer engagement events** - **book launches** - **outdoor advertising programs** ### Sample event videos Here are just a few examples of the unique press and customer events we have managed and created as agency and creative directors to increase awareness of our clients' brands, products, and solutions. In a highly competitive marketplace, launching your company, brand, or product with a press release is neither sufficient nor effective. Rely on our extensive and proven experience to help you create unique and memorable press and public events. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_BOXBtLoI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZdlJpcvWWo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6LfqHGWYfQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtwdPb6daqQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAOo5XWDEY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4M2CwW2U2U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtokROD2xUY #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # Effective Leadership Transformation & Communication Coaching in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-coaching/ ## Internal communications clients served (customized/public) These are just some of the names we have served in human capital development programs, seminars, conferences, and conventions, where we delivered content on leadership transformation, public relations (PR), crisis communication, digital transformation (or digitalization), total quality management (TQM), service quality (customer service), and more: - ABLE (Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations) - ABN AMRO - Arab Bank - Armis - ASICS - Attorney-General’s Chambers - AutoStore - Banque Paribas - Bayswater Shipping & Forwarding - Behring Diagnostics - Berger Paints - Carrier - Chartered Assset Management - (Leading cybersecurity vendor) - CXOciety (FutureCIO's C-Engage Convention) - Delco Electronics - DBS Bank - DHL - DTAP Clinics (Republic Health) - Eng Siang - Eveready - Ericsson - First Capital - Galderma - Gemplus (Gemalto) - Global Airfreight Int’l - Hackerone - Hard Rock Hotels - HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH - Holiday Inn Park View - Honda R&D - HST Medical - Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore - Innoquest Diagnostics - Institute of Technical Education (ITE) - Liang Court - Lorna Jane - KEF - Kodak - Martha Tilaar - McDATA - Ministry of Defence (SCO) - Ministry of Health (MCS) - Montfort Care - Mount Elizabeth Hospital - Nokia - National Council of Social Service - OTIS Elevator - Overseas Chinese Banking Corpn (OCBC) - Pan Abrasives - Plantronics - Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) - SingHealth Group - SmartRx Pte Ltd - Social Service Training Institute - Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) - Sun Int’l Indian Ocean - Synopsys Software Integrity Group - TIME Telekom - Universal Robots (Teradyne) - Virtual Flight Asia - Wisma Development ### --- # Books by the Leading Asia PR agency Source: https://mcgallen.com/books/ ## What books did McGallen & Bolden strategists publish? Our senior strategists are active thought leaders and practitioners in the fields of business strategy, marketing, branding, public relations, and leadership development, with nearly 70 years of collective experience. Some of their thoughts have been published in books, academic journals, and book chapters. Here are some of our strategists' books. ### Tough Times, Great PR—Dot Zen 3.0: Building brands and publicity for the 21st Century Brands large and small are facing the toughest times of the 21st century, with global pandemics and conflicts causing roadblocks and downturns. So how can brands bootstrap their way to victory in the war for branding and publicity? #### Table of contents - 4 key steps to harnessing public relations in a recession - Is your business ready for PR? - Engage your PR at the C-suite level - 3 critical tips for spokespersons - Is your C-suite merely non-player characters (NPC) in the media? - 5 crippling PR mistakes to avoid - Hunt for PR help only when a crisis hits? - Taking “journalese” out of our writing - Feeling let down by your media monitoring service? - Drilling down deeper into PR measurement - 4 critical tips for marketers facing a deep decline of the “influencer” industry - 5 critical crisis management and communication tips - 3 tips to build a brand in a crisis - future of PR in the 21st century is the bottom line - Crises may not be what you think; be prepared - Don’t try to bury bad news on a Friday - Physics and the art of crisis management - Why all businesses need PR - 6 tips on handling difficult questions - Speak directly and simply for impact; avoid double negatives - The 5 Cs of speechwriting for the C-suite - Employer branding through PR - Recommendations for building lasting brands through heritage and tenure - future of marketing may not be about personalization - Old brands: 7 tips on keeping a brand going - 4 tips to succeed in cookie-less marketing - 3 public relations (PR) recommendations post-crisis - Communications and human resources: synergy and separation - 5-prong CELLSTM approach to successful Asia-Pacific market entry - What a simple word game can inspire us to do in marketing and PR - 6 Reasons Why PR is the best way to build brands and win customers - 4 ways to build social proof to boost your PR - Authentic social media to the rescue in a crisis - Beyond mainstream media, pitching and going online - 8 recommendations for building your own in-house studio for audio and video - Digital resilience for communication - Digital tools for communicators - When tech goes down, the show must go on - 5 steps to creating NFTs for brands and asset protection - 4 tips of AI prompt engineering for PR - E.S.G. your life to sanity [![Buy Amzn](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/buy_amzn.png)](https://www.amazon.sg/Tough-Times-Great-PR-Publicity/dp/0983505829/) #### IndieReader review Thank you, [IndieReader,](https://mcgallen.com/thanks-indiereader-review-tough-times-great-pr-book/) for reviewing our book! We are grateful! ![IndieReader review of Tough Times Great PR book by Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/indiereader-2025-01-21-toughtimespr-1024x682.jpg) #### Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge Book Club ![Dr Seamus Phan Award Ceremony](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dr-Seamus-Phan-Award-Ceremony--1024x1024.png) Thank you for allowing my book to be read by your book club and for allowing me the privilege to engage with your readers. ### As seen on ![As seen on](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/newswire_logos.001-1024x294.png) Mentioned at various media outlets, including [Yahoo](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tough-times-great-pr-book-181900948.html), [New York Tech](https://nytech.media/tough-times-great-pr-book-launched-by-asia-communications-veteran-seamus-phan/), [MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/tough-times-great-pr-book-launched-by-asia-communications-veteran-seamus-phan/ar-AA1bDB5L), etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS3OzN27yaY Check out the follow-on book to the first Dot Zen book in 2003: ## ### Dot Zen 2.0: On Marketing, Social Media, Technology, Public Relations, Human Capital & Leadership The book has broad categories of topics: **Strategy and leadership**—startup mentality, retiring products, the “last mover advantage,"  marks of a true leader, the myth of uniqueness, and work ethics. **Human capital and development**—recruiting the best marketing people, structured and unstructured learning, social media and recruitment, and sieving out toxic employees. **Customer service and sales**: prevention of lapses, customer service myths, managing and developing retail staffers, service failures and recovery, social media, and customer service. **Branding and reputation**: good brand names, packaging and industrial design, and brand journalism. **Marketing**: marketing tips from pop sensations, strategies, analogies to art and paintings, optimizing paid, earned, and owned media. **Public relations**: humanizing brands, going beyond traditional PR, trends in PR, crisis preparedness and communication, and spokesperson development. **Social media and the Web**: website optimization, content targeting, content development tips, graphics for the Web, responsive websites, building social media communities, business blogging, analytics, and owned media. **Mobile, video, and audio**—AR (augmented reality), QR, video content, mobile apps, and video journalism. ![Buy Amzn](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/buy_amzn.png) --- ### Book launch talk (a snippets video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Do6UoLT60 ## What are some books McGallen & Bolden strategists published in the past? Here are some books and multimedia materials we have authored in the past, ranging from business leadership to service quality, health, etc. Some have been bestsellers and have been widely acclaimed by readers and reviewed by mass media (including international media). Inquire if you need archival copies (if they are still available). **![Dot Zen book by Dr Seamus Phan and Ter Hui Peng](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dotzencoverfront-717x1024.jpg)** **Dot ZEN (Book)** Briefly: Seamus Phan and Ter Hui Peng joined hands to write a practical and useful book for entrepreneurs and managers to better manage business processes, marketing, branding, Public Relations (PR), human resource management (HRM), and the use of the Internet. Highly rated by top business consultants and experts and widely covered in the media! first print run sold out and in reprint version To find out more, visit [DotZen.com](http://dotzen.com/). ISBN: 981-04-5645-X. Price: US$11. 200 pages. **![This Body This Life book by CJ Phan and Dr Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/page_1-678x1024.jpg)** **This Body, This Life (Book) **Briefly: Seamus Phan and his brother CJ, recognized bodybuilding champion, joined hands to author this book on holistic health, nutrition, proper dieting, exercise, fitness, and longevity. This was a very successful book and well received by readers and the media (including international media). To find out more, visit [ThisBodyThisLife.com](http://thisbodythislife.com/). ISBN: 981-04-5646-8. Price: US$16.95. 260 pages. **From Employee to Entrepreneur (VideoCD) **Briefly: Seamus Phan, knowledge entrepreneur, showed his audience in a LIVE session how to succeed with skills, knowledge, and expertise. Seamus showed that it is possible to start a business based on the entrepreneur’s expertise with little startup capital. ISBN: 981-05-1187-6. Price: US$68. Around 40 minutes. **Media Training Primer for Speakers and Trainers (VideoCD) **Briefly: Seamus Phan, TV and radio commentator and journalist, spoke live to an audience of professional speakers and trainers on how to succeed with media communication, media relations, and on-air appearances. ISBN: 981-05-1188-4. Price: US$68. Around 40 minutes. **Using the Internet as a Service Quality Weapon 2001 (VideoCD/DVD) **Briefly: Singapore is a pioneer in customer service and the Internet Seamus Phan spoke on how to leapfrog your competition, no matter how large you are (or how small) or what industry you are in, with Internet technologies. A fast-paced, engaging and Asia-centric training delivery. ISBN: 981-04-4557-1. Price: US$188. Around 60 minutes. **E-Business (Audio CD) **Briefly: Seamus Phan hosted a segment on national radio. He was the first Internet and technology speaker to host that segment (previously for business speakers only). In this audio CD, you can hear clips on how to develop an e-business strategy, components necessary for a good infrastructure, Internet security, mobile commerce, and streaming media techniques. ISBN: 981-04-4556-3. Price: US$68. Around 40 minutes. **![Service Quality: The Enlightened Approach by Dr Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/esp_nucover2000.00001sm-722x1024.jpg)** **Service Quality: The Enlightened Approach (Book/eBook) **Briefly: Rather than stick to motivational approaches (“quick-patchers or fixes”), the author Seamus Phan, uses a synergistic approach of motivation and implementation. The program has been implemented in multi-million-dollar projects based on the author’s copyrighted work in the late 1980s. ISBN: 981-00-6457-8. Price: US$18 (1995 first print edition), or US$18 for digital version (1999). **![Internet Webmaster Logbook by Dr Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/weblogbook-300x300.jpg)** **Internet ****Webmaster Logbook (eBook) **Briefly: Seamus Phan takes an in-depth look at how he helped set up various Internet and Intranet web sites and servers in Asia for Human Resource Management and Development (HRM/HRD) without burning a deep hole in your budget. Past Amazon.com Bestseller (under the Webmaster category). ISBN: 981-00-7648-7. Price: US$39.90 for digital version (1999). **ISO 9000 Primer (eBook) **Briefly: This work makes it easy for small businesses to quickly understand ISO 9000 without the complex jargon and follow through Seamus’ examples in a sample manual. It includes templates for readers to deploy in their small businesses. The product includes PDF, eBook and Palm DOC. Templates are in PDF format for practical reasons. Featured on national radio! ISBN: 981-04-2532-5. Price: US$29 per eBook product on CDROM. **ISO 14000 Primer (eBook) **Briefly: This work makes it easy for small businesses to quickly understand ISO 14000 without the complex jargon and follow through Seamus’ examples in a sample manual. It includes templates for readers to deploy in their small businesses. The product includes PDF, eBook and Palm DOC. Templates are in PDF format for practical reasons. Featured on national radio! ISBN: 981-04-2531-7. Price: US$29 per eBook product on CDROM. Visit our lead author's little corner on **[Amazon Author Central](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Seamus-Phan/author/B0C4P5BDWL)**. --- # Award-winning PR in Asia and News Updates Source: https://mcgallen.com/awards-news/ McGallen & Bolden is a leading strategy, marketing, crisis communication, and PR agency in Asia Pacific, headquartered in Singapore. Founded in 1991, the group has served and led communications and leadership transformation programs for large and emerging clients in computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation, industrial safety and engineering, consumer and luxury products, audio and visual equipment, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, non-profits, governments, and more. ### As seen on ![As seen on](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/newswire_logos.001-1024x294.png) ## What awards and accolades has McGallen & Bolden earned? We received awards and accolades, including Most** Innovative PR Agency** (Bronze 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, Silver 2016), **PR Agency of the Year** (Bronze 2019, 2018, Silver 2017), **Digital Firm of the Year** (Honorable Mention 2017, 2016), FeedSpot **Top Singapore Blog**, **Best Singapore PR Agency List**, **Top 10 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore,** and **Top Training Firms in Singapore**. [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-150x150.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) ## News and updates Here are some updates, awards we have won, and news about our firm. **May 2026** **FutureCOO byline on Personal AI and Cybersecurity** Our CTO, Seamus, contributed a thought leadership article on leading trade media FutureCOO (aka FutureIoT), on "[Personal AI and where we might be heading](https://futureiot.tech/personal-ai-and-where-we-might-be-heading/)," where he talked about data privacy, offline AI, RAG (retrieval augmented generation), cybersecurity for AI, etc. ![Screenshot](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-04-at-17.41.26-1024x889.jpg) **Apr 2026** **Dynamic Business Australia comments on Using AI without risking Data Leaks** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured in leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[What is the simplest way to start using AI in my business without risking data leaks.](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/what-is-the-simplest-way-to-start-using-ai-in-my-business-without-risking-data-leaks.html)" Seamus talked about the simplest, most cost-effective, and secure way to using AI for businesses, is offline RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), without all the worries of agentic AI. He stressed that RAG is digital sovereignty, securing sensitive and important data locally, with a straightforward workflow. ![20260430 dynbiz AI and secure RAG](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30.001-1024x576.jpeg) **Mar 2026** **Dynamic Business Australia comments on Addressing Time Traps SMBs Face** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured in leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[The daily time traps costing small businesses and what actually fixes them](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/lets-talk-the-daily-time-traps-costing-small-businesses-and-what-actually-fixes-them.html)." Seamus commented on SMBs wasting time on manual and repetitive data entry, as well as fragmented communication on "social commerce" where employees juggle inquiries across WhatsApp, Line, Telegram, and email. Another common problem amongst SMBs is micromanagement and the lack of staff empowerment. For these problems, Seamus recommended the use of scalable and user-friendly financial tools, social CRM tools to integrate all communications, RAG-based AI chatbots to address first-line queries, and the use of collaboration and project management platforms to address micromanagement. ![20260325 dynbiz timewaste.001](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260325-dynbiz-timewaste.001-1024x576.jpeg) **Oct 2025** **Dynamic Business Australia comments on bootstrapping** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured in leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[How to win customers even when competitors spend 10x more](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/how-to-win-customers-even-when-competitors-spend-10x-more.html)." Seamus commented on how organizations can bootstrap and adopt OSS (open source software) to compete with the big businesses. ![Screenshot](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-15-at-09.05.27-1024x546.jpg) **Oct 2025** **Media briefing for tech client at the Singapore F1** We invited top-tier media from dailies, business media, tech media, and lifestyle/luxury media for a media briefing with a leading cybersecurity client, and we led a short media interview with F1 racing legend Carlos Sainz at the Paddock of Singapore F1 2025. **Oct 2025 ****FutureCIO byline on "AI literacy to ensure business value realization"** Our CTO, Seamus, contributed a thought leadership article on leading trade media FutureCIO, on "[AI literacy to ensure business value realization](https://futurecio.tech/ai-literacy-to-ensure-business-value-realisation/)," where he shared the current AI trajectory, RAG (retrieval-augmented generation), offline AI, and surviving in the Web 4.0 era. ![Screenshot](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-11.59.00-1024x789.jpg) **Aug 2025 ****Dynamic Business Australia comments on Crisis Management** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured in leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[What to do when your business gut instinct screams ‘danger’ at every option](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/what-to-do-when-your-business-gut-instinct-screams-danger-at-every-option.html)," Seamus commented on how organizations can learn from pilots in handling crises and communication through CRM (crew resource management). ![20250827 dynbiz crisis.001](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250827_dynbiz_crisis.001-1024x576.jpeg) **Aug 2025** **Dynamic Business Australia comments on AI** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured in leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[How to win at AI when you don’t have time to learn it](https://dynamicbusiness.com/featured/tech-tuesday/6-knowledge-management-platforms-changing-how-teams-work.html)." Seamus commented on how best to adopt AI for SMBs, with RAG (retrieval augmented generation) and offline RAG. ![20250820 dynbiz sp.001](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250820_dynbiz_sp.001-1024x576.jpg) **Aug 2025** **Learning Crisis Management & Communication from the Aviation industry** Our CTO, Seamus, had the leading trade media [FutureIoT feature his byline ](https://futureiot.tech/learning-crisis-management-and-communication-from-the-aviation-industry-2/)on "Learning crisis management and communication from the aviation industry." Get a feel on how McGallen & Bolden sees crisis management and crisis communications, and how best to use the best practices from aviation to help you manage crises and communication. **Jul 2025** **Dynamic Business Australia comments on project management** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured on leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[We asked the pros how businesses should really handle project management](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/we-asked-the-pros-how-businesses-should-really-handle-project-management.html)." Seamus commented on what options there are, what these project management tools' capabilities are, and what McGallen & Bolden chose. ![Screenshot](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-10.08.57-300x216.jpg) **Jun 2025** **McGallen & Bolden helps clients manage APAC strategy and communication shifts** We sent out a [wire release](https://www.einpresswire.com/article/825384416/mcgallen-bolden-helps-clients-manage-asia-pacific-strategy-and-communication-shifts) announcing our integrated approach to helping international and regional clients manage strategy and communication shifts in a rapidly changing economy shaped by conflict and AI and continuing to grow in the Asia Pacific region. Businesses in cybersecurity, cloud, engineering, robotics, automation, healthcare, and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) will benefit from this holistic approach in this region. Syndications include: [ABC27](https://www.abc27.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/825384416/mcgallen-bolden-helps-clients-manage-asia-pacific-strategy-and-communication-shifts/), [FOX59](https://fox59.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/825384416/mcgallen-bolden-helps-clients-manage-asia-pacific-strategy-and-communication-shifts/), and [KTLA5](https://ktla.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/825384416/mcgallen-bolden-helps-clients-manage-asia-pacific-strategy-and-communication-shifts/). **Jun 2025** **Dynamic Business Australia comments on cost reduction** Our CTO, Seamus, was featured on leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia, with comments on a curated piece by Yajush Gupta, "[Let’s Talk about the Missing Piece in Every Cost-Reduction Plan](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/lets-talk-about-the-missing-piece-in-every-cost-reduction-plan.html)." Seamus commented on how SMEs need not lay off employees to be effective but adopt the right technologies for more effective cost reduction. #### Mar 2025 Top 10 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore "Singapore Top 10" featured us as one of their "[Top 10 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore." ](https://sgtop10.com/top-10-best-digital-marketing-agencies-in-singapore/#McGallen_Bolden_Pte_Ltd)Thank you! Read their comments below: > *"McGallen & Bolden Pte Ltd is a marketing and public relations agency based in Singapore. Established in 1991, the agency specializes in integrated marketing communications, public relations, digital marketing, crisis management, and media training. They serve a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and government sectors.* > > *The agency is known for its innovative approaches and has received various accolades for its work. They offer a comprehensive suite of services, including content creation, social media management, event management, branding, and strategic communication planning."* [![McGallen & Bolden - Top 10 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/top10-digital-marketing-singapore-1024x477.jpg)](https://sgtop10.com/top-10-best-digital-marketing-agencies-in-singapore/#McGallen_Bolden_Pte_Ltd) #### Feb 2025 FutureIoT piece on "Learning crisis management and communication from the aviation industry" Our CTO, Seamus, contributed a piece on "[Learning crisis management and communication from the aviation industry](https://futureiot.tech/learning-crisis-management-and-communication-from-the-aviation-industry/)" at leading B2B media FutureIOT, briefly on ISO 22361 and how airline pilots manage crises and situations with effective communication. #### Jan 2025 IndieReader review of "Tough Times Great PR" book Thanks to the good folks of leading book site [IndieReader](https://indiereader.com/book_review/tough-times-great-pr/?mb) for reviewing our book "Tough Times Great PR." > *IndieReader staff*: TOUGH TIMES, GREAT PR by Seamus Phan offers a pragmatic and insightful exploration of public relations strategies tailored for navigating challenging economic climates. The book excels in delivering actionable advice, including case studies and a step-by-step approach to leveraging PR during recessions, making it an invaluable resource for business leaders. Phan’s ability to distill complex concepts into digestible, practical tips ensures readers walk away equipped to enhance their brand’s resilience and visibility. ![IndieReader review of Tough Times Great PR book by Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/indiereader-2025-01-21-toughtimespr-1024x682.jpg) #### Jan 2025 PRlog Find us on the [PRlog listing](https://biz.prlog.org/mcgallen/) for public relations (PR), crisis communication, marketing (including digital marketing), branding, and media training. #### Dec 2024 TechTradeAsia features our AI and crisis communication initiatives Dr. Seamus Phan was quoted in trade media TechTrade Asia on how McGallen & Bolden as a firm has been developing AI initiatives internally as well as for clients, including AI chatbots, wiki-style knowledge bases, and mobile apps for crisis management and crisis communication. [Read the full piece here](https://www.techtradeasia.com/2025/01/2024-corporate-highlights-m-to-r.html). #### Dec 2024 FutureIoT commentary on "recruiting and developing employees" Dr. Seamus Phan contributed a commentary piece to FutureIoT, a leading B2B media outlet, on "recruiting and developing employees." The author emphasizes the significance of hiring the proper individuals for a company, emphasizing personality, commitment, and curiosity. They recommend that organizations profile individuals early on through application correspondence, profiling exams, and interviews. Profiling tests such as MBTI, TypeFinder®, Enneagram, Big Five, and DISC can help identify whether candidates can effectively integrate into the company. Employers can use interviewers to evaluate a candidate's competence and expertise. Employers can employ self-starters who require minimal guidance and possess the ability to overcome challenges. Businesses can create and maintain a learning management system (LMS) to provide employees with current information and knowledge. Tools like LearnPress and Beautiful.ai enable the creation of learning content. Empowering and liberating employees is critical to achieving joint success. [Read the full piece here](https://futureiot.tech/recruiting-and-developing-employees/). #### Nov 2024 Bluesky @mcgallen.com We are starting a Bluesky social channel related to public relations (PR), crisis communication, crisis management, branding, and more. Find us at [https://bsky.app/profile/mcgallen.com](https://bsky.app/profile/mcgallen.com). #### Nov 2024 Crunchbase We are listed on [Crunchbase](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd) as a PR agency for areas such as public relations (PR), business strategy, marketing, crisis communication, media training, and branding in Asia Pacific. #### Nov 2024 Quora Spaces @publicrelationsinasia We are starting a [Quora Space (https://publicrelationsinasia.quora.com/)](https://publicrelationsinasia.quora.com/) and hope to populate it with useful Questions and Answers (Q&A) related to public relations (PR), crisis communication, crisis management, branding, and more. #### Nov 2024 Found on Campaign Asia Portfolio We are listed on the leading public relations (PR) and communications media, Campaign Asia, under their [Portfolio page](https://www.campaignasia.com/agencyportfolio/Company/5675,communications-and-pr,mcgallen-and-bolden.aspx). #### Oct 2024 Crisis management framework and app We have tweaked our crisis communications framework for clients and have it hosted as a template online for collaboration with our partners and clients. We have also developed a crisis management app that works on desktops, tablets, and smartphones (iOS and Android) that can be adapted for any client in any industry and deployed through us or by clients. #### Aug 2024 AI RAG chatbot development We have been working on various AI chatbots that are based on RAG (retrieval-augmented generation), with content that is from clients and their own materials, whether online or from documents (e.g., PDFs). Such RAG-based chatbots can be deployed on websites, making them great customer service and pre-sales mechanisms. #### Jul 2024 Crisis Management and Communication Program Updated We have updated our content with more current perspectives to reflect the ever-changing geopolitical, economic, technological, and other scenarios so that our clients’ spokespersons are more able to communicate corporate decisions and actions on-air and in other media. Beyond our BlackMagic Design’s Studio Camera system, we have also acquired more portable Zoom and mobile video acquisition equipment for mock broadcast interviews for our clients’ spokespersons. Find out more about our [crisis communication coaching](/coaching/). #### Jul 2024 Found on Superb Companies The Superb Companies site [listed our firm](https://superbcompanies.com/organizations/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd/?mb) with brief information on services and industries we offer and serve. #### Jun 2024 Listed in Asiafirms Our agency is listed at the portal [Asiafirms](https://sg.asiafirms.com/singapore/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd-2049858.html). #### Jan 2024 Edvido: Best PR agencies in Singapore Our agency is listed at the portal [Edvido](https://www.edvido.com/en/pr-agencies/singapore). [![edvido-badge](https://img.edvido.com/global_badge/v2/pr-agencies/singapore.svg)](https://www.edvido.com/en/pr-agencies/singapore) #### Dec 2023 Yelp: Top 10 Best Public Relations Agencies near Singapore Our agency has been listed as one of the **top 10 public relations agencies near Singapore** on [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=publicrelations&find_loc=Singapore). ![Yelp2023 12 07](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/yelp2023-12-07-1024x450.jpg) #### Nov 2023 Manifest: Best Singapore Public Relations Agencies Our agency has been listed as one of the **best Singapore public relations agencies** at [The Manifest](https://themanifest.com/sg/public-relations/agencies#mcgallen-bolden-pte/?mb), an aggregator. #### Nov 2023 Simibest Singapore: Best Singapore Public Relations Agencies Our agency has been listed as one of the **best Singapore public relations agencies** at [Simi Best Singapore](https://simibest.sg/10-best-pr-agencies-in-singapore-to-aid-businesss-image/#McGallen%20&%20Bolden) to build your image. ![McGallen & Bolden - one of the 10 best PR agencies in Singapore](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/simibest-bestpr-mcgallen-202311-300x229.jpg) #### Oct 2023 Top 7 Digital Strategy Agencies in Singapore A digital strategy firm, AppLabx, kindly listed us as one of the [top 7 digital strategy agencies in Singapore](https://blog.applabx.com/top-7-digital-strategy-agencies-and-companies-in-singapore-updated-in-2023/#McGallen-&-Bolden). ![Screenshot](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/applabx_top7digitalfirm-300x147.jpg) #### July 2023 Separate Crisis Communication Program Our media coaching programs included crisis communication and basic crisis management modules. But with the increasing sophistication of crisis communication, the introduction of the ISO 22361:2022 standard and guidelines for crisis management, and 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](/coaching/). #### 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. [Read more](https://mcgallen.com/books/). #### 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](https://mcgallen.com/labs/) page. ![Macie_realistic](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aicanvalady-150x150.png) #### Apr 2023 Listed in 100 Best Singapore Blogs and Websites Our [blog](https://mcgallen.com/blog-grid/) has been listed as one of the [**best Singapore blogs**](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) and [**top public relations blogs**](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_public_relations_blogs/#h5547305) at FeedSpot, a leading aggregator of websites and blogs around the world. [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-150x150.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) ![feedspot_mb_20230426](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/feedspot_mb_20230426.jpg) #### 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. ![Aurea Terras - the Asia Pacific PR collective](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aurea_whitered-300x300.png) #### Mar 2023 Voicemail number change Our current provider of many years has decided not to provide Singapore numbers anymore, and so we changed to a new provider, which requires us to change to 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 has persisted till now. The new logo is bolder and easier to fit into the smartphone world of monochrome icons. ![McGallen & Bolden Group - Making Ideas Work, the leading strategy and communications firm in Singapore and Asia Pacific](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mblogo3_red_words-300x180.png) #### Feb 2023 Best of the Web (BOTW) We are featured on Best of the Web (BOTW) now. #### Feb 2023 Our new website pages on YouTube and Podcasts Please check out our pages here, where we reference our [YouTube](https://mcgallen.com/youtube-spotify-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 it to podcasts, currently at [https://mcgallen.podbean.com](https://mcgallen.podbean.com), where you can find audible content. We will also be widening our distribution channels. Stay tuned for more. ![mcgallen podcast](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/podcastscreenshot-300x152.jpg) #### Jan 2023 YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@microwirenews We are restarting our YouTube channel at [https://youtube.com/@microwirenews/videos](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. ![YouTube](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/youtube-banner-unsplash-300x90.jpg) #### Dec 2022 YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@mcgallen We are restarting our YouTube channel at [https://youtube.com/@mcgallen/videos](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. ![YouTube](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/youtube-banner-unsplash-300x90.jpg) #### 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 to try to build their LinkedIn content and reputation. We will strategize the content direction, research current trends, and 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**! ![linkedin](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/linkedin-unsplash-300x225.jpg) #### Dec 2022 Crisis Management and Communication Program Updated We have updated our content to cater to the global conflicts and ongoing medical challenges, cybersecurity threats, and 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 coaching](/coaching/). #### Apr 2022 TechBehemoths We are listed on [TechBehemoths](https://techbehemoths.com/company/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd), the Berlin-based digital and web company that has great work behind its journey. TechBehemoths provides 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 the Best[ 15+ PR Agencies in Singapore](https://pragencynetwork.com/agencies/asia/singapore). #### Jan 2022 Best PR agencies in Singapore We are listed on [Best in Singapore](https://bestinsingapore.com/pr-agencies-singapore/#9_McGallen_Bolden) under "10 Best PR Agencies in Singapore." #### December 2021 Sortlist: Best Public Relations agencies in Singapore We are listed on [Sortlist](https://www.sortlist.com/agency/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd), a resource to find agencies, DevOps consultancies, etc., as one of the best public relations agencies in Singapore. #### March 2021 KOMPASS One of the oldest online business directories, [KOMPASS](https://sg.kompass.com/c/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd/sg011428/), has an entry on our firm. #### February 2021 Top Training Firms in Singapore (2021) BOOVE, the online book magazine from the UK, has kindly included us in their “[Top Training Firms and Platforms Headquartered in Singapore for 2021." ](https://boove.co.uk/these-are-the-top-corporate-training-companies-and-platforms-headquartered-in-singapore-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)](/mcgallen-bolden-wins-international-bronze-stevie-2020-for-pr-awards-category/) at the prestigious 2020 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 3,800 nominations worldwide were 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](/mcgallen-bolden-wins-bronze-stevie-for-2020-most-innovative-pr-agency-of-the-year/). #### June 2020 5 Critical Crisis Management and Communication Tips for 2020 We released a commentary on how to manage communication 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 - Star Tribune - Finance News World - [The Atlantic Report](http://news.theatlanticreport.com/story/203225/5-critical-crisis-management-and-communication-tips-for-2020.html) - [Ask](http://markets.ask.com/ask/news/read/40030201) #### May 2020 Crisis Management and Communication Program Updated We have updated our content to cater to the COVID-19 situation, with provisions for videoconferencing. The content also has 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 coaching](/coaching/) or read our [blog](/category/insights/). #### 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)](/mcgallen-bolden-group-wins-bronze-stevie-award-in-2019-international-business-awards/) at the prestigious 2019 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 4,000 nominations from 70 nations were 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](/mcgallen-bolden-group-wins-bronze-in-2019-asia-pacific-stevie-awards-for-most-innovative-pr-agency-of-the-year/)” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2019. Thank you! Read our [news release](/mcgallen-bolden-wins-bronze-stevie-award-in-2019-international-business-awards/). #### 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 mentions our blog We are grateful to IRM's Enterprise Risk Magazine for [featuring our insights](https://enterpriseriskmag.com/2018/10/the-anatomy-of-a-crisis/) 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)](/mcgallen-bolden-group-wins-bronze-stevie-award-in-2018-international-business-awards/) at the prestigious 2018 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 3,900 nominations from 60+ nations were contested. This is the SECOND year we have won a Stevie® in the International Business Awards (IBA). Thank you! #### June 2018 McGallen & Bolden 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 to the Baltics. #### 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](/most-innovative-pr-agency-of-the-year-2018-bronze-stevie/)” at the prestigious Stevie® Awards Asia Pacific 2018. Thank you! Read our [news release](/pr-agency-of-the-year-2018-bronze-stevie/). #### November 2017 Digital Firm of the Year—Honorable Mention We won an Honorable Mention for the second year running for “[Digital Firm of the Year 2017](http://www.prnewsonline.com/go/2017-digital-awards/#digital-firm-of-the-year)” 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)](http://stevieawards.com/iba/public-relations-awards-winners-0)” at the prestigious 2017 International Business Awards (IBA) by Stevie® Awards, where more than 3,900 nominations from 60+ nations were contested. Thank you! PR Agency of the Year 2017 for Asia, AU & NZ (IBA) - Judge's comments: Nice effort, impressive work - Really nice work for diverse clients - Commendable work #### June 2017 Red Teaming services For decades, we have been providing red team services to our retained clients. Now it is time to make it serious and make it something new clients can tap on. Visit our [Red Teaming](/strategy/) page. #### April 2017 Bronze Stevie® Winner: Most Innovative PR Agency We have won the Bronze Award for “[Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year](http://asia.stevieawards.com/2017-stevie-winners#Communications)” 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](http://en.prnasia.com/story/176315-0.shtml) 20170429 – SATPRnews #### 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](http://www.prnewsonline.com/awards/2016-digital-pr-awards-winners/). #### September 2016 FlightLeaders.com: Leadership Coaching for Aviation We have launched our new initiative, aimed at providing leadership coaching for the aviation industry, at [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com/?mb). We are providing an all-new customized decision-making coaching 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](http://asia.stevieawards.com/2016-stevie-winners#Communications)” 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 Coaching Workshops We have developed corporate sales coaching 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](/firm/strategists/) co-developed the corporate coaching 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 into running their businesses more effectively and more profitably. Visit [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com/?mb)! #### 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](https://microwire.info/). #### 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." ](http://asia.stevieawards.com/2015-stevie-winners#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 integrated owned media, earned publicity, 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](https://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](http://www.holmesreport.com/agency-playbook/agency-profile/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd). 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 **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 the field experience of [Seamus Phan](/firm/strategists/) and contributions from [Ter Hui Peng](/firm/strategists/). 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](/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 on focusing our team’s efforts on 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 company (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 Expanded Book Distribution to Australia and Malaysia With the launch of our business book “[Dot Zen](/books/)” and health and fitness book “[This Body This Life,”](/books/) we expanded our book distribution through distribution partners to Malaysia and Australia. #### Dec 2003 First Business and Marketing Leadership Dot Zen book We launched our first business and marketing leadership book, [Dot Zen](/books/), 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 Intelligent20 Finalist Intelligent Enterprise Magazine, a leading business technology magazine, ran an award 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 it 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 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 nonexistent. #### 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 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 Human Capital We migrated from graphic design and advertising to becoming McGallen & Bolden, a partnership offering public relations and human capital development consultancy. #### 1991 Start of our firm We started in 1991 as ab initio, a design consultancy serving the high-tech industry. ### --- # Top PR and GTM Strategists in Asia Pacific Source: https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/ ## Why work with McGallen & Bolden's strategists? McGallen & Bolden's team of strategists possesses field-proven experience and expertise. While there may be seemingly affordable options in the industry, seasoned and enlightened clients know that to get strategic-level counsel and effective and impactful delivery of tactical campaigns throughout Asia Pacific, you need strategists and communication leaders with decades of experience each, who have tried every tool of the trade and know which of these tools work. Our team of senior strategists have hands-on experience and expertise from 1990s till now in DevOps, cybersecurity, e-commerce, social media, and AI, making us knowledgeable about your business, including how best to be "AI whisperers" to get your business upfront with the media and your customers. ### Who are the lead McGallen & Bolden strategists? Our two lead consultants each earned more than 3 decades of experience in digital marketing, integrated marketing communications, PR, branding, strategic consulting, marketing management, event consulting, information technology (IT), cybersecurity, biochemistry, training and development, and more. We are geeks at heart and love technology. Our lead consultants are also native Chinese speakers and writers and can help clients with Mandarin/Chinese campaigns (both traditional Chinese for Taiwan/HK and simplified Chinese for China and Singapore markets). #### Ter Hui Peng **Director of Strategy[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/terhuipeng)**Connect on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/terhuipeng) *Consult on:* - *Strategy (C-suite & entrepreneurs)* - *Public Relations & Communication* - *Marketing (including lead generation & GTM)* - *Sales/Revenue* **33 years** in media, publishing, advertising, and strategy consulting. Hui Peng has worked in the media and communications industry since 1991, when she was regional manager for Asian Business Press (later Miller Freeman before being renamed CMP Media). She now heads the PR practice at McGallen & Bolden. She has extensive industry experience across the marketing spectrum, including high-tech marketing, Internet content management, advertising, public relations, training and development, direct marketing, and seminar and event management. She has consulted on retainers and projects for hundreds of high-tech, biotech, medical, consumer (FMCG), lifestyle, and other clients, including best-selling authors and leading branding and management consultants. She teaches media training camps and other public relations programs. She holds a master's in training and development (Leicester). Co-author with Seamus Phan of DotZen, a business leadership book. #### Dr Seamus Phan **Head of Content & CTO[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seamusphan)**Connect on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seamusphan)** ** *Consult on:* - *Strategy (C-suite & entrepreneurs)* - *Public Relations & Communication* - *Crisis Management & Communication* - *Human Capital (training, team-building, leadership)* - *Business Re-engineering (red team, service quality, TQM, branding)* - *Marketing, Sales/Revenue (including lead generation & GTM)* - *Digitalization (AI/RAG, SEO/AEO/GEO, E-commerce, cybersecurity)* - *Fractional CMO and/or Board Member* **38 years** of experience in marketing, technology, academia, and strategy. Pioneering technologist in digital media and publishing, content management systems (CMS), and full-stack web programming. Pioneer cybersecurity, AI, and Internet consultant (co-developed email security server appliance on UNIX). Pioneer service quality (customer service) consultant and author. Postdoctoral biochemistry research in the areas of food lipid autoxidation and alternative antioxidants. Doctoral research culminated in a UNIX-based business analysis server system. Author of books on technology, marketing, customer service, total quality management (TQM), and philosophy. Big-4 (PWC and EY) alumni. He has been inducted into the 500 Profiles in Excellence and Barons 500 Leaders of the New Century, among them Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Bill Gates, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate President Kim Dae-Jung (Korea), artist Peter Gabriel, "Seven Years in Tibet" film director Jean-Jacques Annaud, Cardinal Jan Peer Schotte (Secretary General of the World Synod of Bishops), etc. An experienced journalist, he has co-hosted international TV and radio programs and written for top international and regional technology, business, health, ethics, and branding media. He was featured as a "Brainstormer" in Seth Godin's "Bull Market 2004." He has served as a professor in the fields of economic development and diplomacy. He is also an [artist and calligrapher](https://seamusphan.com/artist/) (Chinese painting, 水墨畫), a music creator ([YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@artistaviator) and [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/50womDE7SdqEZ9gQUIGl3b)), and an aviator. Check out his [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seamus_Phan) profile, [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Pns1IMwAAAAJ&hl=en) page, and [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-2074) page. His professional profile is found at [seamusphan.com](https://seamusphan.com/). Visit [flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com/) for aviation training programs co-developed with Capt. Michael Caston. [![ORCID](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ORCID.png)](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-2074) ### Associates/Advisors The principal consultants are supported by a team of associates. External support can be added for specific client events such as major events, launches, overseas events, etc. #### Capt. Michael Caston (MRaeS) **Advisor, FlightLeaders Division** Connect on [LinkedIn** **](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcaston) Michael was a senior airline captain with BA and SIA with over 40 years of worldwide commercial flying experience. From 2007 to 2017, he was the owner and operator of a Boeing 737NG FTD. He was also part of the team involved in the development of a synthetic flight training device and its application for certification with aviation authorities. He has been involved in consulting for ab initio flight training and hiring seminars. He has experience as a flight simulator instructor and ATPL ground school theoretical knowledge instructor specializing in human factors. He is a CRM trainer and facilitator and a corporate trainer with the [FlightLeaders Division](https://flightleaders.com/?mb) (leadership training). He is currently a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. #### Asia Pacific and Global Reach We are the preferred regional lead communication agency in Asia Pacific, helping our clients improve collaboration and communication outcomes. We are a professional [**network of partners at Aurea Terras**](/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/) in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam), Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), North Asia (China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea), India, America, and Europe. All our regional lead strategists have more than 2 decades of experience each. #### Engage us to succeed in Asia Pacific today! --- # Jobs Source: https://mcgallen.com/firm/jobs/ Write to us using the contact form below with a brief introduction, pointing us to your blog, video, portfolio, LinkedIn, etc., and what opportunities you are looking for. ## Why work with us? Unlike large firms, our firm is nimble and small but led by very hands-on C-suite-level principals who EACH bring over 30 years of experience in leadership, marketing, communications, technology, and more. As a junior associate, you get to learn from the best, who have been in the trenches and back, hands-on, every day. You will get to learn quickly, communicate with international clients, and implement and refine strategies and tactics. You won't be stuck doing just one small thing or serving just one client. It is entirely up to your own motivation to learn and grow. ### Associates (International) We are looking to build a team of international associates on a per-gig or retained basis, depending on your skills and capabilities. We are specifically looking for **B2B and tech PR specialists** with field experience (NOT "account servicing" on your resume). You must be bilingual in both written and spoken communication—English and your native language. Candidates should have extensive media contacts in B2B, broadcast (TV and radio), and online media. Experience in website design, coding, video, and post-production is preferred. Countries we are looking to expand to with international associates include: - **Hong Kong SAR** - **Japan** - **Malaysia** - **South Korea** - **Taiwan ROC** ### Associates (Singapore) Our agency is suitable for a **Singapore citizen or permanent resident (PR)** who enjoys working in a diverse, encouraging, and challenging small company. You possess creativity, speed, and efficiency; a strong work ethic; self-direction; communicative skills; a pleasant demeanor; love for teamwork; and genuineness. Candidates with experience in website design, mobile app development, coding, videography and post-production, tertiary education, effective bilingual English and Chinese (written and spoken, to liaise with overseas agency partners), and third or fourth language skills (e.g., Russian, Japanese, Korean, or Bahasa MY/ID) will do better. **Work scope (not limited to):** - Public relations (PR) campaigns management (e.g. writing news releases, case studies, bylines, comments) - Social media management (e.g., creating posts/campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.) - Report Compilation - Website content management - Admin support **Prerequisites:** - Self-motivated, fast self-learner; - Handle repetitive & administrative tasks well. - Organized & reliable; - Good communication skills (written and verbal); - Communicate in Mandarin and English. - Familiarity with the web, social media, & videography is preferred. - Mac-literate preferred - Polytechnic diploma holders; - Singapore citizens or PR only. #### Temp, Interns & Video Talents We are looking for event temps and interns (Singapore citizens or permanent residents only). We are also looking for content creators who are budding video bloggers (vlog), have great conversational skills, and speak excellent English. Talk to us. *NOTE: ALL who work with us are independent “at-will” subcontractors (contract FOR service) and are NOT employees or authorized representatives. As such, they are NOT authorized to represent the firm for any commercial/legal matter.* --- # About the leading Asia Pacific PR agency in Singapore Source: https://mcgallen.com/firm/ ![McGallen & Bolden Group - Making Ideas Work, the leading strategy and communications firm in Singapore and Asia Pacific](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mblogo3_red_words-300x180.png) ## Preamble **McGallen & Bolden** is a leading strategy, marketing, crisis communication, and PR agency in Singapore, serving the Asia Pacific and worldwide. Founded in 1991, the group has served clients in computing, cybersecurity, AI, robotics and automation, industrial safety and engineering, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, hospitality, non-profits, and governments. ### As seen on ## ## What is the history of McGallen & Bolden? McGallen & Bolden is one of the most established B2B public relations (PR) agencies in Asia Pacific, specializing in business strategy, digital marketing, marketing communications, public relations, video for YouTube, media and crisis communications coaching, and leadership and sales coaching. > “Our singular goal is to help you COMMUNICATE your brand effectively to all your stakeholders, through our tactical approaches and service offerings.” Founded in Singapore in 1991 (initially as a design and total quality management consultancy), McGallen & Bolden Group is today one of the most established independent full-service strategy, marketing, and B2B PR agencies focused on Asia Pacific (ASEAN, Australasia, India, and North Asia, including China PRC, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea). Our core team, which is hands-on, fast, lean, and kaizen-focused, has built a deep pool of intellectual capital, allowing us to endure many economic challenges and communications evolutions for more than 30 years. Our consultants operate globally through the power of technology-centric collaboration, and our Singapore office works closely with various associates around the world, including China PRC, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, etc., often appointed by our esteemed clients as their lead agency. We received [awards](https://mcgallen.com/awards-news/) and accolades, including Most** Innovative PR Agency** (Bronze 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, Silver 2016), **PR Agency of the Year** (Bronze 2019, 2018, Silver 2017), **Digital Firm of the Year** (Honorable Mention 2017, 2016), **Best Singapore PR Agency List** (Manifest, Simibest, PRagencynetwork, Best in SG, Sortlist), and **Top Training Firms in Singapore** (2021). 现今四十三亿人口的亚太地区，已经是一个高于三十五兆美元的黄金市场。在激烈竞争的市场和不稳定的大环境下，您需要有效地成功打响您的品牌知名度。这无疑就是靠公共关系和数字媒体双管齐下以实际和完整的战略实践达到您的盈利和品牌推广。 [屹立了30多年](/firm/)的麦金伦顾问公司是个多次获奖的高科技[战略](/strategy/)，[数字营销](/marketing/)，[公共关系](/public-relations/)和[培訓](/coaching/)公司。我们的[领导](/firm/strategists/)各持30年以上的市场管理，新兴企业，新闻，媒体，人力培训，行销，公共关系经验，且精通英语和国语。 随著网路和数字媒体的启动，我们一贯齐步跟进，开发，研究及使用此等科技于[客户](https://mcgallen.com/clients/)活动及培训用途。如果您的商业计划设定在亚太地区市场，我们[全亚洲资深伙伴](https://mcgallen.com/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/)都有把握和乐意协助您大展鸿图。我们的敏捷价值观以合作，结果，和速应为本，以达到您最理想的要求。我们从不喧哗取众，而是以真实的知识和专长取胜。 您可把我们当成您有效且具备实战经验的副机长，助您导航，助舵。用行动证明一切，陪伴您信心满满地开阔市场和品牌，拥护您成为您领域的赢家。我们欢迎您随时于我们[联系](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)商讨如何启动您的品牌策略和计划。 ### From Maxwell to International We operated first out of a shared space with a retail business in Singapore's shopping district for a while. Then we took on a full-time office space at one of Singapore's most cultural districts, Maxwell Road's Maxwell House, and stayed there for the next 20 years. Maxwell House's demolition and transformation into a residential building forced us to vacate. We found a cozy office space nearby, at International Plaza, Anson Road, which is convenient with direct access to the MRT (mass rapid transit, or "subway" in Singapore), plenty of food and beverage options, hospitality, and conference facilities. ### Our Evolution (chronological) 1991: Graphic design and digital publishing (DTP), as ab initio 1991: Aviation customer service training program customization 1994: Public Relations (PR) and marketing communication 1996: Internet consulting (web design, web/email hosting) 1996: Book publishing (customer service leadership) 1997: Training (customer service, TQM, ISO9000) 1998: Java development 1999: Internet & computer services (Cobalt, Tenon, etc.) 1999: First online newsroom 2000: Video post-production (AVID NLE for TVC/Cinema) 2001: Coaching (sales and leadership) 2002: Coaching (media training and crisis communication) 2002: Consulting on Knowledge Management and CMS 2003: Perl development 2003: NetJanus™ Email Security Appliance (BSD) development 2003: Book publishing (book on business and tech leadership) 2004: Coaching (media training for non-profits) 2004: Online newsroom v2.0 (microwire.info) 2008: Editorial and research consulting 2008: Business & Market Strategy Consulting 2010: App development (social media, Web and mobile) 2011: CMS, Web 2.0 and e-Commerce 2012: Rekindled video, filmmaking & VNR services 2014: Branding (audit, strategy, naming, visual identity) 2015: Co-developed “Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet.” 2015: Inbound Marketing 2016: Refined sales training program—IntrinSelling™ Primer 2016: FlightLeaders division established 2016: Developed BRM™ and Leadership Training for Aviation 2016: Rekindled Interactive Training Development (Video, App, Web) 2017: Market Entry Consulting 2017: Red Teaming 2018: Business Strategy Consulting (consolidated) 2019: Refined Aviation-themed Leadership & Communication Programs 2019: Aurea Terras™ APAC PR Collective 2020: Refined programs for COVID-19 (media coaching and crisis communication) 2022: Refined programs for Conflicts (media coaching and crisis communication) 2022: AI/ML/automation (e.g. GPT, AI TTS, etc.) 2023: Podcast and YouTube channels 2023: Separate Crisis Communication coaching program 2023: Internal Communications program (employer branding) 2024: AI for aviation leadership 2024: AI development for RAG chatbot and knowledge systems 2024: Refined programs (media coaching and crisis communication) 2024: Crisis Communication framework (wiki/online version) 2024: CriSergius™ Crisis Management framework app 2025: AI for multi-media content creation (text, audio, video) 2025: LLM and AI whisperer for PR and marketing ### Our Evolution (by expertise areas) *v1.0 Design* 1991: Graphic design and digital publishing (DTP), as ab initio *v2.0 Public Relations (PR) & Communication* 1994: Public Relations (PR) and marketing communication 1999: First online newsroom 2000: Video post-production (AVID NLE for TVC/Cinema) 2003: Book publishing (book on business and tech leadership) 2004: Online newsroom v2.0 (microwire.info) 2008: Editorial and research consulting 2012: Rekindled video, filmmaking & VNR services 2014: Branding (audit, strategy, naming, visual identity) 2019: Aurea Terras™ APAC PR Collective 2019: Refined Aviation-Theme Leadership & Communication Programs 2020: Refined program for COVID-19 (media coaching and crisis communication) 2023: Podcast and YouTube channels 2023: Separate Crisis Communication coaching program 2023: Internal Communications program (employer branding) 2024: Refined programs (media coaching and crisis communication) 2024: Crisis Communication framework (wiki/online version) 2024: CriSergius™ Crisis Management framework app 2025: AI for multi-media content creation (text, audio, video) 2025: LLM and AI whisperer for PR and marketing *v3.0 Technology* 1996: Internet consulting (web design, web/email hosting) 1998: Java development 1999: details, and Internet & computer services (Cobalt, Tenon, etc.) 2003: Perl development 2003: NetJanus™ Email Security Appliance (BSD) development 2010: App development (social media, web and mobile) 2011: CMS, Web 2.0 and e-Commerce 2015: Inbound Marketing 2022: AI/ML/automation (e.g. ChatGPT, AI TTS, etc.) 2024: AI development for RAG chatbot and knowledge systems 2024: Crisis Communication framework (wiki/online version) 2024: CriSergius™ Crisis Management framework app 2025: AI for multi-media content creation (text, audio, video) *v4.0 Human Capital & Structured Learning* 1991: Aviation customer service training program customization 1997: Training (customer service, TQM, ISO9000) 2001: Training (sales and leadership) 2002: Consulting on Knowledge Management and CMS 2002: Coaching (media training and crisis communication) 2004: Coaching (media training for non-profits) 2008: Business & Market Strategy Consulting 2015: Co-developed “Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet.” 2016: Refined sales coaching program—IntrinSelling™ Primer 2016: FlightLeaders division established 2016: Developed BRM™ and Leadership Training for Aviation 2016: Rekindled Interactive Training Development (Video, App, Web) 2017: Market Entry Consulting 2017: Red Teaming 2018: Business Strategy Consulting (consolidated) 2019: Refined Aviation-themed Leadership & Communication Programs 2020: Refined programs for COVID-19 (media coaching and crisis communication) 2022: Refined programs for Conflicts (media coaching and crisis communication) 2024: Refined programs (media coaching and crisis communication) 2024: AI for aviation leadership ## What is the branding of McGallen & Bolden? ![McGallen & Bolden Group - Making Ideas Work (trademark)](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/mba2007logofull.jpg) Our trademarked logo has been with us since the beginning. The logo represents why we exist, what we do, and how we get results for our clients. The logo just works, and we still stand by what we do. The stylized CUBE represents technology (internet/web, social media, digital video) as an enabler. The stylized SPHERE represents public relations (the full spectrum of publicity, marketing communications, and events). The stylized CONE represents training and development (similar to Maslow's hierarchy). The red arrow in orbit represents the seamless integration of all our components. Both the US and the EU have trademarked the identity (TM#0180360611, dated 20191127). We are experimenting with our visual identity, and this is the current 2023 version. This is a closer and more current rendition of our long-standing logo, with more stylized and pronounced strokes. You can see the same cube, sphere, and cone, with the red circling arrow now reduced to just the arrow itself. With the trend toward monochrome logos by mainstream companies (think Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, and more), our logo is moving in the same direction, which is better for rendering at smaller scales and not monochromatic minimalist designs. ![mblogo3_whitered_tm](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mblogo3_whitered_tm-e1678864617152-300x300.png) ![McGallen & Bolden Group - Making Ideas Work, the leading strategy and communications firm in Singapore and Asia Pacific](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mblogo3_red_words-300x180.png) This represents the current version of the 2020 design. The stylized lowercase M and B resemble a coil spring. This spring symbolizes latent kinetic energy, signifying the process of unlocking the latent potential in entities, whether they are companies or individuals, to achieve enormous things. It also refers to coiled cables, referring to the internetworking technologies that power the Internet, social media, and broadcasting today. ![McGallen & Bolden alternative logo](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/mcgallen_logo_2020.png)   ## Does McGallen & Bolden serve the Asia Pacific and the world? ![Aurea Terras – the Asia Pacific PR Collective, an alliance network of independent PR agency partners throughout Asia Pacific.](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/aureaterras_logo.png) Most definitely yes! We have built a network of allied partner agencies around the world, called the [**Aurea Terras PR Collective**](https://mcgallen.com/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/), including Asia Pacific (China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia/NZ), the EU, and the Americas. If you are a B2B or B2C agency looking for an experienced and friendly lead agency, talk to us. If you are an agency reaching out to Asia Pacific, Europe, or the Americas and can find synergy with us on a non-compete basis, we would love to meet you as well. ### Clients served around the world We have provided services to clients from the Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas. ![Mb Clients Flags](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mb_clients_flags-1024x529.jpeg) ### Incorporation At various stages of our development, we have incorporated in countries such as Estonia, Ireland, Cyprus, the Americas, and the U.K. Today, we focus on serving our global clients in our home office in Singapore, with our trusted partners throughout Asia Pacific, EMEA, LATAM, and BRICS. ### Investors Our company is friendly and cooperative toward equity partnerships with a synergistic larger group of investors should a real opportunity arise. [Contact us](/contact/) if you are interested in a small, highly skilled, and experienced agency like ours expanding into Greater Asia and beyond. #### Terms of Engagement Working with our firm is effortless. We are nimble, fast, productive, and effective. We love committed, enlightened, and mature clients. - **Retainer**. Unless your brand or product is the latest iPhone or Tesla, a typical B2B business demands a committed PR retainer program. Even a “one-off” project is really a short retainer because PR and digital marketing programs need maturation, unlike very expensive advertising blitzes (intensive multi-platform campaigns). - **Quotation and pitch. **It is the 21st century and the age of speed. If you have a brief or some basic requirements, we will be delighted to get on a Zoom call to discuss. We will send you a simple purchase order (PO, or quotation) after a phone or Zoom call. After you sign the PO, we will automatically issue an invoice and email it to you. - **Fees**. We keep fees reasonable even with our [principals](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/) having 70 years of collective experience. So let’s not "bargain.” - **Third-party fees**. All third-party out-of-pocket (OOP) costs will be billed directly to the client (e.g., hotels and MICE facilities, food and beverage, utilities and furnishings rentals, etc.) prior to the event or program. If you prefer to streamline your costs through one single party, we can combine all these costs and our fees into a single invoice, which is payable prior to starting work. - **Payment schedule and credit term**s. Professional fees are not refundable and, once rendered, cannot be recovered, unlike real estate or physical assets. So there are no credit terms for retainers, projects, or out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. We issue invoices on the 15th of the previous month, and the full payment is due on the 1st of the working month. For example, for fees in February, we will issue an invoice on January 15th, and full payment is due on February 1st. - **Media Contacts Database**. We share the media name (i.e., name of publication, TV, radio, or online media) with our clients. Our clients respect that our database is ours (i.e., names, contact details, and preferences of journalists). Just as when you subscribe to a news distribution service (e.g., Cision/PRNewswire), they will not cede their database to you; you are merely paying for their service to distribute your news. - **No “pay for performance." **We do not do "pay by published articles" or "profit sharing" schemes. We are on a strictly “professional fee” basis. Some mainstream media scorn “pay for performance” (do a search on Google or refer to [this TechCrunch piece](https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/08/we-are-worth-at-least-3k/)), and we concur. You pay for our strategic counsel, our consulting approaches, project management, and so on. For PAID pieces, we are pleased to work with you and the media for advertorials (which are editorial-style pieces paid to the media). #### Things we don't do As a strategic agency serving the C-suite, our primary interest and role is to provide advice and ideas to clients who want to get their marketing and communications campaigns and programs off the ground. These are some of the tasks we do not do: - Cold calling for you (i.e., acting as your salespeople); - Admin services (e.g., photocopying in bulk); - Consumer purchases, butler and courier services (e.g., buying gifts and items for clients' personal use); - Trade purchases (e.g., buying factory or IT equipment for you, which has legal and tax ramifications); - Festivity or gift purchases. - We also do not participate in or take on projects or advocacy that would violate our beliefs, venture into particular politics or stances, disrupt the peace of the community at large, or involve products that will not gain regional traction due to media preferences. #### Little “dog” trivia ![Small Dogs collection](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/mcgallendogs-629x480-1.jpg) We found this nostalgic photograph, which showed just a small part of our total collection of hundreds of these dog figurines, courtesy of Smalldogs.com, which gave us a little token every time we bought some Mac computer or peripheral back then. They were a truly remarkable group of people. [![](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/botw_pragency-1.jpg)](https://botw.org/listing/mcgallen-bolden-pte-ltd-2/) [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-150x150.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) --- # Public Relations & Crisis Communication in Asia-Pacific (APAC) Source: https://mcgallen.com/public-relations/ ## Data-Driven B2B & Tech PR and Reputation Management Since 1991 ### Our Core Mission for Your Brand - **Accelerate Regional Authority**: We turn complex corporate narratives into credible, top-tier media placements to ensure people KNOW YOU. - **Drive Business Pipeline**: We integrate public relations with strategic digital marketing to capture high-value LEADS. - **Protect Brand Value**: We deploy rigorous, aviation-inspired crisis playbooks to insulate your reputation against market vulnerabilities. ### Schedule a Media Discovery Meeting ## The Strategic Power of Credibility-First PR in APAC In the fast-paced business technology and enterprise markets, traditional advertising falls short. Trust and authentic local connections form the bedrock of business relationships in Asia. True public relations isn't merely about chasing vanity media impressions; it is about building sustainable trust, thought leadership, and an ironclad reputation. ### Why B2B and Enterprise Tech Vendors Partner With Us - **Third-Party Validation**: We shift your company’s narrative from a standard sales pitch into an authoritative, newsworthy story that regional media want to cover. - **Executive Thought Leadership**: We build your C-suite and subject matter experts into respected industry authorities through strategic media interviews, contributed bylines, and speaking engagements. - **Competitive Sales Advantage**: A continuous, highly credible media presence gives your sales teams a warm foothold into new, highly fragmented APAC regions. ## The Four Core Pillars of the McGallen & Bolden Advantage ### 1. The "AI Whisperers" & Multilingual Digital Pioneers Many modern agencies are scrambling to treat AI as a copy-paste novelty. Our team bridges the gap between technical execution and public relations—having operated as internet, DevOps, and digital PR pioneers since the initial commercial birth of the web. - **SEO/AEO/GEO Edge**: In 1991, we were the first agency to distribute interactive press kits on 3.5-inch floppy disks. Today, we architect your public relations copy so it is accurately indexed, cited, and summarized by the "AI Cognitive Class"—ensuring your brand is highly visible on generative search platforms, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI engine results. ### 2. High-Stakes "Red Team" Stress-Testing for Your Brand A crisis can strike the enterprise technology sector at any second—whether through immediate cybersecurity data breaches, service outages, or regional tariff barriers. - **Red Team Approach**: Operating as an unbiased strategic advisor, our PR programs act as an external "[Red Team](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/)" to audit, challenge, and stress-test your corporate claims and positioning before they face the public eye. We replace internal corporate echo chambers with grounded, protective judgment. ### 3. Mission-Critical, Aviation-Grade Crisis Management Generic corporate PR crisis playbooks break under the pressure of unexpected real-world disruption. - **Precision Framework**: Built on the time-tested aviation principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM), our crisis frameworks and full-fledged media training programs prepare your leadership to navigate complex, out-of-scope conditions with total clarity and operational precision. ### 4. A Frictionless, Centralized APAC PR Agency Hub Expanding operations across the regional landscape usually exposes brands to immense administrative friction and mutated cross-border messaging. - **Aurea Terras Collective**: Headquartered in Singapore, McGallen & Bolden leads the Aurea Terras Asia-Pacific PR collective. We act as your single, centralized point of contact and billing. We seamlessly translate highly complex technical jargon into localized, culturally resonant stories executed on the ground across ASEAN, North Asia, ANZ, and South Asia. ## Full-Service PR, Media, and Content Capabilities We integrate deep journalism backgrounds (including TV and radio broadcast experience) with data-driven analytics to deliver: - **360º Regional Press Relations**: Comprehensive distribution, proactive pitching, and relationship management with print, digital, TV, radio, and podcast networks across a USD 35 trillion market. - **Reputation & Profile Management**: Custom curation of C-suite personal pages, LinkedIn trend monitoring, and active corporate reputation shielding. - **Modern Impact Measurement**: We reject antiquated, misleading Advertising Value Equivalence (AVE) metrics. Our comprehensive reports utilize the modern AMEC Barcelona Principles—tracking circulation, domain authority (DA), social shares, online readership, and targeted visibility metrics. - **Multi-Format Content Evangelism**: Managing award-winning digital properties like the online newsroom @[microwire.new](https://microwire.news/?mb)s, custom corporate videos, and cross-channel brand building. ## Multiple Award-Winning Excellence You do not need to be the largest firm to deliver the best results. Our hands-on, C-suite principal consultants bring over three decades of field-tested experience directly to your account. Our sustained innovation has earned consistent global recognition: - PR Agency of the Year (Stevie® Awards Winner) - Most Innovative PR Agency (Multiple Silver & Bronze Stevie® Awards) - Digital Firm of the Year (Accolades & Highlights) - Highly ranked on elite agency directories including *The Manifest, Simibest, and Best in SG*. ![McGallen & Bolden Group - award-winning PR agency in Asia](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/mbawards.jpg) ## Scale Your Influence with Certainty in Asia-Pacific Gain the deep market reach of a multinational network agency combined with the tactical agility and senior principal access of a boutique powerhouse. Partner with McGallen & Bolden to command the narrative in the APAC region. ### Read more? ### McGallen & Bolden's team are tech-savvy and Asia specialists We are a **full-service digital marketing and PR agency** that integrates data-driven PR, digital marketing, and coaching. We help you with building your brand voice, reputation management, crisis communications, social listening and engagement. We come from a strong media and journalism background (including TV and radio). We are pioneers in multilingual digital PR and have an established network in **Asia Pacific**. ### McGallen & Bolden is a Digital PR pioneer A pioneer in digital PR before "digital PR" even existed, we host the award-winning [**online newsroom @microwire.news**](https://microwire.info/), with reviews, commentaries, and more. When others were sending out paper press releases, we were the **FIRST** to create and distribute **interactive press kits on 3.5-inch floppy disks in 1991**. We are also DevOps, cybersecurity, e-commerce, social media, and AI pioneer users and developers, and understand how best to use technology to get your brand and messaging out to the world. ### McGallen & Bolden is a lead APAC Digital & PR agency for many clients We also act as your **lead agency** in [Asia Pacific and the world ](/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/)as a single and convenient point of contact and billing. We lead the [**Aurea Terras—the Asia Pacific PR Collective—**](/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/)to help you reach Southeast Asia (ASEAN, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines), North Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan), ANZ (Australia and New Zealand), Americas (USA, Canada, LATAM), Europe, MEA, etc. ![Aurea Terras - the Asia Pacific PR collective](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aurea_whitered-300x300.png) ### What is McGallen & Bolden's approach to measuring PR impact? PR has evolved from the antiquated and controversial AVE (Advertising Value Equivalence) to new data-driven measurements (e.g., AMEC Barcelona). Our clients' media coverage reports are based on the ongoing Barcelona principles, which include coverage values, viewership (TV), listenership (radio/podcast), circulation (print), estimated coverage views, online readership, YouTube views, social shares, and average domain authority (DA) for the media sites. ![AMEC Barcelona](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/amec_barcelona3_logo-1.png) ### As seen on ![As seen on](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/newswire_logos.001-1024x294.png) ### What cybersecurity, robotics, healthcare, and AI experience do we have? McGallen & Bolden's team are [pioneers and experts in serving these industries](/clients/), so if you belong to any of them, you know who to call! - **Cybersecurity** (Internet security, network security, cloud security, mobile security) - **Industrial automation and safety** (including IoT, industrial controls, robotics) - **Healthcare and pharmaceuticals** (including hospitals, clinics, supplements, vitamins, skincare, beauty, medical, etc) - **Audio-Visual (AV) and Video** (including high fidelity or hi-fi, speakers, headphones, headsets, Bluetooth, conferencing, cameras, video cameras, etc) - **Fashion and Footwear** (including fashion, functional, sports, eyewear, etc) - **Food and Beverage** (including restaurants and chains) ### What is McGallen & Bolden's crisis communication approach? ![CriSergius Mockup](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/crisergius_mockup-146x300.jpg)We have a full-fledged and proven media coaching and crisis communication program, as well as recommendations and processes for retained clients to prepare for crises, which will happen along their tenure in one form or another, large or small. Being prepared is the key. We are field-proven with our clients in their crisis management and communication. Some of the tools we have on hand include: - Crisis communication **coaching** for C-suite (in addition to our C-suite media coaching programs) - Crisis communication **framework** that can be adapted and updated for any client, hosted online or at client's own systems, similar to a "wiki"-style knowledge base - CriSergius™ Crisis management **app** framework (incident reporting and response for teams), usable on desktop/Web and smartphones (iOS/Android) #### We are techies too Our motto is "**Making Ideas Work**," where we take our clients' most esoteric and complex technology concepts and translate the jargon and principles into something everyone can understand. The media and the public want news that makes sense and is accessible. How do we do that? Simple. We are geeks too. Our lead consultant, Seamus, has been a programmer since the 1970s, programming on the Casio FX, Sinclair ZX, Atari TRS-80, Mac Plus, UNIX, using languages like BASIC, Fortran, Cobol, and HyperCard, then on to C, Java, Perl, PHP and the rest of the web languages. We co-developed the [NetJanus™ email security appliance](https://mcgallen.com/firm/) in 2003, which included MIME filtering software running on UNIX and the Sendmail MTA. We have also written mobile applications, web applications, and developed numerous websites (some of them award-winning) for government agencies, multinational corporations, and startups. #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # Strategy & Market Entry Consulting in Asia-Pacific (APAC) Source: https://mcgallen.com/strategy/ ## 38,000-Foot Leadership Strategy Grounded in 30+ Years of Market Execution ### What We Do for Your C-Suite - **Build Immediate Brand Equity**: We turn complex corporate narratives into highly visible, localized stories across the fragmented Asia-Pacific region. - **Generate High-Value Qualified Leads**: We don't just chase vanity metrics; we build strategic communications that drive measurable business pipeline. - P**rotect Corporate Reputation**: We shield your business from operational, digital, and communication vulnerabilities before they become public-facing crises. ### Schedule a Strategic Consultation ## Why Global Brands Trust McGallen & Bolden Most large, traditional network agencies rely on generic PR playbooks. McGallen & Bolden operates differently. Our team originated in business operations and strategic consulting in 1991, evolving alongside the web. We fuse pioneering technical DNA with aviation-grade operational precision to navigate the modern, AI-driven corporate landscape. ### 1. Battle-Tested Crisis & Market Resilience We don’t just consult on strategy theoretically—our leadership has successfully guided global enterprises through every major macroeconomic and geopolitical disruption over the past three decades: - 1997: Asian Financial Crisis - 2000: The Dotcom Crash - 2003 & 2009: SARS and H1N1 Pandemics - 2008: Global Financial Crisis & Recession - 2019–2020: COVID-19 Pandemic & Market Disruption - 2024–2026: Regional Supply Chain, Energy, & Geopolitical Shifts ### 2. A Proven Track Record of Brand Building We have helped scale global market leaders from scratch within the Asia-Pacific region. Our historical strategy and branding portfolio includes: - CROCS (Regional Market Entry & Scaling) - ILOG (Acquired by IBM) - Plantronics (Now Poly) - HST Medical, Kodak, OTIS Elevator, and more. ## Core Strategic Pillars for an AI-Driven World ### Pillar 1: Digital Pioneers & "AI Engine" Optimization (AEO/GEO) While many agencies treat AI as a novel copy-writing tool, we understand its architectural mechanics. As early internet and DevOps pioneers, we ensure your corporate messaging is architected for the future of search. - **Business Impact**: We optimize and structure your brand narrative so it is accurately indexed, cited, and retrieved by generative search engines, LLMs, and AI platforms—preventing your company from being silently filtered out of the modern web architecture. ### Pillar 2: The High-Stakes "Red Team" for the C-Suite Corporate leadership often suffers from internal echo chambers. As your dedicated [Red Team](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/), we act as an unbiased, external "opposing force" to stress-test your market entry, product claims, investor relations, and pre-IPO strategies under simulated market pressure before they go live. - **Business Impact**: We actively hunt for messaging, regulatory, and digital vulnerabilities, ensuring your launch or corporate announcement is bulletproof against competitor counter-attacks and public scrutiny. ### Pillar 3: Aviation-Inspired Crisis Management When data breaches, regulatory shifts, or supply chain breakdowns hit, standard corporate playbooks fail. Our crisis frameworks are uniquely built on the disciplined principles of aviation: Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM). - **Business Impact**: We train executives to manage complex, out-of-scope emergencies with absolute precision, mitigating brand fallout and stabilizing operations calmly under intense pressure. ### Pillar 4: The Frictionless APAC Communications Hub Advantage Expanding across ASEAN, North Asia, ANZ, and South Asia usually means dealing with highly fragmented local agencies, disjointed billing, and mutated brand messages. - **Business Impact**: Through our centralized Aurea Terra collective, McGallen & Bolden serves as your single point of contact and billing based out of Singapore. We seamlessly translate complex technical jargon into culturally resonant localized campaigns with zero friction. ## Full-Spectrum Business Strategy Capabilities Our core consulting retainers allow C-suite executives easy, direct access to senior strategists for: - **Market Entry & Scale**: Comprehensive competitor analyses, market demand research, placement/channel recommendations, and regional suitability studies. - **Corporate Transformation**: Strategic change management, internal communications alignment, employer branding (LinkedIn/Video), and human resource development (HRD). - **Digitalization & Security Audits**: Core strategy optimization for Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) datasets, SEO, e-commerce, and corporate cybersecurity readiness (WordPress CMS). - **End-to-End Branding Strategy**: From visual identity and naming conventions to collaborating with IP legal teams to ensure your brand assets are entirely proprietary and enforceable. ## Achieve Predictable Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region Get boutique-firm agility and direct access to senior principals paired with the results of a multinational consulting powerhouse. Partner with McGallen & Bolden to protect your brand equity and dominate the APAC market. ### Read more? ### Strategic communications consulting We have helped clients for the past 30+ years in strategic communications, with internal communications (employees), and change communications (including focus group research and consulting with leadership teams). We have served clients in technology and healthcare, facilitating leadership teams in workshops, developing focus group studies, and presenting cutting-edge industry ideas and trends for clients to help them navigate new frontiers more effectively. Some of the areas we consulted and facilitated in include: - AI (artificial intelligence), including Gen AI, agentic AI, RAG (retrieval augmented generation) - E-commerce and digitalization (including SEO, SEM, website optimization and reengineering, cybersecurity) - Leadership transformation and teambuilding exercises - Business process reengineering (including supply chain, customer service, channel strategy, business optimization) - Learning and development (including LMS or learning management system design and development) Some of the brands we have consulted for in internal communications, including human capital development (or HRD), leadership development, and training/coaching programs, include: - **HST Medical** - **Kodak** - **Montfort Care** - **OTIS Elevator** - **Pan Abrasives** ### What is red teaming (or “being the devil’s advocate”)? **RED TEAMING**: an approach to any business strategy and implementation to keep your business alert, fast, and real. Red teaming originated in the military and aviation, where the Red Team finds weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the main team (also known as the "opposing force" or "red cell" in military and war games). Some internal managers may only look inward and overlook possible weaknesses in their approaches, even though they may be using the "BLUE TEAM" approach (an internal team to identify shortcomings and vulnerabilities, or your internal auditors). As your red team, we will work with you to address as many potential weaknesses in your strategies as we can, so your success rates will be much higher. **RED+BLUE is the perfect team**! As your red team, we can help you with: - Strategy dissection, **diagnostics**, and analyses - **Devil’s advocate** for your claims, assumptions, positioning, etc - **Competition** analyses - **“If, Then, Else”** analyses - **Digitalization** (strategy, website, SEO, cybersecurity, e-commerce) We have been helping clients with RED TEAMING for decades, armed with our more than 60 years of collective experience. Talk to us to streamline, optimize, and transform your leadership and communication approaches to be better prepared for the new century and not rely on the "echo chamber" within your own circles. ## What makes McGallen & Bolden's branding consulting special? Branding is not just about creating a "pretty" logo or simply creating a thick manual of "corporate identity." Branding is about building a sustainable business and embedding its products and services in the hearts and minds of people. We have helped build many brands from scratch in our region, including the likes of CROCS, ILOG (later IBM), Plantronics (later Poly), etc. We can help you build sustainable branding through: - **Data** collation - Market **research** (target markets, consumer perceptions, competition, business trends, product value) - Internal **audits** of departments to see if aligned with the brand - Brand **strategy** (visual, content, pricing, advertising campaigns, customer messaging, placement and channels) - Define metrics for brand measurement (before and after, and the client can implement them). - Develop/refine **naming** conventions for your brands, products and services - Develop/refine **visual** identity programs (yes, that include the logo) - Collaborate with IP **legal** teams to ensure your branding is proprietary, original and enforceable - **Employer branding**, with media relations, sponsored content, social media (LinkedIn), and video #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # Integrated B2B Marketing & Demand Generation in Asia-Pacific (APAC) Source: https://mcgallen.com/marketing/ ## Aligning Technical DNA with High-Yield Growth Strategies Since 1991 ### What Our Marketing Programs Deliver: - **Accelerate Qualified Sales Pipeline**: We bridge the gap between brand building and revenue generation, driving high-value leads directly to your sales teams. - **Command Complete Category Visibility**: We ensure your enterprise brand dominates conversation channels across highly competitive regional markets. - **Future-Proof Digital Assets**: We design, audit, and restructure your marketing ecosystem so it remains discoverable to both human decision-makers and artificial intelligence engines. ### Request a Digital Marketing Audit ## Moving Beyond Superficial Impressions to Real Pipeline Growth Many marketing agencies build their business models entirely on vanity metrics: thousands of general impressions, raw clicks, and superficial views that never convert into bottom-line revenue. At McGallen & Bolden, we view marketing through a strategic, operational lens. A successful B2B or technology marketing program must do more than look creative; it must actively build sustainable brand equity, insulate your business against market vulnerabilities, and consistently generate qualified leads. ## The Strategic Framework: Four Pillars of Our Marketing Edge ### Pillar 1: The "AI Whisperers" & Advanced Digital Architecture Many marketing firms are rushing to treat generative AI as a quick copy-writing trick. Our team approaches the landscape differently. Backed by an operational history as Internet, DevOps, cybersecurity, and digital PR pioneers since the initial commercial birth of the web, we understand the underlying infrastructure of the digital landscape. - **Business Impact (AEO/GEO)**: We don't just optimize for standard search engines (SEO). We actively structure, index, and audit your corporate narrative, website code, and content distribution networks so they are easily discovered, referenced, and summarized by the "AI Cognitive Class"—including Large Language Models (LLMs), conversational AI engines, and generative search platforms. We prevent your brand from being silently filtered out of modern web indexing architectures. ### Pillar 2: High-Stakes "Red Team" Campaign Stress-Testing Launching a brand expansion, a new product line, or an investor relations campaign into competitive markets without testing its foundational assumptions invites operational failure. - **Business Impact**: Operating as an unbiased strategic advisor, we serve as an external "[Red Team](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/)" to pressure-test your marketing collateral, messaging claims, value propositions, and market-entry tactics before they go live. We break through internal corporate echo chambers to expose weaknesses, giving your campaign the absolute highest chance of market success. ### Pillar 3: Aviation-Grade Precision in Campaign Execution In volatile economic climates, marketing budgets cannot afford chaotic execution, delayed rollouts, or disconnected multi-channel messaging. - **Business Impact**: Borrowing from the strict, high-reliability principles of aviation—specifically Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM)—we manage your marketing campaigns with rigorous operational discipline. We map out precise workflows, establish strict error mitigation safeguards, and train your team to maintain messaging continuity even under rapidly changing market conditions. ### Pillar 4: The Frictionless APAC Hub Advantage Executing specialized B2B marketing across the geographically and culturally fragmented Asia-Pacific region typically burdens corporate teams with administrative delays and disjointed local agency messaging. - **Business Impact**: Headquartered out of Singapore, McGallen & Bolden acts as a centralized single point of contact and unified billing hub via our Aurea Terra collective. We take highly technical, complex enterprise product jargon and flawlessly translate it into localized, culturally resonant marketing stories executed across ASEAN, North Asia, ANZ, and South Asia. ## Full-Spectrum Digital & Content Marketing Capabilities Our comprehensive retainers combine over three decades of business consulting and technical marketing experience to provide your C-suite with direct access to senior strategists: - **SEO**: Data-driven search engine optimization, pay-per-click optimization, web re-engineering (WordPress CMS), and auditing. - **B2B Thought Leadership & Content Development**: Curation of white papers, case studies, corporate video production, executive scripting, and comprehensive LinkedIn authority building. - **Channel & Retail Ecosystem Strategy**: Competitor analysis, market demand research, and strategic placement/channel recommendations for regional retail and distribution expansion. - **Brand Identity Engineering**: Formulating complete naming conventions, defining distinct visual identities, and collaborating closely with intellectual property legal teams to build proprietary, legally enforceable brand assets. ## Secure Your Competitive Advantage in the Asia-Pacific Market Why settle for a massive, slow-moving agency network when you can get boutique-firm agility, senior principal access, and enterprise-grade market results? Partner with McGallen & Bolden to protect your brand equity and build a predictable growth engine in APAC. Engage us now! ### Read more? ## Why do businesses need both SEO and AEO in an AI world? Our approach is to help you through SEO (search engine optimization), SEM (search engine marketing), social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Dark Social, such as WhatsApp and Telegram), YouTube, and even AI (artificial intelligence) technologies such as RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) chatbots from your own content. With the rise of AEO (answer engine optimization) and GEO (generative engine optimization), you need experts to help you create relevant and engaging content that will educate and enlighten your audiences and customers. This content will be picked up by AI such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Bing, and more. We have been coding our own internal applications since the 1990s, even before the commercial Internet arrived here in 1996. Since then, we have developed databases, custom web and mobile applications, and internal applications for automation and productivity. As such, we are able to leverage the latest AI (artificial intelligence) technologies for content creation, from text to voice to sound to video. We don't just talk about GPT; we research and explore all kinds of language models, engines, APIs, and tools to ensure that what you need is what drives the work. We have been working on various AI chatbots that are based on RAG (retrieval-augmented generation), with content that is from clients and their own materials, whether online or from documents (e.g., PDFs). Such RAG-based chatbots can be deployed on websites, making them great customer service and pre-sales mechanisms. If you are not getting SEO and AEO done right now, you are not just missing out; you may be left behind. McGallen & Bolden's team has been experienced in building SEO and AEO for businesses since commercial Internet began in the 1990s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6zpDycouA ## How should businesses approach social media or LinkedIn? For B2B clients, the need for **LinkedIn** content is paramount, as is blog content for your corporate website or a microsite that we can host and maintain. McGallen & Bolden's team can help. - **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 to build their LinkedIn content and reputation. We strategize the content direction, research current trends, and write short posts that are engaging and interesting to your audience, and your C-suite executives can APPROVE (or reject) the content, and then it goes LIVE on their LinkedIn. It is that simple! For B2C clients, the need for various social media and video-centric platforms, including dark social marketing through WhatsApp, can all be managed through our digital marketing arm. And if you are thinking about the 1+ billion market in China, we have partners to help you reach the social networks in China as well (WeChat, weibo, etc). ## Why should your business use video for communication? Did you know that 70% or more of people now watch video (such as YouTube or TikTok) as their primary content, and they watch it on smartphones and tablets? We have produced cinema and TV commercials, documentaries, and short films for client marketing campaigns and video PR content. We have interviewed luminaries and celebrities on video. These videos can be embedded on your social platforms, mobile devices, and websites. We use professional equipment to produce YouTube and social videos, short news videos, and documentaries. ![mgallen-video-studio](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mgallen-video-studio-1024x1024.jpg) ## Why should your business consider podcasts for communication? Podcasting is a great outreach medium, and increasingly, vertical and general interest podcasts are engaging listeners around the world. When we help you develop audio content and distribute it to major channels like Apple, Podcast, Spotify, Soundcloud, TuneIn and more, your content can reach millions of people worldwide, not just in your local market. We leverage real human interactions as well as digital content with text-to-speech (AI TTS), depending on your needs. Please visit our YouTube channels and audio podcasts by clicking on the buttons on this page. ## Did you know we were an Internet and cybersecurity pioneer? We started consulting for Internet and Web projects in 1996, when commercial Internet first became available. We had a 512 kbps ISDN link hosting websites for ourselves and clients, then a superfast link. Imagine that, while many people were using 19 kbps analog modems to "dial up" to the Internet. How times have changed! We dug up Archive.org and found our portal, "Villagers At Xenoville (VAX)," which showcased our web projects, including some of our clients then. Have a good laugh at how mediocre Web and HTML 1.0 technologies were! Unlike web designers who design content and websites without a focus on optimization and backend compliance, we build SEO-friendly, mobile-friendly, optimized, and fast websites, microsites, and e-commerce sites. We have been developing and hosting websites and developing cybersecurity solutions since 1996. We have also operated BBS (bulletin board system) servers, the "grandfather" of the pre-Internet era. We are platform agnostic, which means we find the BEST technology platforms for you rather than just being a "reseller." ![Mb Vax 19961215](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mb_vax_19961215-663x1024.png) #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # C-Suite Media Coaching & Crisis Communication Training Source: https://mcgallen.com/coaching/ ## Aviation-Grade Precision and Stress-Testing for Global Corporate Leaders ### How We Prepare Your Leadership Team - **Control the Narrative Instantly**: We transform technical subject matter experts and C-suite executives into polished, calm, and persuasive communicators under pressure. - **Insulate Against Brand Damage**: We stress-test your executive teams against adversarial media, hostile interviews, and sudden public scrutiny. - **Handle Out-of-scope Conditions**: We train leaders to handle out-of-scope conditions with total clarity, ensuring message alignment across the fragmented Asia-Pacific region. ### Engage us for Executive Coaching ## Why Standard Media Training Fails in a Modern Crisis Most generic PR media training programs focus on surface-level aesthetics, like posture and basic soundbites. In today's landscape, a single misstep during a high-profile data breach, complex supply chain disruption, or geopolitical shift can instantly damage millions in brand equity. We don't just teach your team how to speak to a camera; we coach executives to navigate a hyper-competitive, fast-evolving ecosystem driven by AI platforms, rapid investigative journalism, and immediate digital vulnerabilities. ### The Strategic Framework: What Makes Our Coaching Different #### 1. Aviation-Inspired Crisis Management Training When modern corporate crises hit, standard PR playbooks crumble. Our mission-critical crisis communication frameworks are built on the disciplined, time-tested aviation principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM). - **Business Impact**: We combine a structured, calm-under-pressure operational methodology with long-term corporate governance principles. We actively train your leadership team to mitigate errors, diagnose conditions accurately, and make precise, defensible communication decisions under absolute chaos. #### 2. High-Stakes "Red Team" Media Stress-Testing Corporate leadership teams frequently fall victim to internal echo chambers, leaving hidden flaws in their messaging completely exposed to the public eye. - **Business Impact**: Operating as your unbiased strategic partner, we step in as an external "Red Team" to audit, challenge, and stress-test your market-entry tactics, investor relations strategies, and corporate claims before they go live. We run realistic, simulated adversarial media simulations to ensure your narrative is bulletproof against cross-examination. #### 3. The "AI Whisperer" Advantage for Executive Narrative The modern executive does not just speak to human journalists—what they say during a live broadcast, keynote, or press briefing is quickly ingested, transcribed, and processed by artificial intelligence. - **Business Impact**: Backed by a technical DNA that traces back to early internet and DevOps engineering, we teach your leaders how to anchor and structure corporate narratives effectively. This ensures key brand messaging remains distinctly recognizable and visible to generative search platforms, LLMs, and the AI search architecture. #### 4. Cross-Border Strategy & Communication for APAC Expanding across the diverse Asia-Pacific region means managing a complex web of cultural sensitivities and distinct local regulations. - **Business Impact**: Headquartered in Singapore and leveraging our regional Aurea Terra collective, we train global executives to translate highly complex technical jargon into localized, culturally resonant stories. We ensure your core corporate message remains completely unified across ASEAN, North Asia, ANZ, and South Asia. ## Core Coaching Modules & Capabilities Our hands-on programs are delivered by seasoned, elite principal consultants with over three decades of media and operational experience: - **Adversarial Media & Press Conference Training**: Simulating intensive broadcast environments, rapid-fire Q&A sessions, and methods to effectively neutralize hostile lines of questioning. - **Red Teaming**: Thoroughly auditing website data, presentation materials, and executive delivery to protect brand reputation prior to critical financing events. - **Internal & Change Communications Coaching**: Equipping managers and corporate leaders with the tools to lead teams transparently through restructuring, product pivots, and operational change. - **Thought Leadership & Keynote Presentation Preparation**: Tailoring the vocal delivery, narrative structures, and executive presence of subject matter experts for global technology, cybersecurity, and regulatory summits. ## Command the Room and the Newsroom Protect your enterprise’s brand equity with boutique agility and direct access to senior strategists who possess a combined 60+ years of practical, field-tested experience. Partner with McGallen & Bolden to master your corporate narrative today. ### Read more? ## What makes us different Our principals have weathered every major storm of the past few decades and helped many clients manage communications through it all, including: - 1997, Asian Financial Crisis - 2000, Dotcom Bubble (Dotcom Crash) - 2003, SARS - 2004, H5N1 aka “bird flu” - 2008, Global Financial Crisis & Recession - 2009, H1N1 flu pandemic - 2019, Pandemic (COVID-19) - 2020, Stock Market Crash (COVID-19) - 2014-2024, Regional Conflicts & Energy Crisis We received [awards](https://mcgallen.com/awards-news/) and accolades including: **Most Innovative PR Agency** (Bronze 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, Silver 2016), **PR Agency of the Year** (Bronze 2019, 2018, Silver 2017), **Digital Firm of the Year** (Honorable Mention 2017, 2016), **Best Singapore PR Agency list**, and **Top Training Firms in Singapore**. ### Media Coaching & Crisis Communication for C-suite and entrepreneurs While you communicate with customers through [digital marketing](/marketing/) and [public relations (PR)](/public-relations/), you need an effective internal communication program to inspire your people, motivate them to sell, manage challenges and crises. Our lead consultants are professional curriculum developers and trainers since the 1990s. Lead consultant Seamus was a pioneer aviation service quality consultant who subsequently developed his own service quality training program known as Enlightened Service Providers (ESP©), later customized for a national aviation services company of 2,400 employees. - **Media coaching** - **Crisis communication** - **Leadership coaching** - **Sales coaching** - **Customer service coaching** - **Curriculum development (with interactive video)** ### Media Coaching AV+RR Primer™ (1 – 2 hours) This is a succinct media coaching program for busy C-suite executives and entrepreneurs who are interested to know just the basics to prepare for TV, radio, Zoom, and podcast interviews. The 1 to 2 hours primer may end with a mock TV interview and critique, if you desire it.** Updated in 2023 with the pandemic, trade and other conflicts, cybersecurity and privacy breaches, etc.** - Asia Pacific and media landscape - Types of media crises (especially cybersecurity, data and privacy related) - Media’s agenda - Fundamental questions - Interview preparation (for Zoom, TV, radio, podcasts) - What to say and provide to the media - Interview dynamics - Rapid Response (RR) and newsjacking - Working in tandem with the journalist - Storytelling the easy way - *Mock TV interview and critique (optional)* ### Media Coaching Primer™ for the C-suite (2 – 4 hours) This is a succinct media coaching program for busy C-suite executives and entrepreneurs. We will prep your leaders to be media savvy, and be ready for TV, radio, Zoom, podcasts, print, events, and online interviews. The half-day primer will end with a mock TV interview and critique.** Updated in 2023 with the pandemic, trade and other conflicts, cybersecurity and privacy breaches, etc.** - Asia Pacific and media landscape - Types of media crises (especially cybersecurity, data and privacy related) - Media’s agenda - Fundamental questions - Interview preparation (for print, online, Zoom, TV, radio, podcasts, events) - What to say and provide to the media - Interview dynamics - Rapid Response (RR) and newsjacking - Working in tandem with the journalist - Difficult questions - Storytelling the easy way - *Mock TV interview and critique (optional)* Here's a brief video on our program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It3kL_xgluM ### Why crisis communications? Many may imagine a crisis to be a disaster, such as an oil spill, a plane crash, collapsed architecture, a disease outbreak causing death, etc. However, did you know that data/privacy leaks and cybersecurity lapses are the more prevalent crises? And with pandemics, companies can face new types of crises that lead to media and reputation crises as well. This also means that ANY company needs to have a crisis management and communication program in place. Talk to us to help streamline, tweak, and transform your leadership and communication approaches to be better prepared for the new century. ### Crisis communications Primer™ (3 – 4 hours) A good crisis communication program must stand up to the toughest scenarios. The toughest scenarios are in an airline jet and a hospital. We adapted the best practices from the aviation industry, that of **TEM** (threat and error management), **TRIM** (Talk, Respect, Initiative & Monitor), and **CRM** (crew resource management) into our program. We bring experience from aviation MCC (multi-crew cooperation), to understand how pilots handle stressful and crisis situations, challenges, and emergencies, using checklists, procedures, and recovery methodologies. The medical industry has also adopted these best practices. This is a succinct crisis communications coaching primer program for busy C-suite executives and entrepreneurs and how it fits into the ISO 22361 world. We will prep your leaders to be media savvy and be ready for TV, radio, and crisis media conferences. The half-day primer will end with a mock TV interview and critique. We can adapt your company's crisis communication standard operating procedures (SOPs) for local use or help you develop a customized program from scratch. **Updated in 2023 with the pandemic, trade and other conflicts, cybersecurity and privacy breaches, etc.** - Crises 101 - types, media, and cybersecurity incidents - Crisis communications in an ISO 22361 world - Crisis management - learn from the experts (aviation) - Crisis handling tips - Key messages, truth, and apologies - Crisis communications HR checklist - Basic protocols (who to call and execute) - Holding statements - Interview preparation (broadcast and media conferences) - What to say and provide to the media - Interview dynamics & essentials - Difficult questions - Doorstop interviews - Media conference - Social media & dark social (e.g. Whatsapp) engagement - Mock TV interview and critique - Crisis communications guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RJA7usrzTk ### Quick Media Interview Primer If your C-suite executive is having an upcoming broadcast interview (TV, radio, podcast, and Zoom), and likes to have a quick rehearsal and critique from our experts, contact us for a quick mock interview session. ## What other coaching and structured learning programs do McGallen & Bolden have? We are leadership development specialists with unique structured learning programs to inspire business leaders, C-suite executives, and entrepreneurs. We can also work with you to develop customized programs in areas such as leadership, customer service, sales, and digital marketing. ### IntrinSelling™ Primer – Sales Coaching (4 hours) We have developed corporate sales coaching programs since the 1990s, for multinational corporations and emerging companies. The IntrinSelling™ Primer is your fastest route to sales effectiveness, developed and delivered by our lead mentor Seamus Phan: - Can a 10-year old sell? - Mind over matter - Understanding the Behavior of Buying - Primary and Secondary buying desires - 3-step Sales Cycle - Credibility in the sales proceess - What is the Greatest Motivator? - Non-Verbal Communication in sales - Power of Mimicry - Types of Customers and the Lingo - Persuasion - 18-minute wonder - Case Studies (for customized programs) ### What’s Next Leadership (4 hours) In the airline industry and many critical infrastructure providers, safety is paramount. With automation and methodical pilot training, things may be relegated to machines and checklists. But what happens when extraordinary and “out-of-scope” abnormal conditions challenge pilots in the flightdeck? Do they rise up to exemplary and extraordinary leadership? This revised and improved program, based on our earlier work “What’s Next Leadership” and adapted for the airlines and corporations, with references to CRM, TEM, MCC, air safety, pilot selection and training, and pilot transition to leadership. The program is thought-provoking with the wisdom of the samurai and early kingdoms, from the works such as Hagakure, Gorinosho, Confucianism, and the Three Kingdoms. Read more at [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com/?mb). - The WHY of leadership - CRM and its effects - Pilot profile, assessment and selection - Psychological profile and competencies - Learning from the East (BRM™) - Historical Three Kingdoms and lessons to be learned - Leaders are warriors - Learning from 17th century classic Hagakure - Learning from 350-years old classic Gorinosho by Musashi - Power of mindfulness in leadership - Benevolent leadership that leapfrogs the ordinary - Footprint business card™ ![Seamus Phan at the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium, giving a keynote speech on AI (artificial intelligence) and pilots in aviation](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/6303278104096913587_121-01-1024x768.jpeg) > “The Human Factors session saw a nearly packed house held captive by Dr Seamus Phan of The McGallen & Bolden Group…;  that set the stage for Dr Seamus Phan to work magic with his delightful time travel presentation wherein he linked philosophies from Ancient China and Japan to Leadership lessons for modern-day aviation organisations.” ([source](https://thebengali.com/2016/09/08/notes-on-aviation-training-trends-from-apats-2016/): Sanjay Mahendrakumar Mukherjee) > > “I was at the conference and this speech was very inspiring and fun at the same time. Great performance!” (source: Capt J. Drappier) [![fl4text_whitered_OLwings](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/fl4text_whitered_OLwings-300x55.png)](https://flightleaders.com/?mb) ### Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet™ (4 hours) Veteran airline pilot Capt Michael Caston and our lead trainer [Seamus Phan](/firm/strategists/), co-developed a workshop “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 a realistic B737NG flight simulator, instructed by real pilots, and then synergize and integrate these ideas into running their businesses more effectively and more profitably. Read more at [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com/?mb). - Presentation - Pre-Simulator Briefing - Simulator session (Crew of 4, for a total group of 16) Pre-flight briefing (SOPs, checklists, briefings) - Flight from A to B (Choice of departure/destination, day/night/weather) - Engine start (Taxi, take-off, minor problem solving) - Cruise (Problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, threats, errors, automation, etc) - Descent (Passenger handling, landing scenarios, etc) - Q&A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcbYD2DESpE #### Other structured learning programs We can work with you to develop customized structured learning programs in areas such as leadership, customer service, sales, and digital marketing. #### Cybersecurity Practitioners since 1996 We know cybersecurity from the trenches, having worked with clients since the early days of the Internet and cybersecurity. We understand cybersecurity issues and solutions, including data breaches, privacy, changing trends, vulnerabilities, "shift left" software development and DevOps, and penetration testing. We are web, e-commerce and cybersecurity practitioners and pioneers since 1996. We have helped clients develop websites, SEO, microsites, e-commerce, and also take care of databases, sysadmin, and cybersecurity strategy and consulting. We have been at the forefront of cybersecurity development, including co-developing our own email security appliance on BSD UNIX (NetJanus). The experience and expertise come in handy when it comes to understanding your crisis management and communications around cybersecurity issues. While some may imagine that in any organizational environment it is only the frontline employees that need to be "trained", sustainable and growing organizations need to start with an enlightened top management that is empathetic to the needs of the people. Therefore, our expertise is to identify corporate deficiencies such as business process failures, internal communication gaps, and organizational inconsistencies, and to develop customized and facilitated workshops to help top management (CEOs, Vice Presidents, and Directors) better lead their teams. These facilitated programs can be half-day, full-day or even full-day high-energy brainstorming sessions. We are open to discussing this with you. #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # Aviation-Grade Crisis Precision. Deep Tech DNA. Your Strategic PR Agency for Singapore and APAC. Source: https://mcgallen.com/ > 欢迎 welcome स्वागत selamat datang > いらっしゃいませ 환영 добро пожаловать > mabuhay ยินดีต้อนรับ chào mừng! In a world driven by generative AI, geopolitical shifts, and immediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities, traditional PR playbooks are obsolete. We don’t just chase media impressions; we protect your brand equity, drive qualified leads, and ensure your corporate narrative dominates the modern web architecture. ## Strategic Communications Built for the AI Era The communication landscape has fundamentally shifted. Today’s corporate leaders face two massive threats: internal echo chambers that blindside the C-suite, and AI-driven search models that threaten to filter their brands out of existence. At McGallen & Bolden, we solve both. As a premier independent strategic communications firm based in Singapore, we combine over 30 years of digital pioneering with high-stakes crisis leadership to navigate the most disruptive currents of the modern market. We act as your external "[Red Team](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/)," stress-testing your messaging, market-entry tactics, and investor relations strategies under pressure before they hit the public eye. ### 1. The "AI Whisperers" & Digital Pioneers Many agencies are currently scrambling to learn generative AI, treating it as a novel add-on. Our differentiator is our foundational history as internet, DevOps, and digital PR pioneers since the commercial inception of the web in the 1990s. - **Beyond Copywriting**: We don't just use AI to write copy. We understand the underlying mechanics of how the web is being re-indexed. - **Future-Proof Visibility**: We ensure your corporate narratives are structured to remain highly visible to the "AI Cognitive Class" and generative search engines, keeping your brand relevant in an AI-driven world. ### 2. Mission-Critical Crisis Management (Aviation-Inspired) When a modern crisis hits—whether it is a high-profile data breach, a complex trade dispute, or sudden workplace disruption—generic PR templates fail. - **Aviation-Grade Precision**: Our crisis frameworks are uniquely built on the disciplined, time-tested aviation principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM). - **C-Suite Leadership**: By combining this structured, calm-under-pressure approach with foundational philosophies of long-term governance, we train C-suite executives to handle out-of-scope conditions with absolute precision. ### 3. The High-Stakes "Red Team" for the C-Suite Corporate leadership often suffers from internal echo chambers, failing to spot messaging or operational flaws before it’s too late. McGallen & Bolden acts as an indispensable, unbiased strategic advisor. - **Rigorous Judgment**: We don't chase superficial visibility at the expense of substance. We protect your brand through grounded, rigorous judgment. - **Pressure-Tested Execution**: We act as your third-party "Red Team," stress-testing your public positions so you never go to market unprotected. ### 4. Your Frictionless Public Relations (PR) Hub for APAC Expanding across the highly fragmented Asia-Pacific region often leaves brands bogged down in administrative friction and dealing with multiple local agencies where the core brand message gets mutated across borders. - [**Aurea Terra Collective**](https://mcgallen.com/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/): Through our Aurea Terra collective, McGallen & Bolden operates as a centralized, frictionless single point of contact and billing based in Singapore. - **Cross-Border Execution**: We seamlessly translate complex technical jargon and corporate narratives into localized, culturally resonant stories executed seamlessly on the ground across ASEAN, North Asia, ANZ, and South Asia. ## 30 Years of Technical DNA and Strategic Evolution Founded at the dawn of the commercial web, McGallen & Bolden has spent more than three decades at the intersection of deep technology and high-stakes communication. Our team blends the technical acumen of DevOps and internet pioneers with the high-pressure discipline of aviation-inspired crisis management. We don't just follow industry trends—we build the frameworks that define them. When the stakes are at their highest, global enterprises trust us to protect their brand equity and ensure their voice is heard clearly across the Asia-Pacific region. ## Some of our amazing clients ### As seen on ![As seen on](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/newswire_logos.001-1024x294.png) ## Get Your Brand Ahead in the Modern Web Whether you need to stress-test your upcoming market entry, protect your firm from an impending crisis, or unify your APAC communication strategy through public relations (PR), we are ready to lead. ## Engage us and succeed in APAC today! ## Testimonials > "Your work had been so amazing even our headquarters complimented the PR penetration rate of our news in Asia!" > [APAC marketing lead, EU industrial client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-industrial-b2b/) > > "Thanks for everything! You were amazing!" > [Director of communications, US cybersecurity client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-cybersecurity/) > > "Thanks for sharing really enlightening and eye-opening ideas, along with stunning results. We said this multiple times, but it bears repeating: the results out of your regionn were quite impressive. A job well done!" > [PR lead, US cybersecurity client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-cybersecurity/) > > "Wow, great work! That is why I call you boss, boss (thumbs up)!" > [Marketing lead, healthcare client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-healthcare/) > > "Your firm gave us unquestionable support throughout the pandemic, so we like to give your team recognition, with a goodwill bonus." > [General manager, health products client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-healthcare/) > > "Thank you for the great support!" > [APAC marketing lead, EU automation client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-industrial-b2b/) ## Read more? > 32 years in PR & communication > > 29 years in digital & web development > > 32 years in human capital development Established since the early 1990s, McGallen & Bolden Group is one of the longest independent strategy and PR agencies in Asia Pacific. We have extensive experience as pioneering marketers, technologists, coders, HR professionals, entrepreneurs, journalists, and salespeople. We know your challenges and how to solve them. We integrate public relations (PR), marketing, social media, SEO/SEM, events, employer branding, and internal communications, including the latest technologies such as AI, for the most effective communications. And in a crisis? Whether it's a cybersecurity or data breach, a workplace death, a financial scandal, or a pandemic, you need steady hands who have weathered every major crisis from the 1990s to today to work closely with you to formulate crisis communication and management programs and media coaching for your C-suite. We also help your [C-suite reach their LinkedIn audience](https://mcgallen.com/marketing/). This complements our employer branding work, where we work with companies on both internal and external communications to bring the best of those companies to their employees. ### We serve B2B, cybersecurity, AI, automation, and healthcare in Asia Pacific We are pioneers and experts in serving these industries, so if you belong to one of these, you know who to call! - **Cybersecurity** (Internet security, network security, cloud security, mobile security) - **Industrial automation and safety** (IoT, industrial controls, robotics) - **AI/ML/SaaS** (Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, automation) - **Healthcare and pharmaceuticals** (hospitals, clinics, supplements, skincare, beauty, etc) - **Audio-Visual (AV) and Video** (hi-fi, speakers, headsets, conferencing, cameras, etc) - **Fashion and Footwear** (fashion, functional, sports, eyewear, etc) - **Food and Beverage** (restaurants, entertainment, etc) We have served clients from Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas, such as: ![Mb Clients Flags](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mb_clients_flags-1024x529.jpeg) Want to succeed in Asia Pacific? [Read some brief information](https://mcgallen.com/profiting-from-asia-pacific-greater-brics/) about the Asia Pacific and BRICS markets, and understand why investing in these markets can lead to profit and success. 现今四十三亿人口的亚太地区，已经是一个高于三十五兆美元的黄金市场。在激烈竞争的市场和不稳定的大环境下，您需要有效地成功打响您的品牌知名度。这无疑就是靠公共关系和数字媒体双管齐下以实际和完整的战略实践达到您的盈利和品牌推广。 [屹立了30多年](/firm/)的麦金伦顾问公司是个多次获奖的高科技[战略](https://mcgallen.com/strategy/)，[数字营销](/marketing/)，[公共关系](/public-relations/)和[培訓](/coaching/)公司。我们的[领导](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/)各持30年以上的市场管理，新兴企业，新闻，媒体，人力培训，行销，公共关系经验，且精通英语和国语。 随著网路和数字媒体的启动，我们一贯齐步跟进，开发，研究及使用此等科技于[客户](https://mcgallen.com/clients/)活动及培训用途。如果您的商业计划设定在亚太地区市场，我们[全亚洲资深伙伴](https://mcgallen.com/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/)都有把握和乐意协助您大展鸿图。我们的敏捷价值观以合作，结果，和速应为本，以达到您最理想的要求。我们从不喧哗取众，而是以真实的知识和专长取胜。 您可把我们当成您有效且具备实战经验的副机长，助您导航，助舵。用行动证明一切，陪伴您信心满满地开阔市场和品牌，拥护您成为您领域的赢家。我们欢迎您随时于我们[联系](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)商讨如何启动您的品牌策略和计划。 #### The "Tough Times, Great PR" book is out! Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be a good foundation to complement large and emerging businesses. So, would you like to know how public relations (PR) can help build your brand, drive sales and opportunities, and protect your reputation? Then read the third book from the Dot Zen series, where we distilled all the lessons from the crises over the pandemic and global conflicts through an easy-to-read anthology to spark the imagination of your C-suite leaders. Our [blog](https://mcgallen.com/blog-grid/) has been listed as one of the [**best Singapore blogs**](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) and [**top public relations blogs**](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_public_relations_blogs/#h5547305) at FeedSpot. [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-150x150.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # Aurea Terras – leading PR agencies in Asia serving you Source: https://mcgallen.com/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/ What do we do for you in a few words? ## 1) We get people to KNOW YOU throughout Asia ## 2) We get LEADS for you We are part of Aurea Terras (“Golden Lands” in Latin), the Asia Pacific PR Collective, as lead and chair. ![Aurea Terras - the Asia Pacific PR collective](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aurea_whitered-300x300.png) ## Who are the top communication firms serving the APAC, LATAM, MEA, and BRICS PLUS? With 4.3 billion people in the Asia Pacific, nearly 670 million in the LATAM (Latin America and the Caribbean), and 3.3 billion in the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and the newer BRICS PLUS (including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia since late 2023), the world is now much more vibrant and multi-dimensional in trade and culture. The original BRICS nations have overtaken the G7 nations in GDP based on PPP (purchasing power parity) since 2020, making it an important market to explore and invest in. Since the early 1990s, together with our partners, we have consulted for multinational corporations, emerging businesses, and startups around the Asia Pacific. We are often the **lead digital marketing and PR agency** in [Asia Pacific and the world](/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/), as a single and convenient point of contact and billing. We have a network of APAC and global communication partners, so we can help you reach the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, North Asia (China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan), Australasia, the Middle East, and LATAM. - Singapore - Australia/New Zealand - China (PRC, including Hong Kong SAR) - India - Indonesia - Japan - LATAM (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, etc) - Malaysia - Middle East (Türkiye, UAE) - South Korea - Taiwan ROC - Thailand - The Philippines - Vietnam ### Clients served around the world We have served clients from Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas, such as: ### Why Aurea Terras? Aurea Terras is Latin for "golden lands," which was an ancient description of the Asia-Pacific region. We named our collective Aurea Terras to reflect the business potential and incredible opportunities that the Asia-Pacific region represents. At the same time, we are a collective, which means that we are a loose alliance (collective) of independent communication agency partners with equal standing to each other, providing our best professional expertise to clients in projects and especially retainer programs for B2B and B2C clients. As a collective, we see each of our agency partners as an equal, much like King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, and we do not charge membership fees. #### Real Leads and Clients for our Partners We have a proven track record as the leading communication agency for our clients around the world, providing high-quality, dedicated PR and digital marketing consultancy and referring good clients to our agency partners throughout the Asia-Pacific region. As chair of the Aurea Terras collective, we believe that a collective or network is only worth its salt if we can deliver real leads and real clients to our agency partners. Since our inception as an agency, we have always needed partners to help with on-the-ground work (e.g., media launches, events, luncheons) in each of the Asia-Pacific countries. Many of our agency partners have benefited from our referrals and have worked with our retained and project clients. #### Referrals and Accountabilities As an agency partner, we believe you should have exclusivity and the first right of refusal on all referrals. Therefore, for any client that needs local work in your country, we will contact you first. If you do not have a competing client and are able to take on the work, and the client is agreeable, we will refer the work to you. Your responsibility will be to us as the lead agency to get as much media mileage for the client as possible, to facilitate the events on the ground, and to close with a comprehensive media report afterwards. For many of the ASEAN countries, we believe there should only be one exclusive agency partner for the collective. For large regions such as China, we will start with one agency partner and allow clients to dictate if there should be more agency partners, as China is a colossal market with many large and emerging cities. 现今四十三亿人口的亚太地区，已经是一个高于三十五兆美元的黄金市场。在激烈竞争的市场和不稳定的大环境下，您需要有效地成功打响您的品牌知名度。这无疑就是靠公共关系和数字媒体双管齐下以实际和完整的战略实践达到您的盈利和品牌推广。 [屹立了30多年](/firm/)的麦金伦顾问公司是个多次获奖的高科技[战略](/strategy/)，[数字营销](/marketing/)，[公共关系](/public-relations/)和[培訓](/coaching/)公司。我们的[领导](/firm/strategists/)各持30年以上的市场管理，新兴企业，新闻，媒体，人力培训，行销，公共关系经验，且精通英语和国语。 随著网路和数字媒体的启动，我们一贯齐步跟进，开发，研究及使用此等科技于[客户](https://mcgallen.com/clients/)活动及培训用途。如果您的商业计划设定在亚太地区市场，我们[全亚洲资深伙伴](https://mcgallen.com/firm/aurea-terras-asia-pacific-pr-collective/)都有把握和乐意协助您大展鸿图。我们的敏捷价值观以合作，结果，和速应为本，以达到您最理想的要求。我们从不喧哗取众，而是以真实的知识和专长取胜。 您可把我们当成您有效且具备实战经验的副机长，助您导航，助舵。用行动证明一切，陪伴您信心满满地开阔市场和品牌，拥护您成为您领域的赢家。我们欢迎您随时于我们[联系](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)商讨如何启动您的品牌策略和计划。 ## Partner Highlights ### ### China - Paradigm Communications ![Circle logo ppt](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Circle-Logo-PPT-e1749188499557.png) One of our longest-serving agency partners is Paradigm Communications (典范公关), highly recommended if you are serious about growing and succeeding in China through public relations, social media, and events. Visit [paradigm.com.hk](https://paradigm.com.hk/?mb). ### Japan (events) - Global Produce ![Global Produce (Japan)](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/black-300x46.png) Global Produce is an events marketing partner in Japan. They have worked with many luminary brands in FMCG, technology, finance, and transportation. If you want to succeed in Japan through events, whether media conferences, seminars, launches, award ceremonies, and more, Global Produce is highly recommended. Visit [globalproduce-event.com](https://globalproduce-event.com/?mb). ## Succeed in Asia Pacific with us now! --- # top Asia PR agency helping diverse clients succeed Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/ As the leading marketing and PR agency in Singapore and Asia Pacific, we have been helping clients from diverse industries in various stages of growth, to achieve cutting-edge PR and marketing success through innovative strategies and tactics. We received [awards](https://mcgallen.com/awards-news/) and accolades including: **Most Innovative PR Agency** (Bronze 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, Silver 2016), **PR Agency of the Year** (Bronze 2019, 2018, Silver 2017), **Digital Firm of the Year** (Honorable Mention 2017, 2016), **Best Singapore PR Agency List**, and **Top Training Firms in Singapore**. ![McGallen & Bolden - representative clients served past and present](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/mbclients_wordcloud_blue.png) ## Leading PR agency in Asia Pacific for B2B and Tech clients We have worked with multinational Fortune 500 corporations, Nasdaq and other listed high-tech firms, pre-IPO tech firms, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, medical, government, non-government, non-profit, sports, and start-ups. We are often assigned by our multinational B2B clients as their Lead Agency for the Asia-Pacific region, tapping on the expertise of our network of partners and associates. We are pioneers and experts in serving these industries, so if you belong to one of them, you know who to call! - [**Cyber security**](/clients/clients-cybersecurity/) (Internet security, network security, cloud security, mobile security) - [**Industrial automation and safety**](/clients/clients-industrial-b2b/) (IoT, industrial controls, safety) - [**AI/ML/SaaS/Robotics**](/clients/clients-ai-automation/) (Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, automation, robotics) - [**Healthcare and pharmaceuticals**](/clients/clients-healthcare/) (hospitals, clinics, supplements, skincare, beauty, etc) - [**Fashion and Luxury**](/clients/clients-fashion-luxury/) (fashion, functional, sports, eyewear, hifi, speakers, headsets, cameras, etc) - [**Food and Hospitality**](/clients/clients-food-hospitality/) (restaurants, entertainment, etc) - [**Government and Non-Profits**](/clients/clients-government-nonprofits/) You can select each category of clients to **read some case studies (above)** or read the page of [all the available case studies](/clients/clients-all-case-studies/). ## Testimonials > "Your work had been so amazing even our headquarters complimented the PR penetration rate of our news in Asia!" > [APAC marketing lead, EU industrial client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-industrial-b2b/) > > "Thanks for everything! You were amazing!" > [Director of communications, US cybersecurity client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-cybersecurity/) > > "Thanks for sharing really enlightening and eye-opening ideas, along with stunning results. We said this multiple times, but it bears repeating: the results out of your regionn were quite impressive. A job well done!" > [PR lead, US cybersecurity client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-cybersecurity/) > > "Wow, great work! That is why I call you boss, boss (thumbs up)!" > [Marketing lead, healthcare client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-healthcare/) > > "Your firm gave us unquestionable support throughout the pandemic, so we like to give your team recognition, with a goodwill bonus." > [General manager, health products client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-healthcare/) > > "Thank you for the great support!" > [APAC marketing lead, EU automation client](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-industrial-b2b/) Here are some clients and brands we have worked with on public relations (PR), marketing, communication, business strategy, and leadership transformation: ## Project & Retained Clients and Brands (current and historical) ### Consumers and Fashion - ASICS - Assisted Living (Lifeplus) - Backjoy - Coast Cycles - CROCS - Fred technology - K9 Kampong - Lorna Jane - MAP Active (Payless shoes) - Ocean Minded (CROCS) - Porsche (Eurokars) - Sin Kwang Optical (for brands like Braun Buffel, Cerruti, Dunhill, ELLE, Escada, Lacoste, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche Design, Prada, Puma, Rayban, Reebok, and Trussardi) - Suwon beauty products - Therabody Singapore - Vertu - Villagesmith Gifts Workshop - Zepp ### Financial - Citibank NA Global Finance ### Food and Beverage (F&B) - Canton-i - Crystal Jade Restaurant - Earle Swensen’s - Gloria Jeans Coffees - Ivy Restaurant - Swensen’s ### Government - Economic Development Board (EDB) - Ministry of Finance (Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore) - Ministry of Law (LAB) - SPRING Singapore (PSB) ### Health & Pharmaceutical - Acuvue contact lenses - AsiaMedic Ltd - Galderma (Cetaphil) - HST Medical - Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre (part of Oxford Orthopaedics) - Parkway Health - Republic Healthcare (DTAP Clinic Group) - SmartRx - United States Pharmacopeia (US Pharmacopeia, USP) ### Industrial - AutoStore - Brady - Gemplus (Gemalto) - HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH - Intermec - Invensys - MAN Truck & Bus - OnRobot - OTIS Elevator (PAO) - Pan Abrasives - Rentokil Initial - Schneider Electric - Siemens - Universal Robots ### Luxury (including audio and hi-Fi) - 1More - Altec Lansing - Anello - Astel&Kern - Audeze - Audioengine - Beoplay (by Bang & Olufsen) - Dynaudio - FiiO - KEF (LS50W & Porsche Design) - Mavin - Meze Audio - Nakamichi - Porsche (Eurokars) - RHA - Sin Kwang Optical (for brands like Braun Buffel, Cerruti, Dunhill, ELLE, Escada, Lacoste, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche Design, Prada, Puma, Rayban, Reebok, and Trussardi) - SMS Audio - SOUL by Ludacris - Vertu - Villagesmith Gifts Workshop ### Media - CMP Business Media - Business Times - FutureCIO (C-Engage Convention) ### Organizations + Non-profits - ABLE (part of Caritas Singapore) - Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) - Computer Security Institute Asia (CSI-Asia) - Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) - Church of St Peter & St Paul ### Professional - Activiste - Interbrand - Michael Podolinsky - PriceWaterhouse - Ron Kaufman ### Sports - Competitive Bodybuilding Champions - Thunder Asia Racing (race car driver Melvin Choo) ### Tech (IT) - APC by Schneider Electric (American Power Conversion) - Autodesk - Babylon Software - Belkin - Blue Coat - (Leading cybersecurity company) - Codenomicon - Compaq - Computer Associates (CA) - Crossbeam Systems - Discreet - Energizer mobile chargers - Extreme Networks - HackerOne - Hewlett-Packard (HP) - IBM - ILOG - Imation - Innergie - Jobpilot - Keeper Security - Knowledge Management Solutions (Qlikview) - Kodak - KRONE - McDATA - Mitsubishi Electric - NEC - Novell - Parrot ANAFI - PeopleSoft - Plantronics - Progress - Qlikview - Rainbow Technologies - Rally Software - SecureAge - SMC Networks - Stonesoft - Sumitomo Electric - SunSoft (Sun Microsystems) - Synopsys (Software Integrity Group) - Thinking Group - Trend Micro Antivirus - Watchfire - Websense ### Telecoms - Genesys - TELUS International ### Clients coached & mentored (customized/public) - Refer to our[ Clients coached and mentored](https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-coaching/) page.   #### Clients served around the world We have served clients from Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas, such as:     --- # leading PR agency in Asia (full list of case studies) Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-all-client-successes/ Here is a sampling of some of the successes we have done for various clients. We have served many more clients, including stalwarts and pioneers in cybersecurity, B2B enterprise technologies, AI, industrial automation, etc. One pioneer client in the cybersecurity space has been our client for closer to 30 years! Check with us directly for client success stories. --- ## Keeper Security *Keeper Security is one of the leading vendors for password, passkey and secrets management, privileged access, secure remote access and encrypted messaging. We work with the client with full-spectrum public relations in the region. * **Services: PR Period**: 2024-now **Countries**: ASEAN & ANZ (Australasia) **Challenge**: In a competitive cybersecurity space amidst a rapidly shrinking B2B and trade media space, we have to help the client grow mindshare, branding, and media outreach in this region. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building up its brand association with cybersecurity, including broadcast, print, and online media, many of which are top tier media. We managed their media event and paddock tour during the F1 Race, and secured top-tier media attendance and coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvqW1scIwPs --- ## HST Medical *HST Medical is a Singapore-based health supplements company, with products such as Rheuma-Salve, ZooVites kids vitamins, and so on. The group also owns the Essentials Pharmacy. HST stands for “Higher, Stronger and Together”.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, Coaching, Website Period**: 2017-now **Countries**: International **Challenge**: The group faced tremendous competition in a very heated ecosystem, and against an antiquated channel and distribution system. At the same time, brand recognition was very low. The brand has an ineffective website and a dismal Facebook page. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products through multi-channel 360 marketing, including PR (getting its spokespersons on broadcast, print, and online), building a content blog, and converging older websites into a new website with better SEO at [https://hstmedical.com](https://hstmedical.com/). We launched the brand’s first outdoor advertising campaigns, including roadshows with an outdoor advertising company and conceptualizing and launching the brand’s first bus-stop digital panel advertising campaigns. We also manage the brand’s Facebook page, curate and edit content for the page, and build a following to complement the new website. We helped the client strategize along the entire creative supply chain and branding, including creating the new moniker “**Higher, Stronger, Together**” to stand for HST. We also helped the client manage social media, web, and PR communication during the COVID-19 crisis. As we progressed with the client, we managed to increase the annual revenue base to even greater than pre-COVID in 2022. The client’s management consults our team on various strategic initiatives as well, including partnerships and media relations with third parties. From 2025, we took over the e-commerce management of the client and managed to increase the sales over the previous year through SEO, online promotions, and blogging. We also served as creative director for the client's first-ever TVC (television commercial) on national TV, and in-store ads based on the same content. We also created and maintain the company's AI RAG chatbot (retrieval augmented generation) for its online content. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YwSzRU0syk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5XC8n5M6o ![Screencapture hstmedical 2025 05 26 17 50 37](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/screencapture-hstmedical-2025-05-26-17_50_37-e1748253527615-524x1024.jpg) --- ## VillageSmith Gifts Workshop (Gemworks.com) *VillageSmith specializes in customized gifts, genuine 4-leaf clover souvenirs, and true laser engraving services. We worked for the company in various parts of creative direction, graphic design and production, digital media, PR counsel, and with its revamp of its web and e-commerce presence.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, Website Period**: 2006-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The retail sector for gifts, souvenirs, and mobile phone accessories is very saturated, with many even offering similar products and services. **Successes**: Since its early days, we have helped the company in various cost-effective creative print campaigns in mainstream media, event collaterals, point-of-sale (POS) print collaterals, including collaterals for overseas exhibitions. More recently, we have assisted the company in moving towards social media, interactive media, and e-commerce, to counter the challenges on the retail front and the need for consistent branding. The business has found good interest and purchases from overseas because of the digital transformation. Visit the [web presence ](https://gemworks.com/)we designed, host, and maintain for the company, and its [facebook.](https://www.facebook.com/Villagesmith) We also created and maintain the company's AI RAG chatbot (retrieval augmented generation) for its online content. ![Screencapture gemworks 2025 05 26 17 53 52](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/screencapture-gemworks-2025-05-26-17_53_52-e1748253729105-876x1024.jpg) --- ## Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre *We worked with Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre, part of Oxford Orthopaedics, a leading orthopedic medical group. Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre features AProf Dr Francis Wong, an internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon with a PhD in cartilage regeneration.* **Services: PR** **Period**: 2026-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where healthcare entities are tightly regulated, and the mainstream media scene in Singapore is small and is keenly contested with many clinicians available, it is challenging for specialist practices to gain media mileage given how busy the clinicians are in tending to their patients. **Successes**: We mapped out a content outreach strategy for the practice, and to pitch specialty story ideas to the Singapore mainstream media, including dailies (with global presence), as well as broadcast media. In the short period of partnership, we helped the practice reach out successfully to radio and dailies. --- ## US Pharmacopeia (USP) We work with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the leading pharmacopeia by the 200-year old United States Pharmacopeial Convention. **Services: PR, Internal Communications** **Period**: 2026-now **Countries**: Asia Pacific (Singapore, Indonesia & South Korea primarily) **Challenge**: We are tasked by the USP regional team to deliver quarterly communications known as Quality Times (QT) in a digital newsletter format, as well as develop social media content for their various social channels serving ASEAN and South Korea. **Successes**: We served the client through organizing various information and image snippets, and producing copy for their social media channels for ASEAN and South Korea, as well as acting as their managing editor for Quality Times (QT) publications. --- ## Global Anti-Scam Alliance *The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is a nonprofit organization that unites governments, law enforcement, financial institutions, and tech companies to fight online scams globally. GASA's mission is to protect consumers by fostering international cooperation, sharing intelligence, and raising public awareness. They produce the "Global State of Scams" report and host the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) to coordinate a unified defense against fraud. We managed the PR for their Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025 in Singapore.* **Services**: **PR** **Period**: 2025 (event) **Countries**:  ASEAN **Challenge**: This project, which involved a tight deadline and the coordination of multiple stakeholders for a regional event in Singapore, required excellence to ensure a well-attended media briefing, two government ministerial appearances, and various media interviews. **Successes**: We had several Tier X (above Tier 1) and Tier 1 media coverage and attendance, culminating in national television coverage in multiple languages and over 30 top-tier media coverages. > "McGallen has been an outstanding PR partner for the Global Anti-Scam Summit at Suntec. Working alongside their team was not only productive but also genuinely pleasant. They are friendly, professional, and highly committed. Their support resulted in over 30 international media features, with particularly strong engagement from key Southeast Asian outlets. Despite a very tight deadline, they quickly became an integral part of our team and delivered immediate results. We also appreciated the clear direction and strategic advice they brought to the table, helping us elevate the event’s visibility and impact." - Metje van der Meer, Director Marketing Global Anti Scam Alliance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Mqyhwcg6c --- ## Leading Cybersecurity vendor *(Identity redacted due to NDA) We have worked with the company since its inception in Asia Pacific, and continue to work with them today, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media coaching, and other additional services. We have helped this client establish a strong foothold in the media, trade arena, and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching Period**: 1994-now **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: In its early years, Internet security was emerging and yet competitive, with quite a few competing vendors reaching out to the same audiences and the same media. At the same time, Internet security was perceived by some to be “optional”, and the underlying technology needed expertise to explain well. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region since its inception in South East Asia, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in Internet and network security. We have secured feature TV programs, strategic “top-of-mind” panelist appearance for TV, many broadcast rapid response, print and online appearances and comments, etc. We have helped the client manage overseas conference PR and media events as well. --- ## Therabody Singapore *Therabody Singapore distributes the Theraface Mask Glo, a consumer device that resembles a mask, with 504 LEDs of red, red+infrared, and blue for light therapy, as well as VibraWave technology for a gentle facial massage. * **Services: PR, Influencer Marketing Period**: 2026 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The company needed a PR partner to help launch the Theraface Mask Glo to mainstream, lifestyle/fashion media, as well as key influencers in Singapore. The consumer and beauty technology segment is a keenly contested arena and it is not always easy to gather good media and influencers in a room at a specified time in Singapore, for a specialty product. **Successes**: We were successful in helping to gain the attention and attendance of tier-1 journalists from mainstream and lifestyle/fashion media, as well as known influencers, to attend a themed yoga session with the Theraface Mask Glo in action. The mainstream media and influencers published the product through product reviews. ![Theraface Mask Glo media launch in Singapore](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG202602271630312-1024x599.jpg) --- ## Republic Healthcare (DTAP Clinic Group) *DTAP Clinic Group (Republic Healthcare) is a unique Singapore medical group that is spreading its wings region-wide, with general practitioner (GP) plus services that include aesthetics, reproductive health, and anonymous HIV testing services. It is public listed in the HKSAR stock exchange.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2019-2025 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The group needed a professional and dedicated team to assist its management team in public relations (PR) and provide media training and crisis preparedness for its team. **Successes**: Since the start of working with the client, we have helped the client secure major and mainstream media coverage on broadcast (TV and radio), print (newspapers and magazines), and online. We trained the entire team of physicians and managers on media training and crisis preparedness. We also helped the team edit content written by their physicians for editorial requirements and readability. --- ## Black Duck Software (formerly Synopsys Software Integrity Group) *Black Duck Software is the independent entity from the previous Synopsys Software Intetgrity Group. Synopsys is a leading software company in the world, with its traditional roots in EDA and IP. We work with the client as its lead agency, managing APAC (focusing on ASEAN, with periods managing China and Australasia), with full-spectrum public relations media coaching, and other additional services.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2017-2024 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: From the earlier period, the client is best known for its EDA and IP businesses, and its cybersecurity offerings were lesser known to the public and the media. At the same time, B2B trade media are in grave decline, with declining media opportunities. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building up its brand association with cybersecurity, including international and regional broadcast (TV and radio), print (trade and mass), and online media. --- ## MAN Truck & Bus *MAN Truck & Bus (MAN SE) is one of Europe’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and providers of transport solutions, including vans, trucks, buses, diesel and gas engines as well as services related to passenger and freight transport. MAN SE, a TRATON SE company and part of the Volkswagen Group, employs approximately 33,000 people worldwide. Today, MAN Truck & Bus has evolved from a vehicle manufacturer to provider of intelligent and sustainable transport solutions.* **Services: PR Period**: 2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Transportation solutions, even though a consumer offering such as buses, can be difficult to pitch to the media. This is also against a media climate where global politics and conflicts dominated the space within the same narrow time frame when such a news has to be pitched. **Successes**: We have helped the client and its partner in Singapore reach out to some of the Tier 1 (or above Tier 1) mainstream media, and managed to secure high quality and dominant coverage, in 3 of the national dailies, and also its associated internationally read online versions, and also other media. **Coverage: 16 coverage as of Sep 2, 2024 (reaching 60.3 million audience, 420 engagements, 101k views, with an average domain authority (DA) of 60). ** ![mancoveragebkcover](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mancoveragebk-2024-09-02-300x186.jpg) --- ## Universal Robots *Universal Robots (UR) is part of the multinational giant Teradyne, and UR is famed for its industry-leading collaborative robots (cobots), which complement the human workforce in many operations, from factory floors, to retail, to medicine and more. * **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period: **2020-2024** Countries**: APAC **Challenge**: Collaborative Robots (cobots), are a unique category of robots, unlike larger industrial robots, and needed special outreach to the media and the public to explain such concepts and applications. Also, industrial applications tend to be niche and in this part of the world, are more challenging to find media traction. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, in the crisis year of 2020 to now, with mainstream and trade media coverage throughout the region, with successes in creating brand and product presence in the category of Cobots, in industrial automation, healthcare (especially in a crisis), food and beverage applications, etc. Recent coverage also include Tier 1 coverage on international TV. **Coverage Total: 2,596 (average 54 coverage/month)** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vCPAkZ8SbQ#t=16m10s --- ## AVone *AVone is a hi-fi distributor for many iconic brands of superlative high-fidelity audio, including: 1MORE, Astell&Kern, Audeze, Audioengine, Dan Clark Audio, Dynaudio, FiiO, Hifiman, Meze Audio, RHA, etc.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Coaching Period**: 2018-2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for audio products, especially against major brands and stalwarts that have spent the last 20 years entrenched with mass market marketing and campaigns. At the same time, as a distributor, the client has limited marketing resources. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage and also successful media attendance at media listening events and launches and collaborative events with other partners. We have provided media and crisis communication training for the client’s top management and product specialists, and they have begun to be interviewed by mainstream media such as national radio. --- ## SmartRx *SmartRx is a health tech business bringing telemedicine and medicine dispensing to remote locations through telemedicine kiosks. * **Services: PR, Website** **Period**: 2023-2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Healthtech is a niche field with many regulatory and other challenges, especially outside of Singapore. The PR outreach has to be nuanced and comprehensive, reaching out to as many stakeholders as possible. **Successes**: Despite the many challenges, we managed to help the client gain top-tier media coverage in national media, including broadcast media, as well as provide a website reengineering framework to the client. --- ## HIMA *HIMA is a leading German industrial safety and security solutions company, with field-proven solutions in oil and gas, chemical, energy, and rail transportation. * **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period: **2018-2024** Countries**: APAC **Challenge**: Smart safety, industrial safety, and industrial cybersecurity are all challenging topics that are difficult to attract media attention to, especially in mainstream media. At the same time, industrial safety trade media are not common in this region. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions, and its presence throughout the region, reaching out to mainstream and trade media to explain the importance of industrial safety and related cybersecurity in oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, energy, rail, and transportation sectors. We have also helped launch their regional Customer Solutions Center (CSC), which was concurrently opened in Singapore with their equivalent center in Germany. **Coverage Total from 2020-2024: 1,395 (average 23 coverage/month)** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdwP4QQ2Ylw --- ## Anello *Anello is one of the iconic Japanese bag brands that has spread its wings across the world, and its first store opened at Jewel Changi Airport.* **Services: PR Period**: 2019 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The brand was to open its first store at Jewel Changi Airport, which is located on the far eastern side of Singapore. Generally, journalists and influencers are not likely to venture to a far-flung location in Singapore for a media launch. **Successes**: We helped the client with the media launch, inviting key journalists and influencers to attend the event, and also helped facilitate all the media interviews to ensure the mainstream and other journalists were properly taken care of, as the client’s spokespersons mainly spoke Japanese. The event was a resounding success, and the Japanese headquarters commended our team for the great event and coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_BOXBtLoI --- ## Dataiku *Dataiku is an AI and ML company from France. We served the regional representative for a media launch event with a room of journalists. We pitched the client in 2018, when AI/ML was nowhere near the hype and frenzy it became five years later. * **Services: PR Period**: 2018 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: AI and ML were vertical topics in 2018 that were often passed over by the general media and even some trade media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish awareness with vertical and mainstream media, with good media outreach and representation for this project. --- ## KEF *KEF is a hi-fi brand from the UK, which started from BBC UK audio engineering. It offers a broad range of ultra-high-resolution and high-end audio products, intelligent audio products, and professionally designed consumer hi-fi audio products.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 2017-2018 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for audio products, especially against major brands and stalwarts that have spent the last 20 years entrenched with mass market marketing and campaigns. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage and tremendous media attendance at the media launch as well, when we launched the LS50W and Porsche Design range of KEF audio products. --- ## FRED Technology *FRED Technology is the innovative startup in Singapore that created the first luxury smart mirror product, FRED Mirror.* **Services: PR Period**: 2017 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Smart devices and IoT are prevalent and emerging at the same time, with lots of competition for the media and public attention. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage around the region with earnest and intelligent pitching for its luxury smart mirror (first product) as well as its follow-on product, a desktop smart mirror. --- ## HealthPlus (Parkway Health) *HealthPlus is a specialty medical content portal belonging to the Parkway Health Group (Mount Elizabeth Hospital), with useful medical information for everyone.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 2017-2018 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Health portals are many, and health information has limited appeal to the mainstream media and syndication sites, which face very stringent restrictions. **Successes**: Despite the many challenges, we managed to get very consistent results for the client. Managed many internal teambuilding and social events, including the setting up of a registration website for their events. --- ## Plantronics *Plantronics (acquired by HP) is a leading audio communications vendor for the enterprise and consumer markets today, providing Bluetooth™-enabled headsets, wired headsets, and other associated solutions for the office, the SOHO, and individuals. Separately, Altec Lansing is a producer of high-fidelity audio equipment for music and entertainment and was, at one time, part of Plantronics. We have worked with Plantronics and, for a period, Altec Lansing, helping the clients reach out to the Southeast Asian markets. We continue to work with Plantronics today, providing full-spectrum PR and marketing, media training, consumer and media events, social media, online web and e-commerce presence, and other additional services. We have helped Plantronics establish a strong foothold in the media, trade arena, and public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Coaching, Website Period**: 2005-2017 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: The wireless and wired headset market in the enterprise space is not often covered in the general media, while the consumer media is fiercely competed for by many consumer headsets. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore and the region. We have tapped into a whole arsenal of PR, innovative and ground-breaking events, unique direct marketing ideas, and social and mobile media to help the client become one of the premium audio communication brands around. We have also helped the client establish an online social media and e-commerce presence, as well as new video content delivery for the media. Some of the innovative events included media events out at sea, on hydro entertainment venues, regional-themed launches, influencer (blogger) events, and live-streaming of media launches. We also developed an online e-commerce website during the relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZdlJpcvWWo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6LfqHGWYfQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtwdPb6daqQ --- ## Zepp *Zepp live music halls are famous in Japan as the go-to venues for musicians from around the world. Zepp@BIGBOX is the first Zepp hall outside of Japan. ***Services: PR Period**: 2017 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge: **Zepp as a brand is virtually unknown in Singapore, even though it has a successful lineage in Japan in the music scene. Located on the west side of Singapore, which was not traditionally known for cultural venues and entertainment. There was also a time crunch due to the limited time to launch.** Successes**: With the time crunch, we were able to help the client garner good media coverage and also manage the hundreds of trade attendees from the music and entertainment industry (many of whom are from Japan). We managed the press conference to a roomful of journalists and also orchestrated a “backstage tour” just for the journalists to explain every facility and piece of equipment the Zepp live music hall has and put together image and video assets for the launch. --- ## SITEX *SITEX is organized by the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and managed by SingEx Exhibitions Pte Ltd. SITEX 2016 ran from 24 to 27 November 2016 at Singapore EXPO, Halls 5 and 6. We were appointed as the project PR agency by SingEx.* **Services: PR Period**: 2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for IT-related consumer shows in Singapore, and with an ever-shrinking media pie, it was a challenge to garner as much local media coverage as desired by the client. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage and great media attendance at the show as well. We got the client national TV coverage in a multi-channel news segment on highlights of the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgIRAp-THXc --- ## ASICS *ASICS is the leading sports footwear and apparel company, with a focus on serious sports science and product development. We provide the company with PR and media event services and support their regional PR programs as well.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2015-2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The sports footwear and apparel market is fiercely competitive, with the competition gearing for fashion more than utility and sports function. **Successes**: We have helped the client strengthen its brand and products against the competition through media relations, event support (sports lounge events, foreign sports event PR), store launch PR, professional video production, and so on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtokROD2xUY --- ## Coast Cycles *Coast Cycles is a local Singapore bicycle brand, with bespoke bicycles designed by local bike designer Jansen Tan. Coast & Company is the showroom, workshop and mini-café, catering to the sales and demonstration of the Coast Cycles range of products and accessories. We helped launch the brand to the local media and influencers, as well as community groups, through various events.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy Period**: 2014-2016 **Countries**: International **Challenge**: The bicycle market in Singapore is very vibrant and increasingly competitive. **Successes**: We helped to launch the brand through local media, through earned media in print (dailies, magazines), broadcast, and online media, as well as reach out to community stakeholders and influencers (e.g. prominent bloggers). We also took care of its social media with content strategy and population. We helped the brand gain the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its Quinn bicycle design in 2015. We also helped the client with its first debut at Interbike 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, USA. We produced some professional event videos with professional cameras and stabilized video cameras. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAOo5XWDEY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4M2CwW2U2U --- ## Nakamichi *Signeo (Sprintcass) is the distributor for brands such as Soul and Nakamichi headphones and earphones. We have worked with Signeo to bring about awareness for the Soul and Nakamichi high-fidelity audio products since 2011. We provide full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, consumer and media events, and other additional services. We have helped Signeo establish the Soul and Nakamichi brands in the media and the public mindshare. We also help the client with other product publicity, including successful outreach of its Energizer mobile chargers.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2011-2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The stereophonic headphone and earphone market, as well as the mobile charger market, are fiercely competed for by many brands, and the client’s brands are new brands to the local market. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore, against an established space of other leading brands. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of PR, innovative and ground-breaking events to help the client become one of the premium portable audio brands around. We also manage and build the client’s social media presence for various products and brands. --- ## Galderma *Galderma is a leading dermatological brand in the world. We served its B2B business in B2B and B2C PR, as well as offering our microsite and video documentary production services.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 2015 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: B2B PR for these products was challenging due to many regulatory restrictions placed on reaching out and advertising such products to the public, as well as some earlier issues prior to our engagement. **Successes**: We took on the tough challenge of finding innovative ways of reaching out to the media through the production of a trackable microsite with professionally produced video documentary short films talking about various skin conditions and potential treatments and care from medical professionals. The footage was shot on Blackmagic Design professional cine cameras we own internally in our labs and studios and then post-produced on Apple Final Cut Pro X (FCPX). --- ## Sin Kwang Optical *First helped leading optical eyewear distributor Sin Kwang Optical break into the cinema advertising space for their distributed eyewear brand Emporio Armani. Used AVID NLE (non-linear editor) to edit custom animations and then encoded for cinema advertising. We have helped this comprehensive and established eyewear distributor reach out to the trade and mass media through print, broadcast, online, social media, and events. Eyewear brands we work on include ELLE, Escada, Esprit, POLICE, Angry Birds, Charmant, Rodenstock, BALLY, David Yurman, Dunhill, Judith Leiber, Kata, LANVIN, Braun Buffel, Mercedes Benz, Porsche Design, Trussardi, Converse, Puma, and more.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching, Website Period**: 1996-2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Reach out to general and vertical media, as well as the public, competing against other name brands in a rather crowded optical market space. **Successes**: Helped the client break into the cinema advertising arena with a custom campaign that reached out to wide audiences at that time. We helped the client launch their consumer websites for the first time (eye-trendy.com) and also launched their social media presence. We also helped the client reach out to various mass media, high-end fashion media, broadcast, trade media, and the public through a variety of publicity mechanics such as public relations, marketing communication, social media, hybrid mobile apps, etc. I also trained the executives on social media for business. We handed the websites and social media pages to the client successfully, under their care. --- ## Codenomicon *Codenomicon (acquired by Synopsys) was a leading Finnish enterprise and Internet security company with specialized tools for vulnerability testing. We have worked with the company in Singapore for a period, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Vulnerability testing is a very specialized field and the client’s highly technical team needed help translating their domain knowledge into digestible bits for the public and the media. **Successes**: We have helped the client reach out successfully to the media, including broadcast coverage for this highly specialized field (national TV and national radio), on the Heartbleed SSL vulnerability that the client co-identified, as well as other serious vulnerabilities that may affect many global businesses. --- ## ABLE *We worked with the leadership of the non-profit ABLE, a member of Caritas Singapore, the social mission arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The non-profit serves people with physical challenges and their caregivers with services such as rehabilitation, training, respite care, wheelchair-accessible transport, as well as a social enterprise that places employment for people with physical challenges.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching** **Period**: 2019-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where non-profits, with finite resources, need to reach as many people as possible to allow their services to benefit more people, it is challenging. **Successes**: Helped the non-profit's leadership become aware and prepared when facing the media and became self-reliant in working and collaborating with the media. Communicated some of the key initiatives of the non-profit to the media, resulting in various media coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0ffBXbPfLQ --- ## SPD *We worked with the leadership of the non-profit Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) to prepare the society’s executives and leaders when facing the media with full suites of delivery materials. I recently delivered a pro-bono short film with some peers.* **Services: Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004, 2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where being prepared in front of the media, especially broadcast live, is paramount for an emerging non-profit at that time,. **Successes**: Helped the non-profit’s leadership become aware and prepared when facing the media and became self-reliant in working and collaborating with the media. Creative direction, script-, and post-production of a short film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmqymExV7-0 --- ## CROCS *Crocs is a recognized consumer footwear and apparel company in the world today. We worked with the company since its inception in Asia Pacific for a long period, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, consumer and media events, and other additional services. We have helped Crocs establish a strong foothold in the media, in the trade arena, and in the public space, even lending our core expertise and industry knowledge to enrich the client and its presence elsewhere.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2005-2013 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: From its inception as a unique boat shoe with a unique material and a marketing budget spent on vertical media and PR, the brand needed a lot of persuasion to the media, especially the fashion media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore (and lend our expertise to the region) since its inception here. From the beginning, despite the onslaught of criticism and negativity against such a unique product, we were able to position the client very effectively, which helped the client secure a successful inroad in the retail market. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of public relations, innovative and ground-breaking events, unique direct marketing ideas, outdoor advertising (bus advertising, taxi cab advertising, mass transit outdoor panel advertising, etc.), given the constraints, and later on, social and mobile media, to help the client become one of the most recognizable fashion and lifestyle footwear brands in Singapore. For many of the campaigns, we took it from concept to every step of the process (including fashion model casting, photography, videography, styling, etc.). We drew out the technical strengths of the materials of the footwear, the funky and unique look of its products, celebrity endorsements from the USA, and so on. We also trained their top spokespersons for media interviews, and their regional chief executive was interviewed on the likes of top business TV channel CNBC for feature programs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyYxUizdKWo --- ## Payless *Payless ShoeSource is one of the leading family footwear and accessories companies in USA, and came to Singapore in a big way. We worked with the company when it started in Singapore, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services. We have helped the brand establish successfully in the media and in the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2011-2013 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The challenge is to establish the client’s brand against a backdrop of fierce footwear competition from strong local and international brands and a limited media space. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand of affordable lifestyle shoes and accessories through innovative media launch events and fashion shows, storefront fashion shoots, social media, and other media outreach efforts. --- ## Swensen’s *Swensen’s Restaurants are part of ABR Holdings Ltd. and include the likes of Gloria Jean Coffee and Earle Swensen’s. We provided full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, media events, and other additional services for Swensen’s restaurants, Oishi launch, Gloria Jean, and Earle Swensen’s. We have helped the restaurant chain establish a strong foothold in the media and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004-2011 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Family and consumer F&B space is fiercely competitive, with the media space limited and public loyalty fleeting. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its outlets and its presence, helping to solidify its image of a family-centric restaurant chain that caters to families, executives, dating couples, etc. while extending coverage and interest to its specialty outlets in gourmet coffee and higher-end cuisine. --- ## Schneider Electric *Schneider Electric and its subsidiary, APC, are leaders in smart energy and data center solutions. We served the client in PR for trade and mass media, trade events, media training, and marketing communication.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2007-2011 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Energy conservation and data center topics are vertical trade topics that are typically passed over by the general public and even some trade media. **Successes**: We helped the client in the automation and energy management market reach out to the trade and mass media, helping the client expand mindshare for what was perceived as highly technical and vertical solutions. We managed to get significant media turn-up at their trade events, with coverage in major dailies and trade media. --- ## ThunderAsia Racing *ThunderAsia Racing is a racing team fronted by Singapore racer Melvin Choo. We worked with Melvin and his racing team, providing full-spectrum PR, media training, and other additional services. We have helped Melvin and his team reach out to the regional media circuits and the public.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2009-2010 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Racing is a specialized sports that has its own unique challenges and requires an innate understanding of the field, sports media, etc. Building a personality from scratch in a vertical field requires a lot of creativity as well. **Successes**: We have helped the client and his team brand ThunderAsia Racing with the Mosler race car throughout the region (especially in the SuperGT), with personality building and branding, media interviews, media events at the race circuits, etc. --- ## ILOG (IBM) *ILOG, now an IBM company, is a leading provider of business rule management system (BRMS) solutions, visualization and optimization software. We served ILOG when it was an independent company and when it was acquired by IBM, providing full-spectrum services in public relations, advertising management, marketing communication, trade events, etc. We have helped the client reach out to trade media and mass media, explaining challenging technical concepts and ideas and translating them into digestible ideas for the media and the public. We helped develop many customer case study papers for placements as well.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2000-2010 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Business rules, data visualization and optimization are vertical topics that are often passed over by the general media and even some trade media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in high-end visualization, business optimization, and business rule management (BRM). ILOG was a unique software vendor that had great technologies, and we were able to articulate the complex concepts successfully to many media channels, including broadcast media for its top executives. When ILOG was acquired by IBM, we continued to serve the ILOG team within the auspices of IBM for a period of time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRHVX-kTVPY --- ## Saint Flannán's Mission *We helped the non-profit design and host their website as a pro-bono service.* **Services**: **Website** **Period**: 2009-now ![Web Stflannan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/web_stflannan-300x225.jpg) --- ## Church of St Peter & St Paul I helped the non-profit design and host their website as a pro-bono service. **Services**: **Website** **Period**: 2009-now ![Web Osp](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/web_osp-300x225.jpg) --- ## Invensys *Invensys (acquired by Schneider Electric in 2014) was a noted factory and plant operation controls and automation company in the world. We provided full-spectrum PR, media training, events, and other additional services for the client.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2007-2008 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Factory-related technologies are often restricted to vertical media, without much public interest. At the same time, such technologies require great depth to explain to the general public and may be inaccessible to many people. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region as the pre-eminent industrial automation leader, tapping on an arsenal of media relations, executive interviews, case studies, custom publishing, trade events, etc. For a specialized client like this, we were able to help the organization gain good-quality media coverage in many media channels. --- ## Intermec *Intermec (acquired by Honeywell in 2014) was a leading vendor of enterprise supply chain hardware and software solutions. We served the client with full-spectrum services in PR, advertising management, marketing communication, trade events, etc. We have helped the client reach out to trade media and mass media, explaining challenging technical concepts and ideas and translating them into digestible ideas for the media and the public. We helped develop many customer case study papers for placements as well.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2006-2008 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Supply chain (logistics) solutions are often challenging to position in general media, and the technologies occupy vertical interest areas. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in enterprise supply chain hardware (large-scale to mobile) and software solutions for the supply chain (logistics) market that are positioned as applicable to all areas of life. --- ## Computer Associates (CA) *CA Technologies (used to be Computer Associates) is a leading enterprise solutions company in the world. We served the network security solutions business of CA Technologies, providing full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, etc.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching Period**: 2005-2006 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In those years, network security software was still seen by some as optional, and there were many software lapses in adoption. The market was beginning to be saturated by large and small market players competing for the same media space and public mindshare. Additionally, the client was very large with many diverse business sectors, which required much more effort to pitch specific network security angles. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence to fortify the client with an image of enterprise expertise in antivirus and network security against more aggressive stalwarts and other emerging companies in the same marketplace. --- ## ACE BlueSky Festival *Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) is a Singapore government initiative (through SPRING Singapore) to help emerging and growing local enterprises in Singapore reach out to the mass market and trade segments. SPRING Singapore’s ACE organized the BlueSky Festival to celebrate and highlight growing and exciting enterprises in Singapore. We worked with the initiative in its inception for its very exciting BlueSky Festival to bring awareness through the media and the public event to the general public and trade audiences.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004-2005 Countries: Singapore **Challenge**: Entrepreneurship as a concept was still not the most sought-after at that point in time, and public education and awareness have to be built up. **Successes**: We have helped the SPRING Singapore ACE initiative reach out to the general public and trade audiences through the large-scale ACE BlueSky Festival through media relations, executive interviews with the mainstream print and broadcast media, and national-level advertising campaigns. --- ## McData *McData (acquired by Brocade in 2007) was one of the leading enterprise networking companies in the 2000s. We provided full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services. We have helped the emergent brand establish a strong foothold in the media, in the trade arena, and in the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004-2005 **Countries**: Singapore **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building recognition for the brand and its hardware solutions in the trade and general media through executive interviews with mainstream (print and broadcast) and trade media, case study development and placement/publishing, public relations and collateral development, launch events, etc. --- ## Trend Micro *Trend Micro is a leading antivirus and content security company in the world. We served the client with full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, corporate filmmaking, and other additional services. We have helped the company establish a strong foothold in the media, the trade arena, and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2002-2003 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In those years, antivirus software was still seen by some as optional, and there were many software lapses in adoption. The market was beginning to be saturated by large and small market players competing for the same media space and public mindshare. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of grounded and proven expertise in antivirus and content security. One of the unique campaigns was a custom short film conceptualized, developed, filmed, and post-produced entirely by our own team using a Hi8 camcorder about a science lab infiltrated by a computer virus. The short film was shown before a large audience in a Singapore government-led public and trade seminar, putting the client in a prominent and leading-edge space ahead of its competition. Video remains one of our pioneering strengths, from those days of analog video to web and live streaming video today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK5raVNQLaA --- ## Interbrand *Interbrand is one of the foremost branding consultancies in the world. We provided full-spectrum PR and media training for the client. We have helped Interbrand establish a strong foothold in the media, in the trade arena, and in the public space through executive interviews, book reviews, and case studies.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2002-2004 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Branding was relatively unknown to the greater public and it was a challenge to explain what branding was and how it differed from mere graphic design. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its executive profiles, its books, and its presence, building steadily an image of leading-edge branding consultancy. This took lots of tenacious and innovative creativity to explain what branding as a professional service was. We also helped the client prepare and launch books authored by their top executives, culminating in comprehensive media coverage from mainstream print to broadcast. --- ## Kodak *We worked with the Human Resource Development (HRD) head at Eastman Kodak in Singapore to develop employees in sales, leadership, and e-business areas with full suites of delivery materials. We have core expertise in HRD and leadership development that puts us in a unique space compared to traditional communication firms.* **Services: Human capital development (Internal communications) Period**: 2001 **Countries**: APAC **Challenge**: Employee and leader development is a fast-changing arena and timely and relevant development programs need to be highly customized. We helped the client develop several training programs, from sales and marketing training programs to e-commerce. The programs were delivered to the senior training leadership for their in-house customization and use. **Successes**: Helped client develop innovative HRD programs for regional development on subjects such as E-Business, Sales Management, Leadership, etc. --- ## Pan Abrasives *We worked with general management to develop and deliver a HR development program for its employees in service quality and customer service, with full suites of delivery materials. We have core expertise in HRD and leadership development that puts us in a unique space compared to traditional communication firms.* **Services: Human capital development (Internal communications) Period**: 2000 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Service quality leadership is mandatory and challenging in a fiercely-competitive industrial field, and relevant development programs need to be highly customized. **Successes**: Helped client develop a customized Service Quality and Customer Service HRD program for training its entire organization with pre-delivery audit and post-training audit. The enlightened management of the client involved its entire organization to enhance customer service to its industrial customers. --- ## Sumitomo Electric *Helped leading Japanese enterprise networking hardware vendor Sumitomo Electric (part of the Sumitomo Group of companies) develop mindshare through public relations, advertising, trade events and online web presence.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 1997 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Enterprise networking hardware from a lesser-known vendor at that time. **Successes**: Established a product web site for the client in the early days of the commercial Internet, with comprehensive details for its entire enterprise networking range of products. Also helped the client reach out to trade customers and the public with public relations and print communication successfully, competing against far more known brands at that time. We also built a simple website for their networking equipment. --- ## PeopleSoft *PeopleSoft (merged with JD Edwards, then acquired by Oracle in 2005) was a leading enterprise resource and human resource management solutions company. We served PeopleSoft in its launch of an enterprise solution in 1996 through a PR and media event with the delivery of digital media kits (we have been pioneer in interactive media and digital media kits since the 1990s).* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 1997 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Enterprise software solutions are often sidelined in many media due to its complexity and perceived lack of public interest. **Successes**: Pioneered and developed digital press kit for the client on 3.5-inch floppy disks for the media and trade users (one of our early pioneering developments) in a well-orchestrated media event, culminating in comprehensive media coverage. --- ## KRONE *Helped leading German structured cabling provider KRONE (later acquired by ADC, then CommScope) develop communication materials and interactive media kits in the 1990s.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 1996 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Structured cabling is seen as “peripheral” when compared to the foreground of other exciting computing technologies such as CPUs, software and mobile devices. **Successes**: Pioneered and developed interactive press kits and demos for the client, which were novel in those days, on 3.5-inch floppy disks for the media and trade users. The demo floppy disks helped secure comprehensive media coverage in trade and other media for the client. It also helped the client reach out to trade customers and the public with PR and print communication. We built a simple website for the client during the pioneer commercial Internet year. --- ## Asian Business Press *Asian Business Press (ABP), the leading trade publisher at that time, published Asia Computer Weekly (ACW) and Asia Pacific Telecoms (APT), two of the leading trade publications then. Developed the printed media kits for the 2 publications. ABP then transitioned to Miller-Freeman Asia, then CMP Media Asia, before becoming UBM Asia to focus on trade events and conferences under the United Business Media PLC (UBM).* **Services: Marketing Period**: 1996 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Bring out the best way to communicate with trade customers in why trade media is an important marketing ally in a fierce and competitive media arena and to persuade trade customers to invest marketing dollars with trade media rather than spreading out to general media. **Successes**: Helped the sales and editorial team refine and re-design the media kits for 2 of its leading trade publications in computing and telecommunications so that the intended messaging reaches out more effectively to the trade customers (often marketing directors and managers of computer and telecommunication companies) and persuades them to spend appropriate marketing budgets with the trade publications instead of elsewhere. --- ## Ministry of Law (Legal Aid Bureau) *We served the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) with the creation of their website to serve the public with information relating to legal aid.* **Services**: **Website** Period: 1990s Countries: Singapore --- ## Ministry of Finance (Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore or BCCS) *We served the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) with the creation of their website to serve the public with educational information of Singapore currencies.* **Services**: **Website** Period: 1996 Countries: Singapore (global-facing) --- ## OTIS Elevator *We worked with the Human Resource Development (HRD) head of OTIS Elevator Singapore to develop employee development communication and training programs, including printed materials and interactive media (computer-based training or CBT). We have core expertise in HRD and leadership development that puts us in a unique space compared to traditional communication firms. OTIS Elevator is part of the multinational United Technologies Company.* **Services: Human capital development (Internal communications) Period**: 1995 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Instructional design is steeped in human factors and requires expertise and human-centric understanding to make learning both educational and engaging, as well as optimize learning retention. **Successes**: Helped client develop innovative and successful HRD programs for regional leadership and employee development with interactive media components to cement and enhance learning retention. --- ## SunSoft *Developed print advertising and interactive communication programs for SunSoft, a division of Sun Microsystems, managing the high-performance server-class operating system Solaris and associated developer tools (now part of Oracle) in the 1990s. We were pioneers in developing interactive media for PR and marketing using Macromedia Director (Adobe). We developed interactive press kits and trade show demos. Some of the products launched included SolarisTM X86, SolarNetTM, etc. We also created original, custom illustrations for the print advertising campaigns.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 1994-1995 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Although Sun Microsystems was a large entity, SunSoft, its specialized software division, was not so well known yet. Its solutions were vertical and specialized, and required expertise to explain to both trade and general media. **Successes**: Pioneered and developed interactive press kits and demos for the client, which were novel in those days, on 3.5-inch floppy disks for the media and trade users. The trade media became more familiar with the client and there was extensive media coverage for the client, despite being in a high-end, enterprise computing segment unfamiliar to many non-programmers. Also launched various trade print advertising campaigns successfully for trade events. --- ## Mitsubishi Electric *We served the displays and dye-sublimation printers divisions of Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) in Singapore for their publicity programs in the 1990s. Today, the division is known as the Mitsubishi Electric Visual Information Systems division. Other than helping Mitsubishi Electric develop trade and consumer print advertising campaigns, we have also developed custom interactive and self-running demo apps for their trade events. We used Macromedia Director/Flash (Adobe) for many of the interactive displays.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 1994-1997 **wrCountries**: Singapore **Challenge**: MELCO was a specialized division specializing in high-end business products and did not then enjoy the same level of public recognition. **Successes**: Helped the client establish the brand as high-end displays in a challenging market segment, since large-size displays were prohibitively expensive then, through public relations in the trade and general media, and through reaching out to the trade and general audiences in specialized trade events. The client successfully showcased its industrial-grade displays and other computing peripherals throughout Singapore's trade and mass market segments. We built a simple website for the client during 1996, the pioneer commercial Internet year. --- ## Crystal Jade Restaurant *When the founders of the Crystal Jade Restaurant started in Cairnhill, Singapore, one of our founders helped with the creative direction and copywriting of many of its early advertising campaigns, from print advertisements in Chinese and English dailies to radio campaigns in Chinese. We are proficient in Chinese (traditional and simplified) and are able to serve the restaurant’s founders.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 1994 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: An upstart restaurant with limited marketing resources is competing in a fierce, well-established market. **Successes**: Helped client reach out to a saturated Chinese restaurant market in Singapore. The advertising campaigns were direct, targeted, and effective. Through reaching out to the media through public relations, we were able to persuade the media to experience the authentic Cantonese cuisine of the restaurant. The restaurant went on to become a successful restaurant chain with many restaurant outlets throughout Singapore. Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # top healthcare & health tech PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-healthcare/ Here is a sampling of healthcare, medical, pharmaceutical, and supplement companies we have worked with. We have helped grow brands such as HST Medical and DTAP Clinic. ## HST Medical *HST Medical is a Singapore-based health supplements company, with products such as Rheuma-Salve, ZooVites kids vitamins, and so on. The group also owns the Essentials Pharmacy. HST stands for “Higher, Stronger and Together.”* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, Coaching, Website Period**: 2017-now **Countries**: International **Challenge**: The group faced tremendous competition in a very heated ecosystem and against an antiquated channel and distribution system. At the same time, brand recognition was very low. The brand has an ineffective website and a dismal Facebook page. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products through multi-channel 360 marketing, including PR (getting its spokespersons on broadcast, print, and online), building a content blog, and converging older websites into a new website with better SEO at [https://hstmedical.com](https://hstmedical.com/). We launched the brand’s first outdoor advertising campaigns, including roadshows with an outdoor advertising company and conceptualizing and launching the brand’s first bus-stop digital panel advertising campaigns. We also manage the brand’s Facebook page, curate and edit content for the page, and build a following to complement the new website. We helped the client strategize along the entire creative supply chain and branding, including creating the new moniker “**Higher, Stronger, Together**” to stand for HST. We also helped the client manage social media, web, and PR communication during the COVID-19 crisis. As we progressed with the client, we managed to increase the annual revenue base to even greater than pre-COVID in 2022. The client’s management consults our team on various strategic initiatives as well, including partnerships and media relations with third parties. From 2025, we took over the e-commerce management of the client and managed to increase the sales over the previous year through SEO, online promotions, and blogging. We also served as creative director for the client's first-ever TVC (television commercial) on national TV, and in-store ads based on the same content. We also created and maintain the company's AI RAG chatbot (retrieval augmented generation) for its online content. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YwSzRU0syk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5XC8n5M6o ![Screencapture hstmedical 2025 05 26 17 50 37](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/screencapture-hstmedical-2025-05-26-17_50_37-e1748253527615-524x1024.jpg) --- ## Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre *We work with Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre, part of Oxford Orthopaedics, a leading orthopedic medical group. Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre features AProf Dr Francis Wong, an internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon with a PhD in cartilage regeneration.* **Services: PR** **Period**: 2026-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where healthcare entities are tightly regulated, and the mainstream media scene in Singapore is small and is keenly contested with many clinicians available, it is challenging for specialist practices to gain media mileage given how busy the clinicians are in tending to their patients. **Successes**: We mapped out a content outreach strategy for the practice, and to pitch specialty story ideas to the Singapore mainstream media, including dailies (with global presence), as well as broadcast media. In the short period of partnership, we helped the practice reach out successfully to radio and dailies. --- ## US Pharmacopeia (USP) We work with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the leading pharmacopeia by the 200-year old United States Pharmacopeial Convention. **Services: PR, Internal Communications** **Period**: 2026-now **Countries**: Asia Pacific (Singapore, Indonesia & South Korea primarily) **Challenge**: We are tasked by the USP regional team to deliver quarterly communications known as Quality Times (QT) in a digital newsletter format, as well as develop social media content for their various social channels serving ASEAN and South Korea. **Successes**: We served the client through organizing various information and image snippets, and producing copy for their social media channels for ASEAN and South Korea, as well as acting as their managing editor for Quality Times (QT) publications. --- ## Therabody Singapore *Therabody Singapore distributes the Theraface Mask Glo, a consumer device that resembles a mask, with 504 LEDs of red, red+infrared, and blue for light therapy, as well as VibraWave technology for a gentle facial massage. * **Services: PR, Influencer Marketing Period**: 2026 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The company needed a PR partner to help launch the Theraface Mask Glo to mainstream, lifestyle/fashion media, as well as key influencers in Singapore. The consumer and beauty technology segment is a keenly contested arena and it is not always easy to gather good media and influencers in a room at a specified time in Singapore, for a specialty product. **Successes**: We were successful in helping to gain the attention and attendance of tier-1 journalists from mainstream and lifestyle/fashion media, as well as known influencers, to attend a themed yoga session with the Theraface Mask Glo in action. The mainstream media and influencers published the product through product reviews. ![Theraface Mask Glo media launch in Singapore](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG202602271630312-1024x599.jpg) --- ## ABLE (Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations) *We worked with the leadership of the non-profit ABLE, a member of Caritas Singapore, the social mission arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The non-profit serves people with physical challenges and their caregivers with services such as rehabilitation, training, respite care, wheelchair-accessible transport, as well as a social enterprise that places employment for people with physical challenges.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching** **Period**: 2019-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where non-profits, with finite resources, need to reach as many people as possible to allow their services to benefit more people, it is challenging. **Successes**: We helped the non-profit's leadership become aware and prepared when facing the media and became self-reliant in working and collaborating with the media. Communicated some of the key initiatives of the non-profit to the media, resulting in various media coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0ffBXbPfLQ --- ## Montfort Care *Montfort Care is one of the leading Singapore social service agencies (SSAs) that supports individuals, families, and communities facing life's challenges with services in family support, child protection, anti-violence, mental health, caregiving, and eldercare.* **Services: Internal communications Period**: 2025 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The SSA needed a "red team" to assist the organization in the next lap of its community service. **Successes**: We developed and ran a focus group program with many of their key team members, helping to clarify the positioning of the organization. We provided professional recommendations for brand clarity after running the entire focus group program. --- ## DTAP Clinic Group (Republic Healthcare) *DTAP Clinic Group (Republic Healthcare) is a unique Singapore medical group that is spreading its wings region-wide, with general practitioner (GP) plus services that include aesthetics, reproductive health, and anonymous HIV testing services. It is publicly listed on the HKSAR stock exchange.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2019-2025 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The group needed a professional and dedicated team to assist its management team in public relations (PR) and provide media training and crisis preparedness for its team. **Successes**: Since the start of working with the client, we helped the client secure major and mainstream media coverage on broadcast (TV and radio), print (newspapers and magazines), and online, including the COVID-19 crisis, where credible medical information and insights are important. We trained the entire team of physicians and managers on media training and crisis preparedness. We also helped the team edit content written by their physicians for editorial requirements and readability. --- ## SmartRx *SmartRx is a healthtech business bringing telemedicine and medicine dispensing to remote locations through telemedicine kiosks. * **Services: PR, Website** **Period**: 2023-2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Healthtech is a niche field with many regulatory and other challenges, especially outside of Singapore. The PR outreach has to be nuanced and comprehensive, reaching out to as many stakeholders as possible. **Successes**: Despite the many challenges, we managed to help the client gain top-tier media coverage in national media, including broadcast media, as well as provide a website reengineering framework to the client. --- ## HealthPlus (Parkway Health) *HealthPlus is a specialty medical content portal belonging to the Parkway Health Group (Mount Elizabeth Hospital), with useful medical information for everyone.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 2017-2018 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Health portals are many, and health information has limited appeal to the mainstream media and syndication sites, which face very stringent restrictions. **Successes**: Despite the many challenges, we managed to get very consistent results for the client. Managed many internal teambuilding and social events, including the setting up of a registration website for their events. --- ## Galderma *Galderma is a leading dermatological brand in the world. We served its B2B business in B2B and B2C PR, as well as offering our microsite and video documentary production services.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 2015 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: B2B PR for these products was challenging due to many regulatory restrictions placed on reaching out and advertising such products to the public, as well as some earlier issues prior to our engagement. **Successes**: We took on the tough challenge of finding innovative ways of reaching out to the media through the production of a trackable microsite with professionally produced video documentary short films talking about various skin conditions and potential treatments and care from medical professionals. The footage was shot on Blackmagic Design professional cine cameras we own internally in our labs and studios and then post-produced on Apple Final Cut Pro X (FCPX). --- ## SPD *We worked with the leadership of the non-profit Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) to prepare the society’s executives and leaders when facing the media with full suites of delivery materials. I recently delivered a pro-bono short film with some peers.* **Services: Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004, 2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where being prepared in front of the media, especially broadcast live, is paramount for an emerging non-profit at that time,. **Successes**: helped the non-profit’s leadership become aware and prepared when facing the media and became self-reliant in working and collaborating with the media. Creative direction, scriptwriting, and postproduction of a short film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmqymExV7-0 Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # engage the top PR agency and succeed in Asia Pacific today! Source: https://mcgallen.com/contact/ ## Work with a pioneering expert team in PR, marketing (including SEO, AI AEO & GEO), strategy & crisis communication today! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), marketing, coaching/training, crisis communication, and strategic counsel, [send us an email](mailto:websitesubmit@mcgallen.com?Subject=mcgallen_enquiry) right away! Or you can fill out this form. Thank you! If you have a crisis and need help, do remember to disclose as many details as possible so that we can quickly assess your situation. Looking for [jobs](https://mcgallen.com/firm/jobs/)? --- ## ### Asia Pacific, Middle East, South America, BRICS PLUS: **McGallen & Bolden Pte Ltd** 10 Anson Rd, International Plaza, Unit 03-19, 079903 Voicemail: [+65 3105 1378](tel:+6531051378) [![Whatsapp Business Icon](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WhatsApp_Business_icon-150x150.png)](https://wa.me/6563246588) *WhatsApp is primarily for clients during project coordination only. Thank you.* --- # leading FMCG & B2C PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-consumer-b2c/ Here is a sampling of consumer clients we have worked with, from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), fashion and luxury brands, hospitality (food and beverage), consumer electronics, audio and visual equipment, and more. We have helped build brands such as CROCS and Plantronics (acquired by HP) in Singapore and ASEAN, respectively. ## VillageSmith Gifts Workshop (Gemworks.com) *VillageSmith specializes in customized gifts, genuine 4-leaf clover souvenirs, and true laser engraving services. We worked for the company in various parts of creative direction, graphic design and production, digital media, PR counsel, and with its revamp of its web and e-commerce presence.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, Website Period**: 2006-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The retail sector for gifts, souvenirs, and mobile phone accessories is very saturated, with many even offering similar products and services. **Successes**: Since its early days, we have helped the company in various cost-effective creative print campaigns in mainstream media, event collaterals, point-of-sale (POS) print collaterals, including collaterals for overseas exhibitions. More recently, we have assisted the company in moving towards social media, interactive media, and e-commerce, to counter the challenges on the retail front and the need for consistent branding. The business has found good interest and purchases from overseas because of the digital transformation. Visit the [web presence ](https://gemworks.com/)we designed, host, and maintain for the company, and its [facebook.](https://www.facebook.com/Villagesmith) We also created and maintain the company's AI RAG chatbot (retrieval augmented generation) for its online content. ![Screencapture gemworks 2025 05 26 17 53 52](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/screencapture-gemworks-2025-05-26-17_53_52-e1748253729105-876x1024.jpg) --- ## Therabody Singapore *Therabody Singapore distributes the Theraface Mask Glo, a consumer device that resembles a mask, with 504 LEDs of red, red+infrared, and blue for light therapy, as well as VibraWave technology for a gentle facial massage. * **Services: PR, Influencer Marketing Period**: 2026 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The company needed a PR partner to help launch the Theraface Mask Glo to mainstream, lifestyle/fashion media, as well as key influencers in Singapore. The consumer and beauty technology segment is a keenly contested arena and it is not always easy to gather good media and influencers in a room at a specified time in Singapore, for a specialty product. **Successes**: We were successful in helping to gain the attention and attendance of tier-1 journalists from mainstream and lifestyle/fashion media, as well as known influencers, to attend a themed yoga session with the Theraface Mask Glo in action. The mainstream media and influencers published the product through product reviews. ![Theraface Mask Glo media launch in Singapore](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG202602271630312-1024x599.jpg) --- ## Plantronics *Plantronics is a leading audio communications vendor for the enterprise and consumer markets today, providing Bluetooth™-enabled headsets, wired headsets, and other associated solutions for the office, for the SOHO, and for individuals. Separately, Altec Lansing is a producer of high fidelity audio equipment for music and entertainment, and was at one time, part of Plantronics. We have worked with Plantronics, and for a period, Altec Lansing as well, helping the clients reach out to the South East Asia markets. We continue to work with Plantronics today, providing full-spectrum PR and marcomm, media training, consumer and media events, social media, online web and e-commerce presence, and other additional services. We have helped Plantronics establish a strong foothold in the media, trade arena, and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Coaching, Website Period**: 2005-2017 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: The wireless and wired headset market in the enterprise space is not often covered in the general media, while the consumer media is fiercely competed for by many consumer headsets. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore and the region. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of PR, innovative and ground-breaking events, unique direct marketing ideas, social and mobile media, to help the client become one of the premium audio communication brands around. We have also helped the client establish online social media and e-commerce presence, as well as new video content delivery for the media. Some of the innovative events included media events out at sea, on hydro entertainment venues, regional themed launches, influencer (blogger) events, and live-streaming of media launches. We also developed an online ecommerce website during the relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZdlJpcvWWo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6LfqHGWYfQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtwdPb6daqQ --- ## CROCS *Crocs is a recognized consumer footwear and apparel company in the world today. We worked with the company since its inception in Asia Pacific for a long period, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, consumer and media events, and other additional services. We have helped Crocs establish a strong foothold in the media, in the trade arena, and in the public space, even lending our core expertise and industry knowledge to enrich the client and its presence elsewhere.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2005-2013 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: From its inception as a unique boat shoe with a unique material and a marketing budget spent on vertical media and PR, the brand needed a lot of persuasion to the media, especially the fashion media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore (and lend our expertise to the region) since its inception here. From the beginning, despite the onslaught of criticism and negativity against such a unique product, we were able to position the client very effectively, which helped the client secure a successful inroad in the retail market. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of public relations, innovative and ground-breaking events, unique direct marketing ideas, outdoor advertising (bus advertising, taxi cab advertising, mass transit outdoor panel advertising, etc.), given the constraints, and later on, social and mobile media, to help the client become one of the most recognizable fashion and lifestyle footwear brands in Singapore. For many of the campaigns, we took it from concept to every step of the process (including fashion model casting, photography, videography, styling, etc.). We drew out the technical strengths of the materials of the footwear, the funky and unique look of its products, celebrity endorsements from the USA, and so on. We also trained their top spokespersons for media interviews, and their regional chief executive was interviewed on the likes of top business TV channel CNBC for feature programs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyYxUizdKWo --- ## Anello *Anello is one of the iconic Japanese bag brands that has spread its wings across the world, and its first store opened at Jewel Changi Airport.* **Services: PR Period**: 2019 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The brand was to open its first store at Jewel Changi Airport, which is located at the far eastern side of Singapore. Generally, journalists and influencers are not likely to venture to a far-flung location in Singapore for a media launch. **Successes**: We helped the client with the media launch, inviting key journalists and influencers to attend the event, and also helped facilitate all the media interviews to ensure the mainstream and other journalists were properly taken care of, as the client’s spokespersons mainly spoke Japanese. The event was a resounding success and the Japanese headquarters commended our team for the great event and coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_BOXBtLoI --- ## FRED Technology *FRED Technology is the innovative startup in Singapore that created the first luxury smart mirror product, FRED Mirror.* **Services: PR Period**: 2017 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Smart devices and IoT are prevalent and emerging at the same time, with lots of competition for the media and public attention. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage around the region, with earnest and intelligent pitching, for its luxury smart mirror (first product), as well as its follow-on product, a desktop smart mirror. --- ## AVone AVone is a hifi distributor for many iconic brands of superlative high fidelity audio, including: 1MORE, Astell&Kern, Audeze, Audioengine, Dan Clark Audio, Dynaudio, FiiO, Hifiman, Meze Audio, RHA, etc. **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching ****Period**: 2018-2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for audio products, especially against major brands and stalwarts that have spent the last 20 years entrenched with mass market marketing and campaigns. At the same time, as a distributor, the client has limited marketing resources. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage, and also successful media attendance at media listening events and launches, and collaborative events with other partners. We have provide media and crisis communication training for the client’s top management and product specialists, and they have begun to be interviewed by mainstream media such as national radio. --- ## Zepp *Zepp live music halls are famous in Japan as the go-to venues for musicians from around the world. Zepp@BIGBOX is the first Zepp hall outside of Japan. ***Services: PR Period**: 2017 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Zepp as a brand is a virtual unknown in Singapore, even though it has a successful lineage in Japan in the music scene. Located in the west side of Singapore, which was not traditionally known for cultural venues and entertainment,. There was also a time crunch due to the limited time to launch. **Successes**: With the time crunch, we were able to help the client garner good media coverage and also manage the hundreds of trade attendees from the music and entertainment industry (many of whom are from Japan). We managed the press conference to a roomful of journalists and also orchestrated a “backstage tour” just for the journalists to explain every facility and piece of equipment the Zepp live music hall has and put together image and video assets for the launch. --- ## SITEX *SITEX is organized by the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and managed by SingEx Exhibitions Pte Ltd. SITEX 2016 ran from 24 to 27 November 2016, at Singapore EXPO, Halls 5 and 6. We were appointed as project PR agency by SingEx.* **Services: PR Period**: 2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for IT-related consumer shows in Singapore, and with an ever-shrinking media pie, it was a challenge to garner as much local media coverage as desired by the client. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage and great media attendance at the show as well. We got the client a national TV coverage in a multi-channel news segment on highlights of the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgIRAp-THXc --- ## ASICS *ASICS is the leading sports footwear and apparel company, with a focus on serious sports science and product development. We provide the company with PR and media event services, and support their regional PR programs as well.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2015-2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The sports footwear and apparel market is fiercely competitive, with the competition gearing for fashion more than utility and sports function. **Successes**: We have helped the client strengthen its brand and products against the competition through media relations, event support (sports lounge events, foreign sports event PR), store launch PR, professional video production, and so on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtokROD2xUY --- ## Coast Cycles *Coast Cycles is a local Singapore bicycle brand, with bespoke bicycles designed by local bike designer Jansen Tan. Coast & Company is the showroom, workshop and mini-café, catering to the sales and demonstration of the Coast Cycles range of products and accessories. We helped launch the brand to the local media and influencers, as well as community groups, through various events.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy Period**: 2014-2016 **Countries**: International **Challenge**: The bicycle market in Singapore is very vibrant and increasingly competitive. **Successes**: We helped to launch the brand through local media, through earned media in print (dailies, magazines), broadcast, and online media, as well as reach out to community stakeholders and influencers (e.g. prominent bloggers). We also took care of its social media with content strategy and population. We helped the brand gain the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its Quinn bicycle design in 2015. We also helped the client with its first debut at Interbike 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, USA. We produced some professional event videos with professional cameras and stabilized video cameras. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAOo5XWDEY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4M2CwW2U2U --- ## Sin Kwang Optical *First helped leading optical eyewear distributor Sin Kwang Optical break into the cinema advertising space for their distributed eyewear brand Emporio Armani. Used AVID NLE (non-linear editor) to edit custom animations and then encoded for cinema advertising. We have helped this comprehensive and established eyewear distributor reach out to the trade and mass media through print, broadcast, online, social media, and events. Eyewear brands we work on include ELLE, Escada, Esprit, POLICE, Angry Birds, Charmant, Rodenstock, BALLY, David Yurman, Dunhill, Judith Leiber, Kata, LANVIN, Braun Buffel, Mercedes Benz, Porsche Design, Trussardi, Converse, Puma, and more.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching, Website Period**: 1996-2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Reach out to general and vertical media, as well as the public, competing against other name brands in a rather crowded optical market space. **Successes**: Helped the client break into the cinema advertising arena with a custom campaign that reached out to wide audiences at that time. We helped the client launch their consumer websites for the first time (eye-trendy.com) and also launched their social media presence. We also helped the client reach out to various mass media, high-end fashion media, broadcast, trade media, and the public through a variety of publicity mechanics such as public relations, marketing communication, social media, hybrid mobile apps, etc. I also trained the executives on social media for business. We handed the websites and social media pages to the client successfully, under their care. --- ## Payless *Payless ShoeSource is one of the leading family footwear and accessories companies in USA, and came to Singapore in a big way. We worked with the company when it started in Singapore, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services. We have helped the brand establish successfully in the media and in the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2011-2013 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The challenge is to establish the client’s brand against a backdrop of fierce footwear competition from strong local and international brands and a limited media space. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand of affordable lifestyle shoes and accessories through innovative media launch events and fashion shows, storefront fashion shoots, social media, and other media outreach efforts. --- ## Swensen’s *Swensen’s Restaurants are part of ABR Holdings Ltd. and include the likes of Gloria Jean Coffee and Earle Swensen’s. We provided full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, media events, and other additional services for Swensen’s restaurants, Oishi launch, Gloria Jean, and Earle Swensen’s. We have helped the restaurant chain establish a strong foothold in the media and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004-2011 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Family and consumer F&B space is fiercely competitive, with the media space limited and public loyalty fleeting. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its outlets and its presence, helping to solidify its image of a family-centric restaurant chain that caters to families, executives, dating couples, etc. while extending coverage and interest to its specialty outlets in gourmet coffee and higher-end cuisine. --- ## ThunderAsia Racing *ThunderAsia Racing is a racing team fronted by Singapore racer Melvin Choo. We worked with Melvin and his racing team, providing full-spectrum PR, media training, and other additional services. We have helped Melvin and his team reach out to the regional media circuits and the public.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2009-2010 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Racing is a specialized sports that has its own unique challenges and requires an innate understanding of the field, sports media, etc. Building a personality from scratch in a vertical field requires a lot of creativity as well. **Successes**: We have helped the client and his team brand ThunderAsia Racing with the Mosler race car throughout the region (especially in the SuperGT), with personality building and branding, media interviews, media events at the race circuits, etc. --- ## Kodak *I worked with the Human Resource Development (HRD) head at Eastman Kodak in Singapore to develop employees in sales, leadership, and e-business areas with full suites of delivery materials. We have core expertise in HRD and leadership development that puts us in a unique space compared to traditional communication firms.* **Services: Human capital development (Internal communications) Period**: 2001 **Countries**: APAC **Challenge**: Employee and leader development is a fast-changing arena and timely and relevant development programs need to be highly customized. We helped the client develop several training programs, from sales and marketing training programs to e-commerce. The programs were delivered to the senior training leadership for their in-house customization and use. **Successes**: Helped client develop innovative HRD programs for regional development on subjects such as E-Business, Sales Management, Leadership, etc. --- ## Mitsubishi Electric *We served the displays and dye-sublimation printers divisions of Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) in Singapore for their publicity programs in the 1990s. Today, the division is known as the Mitsubishi Electric Visual Information Systems division. Other than helping Mitsubishi Electric develop trade and consumer print advertising campaigns, we have also developed custom interactive and self-running demo apps for their trade events. We used Macromedia Director/Flash (Adobe) for many of the interactive displays.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 1994-1997 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: MELCO was a specialized division specializing in high-end business products and did not then enjoy the same level of public recognition. **Successes**: Helped client establish the brand as high-end displays in a challenging market segment, since large-size displays were prohibitively expensive then, through public relations in the trade and general media, and through reaching out to the trade and general audiences in specialized trade events. The client successfully showcased its industrial-grade displays and other computing peripherals throughout Singapore's trade and mass market segments. We built a simple website for the client during 1996, the pioneer commercial Internet year. --- ## Crystal Jade Restaurant *When the founders of the Crystal Jade Restaurant started in Cairnhill, Singapore, one of our founders helped with the creative direction and copywriting of many of its early advertising campaigns, from print advertisements in Chinese and English dailies to radio campaigns in Chinese. We are proficient in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) and is able to serve the restaurant’s founders.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 1994 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: An upstart restaurant with limited marketing resources is competing in a fierce, well-established market. **Successes**: Helped client reach out to a saturated Chinese restaurant market in Singapore. The advertising campaigns were direct, targeted, and effective. Through reaching out to the media through public relations, we were able to persuade the media to experience the authentic Cantonese cuisine of the restaurant. The restaurant went on to become a successful restaurant chain with many restaurant outlets throughout Singapore. Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # leading fashion & luxury PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-fashion-luxury/ Here is a sampling of fashion and luxury clients we have worked with, some of whom we have helped build up their brands in Singapore and the region, including the likes of CROCS and Plantronics (acquired by HP). ## VillageSmith Gifts Workshop (Gemworks.com) *VillageSmith specializes in customized gifts, genuine 4-leaf clover souvenirs, and true laser engraving services. We worked for the company in various parts of creative direction, graphic design and production, digital media, PR counsel, and more recently, with its revamp of its web and e-commerce presence.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, Website Period**: 2006-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The retail front for gifts, souvenirs, and mobile phone accessories is very saturated, with many even offering similar products and services. **Successes**: Since its early days, we have helped the company in various cost-effective creative print campaigns in mainstream media, event collaterals, point-of-sale (POS) print collaterals, including collaterals for overseas exhibitions. More recently, we have assisted the company in moving towards social media, interactive media, and e-commerce, to counter the challenges on the retail front and the need for consistent branding. The business has found good interest and purchases from overseas because of the digital transformation. Visit the [web presence ](https://gemworks.com/)we designed, host, and maintain for the company, and its [facebook.](https://www.facebook.com/Villagesmith) We also created and maintain the company's AI RAG chatbot (retrieval augmented generation) for its online content. ![Screencapture gemworks 2025 05 26 17 53 52](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/screencapture-gemworks-2025-05-26-17_53_52-e1748253729105-876x1024.jpg) --- ## Therabody Singapore *Therabody Singapore distributes the Theraface Mask Glo, a consumer device that resembles a mask, with 504 LEDs of red, red+infrared, and blue for light therapy, as well as VibraWave technology for a gentle facial massage. * **Services: PR, Influencer Marketing Period**: 2026 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The company needed a PR partner to help launch the Theraface Mask Glo to mainstream, lifestyle/fashion media, as well as key influencers in Singapore. The consumer and beauty technology segment is a keenly contested arena and it is not always easy to gather good media and influencers in a room at a specified time in Singapore, for a specialty product. **Successes**: We were successful in helping to gain the attention and attendance of tier-1 journalists from mainstream and lifestyle/fashion media, as well as known influencers, to attend a themed yoga session with the Theraface Mask Glo in action. The mainstream media and influencers published the product through product reviews. ![Theraface Mask Glo media launch in Singapore](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG202602271630312-1024x599.jpg) --- ## Plantronics *Plantronics (acquired by HP) is a leading audio communications vendor for the enterprise and consumer markets today, providing Bluetooth™-enabled headsets, wired headsets, and other associated solutions for the office, for the SOHO, and for individuals. Separately, Altec Lansing is a producer of high fidelity audio equipment for music and entertainment, and was at one time, part of Plantronics. We have worked with Plantronics, and for a period, Altec Lansing as well, helping the clients reach out to the South East Asia markets. We continue to work with Plantronics today, providing full-spectrum PR and marcomm, media training, consumer and media events, social media, online web and e-commerce presence, and other additional services. We have helped Plantronics establish a strong foothold in the media, trade arena, and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching, Website Period**: 2005-2017 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: The wireless and wired headset market in the enterprise space is not often covered in the general media, while the consumer media is fiercely competed for by many consumer headsets. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore and the region. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of PR, innovative and ground-breaking events, unique direct marketing ideas, social and mobile media, to help the client become one of the premium audio communication brands around. We have also helped the client establish online social media and e-commerce presence, as well as new video content delivery for the media. Some of the innovative events included media events out at sea, on hydro entertainment venues, regional themed launches, influencer (blogger) events, and live-streaming of media launches. We also developed an online ecommerce website during the relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZdlJpcvWWo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6LfqHGWYfQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtwdPb6daqQ --- ## CROCS *Crocs is a recognized consumer footwear and apparel company in the world today. We worked with the company since its inception in Asia Pacific for a long period, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, consumer and media events, and other additional services. We have helped Crocs establish a strong foothold in the media, in the trade arena, and in the public space, even lending our core expertise and industry knowledge to enrich the client and its presence elsewhere.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2005-2013 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: From its inception as a unique boat shoe with a unique material and a marketing budget spent on vertical media and PR, the brand needed a lot of persuasion to the media, especially the fashion media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore (and lend our expertise to the region) since its inception here. From the beginning, despite the onslaught of criticism and negativity against such a unique product, we were able to position the client very effectively, which helped the client secure a successful inroad in the retail market. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of public relations, innovative and ground-breaking events, unique direct marketing ideas, outdoor advertising (bus advertising, taxi cab advertising, mass transit outdoor panel advertising, etc.), given the constraints, and later on, social and mobile media, to help the client become one of the most recognizable fashion and lifestyle footwear brands in Singapore. For many of the campaigns, we took it from concept to every step of the process (including fashion model casting, photography, videography, styling, etc.). We drew out the technical strengths of the materials of the footwear, the funky and unique look of its products, celebrity endorsements from the USA, and so on. We also trained their top spokespersons for media interviews, and their top executive, John McCarvel, was interviewed on the likes of top business TV channel CNBC for feature programs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyYxUizdKWo --- ## Anello *Anello is one of the iconic Japanese bag brands that has spread its wings across the world, and its first store opened at Jewel Changi Airport.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 2019 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The brand was to open its first store at Jewel Changi Airport, which is located at the far eastern side of Singapore. Generally, journalists and influencers are not likely to venture to a far-flung location in Singapore for a media launch. **Successes**: We helped the client with the media launch, inviting key journalists and influencers to attend the event, and also helped facilitate all the media interviews to ensure the mainstream and other journalists were properly taken care of, as the client’s spokespersons mainly spoke Japanese. The event was a resounding success, and the Japanese headquarters commended our team for the great event and coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_BOXBtLoI --- ## AVone AVone is a hifi distributor for many iconic brands of superlative high fidelity audio, including: 1MORE, Astell&Kern, Audeze, Audioengine, Dan Clark Audio, Dynaudio, FiiO, Hifiman, Meze Audio, RHA, etc. **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching ****Period**: 2018-2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for audio products, especially against major brands and stalwarts that have spent the last 20 years entrenched with mass market marketing and campaigns. At the same time, as a distributor, the client has limited marketing resources. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage, and also successful media attendance at media listening events and launches, and collaborative events with other partners. We have provide media and crisis communication training for the client’s top management and product specialists, and they have begun to be interviewed by mainstream media such as national radio. --- ## KEF *KEF is a hi-fi brand from the UK, which started from BBC UK audio engineering. It offers a broad range of ultra-high-resolution and high-end audio products, intelligent audio products, and professionally designed consumer hi-fi audio products.* **Services: PR Period**: 2017-2018 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: There is tremendous competition for audio products, especially against major brands and stalwarts that have spent the last 20 years entrenched with mass market marketing and campaigns. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage and tremendous media attendance at the media launch as well, when we launched the LS50W and Porsche Design range of KEF audio products. --- ## FRED Technology *FRED Technology is the innovative startup in Singapore that created the first luxury smart mirror product, FRED Mirror.* **Services: PR Period**: 2017 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Smart devices and IoT are prevalent and emerging at the same time, with lots of competition for the media and public attention. **Successes**: We have helped the client garner tremendous media coverage around the region with earnest and intelligent pitching for its luxury smart mirror (first product) as well as its follow-on product, a desktop smart mirror. --- ## ASICS *ASICS is the leading sports footwear and apparel company, with a focus on serious sports science and product development. We provide the company with PR and media event services, and support their regional PR programs as well.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2015-2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The sports footwear and apparel market is fiercely competitive, with the competition gearing for fashion more than utility and sports function. **Successes**: We have helped the client strengthen its brand and products against the competition through media relations, event support (sports lounge events, foreign sports event PR), store launch PR, professional video production, and so on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtokROD2xUY --- ## Coast Cycles *Coast Cycles is a local Singapore bicycle brand, with bespoke bicycles designed by local bike designer Jansen Tan. Coast & Company is the showroom, workshop and mini-café, catering to the sales and demonstration of the Coast Cycles range of products and accessories. We helped launch the brand to the local media and influencers, as well as community groups, through various events.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy Period**: 2014-2016 **Countries**: International **Challenge**: The bicycle market in Singapore is very vibrant and increasingly competitive. **Successes**: We helped to launch the brand through local media, through earned media in print (dailies, magazines), broadcast, and online media, as well as reach out to community stakeholders and influencers (e.g. prominent bloggers). We also took care of its social media with content strategy and population. We helped the brand gain the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its Quinn bicycle design in 2015. We also helped the client with its first debut at Interbike 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, USA. We produced some professional event videos with professional cameras and stabilized video cameras. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAOo5XWDEY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4M2CwW2U2U --- ## Nakamichi *Signeo (Sprintcass) is the distributor for brands such as Soul and Nakamichi headphones and earphones. We have worked with Signeo to bring about awareness for the Soul and Nakamichi high-fidelity audio products since 2011. We provide full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, consumer and media events, and other additional services. We have helped Signeo establish the Soul and Nakamichi brands in the media and the public mindshare. We also help the client with other product publicity, including successful outreach of its Energizer mobile chargers.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2011-2016 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The stereophonic headphone and earphone market, as well as the mobile charger market, are fiercely competed for by many brands, and the client’s brands are new brands to the local market. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand and its products comprehensively in Singapore, against an established space of other leading brands. We have tapped on a whole arsenal of PR, innovative and ground-breaking events to help the client become one of the premium portable audio brands around. We also manage and build the client’s social media presence for various products and brands. --- ## Sin Kwang Optical *First helped leading optical eyewear distributor Sin Kwang Optical break into the cinema advertising space for their distributed eyewear brand Emporio Armani. Used AVID NLE (non-linear editor) to edit custom animations and then encoded for cinema advertising. We have helped this comprehensive and established eyewear distributor reach out to the trade and mass media through print, broadcast, online, social media, and events. Eyewear brands we work on include ELLE, Escada, Esprit, POLICE, Angry Birds, Charmant, Rodenstock, BALLY, David Yurman, Dunhill, Judith Leiber, Kata, LANVIN, Braun Buffel, Mercedes Benz, Porsche Design, Trussardi, Converse, Puma, and more.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching, Website Period**: 1996-2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Reach out to general and vertical media, as well as the public, competing against other name brands in a rather crowded optical market space. **Successes**: Helped the client break into the cinema advertising arena with a custom campaign that reached out to wide audiences at that time. We helped the client launch their consumer websites for the first time (eye-trendy.com) and also launched their social media presence. We also helped the client reach out to various mass media, high-end fashion media, broadcast, trade media, and the public through a variety of publicity mechanics such as public relations, marketing communication, social media, hybrid mobile apps, etc. I also trained the executives on social media for business. We handed the websites and social media pages to the client successfully, under their care. --- ## Payless *Payless ShoeSource is one of the leading family footwear and accessories companies in USA, and came to Singapore in a big way. We worked with the company when it started in Singapore, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services. We have helped the brand establish successfully in the media and in the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2011-2013 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The challenge is to establish the client’s brand against a backdrop of fierce footwear competition from strong local and international brands and a limited media space. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand of affordable lifestyle shoes and accessories through innovative media launch events and fashion shows, storefront fashion shoots, social media, and other media outreach efforts. Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # oops Source: https://mcgallen.com/oops/ Oops! Wrong turn? We can’t find the page you’re looking for, but we can help you find your way back. [Visit our Home page?](https://mcgallen.com/) --- # leading non-profit PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-government-nonprofits/ Here is a sampling of government agencies and non-profits (charities) we have worked with. ## ABLE (Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations) *We worked with the leadership of the non-profit ABLE, a member of Caritas Singapore, the social mission arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The non-profit serves people with physical challenges and their caregivers with services such as rehabilitation, training, respite care, wheelchair-accessible transport, as well as a social enterprise that places employment for people with physical challenges.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching** **Period**: 2019-now **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where non-profits, with finite resources, need to reach as many people as possible to allow their services to benefit more people, it is challenging. **Successes**: Helped the non-profit's leadership become aware and prepared when facing the media and became self-reliant in working and collaborating with the media. Communicated some of the key initiatives of the non-profit to the media, resulting in various media coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0ffBXbPfLQ --- ## Montfort Care *Montfort Care is one of the leading Singapore social service agencies (SSAs) that supports individuals, families, and communities facing life's challenges with services in family support, child protection, anti-violence, mental health, caregiving, and eldercare.* **Services: Internal communications Period**: 2025 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: The SSA needed a "red team" to assist the organization in the next lap of its community service. **Successes**: We developed and ran a focus group program with many of their key team members, helping to clarify the positioning of the organization. We provided professional recommendations for brand clarity after running the entire focus group program. --- ## SPD *We worked with the leadership of the non-profit Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) to prepare the society’s executives and leaders when facing the media with full suites of delivery materials. I recently delivered a pro-bono short film with some peers.* **Services: Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004, 2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In an environment where being prepared in front of the media, especially broadcast live, is paramount for an emerging non-profit at that time,. **Successes**: Helped the non-profit’s leadership become aware and prepared when facing the media and became self-reliant in working and collaborating with the media. Creative direction, script-, and post-production of a short film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmqymExV7-0 --- ## Saint Flannán's Mission *We helped the non-profit design and host their website as a pro-bono service.* **Services**: **Website** **Period**: 2009-now ![Web Stflannan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/web_stflannan-300x225.jpg) --- ## Church of St Peter & St Paul *We helped the non-profit design and host their website as a pro-bono service.* **Services**: **Website** **Period**: 2009-now ![Web Osp](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/web_osp-300x225.jpg) --- ## ACE BlueSky Festival *Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) is a Singapore government initiative (through SPRING Singapore) to help emerging and growing local enterprises in Singapore reach out to the mass market and trade segments. SPRING Singapore’s ACE organized the BlueSky Festival to celebrate and highlight growing and exciting enterprises in Singapore. We worked with the initiative in its inception for its very exciting BlueSky Festival, to bring awareness through the media and the public event to the general public and trade audiences.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004-2005 Countries: Singapore **Challenge**: Entrepreneurship as a concept was still not the most sought-after at that point in time, and public education and awareness have to be built up. **Successes**: We have helped the SPRING Singapore ACE initiative reach out to the general public and trade audiences through the large-scale ACE BlueSky Festival through media relations, executive interviews with the mainstream print and broadcast media, and national-level advertising campaigns. --- ## Ministry of Law (Legal Aid Bureau) *We served the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) with the creation of their website to serve the public with information relating to legal aid.* **Services**: **Website** Period: 1990s Countries: Singapore --- ## Ministry of Finance (Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore or BCCS) *We served the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) with the creation of their website to serve the public with educational information of Singapore currencies.* **Services**: **Website** Period: 1996 Countries: Singapore (global-facing) Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # top B2B & industrial PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-industrial-b2b/ We have always been technologists and are interested in all things tech. We have served industrial engineering, industrial safety, automation, robotics, transportation, and manufacturing businesses since the 1990s. Here is a sampling of industrial and engineering clients we have worked with. ## MAN Truck & Bus *MAN Truck & Bus (MAN SE) is one of Europe’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and providers of transport solutions, including vans, trucks, buses, diesel and gas engines, as well as services related to passenger and freight transport. MAN SE, a Volkswagen SE company and part of the Volkswagen Group, employs approximately 33,000 people worldwide. Today, MAN Truck & Bus has evolved from a vehicle manufacturer to a provider of intelligent and sustainable transport solutions.* **Services: PR Period**: 2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Transportation solutions, even though a consumer offering such as buses, can be difficult to pitch to the media. This is also against a media climate where global politics and conflicts dominate the space within the same narrow time frame when such news has to be pitched. **Successes**: We have helped the client and its partner in Singapore reach out to some of the Tier 1 (or above Tier 1) mainstream media and managed to secure high quality and dominant coverage in 3 of the national dailies, as well as its associated internationally read online versions and also other media. **Coverage: 16 coverage as of Sep 2, 2024 (reaching 60.3 million audience, 420 engagements, 101k views, with an average domain authority (DA) of 60). ** ![mancoveragebkcover](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mancoveragebk-2024-09-02-300x186.jpg) --- ## Universal Robots *Universal Robots (UR) is part of the multinational giant Teradyne, and UR is famed for its industry-leading collaborative robots (cobots), which complement the human workforce in many operations, from factory floors to retail to medicine and more. * **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2020-2024 **Countries**: APAC **Challenge**: Collaborative Robots (cobots) are a unique category of robots, unlike larger industrial robots, and needed special outreach to the media and the public to explain such concepts and applications. Also, industrial applications tend to be niche and in this part of the world, it is more challenging to find media traction. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region in the crisis year of 2020 to now, with mainstream and trade media coverage throughout the region, with successes in creating brand and product presence in the category of Cobots, in industrial automation, healthcare (especially in a crisis), food and beverage applications, etc. Recent coverage also include Tier 1 coverage on international TV. **Coverage Total: 2,596 (average 54 coverages per month)** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vCPAkZ8SbQ#t=16m10s --- ## HIMA *HIMA is a leading German industrial safety and security solutions company with field-proven solutions in oil and gas, chemical, energy, and rail transportation. * **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2018-2024 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Smart safety, industrial safety, and industrial cybersecurity are all challenging topics that are difficult to attract media attention to, especially in mainstream media. At the same time, industrial safety trade media are not common in this region. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions, and its presence throughout the region, reaching out to mainstream and trade media to explain the importance of industrial safety and related cybersecurity in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, energy, rail, and transportation sectors. We have also helped launch their regional Customer Solutions Center (CSC), which was concurrently opened in Singapore with their equivalent center in Germany. **Coverage Total from 2020–2024: 1,395 (average 23 coverages per month)** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdwP4QQ2Ylw --- ## ILOG (IBM) *ILOG, now an IBM company, is a leading provider of business rule management system (BRMS) solutions, visualization and optimization software. We served ILOG when it was an independent company and when it was acquired by IBM, providing full-spectrum services in public relations, advertising management, marketing communication, trade events, etc. We have helped the client reach out to trade media and mass media, explaining challenging technical concepts and ideas and translating them into digestible ideas for the media and the public. We helped develop many customer case study papers for placements as well.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2000-2010 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Business rules, data visualization and optimization are vertical topics that are often passed over by the general media and even some trade media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in high-end visualization, business optimization, and business rule management (BRM). ILOG was a unique software vendor that had great technologies, and we were able to articulate the complex concepts successfully to many media channels, including broadcast media for its top executives. When ILOG was acquired by IBM, we continued to serve the ILOG team within the auspices of IBM for a period of time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRHVX-kTVPY --- ## Schneider Electric *Schneider Electric and its subsidiary, APC, are leaders in smart energy and data center solutions. We served the client in PR for trade and mass media, trade events, media training, and marketing communication.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2007-2011 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Energy conservation and data center topics are vertical trade topics that are typically passed over by the general public and even some trade media. **Successes**: We helped the client in the automation and energy management market reach out to the trade and mass media, helping the client expand mindshare for what was perceived as highly technical and vertical solutions. We managed to get significant media turn-up at their trade events, with coverage in major dailies and trade media. --- ## Invensys *Invensys (acquired by Schneider Electric in 2014) was a noted factory and plant operation controls and automation company in the world. We provided full-spectrum PR, media training, events, and other additional services for the client.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2007-2008 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Factory-related technologies are often restricted to vertical media, without much public interest. At the same time, such technologies require great depth to explain to the general public and may be inaccessible to many people. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region as the pre-eminent industrial automation leader, tapping on an arsenal of media relations, executive interviews, case studies, custom publishing, trade events, etc. For a specialized client like this, we were able to help the organization gain good-quality media coverage in many media channels. --- ## Intermec *Intermec (acquired by Honeywell in 2014) was a leading vendor of enterprise supply chain hardware and software solutions. We served the client with full-spectrum services in PR, advertising management, marketing communication, trade events, etc. We have helped the client reach out to trade media and mass media, explaining challenging technical concepts and ideas and translating them into digestible ideas for the media and the public. We helped develop many customer case study papers for placements as well.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2006-2008 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Supply chain (logistics) solutions are often challenging to position in general media, and the technologies occupy vertical interest areas. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions, and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in enterprise supply chain hardware (large-scale to mobile) and software solutions for the supply chain (logistics) market that are positioned as applicable to all areas of life. --- ## Pan Abrasives *We worked with general management to develop and deliver a HR development program for its employees in service quality and customer service, with full suites of delivery materials. We have core expertise in HRD and leadership development that puts us in a unique space compared to traditional communication firms.* **Services: Human capital development (Internal communications) Period**: 2000 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Service quality leadership is mandatory and challenging in a fiercely-competitive industrial field, and relevant development programs need to be highly customized. **Successes**: Helped the client develop a customized service quality and customer service HRD program for training its entire organization with a pre-delivery audit and post-training audit. The enlightened management of the client involved its entire organization to enhance customer service to its industrial customers. --- ## KRONE *Helped leading German structured cabling provider KRONE (later acquired by ADC, then CommScope) develop communication materials and interactive media kits in the 1990s.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Website Period**: 1996 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Structured cabling is seen as “peripheral” when compared to the foreground of other exciting computing technologies such as CPUs, software and mobile devices. **Successes**: Pioneered and developed interactive press kits and demos for the client, which were novel in those days, on 3.5-inch floppy disks for the media and trade users. The demo floppy disks helped secure comprehensive media coverage in trade and other media for the client. It also helped the client reach out to trade customers and the public with PR and print communication. We built a simple website for the client during the pioneer commercial Internet year. --- ## OTIS Elevator *We worked with the Human Resource Development (HRD) head of OTIS Elevator Singapore to develop employee development communication and training programs, including printed materials and interactive media (computer-based training, or CBT). We have core expertise in HRD and leadership development that puts us in a unique space compared to traditional communication firms. OTIS Elevator is part of the multinational United Technologies Company.* **Services: Human capital development (Internal communications) Period**: 1995 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Instructional design is steeped in human factors and requires expertise and human-centric understanding to make learning both educational and engaging, as well as optimize learning retention. **Successes**: Helped clients develop innovative and successful HRD programs for regional leadership and employee development with interactive media components to cement and enhance learning retention. Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # top cybersecurity PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-cybersecurity/ We are a pioneer cybersecurity PR agency in Asia, with [Seamus](https://mcgallen.com/firm/strategists/) being one of the pioneer Internet and cybersecurity practitioners and developers (BSD UNIX-based email security server appliance and full-stack DevOps). Here is a sampling of cybersecurity-related clients we have worked with. We have served many more clients, including stalwarts and pioneers in cybersecurity. One pioneer client in the cybersecurity space has been our client for nearly 30 years! Please feel free to contact us directly for client success stories. --- ## Keeper Security *Keeper Security is one of the leading vendors for password, passkey and secrets management, privileged access, secure remote access and encrypted messaging. We work with the client with full-spectrum public relations in the region. * **Services: PR Period**: 2024-now **Countries**: ASEAN & ANZ (Australasia) **Challenge**: In a competitive cybersecurity space amidst a rapidly shrinking B2B and trade media space, we have to help the client grow mindshare, branding, and media outreach in this region. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building up its brand association with cybersecurity, including broadcast, print, and online media, many of which are top tier media. We managed their media event and paddock tour during the F1 Race, and secured top-tier media attendance and coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvqW1scIwPs --- ## Global Anti-Scam Alliance *The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is a nonprofit organization that unites governments, law enforcement, financial institutions, and tech companies to fight online scams globally. GASA's mission is to protect consumers by fostering international cooperation, sharing intelligence, and raising public awareness. They produce the "Global State of Scams" report and host the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) to coordinate a unified defense against fraud. We managed the PR for their Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2025 in Singapore.* **Services**: PR **Period**: 2025 (event) **Countries**:  ASEAN **Challenge**: This project, which involved a tight deadline and the coordination of multiple stakeholders for a regional event in Singapore, required excellence to ensure a well-attended media briefing, two government ministerial appearances, and various media interviews. **Successes**: We had several Tier X (above Tier 1) and Tier 1 media coverage and attendance, culminating in national television coverage in multiple languages and over 30 top-tier media coverages. > "McGallen has been an outstanding PR partner for the Global Anti-Scam Summit at Suntec. Working alongside their team was not only productive but also genuinely pleasant. They are friendly, professional, and highly committed. Their support resulted in over 30 international media features, with particularly strong engagement from key Southeast Asian outlets. Despite a very tight deadline, they quickly became an integral part of our team and delivered immediate results. We also appreciated the clear direction and strategic advice they brought to the table, helping us elevate the event’s visibility and impact." - Metje van der Meer, Director Marketing Global Anti Scam Alliance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Mqyhwcg6c --- ## Leading Cybersecurity vendor *(Identity redacted due to NDA) We have worked with the company since its inception in Asia Pacific, and continue to work with them today, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services. We have helped this client establish a strong foothold in the media, trade arena, and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching Period**: 1994-now **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: In its early years, Internet security was emerging and yet competitive, with quite a few competing vendors reaching out to the same audiences and the same media. At the same time, Internet security was perceived by some to be “optional”, and the underlying technology needed expertise to explain well. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region since its inception in South East Asia, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in Internet and network security. We have secured feature TV programs, strategic “top-of-mind” panelist appearance for TV, many broadcast rapid response, print and online appearances and comments, etc. --- ## Black Duck Software (formerly Synopsys Software Integrity Group) *Black Duck Software is the independent entity from the previous Synopsys Software Intetgrity Group. Synopsys is a leading software company in the world, with its traditional roots in EDA and IP. We work with the client as its lead agency, managing APAC (focusing on ASEAN, with periods managing China and Australasia), with full-spectrum public relations, media coaching, and other additional services.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2017-2024 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: From the earlier period, the client is best known for its EDA and IP businesses, and its cybersecurity offerings were lesser known to the public and the media. At the same time, B2B trade media are in grave decline, with declining media opportunities. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building up its brand association with cybersecurity, including international and regional broadcast (TV and radio), print (trade and mass), and online media. --- ## Codenomicon *Codenomicon (acquired by Synopsys) was a leading Finnish enterprise and Internet security company with specialized tools for vulnerability testing. We have worked with the company in Singapore for a period, providing full-spectrum public relations and marketing communication, media training, and other additional services.* **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2014 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Vulnerability testing is a very specialized field and the client’s highly technical team needed help to translate their domain knowledge into digestible bits for the public and the media. **Successes**: We have helped the client reach out successfully to the media, including broadcast coverage for this highly specialized field (national TV and national radio), on the Heartbleed SSL vulnerability that the client co-identified, as well as other serious vulnerabilities that may affect many global businesses. --- ## Computer Associates (CA) *CA Technologies (used to be Computer Associates) is a leading enterprise solutions company in the world. We served the network security solutions business of CA Technologies, providing full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, etc.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy, Media Coaching Period**: 2005-2006 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In those years, network security software was still seen by some as optional, and there were much software lapses in adoption, and the market was beginning to be saturated by large and small market players competing for the same media space and public mindshare. Additionally, the client was very large with many diverse business sectors, which required much more effort to pitch specific network security angles. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence to fortify the client with an image of enterprise expertise in antivirus and network security, against more aggressive stalwarts and other emerging companies in the same marketplace. --- ## Trend Micro *Trend Micro is a leading antivirus and content security company in the world. We served the client with full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, corporate filmmaking, and other additional services. We have helped the company establish a strong foothold in the media, the trade arena, and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2002-2003 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: In those years, antivirus software was still seen by some as optional, and there were much software lapses in adoption, and the market was beginning to be saturated by large and small market players competing for the same media space and public mindshare. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of grounded and proven expertise in antivirus and content security. One of the unique campaigns was a custom short film conceptualized, developed, filmed, post-produced entirely by our own team using a Hi8 camcorder, about a science lab infiltrated by a computer virus. The short film was shown before a large audience in a Singapore government-led public and trade seminar, putting the client in a prominent and leading-edge space ahead of its competition. Video remains one of our pioneering strengths, from those days of analog video to web and live streaming video today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK5raVNQLaA Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # Success FAQs Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/ ## What makes McGallen & Bolden special in Asia Pacific (including ASEAN, Australasia, China, Japan, South Korea, and India)? McGallen & Bolden, headquartered in Singapore, is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consultancies that can help you with understanding how to penetrate the ASEAN market and use various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. ## How to profit through PR and marketing in Asia, ASEAN, and BRICS We are adding some brief insights for businesses wanting to know more, to establish a commercial footprint, and to profit from the entire Asia Pacific (which includes the ASEAN) and the Greater BRICS markets through branding, PR (public relations), marketing, events, and more: - Any business from **China, Japan, or South Korea** wanting to grow and profit in the ASEAN region, - Any business from the **EU, LATAM, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and North America** wanting to grow and profit in the entire Asia Pacific region (which includes ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, Australasia, India, etc.). - Any **greater BRICS** business wanting to grow and profit in the Asia Pacific region. We will regularly update these pages as we progress. Currently, the pages we have on the site are: - ## Profit in Singapore - ## Profit from the ASEAN markets - ## BRICS market - ## China & Taiwan markets - ## Japan market - ## Korea market - ## Global South markets ## Testimonial from a client ## We help you grow and profit in Asia Pacific Please fill in all the fields with your needs in this form, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in Asia Pacific soon! --- # leading food & hospitality PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-food-hospitality/ Here is a sampling of some of the food and hospitality clients we have worked with. ## Swensen’s *Swensen’s Restaurants are part of ABR Holdings Ltd. and include the likes of Gloria Jean Coffee and Earle Swensen’s. We provided full-spectrum PR and marketing communication, media training, media events, and other additional services for Swensen’s restaurants, Oishi launch, Gloria Jean, and Earle Swensen’s. We have helped the restaurant chain establish a strong foothold in the media and the public space.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2004-2011 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Family and consumer F&B space is fiercely competitive, with the media space limited and public loyalty fleeting. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its outlets and its presence, helping to solidify its image of a family-centric restaurant chain that caters to families, executives, dating couples, etc. while extending coverage and interest to its specialty outlets in gourmet coffee and higher-end cuisine. --- ## Coast Cycles *Coast Cycles is a local Singapore bicycle brand, with bespoke bicycles designed by local bike designer Jansen Tan. Coast & Company is the showroom, workshop and mini-café, catering to the sales and demonstration of the Coast Cycles range of products and accessories. We helped launch the brand to the local media and influencers, as well as community groups, through various events.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Strategy Period**: 2014-2016 **Countries**: International **Challenge**: The bicycle market in Singapore is very vibrant and increasingly competitive. **Successes**: We helped to launch the brand through local media, through earned media in print (dailies, magazines), broadcast, and online media, as well as reach out to community stakeholders and influencers (e.g. prominent bloggers). We also took care of its social media with content strategy and population. We helped the brand gain the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its Quinn bicycle design in 2015. We also helped the client with its first debut at Interbike 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, USA. We produced some professional event videos with professional cameras and stabilized video cameras. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAOo5XWDEY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4M2CwW2U2U --- ## Crystal Jade Restaurant *When the founders of the Crystal Jade Restaurant started in Cairnhill, Singapore, one of our founders helped with the creative direction and copywriting of many of its early advertising campaigns, from print advertisements in Chinese and English dailies to radio campaigns in Chinese. We are proficient in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) and is able to serve the restaurant’s founders.* **Services: PR, Marketing Period**: 1994 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: An upstart restaurant with limited marketing resources is competing in a fierce, well-established market. **Successes**: Helped client reach out to a saturated Chinese restaurant market in Singapore. The advertising campaigns were direct, targeted, and effective. Through reaching out to the media through public relations, we were able to persuade the media to experience the authentic Cantonese cuisine of the restaurant. The restaurant went on to become a successful restaurant chain with many restaurant outlets throughout Singapore. Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # top AI & robotics PR agency in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/clients/clients-ai-robotics/ We have worked with machine learning (ML) clients in the early years before AI became a thing! We are also practitioners of coding and AI in-house, making us your colleagues in the field, and understanding how to build your brand to succeed in the media. Here is a sampling of AI, ML, robotics, and automation clients we have worked with. ## MAN Truck & Bus *MAN Truck & Bus (MAN SE) is one of Europe’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and providers of transport solutions, including vans, trucks, buses, diesel and gas engines, as well as services related to passenger and freight transport. MAN SE, a Volkswagen SE company and part of the Volkswagen Group, employs approximately 33,000 people worldwide. Today, MAN Truck & Bus has evolved from a vehicle manufacturer to a provider of intelligent and sustainable transport solutions.* **Services: PR Period**: 2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Transportation solutions, even though a consumer offering such as buses, can be difficult to pitch to the media. This is also against a media climate where global politics and conflicts dominate the space within the same narrow time frame when such news has to be pitched. **Successes**: We have helped the client and its partner in Singapore reach out to some of the Tier 1 (or above Tier 1) mainstream media and managed to secure high quality and dominant coverage in 3 of the national dailies, as well as its associated internationally read online versions and also other media. **Coverage: 16 coverage as of Sep 2, 2024 (reaching 60.3 million audience, 420 engagements, 101k views, with an average domain authority (DA) of 60). ** ![mancoveragebkcover](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mancoveragebk-2024-09-02-300x186.jpg) --- ## SmartRx *SmartRx is a healthtech business bringing telemedicine and medicine dispensing to remote locations through telemedicine kiosks. * **Services: PR, Website** **Period**: 2023-2024 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: Healthtech is a niche field with many regulatory and other challenges, especially outside of Singapore. The PR outreach has to be nuanced and comprehensive, reaching out to as many stakeholders as possible. **Successes**: Despite the many challenges, we managed to help the client gain top-tier media coverage in national media, including broadcast media, as well as provide a website reengineering framework to the client. --- ## Universal Robots *Universal Robots (UR) is part of the multinational giant Teradyne, and UR is famed for its industry-leading collaborative robots (cobots), which complement the human workforce in many operations, from factory floors to retail to medicine and more. * **Services: PR, Media Coaching Period**: 2020-2023 **Countries**: APAC **Challenge**: Collaborative Robots (cobots) are a unique category of robots, unlike larger industrial robots, and needed special outreach to the media and the public to explain such concepts and applications. Also, industrial applications tend to be niche and in this part of the world, it is more challenging to find media traction. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region in the crisis year of 2020 to now, with mainstream and trade media coverage throughout the region, with successes in creating brand and product presence in the category of Cobots, in industrial automation, healthcare (especially in a crisis), food and beverage applications, etc. Recent coverage also include Tier 1 coverage on international TV. **Coverage Total: 2,596 (average 54 coverages per month)** ![national and international TV coverage](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22021204_ur_nationtv_snip-300x169.jpg) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vCPAkZ8SbQ#t=16m10s --- ## Dataiku *Dataiku is an AI and ML company from France. We served the regional representative for a media launch event with a room of journalists. We pitched the client in 2018, when AI/ML was nowhere near the hype and frenzy it became FIVE years later. ***Services: PR Period**: 2018 **Countries**: Singapore **Challenge**: AI and ML were vertical topics in 2018 that were often passed over by the general media and even some trade media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish awareness with vertical and mainstream media, with good media outreach and representation for this project. --- ## ILOG (IBM) *ILOG, now an IBM company, is a leading provider of business rule management system (BRMS) solutions, visualization and optimization software. We served ILOG when it was an independent company and when it was acquired by IBM, providing full-spectrum services in public relations, advertising management, marketing communication, trade events, etc. We have helped the client reach out to trade media and mass media, explaining challenging technical concepts and ideas and translating them into digestible ideas for the media and the public. We helped develop many customer case study papers for placements as well.* **Services: PR, Marketing, Media Coaching Period**: 2000-2010 **Countries**: ASEAN **Challenge**: Business rules, data visualization and optimization are vertical topics that are often passed over by the general media and even some trade media. **Successes**: We have helped the client establish its brand, its solutions and its presence throughout the region, building steadily an image of rock-solid expertise in high-end visualization, business optimization, and business rule management (BRM). ILOG was a unique software vendor that had great technologies, and we were able to articulate the complex concepts successfully to many media channels, including broadcast media for its top executives. When ILOG was acquired by IBM, we continued to serve the ILOG team within the auspices of IBM for a period of time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRHVX-kTVPY Visit [clients](/clients/) we have worked with, past and present. --- # AI & tech research lab Source: https://mcgallen.com/lab/ ## What kind of AI-related research does McGallen & Bolden engage in? Here's where our team dabbles in all things technical, including the AI technologies that will change much of the world today. Right now, we are developing, designing, and deploying AI-related technologies in the forms of RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) chatbots, generative art, TTS (text to speech), video, AI-assisted music and song creation, and more. We are your "AI whisperers" to get your business upfront with the web, AI platforms, the media, and customers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6zpDycouA You can see an example of our AI chatbot "Macie" below trained on our web content. We have another AI chatbot named "Isaac" based on crisis management content that we are experimenting with now. ![Macie_realistic](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aicanvalady-150x150.png) ### Ask Macie (our AI team member) Macie is our virtual colleague. But hey, she is new, so please go easy on her. In the meantime, we feed her lots of cookies. You can also test out [Isaac](https://mcgallen.com/crisisbot/), our AI-assisted crisis management bot. ### TTS and Audio Here are some samples of TTS (text-to-speech) and voice generation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw0vrcRTppY ## What kind of expertise does McGallen & Bolden have? We have been pioneers in digital multimedia and publishing, digital PR, web development, interactive learning, etc. Some of our work include: - 2022 – AI/ML/automation (e.g. ChatGPT, AI TTS, etc) - 2015 – Inbound marketing - 2011 – CMS (content management system), Web 2.0 and e-commerce development - 2010 – App development (social, web and mobile) - 2003 – Perl development on UNIX - 2003 – HR (human resource) intranet app development - 2003 – NetJanus™ Email Security Appliance (BSD) development - 1999 – Mail server & hosting development (Cobalt Qube, later mini-ITX and Mac) - 1998 – Java development (e.g. JAEM™ or Java Applet Expanded Menu) - 1996 – Multimedia-based interactive entertainment app on web (i-ching) - 1996 – Internet consulting (web design, web/email hosting) #### Cybersecurity & Intranet Appliance Development (Legacy) ![netjanus - new logo](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/netjanus2logo_outline_tm-352x172-1.png) McGallen & Bolden has consultants and technical development partners who have been researching various ways to combat email spam and malware on platforms such as FreeBSD, Linux, and Mac OS X since 2004. Our efforts started out of frustration with the growing problem of email spam and attachment malware in incoming email (especially spoofed emails). We developed various test platform workstations and servers in portable, lightweight hardware profiles, and in those early years tested them at our location on a leased line and at a large media/publishing company. The project has a registered trademark for its solutions—NetJanus®. However, with the advent of open source and cloud solutions, the window of opportunity for commercialization became smaller, and we moved on to other areas. We have written off this project. The older trademark is below. ![netjanus logo (old)](/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/netjanuslogo-300x180-1.jpg) #### Succeed and profit in Asia Pacific with us today! ## What are some software McGallen & Bolden use or like? We will share some tools that we think are great for business, communication, and marketing. As much as possible, we will try to share open-source software (OSS) and free or freemium tools. For a good place to start with free or open-source software (FOSS), try [It's FOSS](https://itsfoss.com/?mb). ##### AI/ML/Automation - [GPT4all](https://www.nomic.ai/gpt4all)—run AI LLMs locally, privacy-friendly - [DeepL](https://www.deepl.com/?mb)—translation of text and files - [FutureTools](https://www.futuretools.io/?mb)—a directory of all things AI - [Grammarly](https://www.grammarly.com/?mb)—grammar, spell check, punctuation, and write better - [Krisp](https://krisp.ai/?mb)—remove background noise and echo from Zoom and other calls ##### Content Management - [Basecamp](https://basecamp.com/?mb)—collaboration and project management ([our G2 review](https://www.g2.com/products/basecamp/reviews/basecamp-review-9703376)) - [CoverageBook](https://coveragebook.com/?mb)—media coverage reporting platform ([our G2 review](https://www.g2.com/products/coveragebook/reviews/coveragebook-review-4306645)) - [WordPress](https://wordpress.org/?mb)—popular content management system (CMS) to build websites ([our G2 review](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews/wordpress-org-review-9703407)) ##### Media Production - [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/?mb)—multi-track audio editor and recorder - [DaVinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/?mb)—non-linear editing (NLE), color grading, effects, and audio post - [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/?mb)—open-source alternative to "Photoshop" - [OpenShot](https://openshot.org/?mb)—open-source video editing alternative to "Premiere" ##### Network - [Built With](https://builtwith.com/?mb)—find out what technologies websites run on - [Dmarcian](https://dmarcian.com/domain-checker/?mb)—check the domain health of your website - [Down for Everyone or Just Me](https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/?mb)—find out if a website is down - [Whatsmydns](https://www.whatsmydns.net/?mb)—DNS tools such as domain age, DNS records, IP address ##### Productivity - [Jami](https://jami.net/?mb)—audio and video calls, screen sharing, conferences like Zoom - [LibreOffice](https://www.libreoffice.org/?mb)—Word, Excel & PowerPoint alternative - [Lorem Ipsum](https://www.lipsum.com/?mb)—generate dummy text for mockups - [Rocket.chat](https://www.rocket.chat/?mb)—secure and compliant collaboration like Slack - [Smash](https://fromsmash.com/?mb)—large file transfers --- # top Asia PR agency for Singapore Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/profit-in-singapore/ ## Why choose McGallen & Bolden for PR and marketing in Singapore? If you are an international business looking to invest in and profit from Singapore, or if you are a Singapore business looking to expand beyond Singapore, you have come to the right place. We are one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia, having built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia-Pacific region. The Singapore market, one of the most vibrant and tech-savvy economies in Asia Pacific and the world, is a significant financial and technology hub in Asia Pacific (including ASEAN), with a GDP (PPP) of more than US$64,000 per capita. Even though the physical footprint of Singapore is tiny compared to her neighbors, the nation hosts some of the most exciting semiconductor, EV (electric vehicle), automation, energy, pharmaceutical, health tech, healthcare, AI, and software businesses nurtured from within Singapore as well as multinational entrants.  ## Why do smart businesses invest in Singapore? Singapore serves as a hub for the ASEAN region for many areas, including finance (including banking, insurance, investments, fintech, etc.), supply chain (such as shipping and aviation), technology startups, research incubation, biotech, pharmaceuticals, energy innovation, and more. Singapore is one of the easiest places to set up shop and do business, with a highly developed public infrastructure, a stable government, a developed regulatory climate and judiciary, low corruption, and highly skilled human capital. The nation is also very vibrant in hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment, and sports, lending a holistic lifestyle to expatriates and residents alike. Singapore has a digitally savvy resident population with high smartphone, computing, and broadband penetration. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously include: **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Tech**: The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in Singapore are high-growth segments. Singapore has traditionally been recognized and trusted as a medical hub. **2. Digital, E-commerce, & ICT**: Singapore has always been friendly to foreign investments in the information & communications technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies. The nation has seen the birth and growth of some of the most recognizable names in e-commerce, consumer electronics, industrial engineering, media (especially broadcast), and more. Singapore is gearing up for the Smart Nation initiative, where AI (artificial intelligence), cybersecurity, data centers, DevOps, robotics, and automation are all nurtured by the government with the private sector. **3. Supply chain**: Singapore acts as a transportation hub and bridge to both the region and the world, with shipping and aviation leading the nation alongside complementary industries that support the growth of these sectors. For example, the aviation industry has seen the growth of retail, food and beverage, and hospitality. During the most recent pandemic, Singapore also rose to the forefront with advancements in supply chain technologies to serve the healthcare industry. ## We help you grow and profit in Singapore McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consultancies that can help you with understanding how to penetrate the Singapore market and using various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in Singapore soon! --- # top Asia PR agency for Korean businesses Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/korea-market/ ## Why choose McGallen & Bolden for PR in South Korea? If you are an international business looking to invest in and profit from South Korea, or if you are a Korean business looking to expand beyond South Korea to Singapore, ASEAN, or Asia Pacific, you have come to the right place. We are one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia, having built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia-Pacific region. ## Technological Prowess of South Korea: Principal Exports to Asia Pacific South Korea is rising as a technical powerhouse, with its creative goods and services having a big influence worldwide. Particularly remarkable in the Asia-Pacific area are Korean technological and innovative exports that have shaped sectors and changed lives. This paper will discuss some of the main Korean exports to the Asia Pacific, highlighting their relevance and influence. ## Electronics and Semiconductors Among the top electronics firms in the world, Samsung and LG call South Korea home. Exporting a broad spectrum of goods, from smartphones and TVs to semiconductors and displays, these businesses have become somewhat well-known in the Asia-Pacific. With many nations depending on Korean electronics to inspire their creativity, these devices have evolved into a mainstay of the technological scene in the area. Exports of Korean electronics have had a significant influence, allowing nations to create their own technological sectors and increase connectedness by means of their technology industry development. For example, Samsung's cellphones have grown quite popular in nations like Indonesia and Vietnam, as they give millions of people access to mobile internet and change their means of communication and information access. ## Display technologies A leader in display technology, South Korea boasts businesses like Samsung Display and LG Display ruling the worldwide industry. Korean businesses have prioritized OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology, widely used in TVs, cellphones, and other products. For Korean display exports, the Asia Pacific area has been a main market, as many nations depend on these goods to run their own electronics businesses. The significant influence of Korean display exports has allowed nations to manufacture high-quality electronics and enhance visual experiences for millions of people. TVs and cellphones extensively use OLED screens due to their vivid colors and strong blackness, which enhances the viewing quality. ## Automobile and battery technologies Another major driver of South Korea's exports to the Asia-Pacific region is its automobile sector. Exporting a wide range of automobiles praised for their quality, dependability, and innovative features, companies like Hyundai and Kia have become very prominent in the area. Korean automobile exports have been especially important in nations like Australia and Indonesia, where these cars have proven somewhat popular. With firms like LG Chem and Samsung SDI providing batteries to many of the top manufacturers worldwide, Korean businesses also dominate the battery technology market. For Korean battery exports, the Asia Pacific region has been a main market, as many nations depend on these goods to run their own electric cars. ## Shipbuilding and Maritime Another important factor explaining South Korea's exports to the Asia Pacific is its shipbuilding sector. Leading shipbuilders worldwide, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries create a wide spectrum of boats for use in offshore oil and gas production, transportation, and other purposes. For Korean shipbuilding exports, the Asia Pacific region has been a major market, as many nations depend on these boats to assist their own marine sectors. Exports of Korean ships have had a significant influence, allowing nations to grow their own marine sectors and raise their economic competitiveness. For example, Korean-built vessels have been utilized to enhance offshore oil and gas output in nations such as Australia and Indonesia, thereby generating a significant income stream for both of them. ## R&D innovation and creativity Another noteworthy export from South Korea to the Asia Pacific is its R&D capacity and inventiveness. Korean businesses are leading the way in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Many of the surrounding nations are working with Korean businesses to use their knowledge and create fresh technology. Korea's robotics sector, for example, is working with nations like China and Japan to create sophisticated robot systems for manufacturing and healthcare. In the same vein, Korean businesses are collaborating with regional partners to create AI-powered solutions for sectors like transportation, banking, and healthcare. ## Growing with Asian neighbors With its exports reshaping sectors and changing lifestyles, South Korea's technical mastery has had a major influence on the Asia-Pacific region. From semiconductors and electronics to displays and automotive technologies, Korean firms are very well-known in the area. Korea's inventiveness and R&D capacity will become more and more crucial in determining the Asia Pacific's direction as the area develops. Korea's great emphasis on quality, dependability, and innovation helps it to keep its leading technical power status in Asia Pacific. Korea's technical know-how will be vital in guiding development, enhancing lives, and determining the Asia Pacific's future as the area negotiates the possibilities and difficulties of the twenty-first century. ## Why do smart Korean businesses invest in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific? The ASEAN market has a combined population of more than 680 million people, more than the entire EU population (449 million+) or that of the United States (355 million+). The ASEAN market has a combined GDP (PPP) of around US$12 trillion, with a GDP per capita of US$17,000 and upwards. The entire ASEAN is a trade-friendly region with free trade agreements. The ASEAN market is not a monolithic market like China, Japan, or South Korea. Ten member nations comprise the ASEAN, each with 11 official languages: Burmese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. English is used primarily in Singapore and the Philippines. If you want to truly succeed in the ASEAN markets, you would need on-the-ground assistance with partners who can communicate in the local languages. Greater Asia Pacific is also undergoing various stages of development, offering a multitude of long-term opportunities. For example, mainland China, South Korea, India, and Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) are all unique and important markets to expand and grow for any international business looking for massive markets. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously in this region include: **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Tech**: The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in this region are high-growth segments, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand highly favored as healthcare hubs within ASEAN, and mainland China, South Korea, and Japan being big producers and consumers as well. The regional governments invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, in line with the region's goal for better healthcare, especially in pockets of aging populations. **2. Digital, E-commerce & ICT**: With the region opening up to foreign investments in the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies, the related fields of digital and e-commerce have also become central to this region. The region is fast-growing with broadband (fiber and mobile) implementation, which propels AI (artificial intelligence), digital, ICT, data centers, and e-commerce adoption. The region's young and vibrant population, with a fast-expanding middle class, also helps all things digital to become investment- and ROI-friendly. Some of the fastest-growing "tech unicorns" are found in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam within ASEAN, as well as in mainland Japan and India. **3. Construction and Infrastructure**: The regional market has not even reached the peak, with a lot more market and growth potential in the decades to come, outpacing developed economies in the EU and USA. Construction will continue to be a driving force in this region to cater to continued and accelerated growth. The construction industry is often a collaboration of government and private sector entities. The regional economy is rapidly expanding beyond the cities in the area, with rail infrastructure quickly spreading throughout the region, empowering both rural and suburban economies, and even connecting to the rest of the world. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is one such monumental project, which empowers merchants from Laos to profit from the southern Chinese regions and beyond. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail (HSR) service is another pan-Asian collaboration between China and Indonesia. **4. FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), F&B, and Hospitality**: The region is experiencing growth due to rising disposable incomes, and industries such as food and beverage (F&B), hotels, tourist destinations, music entertainment, and personal care products are all expected to drive the region's consumption. ## We help you grow and profit in ASEAN and greater Asia Pacific McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consulting firms that can help you understand how to penetrate the Asia-Pacific market and use various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in the region soon! --- # top Asia PR agency for Japanese businesses Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/japan-market/ ## Why choose McGallen & Bolden for PR in Japan? If you are an international business seeking to invest and profit from Japan, or if you are a Japanese business seeking to expand beyond Japan to Singapore, ASEAN, or Asia Pacific, you have arrived at the right destination. We are one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia, having built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia-Pacific region. ## Japan's technological prowess and exports to Asia Pacific With its goods and services having a major worldwide influence, Japan has long been a shining example of creativity and technical development. Particularly remarkable in the Asia-Pacific area are Japan's technological and creative exports, which have shaped sectors and changed lives. Some of the main Japanese exports to Asia Pacific will be discussed on this page together with their importance and influence. ## Technology and Robotics Renowned for its electronics sector, Japan has titans like Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic controlling the worldwide market. These firms have become somewhat well-known in the Asia Pacific for selling a wide spectrum of items, from state-of-the-art cellphones to sophisticated robotics systems. Japan's robotics sector, for example, leads in manufacturing automation; businesses like Kawasaki Robotics and FANUC provide highly precise robots to producers all throughout the country. By transforming production techniques, these robots have helped businesses to save costs, boost productivity, and raise the quality of products. Nations like China and South Korea widely use Japanese robots in sectors like automotive, electronics, and food processing. These robots have had a major influence, as they let producers remain competitive in a fast-changing worldwide market. ## Automobile Sector Another major factor driving Japan's exports to Asia/Pacific is its automobile sector. With several nations mostly depending on Japanese cars, brands such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are very ubiquitous in the area. These businesses have built large-scale production systems, and many of their models are made nearby to meet local demand. The dependability, fuel economy, and sophisticated safety measures of Japanese vehicles make them highly valued. Japanese cars predominate on markets in nations like Indonesia and Thailand, with several models catered to regional tastes. Significant employment, economic development, and enhanced road safety throughout the area have come from Japanese car exports. ## High-speed rail Another noteworthy export from Japan to Asia Pacific is their fast-paced train system. China, Taiwan, and Indonesia, among other nations, have embraced the venerable Shinkansen bullet train. Looking to improve their transportation systems, nations find Japanese high-speed rail technology to be appealing because of its speed, efficiency, and safety record. Exports of Japanese high-speed trains have had a major influence, allowing nations to increase connectivity, cut travel times, and boost their own economy. For example, China's fast-growing rail system—which drew much on Japanese technology—has changed the nation's transportation scene by linking cities and areas never previously possible. ## Electronics Components and Semiconductors Leading provider of semiconductors and electronics components, Japan boasts corporations like Toshiba and Renesas Electronics controlling the worldwide industry. These firms provide vital parts to makers of electronics, automotive, and industrial equipment throughout the Asia Pacific. Japanese semiconductor exports have had a significant influence, allowing businesses to manufacture industrial equipment and high-performance devices. Japanese semiconductors have significant use in consumer electronics, automotive, and renewable energy sectors in nations such as South Korea and Taiwan. ## R&D and innovation Another major export from Japan to Asia Pacific is its R&D capacity and inventiveness. Leading innovators in newly developing technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are Japanese businesses. To use Japanese corporations' knowledge and create new technology, some of the surrounding nations are forming alliances with them. For example, Japan's robotics sector is working with nations including China and South Korea to create sophisticated robot systems for manufacturing and healthcare. Likewise, Japanese businesses are developing AI-powered solutions for sectors like banking, healthcare, and transportation by means of regional partners. ## Growing with Asian neighbors With its exports redefining sectors and changing lives, Japan's technical mastery has had a major influence on the Asia Pacific region. From electronics and robotics to high-speed trains and semiconductors, Japanese businesses have become very prominent in the area. Japan's inventiveness and R&D capacity will become more and more crucial in determining the Asia Pacific's course as the region develops. Japan's strong emphasis on quality, dependability, and innovation positions it to maintain its leading technical power in Asia Pacific. Japan's technical knowledge will be vital in guiding development, enhancing lives, and reshaping the Asia Pacific as the region negotiates the possibilities and difficulties of the twenty-first century. ## Why do smart Japanese businesses invest in ASEAN and Asia Pacific? The ASEAN market has a combined population of more than 680 million people, more than the entire EU population (449 million+) or that of the United States (355 million+). The ASEAN market has a combined GDP (PPP) of around US$12 trillion, with a GDP per capita of US$17,000 and upwards. The entire ASEAN is a trade-friendly region with free trade agreements. The ASEAN market is not a monolithic market like China, Japan, or South Korea. Ten member nations comprise the ASEAN, each with 11 official languages: Burmese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. English is used primarily in Singapore and the Philippines. If you want to truly succeed in the ASEAN markets, you would need on-the-ground assistance with partners who can communicate in the local languages. Greater Asia Pacific is also undergoing various stages of development, offering a multitude of long-term opportunities. For example, mainland China, South Korea, India, and Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) are all unique and important markets to expand and grow for any international business looking for massive markets. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously in this region include **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Tech**: The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in this region are high-growth segments, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand highly favored as healthcare hubs within ASEAN, and mainland China, South Korea, and Japan being big producers and consumers as well. The regional governments invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, in line with the region's goal for better healthcare, especially in pockets of aging populations. **2. Digital, E-commerce & ICT**: With the region opening up to foreign investments in the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies, the related fields of digital and e-commerce have also become central to this region. The region is fast-growing with broadband (fiber and mobile) implementation, which propels AI (artificial intelligence), digital, ICT, data centers, and e-commerce adoption. The region's young and vibrant population, with a fast-expanding middle class, also helps all things digital to become investment- and ROI-friendly. Some of the fastest-growing "tech unicorns" are found in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam within ASEAN, and in mainland Japan and India. **3. Construction and Infrastructure**: The regional market has not even reached the peak, with a lot more market and growth potential in the decades to come, outpacing developed economies in the EU and USA. Construction will continue to be a driving force in this region to cater to continued and accelerated growth. The construction industry is often a collaboration of government and private sector entities. The regional economy is rapidly expanding beyond the cities in the area, with rail infrastructure quickly spreading throughout the region, empowering both rural and suburban economies, and even connecting to the rest of the world. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is one such monumental project, which empowers merchants from Laos to profit from the southern Chinese regions and beyond. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail (HSR) service is another pan-Asian collaboration between China and Indonesia. **4. FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), F&B, and Hospitality**: The region is experiencing growth due to rising disposable incomes, and industries such as food and beverage (F&B), hotels, tourist destinations, music entertainment, and personal care products are all expected to drive the region's consumption. ## We help you grow and profit in ASEAN and greater Asia Pacific McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consulting firms that can help you understand how to penetrate the Asia-Pacific market and use various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in the region soon! --- # top Asia PR agency for China & Taiwan businesses Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/china-taiwan-markets/ ## Why work with McGallen & Bolden for PR in China and Taiwan? If you are an international business seeking to invest and reap profits from mainland China (including Hong Kong SAR) and Taiwan, or if you are a business from mainland China or Taiwan seeking to expand into Singapore, ASEAN, or Asia Pacific, you have found the right partner. We are one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia, having built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia-Pacific region. ## China and Taiwan's Technological Prowess: Exports to the Asia-Pacific Recently, China and Taiwan have emerged as key participants in the technology industry. Their innovative goods and services have had a significant impact on the Asia-Pacific region. This article will cover some of China's and Taiwan's most important items for the Asia-Pacific area and their impact. ## Chinese Technological Progress Recently, China's technologies have advanced rapidly. Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent currently play significant roles in the worldwide market. A lot of items from China have been exported to the Asia-Pacific region, such as - Electronics and Telecommunications: Many individuals in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand use Huawei cellphones and other communication devices. - Payment Technologies: Two new technologies, Alibaba's e-commerce site and Tencent's WeChat Pay, have transformed the way people purchase and pay in the area. - AI and Big Data: Chinese enterprises are at the forefront of AI and big data analytics, which may be used in industries such as healthcare, transportation, and finance. ## Taiwan's Technological Exports Taiwan has a lengthy history of developing breakthrough technology. Companies like TSMC, Foxconn, and Acer are global leaders in their professions. Taiwan's exports to the Asia-Pacific region have been significant, consisting largely of the following: - Manufacturing semiconductors and electronics: TSMC's semiconductor processing services and Foxconn's electronics production capabilities have aided enterprises around the area in producing high-performance electronics. - PCs and networking: Many individuals in Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia utilize Acer PCs and networking equipment. - Innovation and R&D: Taiwanese enterprises are at the forefront of emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and 5G, which may be applied to industries such as banking, healthcare, and manufacturing. ## How China's and Taiwan's technologies affect the region Exports of technology from China and Taiwan have had a significant impact on the Asia-Pacific region, allowing countries - Improve connections: China's telecommunications equipment and Taiwan's networking equipment have improved regional connections, making it simpler for individuals to access information and communicate with one another. - Drive Economic Growth: The manufacturing and technology industries have helped states such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia build their economies and generate jobs. - Boost Innovation: Companies across the area have been able to generate new ideas and remain competitive in a rapidly changing global market owing to the adoption of new technologies such as AI, IoT, and 5G. ## Growing in the region China and Taiwan's sophisticated technologies have had a significant impact on the Asia-Pacific region. Their exports have impacted businesses' and individuals' lives. As the Asia Pacific region grows and changes, China and Taiwan's innovation and research and development (R&D) talents will become increasingly vital in molding its future. The Asia-Pacific region is likely to continue purchasing high-tech goods and services, prompting China and Taiwan to deploy more technology to the region. New technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 5G will have a significant influence on the region's future. China and Taiwan are well-positioned to be at the forefront of these developments. As the Asia-Pacific region evolves, it will be fascinating to observe how the varying levels of technology in China and Taiwan affect the future of industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. With a strong emphasis on R&D and new ideas, China and Taiwan will remain key participants in the region's technological sector for many years to come. ## Why do smart Chinese and Taiwanese businesses invest in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific? The ASEAN market has a combined population of more than 680 million people, more than the entire EU population (449 million+) or that of the United States (355 million+). The ASEAN market has a combined GDP (PPP) of around US$12 trillion, with a GDP per capita of US$17,000 and upwards. The entire ASEAN is a trade-friendly region with free trade agreements. The ASEAN market is not a monolithic market like China, Japan, or South Korea. Ten member nations comprise the ASEAN, each with 11 official languages: Burmese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. English is used primarily in Singapore and the Philippines. If you want to truly succeed in the ASEAN markets, you would need on-the-ground assistance with partners who can communicate in the local languages. Greater Asia Pacific is also undergoing various stages of development, offering a multitude of long-term opportunities. For example, mainland China, South Korea, India, and Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) are all unique and important markets to expand and grow for any international business looking for massive markets. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously in this region include **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Tech**: The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in this region are high-growth segments, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand highly favored as healthcare hubs within ASEAN, and mainland China, South Korea, and Japan being big producers and consumers as well. The regional governments invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, in line with the region's goal for better healthcare, especially in pockets of aging populations. **2. Digital, E-commerce & ICT**: With the region opening up to foreign investments in the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies, the related fields of digital and e-commerce have also become central to this region. The region is fast-growing with broadband (fiber and mobile) implementation, which propels AI (artificial intelligence), digital, ICT, data centers, and e-commerce adoption. The region's young and vibrant population, with a fast-expanding middle class, also helps all things digital to become investment- and ROI-friendly. Some of the fastest-growing "tech unicorns" are found in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam within ASEAN, as well as in mainland Japan and India. **3. Construction and Infrastructure**: The regional market has not even reached the peak, with a lot more market and growth potential in the decades to come, outpacing developed economies in the EU and USA. Construction will continue to be a driving force in this region to cater to continued and accelerated growth. The construction industry is often a collaboration of government and private sector entities. The regional economy is rapidly expanding beyond the cities in the area, with rail infrastructure quickly spreading throughout the region, empowering both rural and suburban economies, and even connecting to the rest of the world. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is one such monumental project, which empowers merchants from Laos to profit from the southern Chinese regions and beyond. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail (HSR) service is another pan-Asian collaboration between China and Indonesia. **4. FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), F&B, and Hospitality**: The region is experiencing growth due to rising disposable incomes, and industries such as food and beverage (F&B), hotels, tourist destinations, music entertainment, and personal care products are all expected to drive the region's consumption. ## We help you grow and profit in ASEAN and greater Asia Pacific McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consulting firms that can help you understand how to penetrate the Asia-Pacific market and use various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in the region soon! --- # top Asia PR agency for global south businesses Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/global-south-market/ ## Why choose McGallen & Bolden for PR if you are a Global South business? If you are a business from the amazing Global South looking to invest in, expand into, and profit from the Asia Pacific region (including ASEAN), you have come to the right place. The Global South, as defined by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is an evolving and loose definition of economies that are still growing and exciting and involves Africa, LATAM (Latin America and the Caribbean), Asia (excluding Japan and South Korea), and Oceania (excluding ANZ). The terms "Global South" and "Global North" do not reflect the hemispheres or geography but the evolutionary stages of development. There is much more potential and opportunity in the Global South than in the Global North. ## Global South economy The Global South accounts for 70% of the world's population (and growing) and around 30% of the global GDP. With the South-South cooperation led by China, there has been an increasing pace of diplomacy, peaceful development, and investment. ## Why do smart businesses in the Global South invest in ASEAN and Asia- Pacific? As part of the South-South cooperation, it makes sense for Global South nations from Africa, LATAM, and others to cross-pollinate investments and strengthen fellow Global South nations. The ASEAN market has a combined population of more than 680 million people, more than the entire EU population (449 million+) or that of the United States (355 million+). The ASEAN market has a combined GDP (PPP) of around US$12 trillion, with a GDP per capita of US$17,000 upwards. The entire ASEAN is a trade-friendly region with free trade agreements. The ASEAN market is not a monolithic market like China, Japan, or South Korea. Ten member nations comprise the ASEAN, each with 11 official languages: Burmese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. English is used primarily in Singapore and the Philippines. If you want to truly succeed in the ASEAN markets, you would need on-ground assistance with partners who can communicate in the local languages. Greater Asia Pacific is also undergoing various stages of development, offering a multitude of long-term opportunities. For example, mainland China, South Korea, India, and Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) are all unique and important markets to expand and grow for any international business looking for massive markets. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously in this region include: **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Tech**: The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in this region are high-growth segments, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand highly favored as healthcare hubs within ASEAN, and mainland China, South Korea, and Japan being big producers and consumers as well. The regional governments invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, in line with the region's goal for better healthcare, especially in pockets of aging populations. **2. Digital, E-commerce & ICT**: With the region opening up to foreign investments in the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies, the related fields of digital and e-commerce have also become central to this region. The region is fast-growing with broadband (fiber and mobile) implementation, which propels AI (artificial intelligence), digital, ICT, data centers, and e-commerce adoption. The region's young and vibrant population, with a fast-expanding middle class, also helps all things digital to become investment- and ROI-friendly. Some of the fastest-growing "tech unicorns" are found in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam within ASEAN, as well as in mainland Japan and India. **3. Construction and Infrastructure**: The regional market has not even reached the peak, with a lot more market and growth potential in the decades to come, outpacing developed economies in the EU and USA. Construction will continue to be a driving force in this region to cater to continued and accelerated growth. The construction industry is often a collaboration of government and private sector entities. The regional economy is rapidly expanding beyond the cities in the area, with rail infrastructure quickly spreading throughout the region, empowering both rural and suburban economies, and even connecting to the rest of the world. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is one such monumental project, which empowers merchants from Laos to profit from the southern Chinese regions and beyond. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail (HSR) service is another pan-Asian collaboration between China and Indonesia. **4. FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), F&B, and Hospitality**: The region is experiencing growth due to rising disposable incomes, and industries such as food and beverage (F&B), hotels, tourist destinations, music entertainment, and personal care products are all expected to drive the region's consumption. ## We help you grow and profit in ASEAN and greater Asia Pacific McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consulting firms that can help you understand how to penetrate the Asia-Pacific market and use various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in the region soon! --- # top Asia PR agency for BRICS businesses Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/brics-market/ *Updated: Jun 14, 2025* ## What is BRICS? If you are a BRICS business looking to invest in, expand into, and profit from the Asia Pacific region (including ASEAN), you have come to the right place. BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (since 2010), are the founding member states of this collective of nations with the aim of peaceful trade and cooperation. Today, the Greater BRICS consists of these member states and partner states (which will become member states in due course): ### BRICS member states - Brazil - Russia - India - China - South Africa - Egypt (since Jan 1, 2024) - Ethiopia (since Jan 1, 2024) - Iran (since Jan 1, 2024) - United Arab Emirates (UAE) (since Jan 1, 2024) - Indonesia (since Jan 7, 2025) ### BRICS partner states (since Oct 2024, Kazan) - Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam ### Countries that applied to be BRICS members or partner states - Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Venezuela ## The US$30+ trillion BRICS economy The BRICS economy is sizable, at US$30.8 trillion GDP. Goldman Sachs predicts that given how many BRICS member states already outpaced G7 nations in real GDP growth, the BRICS bloc (as it stands in 2024) will outpace the G7 bloc by 2050. Given that BRICS will expand with more member states in the following years, the bloc will outpace the G7 bloc way sooner. We are one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia, having built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia-Pacific region. The BRICS economy is one of the most advanced and fastest growing in the world, with several of the member states ranking among the top for various trade categories. Many of the BRICS member states' businesses have invested in ASEAN and Asia Pacific through the decades. Strong BRICS contenders to expand within ASEAN and Asia Pacific are both service- and technology-driven, including retail, food and beverage, software, AI, healthcare, automobiles, consumer electronics, robotics, industrial tools, and more. ## Why do smart BRICS businesses invest in ASEAN and Asia Pacific? The ASEAN market has a combined population of more than 680 million people, more than the entire EU population (449 million+) or that of the United States (355 million+). The ASEAN market has a combined GDP (PPP) of around US$12 trillion, with a GDP per capita of US$17,000 and upwards. The entire ASEAN is a trade-friendly region with free trade agreements. The ASEAN market is not a monolithic market like China, Japan, or South Korea. Ten member nations comprise the ASEAN, each with 11 official languages: Burmese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. English is used primarily in Singapore and the Philippines. If you want to truly succeed in the ASEAN markets, you would need on-ground assistance with partners who can communicate in the local languages. The greater Asia Pacific region is currently undergoing various stages of development, offering a multitude of long-term opportunities. For example, mainland China, South Korea, India, and Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) are all unique and important markets to expand and grow for any international business looking for massive markets. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously in this region include: **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health tech**: The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in this region are high-growth segments, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand highly favored as healthcare hubs within ASEAN, and mainland China, South Korea, and Japan being big producers and consumers as well. The regional governments invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, in line with the region's goal for better healthcare, especially in pockets of aging populations. **2. Digital, E-commerce & ICT**: With the region opening up to foreign investments in the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies, the related fields of digital and e-commerce have also become central to this region. The region is fast-growing with broadband (fiber and mobile) implementation, which propels AI (artificial intelligence), digital, ICT, data centers, and e-commerce adoption. The region's young and vibrant population, with a fast-expanding middle class, also helps all things digital to become investment- and ROI-friendly. Some of the fastest-growing "tech unicorns" are found in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam within ASEAN, as well as in mainland Japan and India. **3. Construction and Infrastructure**: The regional market has not even reached the peak, with a lot more market and growth potential in the decades to come, outpacing developed economies in the EU and USA. Construction will continue to be a driving force in this region to cater to continued and accelerated growth. The construction industry is often a collaboration of government and private sector entities. The regional economy is rapidly expanding beyond the cities in the area, with rail infrastructure quickly spreading throughout the region, empowering both rural and suburban economies, and even connecting to the rest of the world. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is one such monumental project, which empowers merchants from Laos to profit from the southern Chinese regions and beyond. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail (HSR) service is another pan-Asian collaboration between China and Indonesia. **4. FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), F&B, and Hospitality**: The region is experiencing growth due to rising disposable incomes, and industries such as food and beverage (F&B), hotels, tourist destinations, music entertainment, and personal care products are all expected to drive the region's consumption. ## We help you grow and profit in ASEAN and greater Asia Pacific McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consulting firms that can help you understand how to penetrate the Asia-Pacific market and use various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in the region soon! --- # top Asia PR agency for ASEAN businesses Source: https://mcgallen.com/profit-from-asia-pacific-brics/profit-from-asean/ ## Why choose McGallen & Bolden for ASEAN PR and marketing? If you are an international business seeking to invest in and reap the benefits of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) market, which comprises 10 nations including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, or if you are an ASEAN business seeking to expand within ASEAN or globally, you have arrived at the right destination. We are one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia, having built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia-Pacific region. ## US$12 trillion ASEAN market The ASEAN market has a combined population of more than 680 million people, more than the entire EU population (449 million+) or that of the United States (355 million+). The ASEAN market has a combined GDP (PPP) of around US$12 trillion, with GDP per capita of US$17,000 upwards. The entire ASEAN is a trade-friendly region with free trade agreements. ## 10 Nations and 11 Languages The ASEAN market is not a monolithic market like China, Japan, or South Korea. The ASEAN market comprises 10 member nations, each with 11 official languages: Burmese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. English is used primarily in Singapore and the Philippines. If you want to truly succeed in the ASEAN markets, you would need on-ground assistance with partners who can communicate in the local languages. ## Why do smart businesses invest in ASEAN? The ASEAN market is home to a young and growing population with rising income and digital savvy. Much of ASEAN is highly digitalized, and smartphone penetration is very high. Some of the key sectors growing tremendously include: **1. Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Tech: **The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, health tech, and medical devices markets in ASEAN are high-growth segments, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand highly favored as healthcare hubs. Foreigners sometimes refer to these key countries as "medical tourism" as they seek high-quality healthcare at favorable costs. The regional governments invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, in line with the ASEAN vision for better healthcare. **2. Digital, E-commerce & ICT**: With the region opening up to foreign investments in the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field with investment-friendly policies, the related fields of digital and e-commerce have also become central to this region. The region is fast-growing with broadband (fiber and mobile) implementation, which propels AI (artificial intelligence), digital, ICT, data centers, and e-commerce adoption. The region's young and vibrant population, with a fast-expanding middle class, also helps all things digital to become investment- and ROI-friendly. Some of the fastest-growing "tech unicorns" are found in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam within ASEAN, as well as in mainland Japan and India. **3. Construction and Infrastructure**: The ASEAN market has not even reached the peak, with a lot more market and growth potential in the decades to come, outpacing developed economies in the EU and USA. Construction will continue to be a driving force in this region to cater to continued and accelerated growth. The construction industry is often a collaboration of government and private sector entities. The ASEAN economy is fast expanding beyond their cities, with rail infrastructure rapidly permeating throughout the region, empowering rural and suburban economies, and even linking to the rest of the world. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is one such monumental project, which empowers merchants from Laos to profit from the southern Chinese regions and beyond. **4. FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), F&B, and Hospitality**: The ASEAN region is experiencing growth due to rising disposable incomes, with industries such as food and beverage (F&B), hotels, tourist destinations, music entertainment, and personal care products all contributing to the region's consumption. ## We help you grow and profit in ASEAN McGallen & Bolden is one of the oldest and most experienced business strategy, branding, communications, and leadership transformation agencies in Asia. We have built brands for emerging and multinational businesses in the entire Asia Pacific region. Our portfolio is extensive, and our experience is deep and wide, ranging from AI, software, cybersecurity, IoT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, robotics, industrial safety, electronics, luxury, FMCG, and more. You will benefit from one of the best consultancies that can help you with understanding how to penetrate the ASEAN market and using various strategies and tactics to grow your customer base. Let us know what you need, and we will look forward to our conversation to help you grow and profit in ASEAN soon! --- # read our blog Source: https://mcgallen.com/blog-grid/ #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter You can also [view our blog in a list format](https://mcgallen.com/blog-list/). [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-150x150.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) --- # blog (list of articles published) Source: https://mcgallen.com/blog-list/ #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-300x300.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) Here are all the blog articles we have on the website (others may have been archived). --- # experimental: Isaac (crisis management bot) Source: https://mcgallen.com/crisisbot/ This is an experimental crisis management AI bot we call "Isaac." It is purely for experimentation and NOT for commercial use.  --- # youtube, spotify & podcasts Source: https://mcgallen.com/youtube-spotify-podcasts/ ## Livestream and on-demand video We have worked with our clients to deliver livestreaming and on-demand video events, including webinars, to inform the media and their customers. Through platforms such as [Podcastle](https://podcastle.ai/?mb) or [Riverside](https://riverside.fm/?mb), we can help you reach out simultaneously to LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, and also use Zoom for live webinars and media conferences. ![McGallen Video Studio](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mgallen-video-studio-1024x1024.jpg) ## YouTube (playlist) Watch our YouTube channel playlist here ([https://youtube.com/@mcgallen](https://youtube.com/@mcgallen)). https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2HevdcXD6eo57kj3T09e7ZjR2iuwp78G ### YouTube (sample videos) Here are some videos from our channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20h0lCwVrYo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EIexCEGQM&t=32s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96RNb-Yo0VI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAvgaDkUoMY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld3KnTu0TTE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL5xKMIVi_M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNLDW7gUkmI ### Podcasts (Spotify, Soundcloud and more) We have converted our video content to audio and distributed it to several major podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, Soundcloud, TuneIn, Amazon, and more. #### Odysee (backup) For backup videos, you can find us on Odysee too. [https://odysee.com/@mcgallen](https://odysee.com/@mcgallen:7?view=content) --- # blog Source: https://mcgallen.com/blog/ #### Subscribe to our upcoming newsletter --- # data protection, privacy, terms of use policies Source: https://mcgallen.com/fineprint/ By visiting this site and reading its contents, you agree that the site may store cookies for authentication, analytics and customer service, or may request for your contact information. **If you do not agree, please leave the site.** #### Effective Date: March 21, 2018 #### Introduction This policy document describes how we deal with intellectual property (IP), liabilities, services, data protection, privacy, and cookies: - **Copyrights/Trademarks** - **Data Protection and Privacy** - **Terms of use of our information** - **Disclaimer of Liability** - **Shipping and Returns** - **Minors** - **General Provision** - **Prohibited Content** #### 1. Copyright/Trademarks ©1991-2024 MCGALLEN & BOLDEN PTE LTD. All rights reserved. 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You agree to supervise all usage by minors of this Site under your name or account. #### 7. General Provisions If any provision of these Terms shall be declared by a court to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms and the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The failure of us to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. These Terms constitute the entire agreement with respect to your use of the Site and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements. We reserves the right to terminate your access to the Site and any services offered therein, at any time, and without notice, for any reason whatsoever. #### 8. Prohibited Content We do NOT accept contributions or content beloning to these genres: - Counterfeit products (including fake documents and academic cheating services) - Dangerous products (such as recreational drugs (chemical or herbal), psychoactive substances, anything related to drug use, weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, instructions to make any dangerous products, tobacco and all smoking products. - Cybersecurity circumvention (hacking software or instructions, online website traffic manipulation, doxing, social engineering, phishing, malware, etc) - Inappropriate content (anything that contributes to bullying, discrimination, hate, crime, cruelty, self-harm, profanity, endangered species and trade, sexual content and products) - Gambling and games - Politics and advocacy (elections, candidates, political parties, including political parties in power) - Financial services (unapproved services related to country-specific requirements, "get rich quick", "MLM/pyramid schemes") - Healthcare products (unapproved products related to country-specific requirements, wild claims, etc). Typically, even if a product or service falls into a "gray area", it is likely we will reject posting any such content as the Internet is global and an approved product in one country, may be illegal or unapproved in many others. It gets dicey and so it is likely we will reject such content. ### --- # What’s Next for Public Relations in 2027 and Beyond? Source: https://mcgallen.com/whats-next-for-public-relations-in-2027-and-beyond/ Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. If you look back at the PR landscape around 2006, the playbook was relatively straightforward. A successful PR agency functioned primarily as a media gatekeeper. Daily routines included preparing press releases, faxing or emailing them to a limited number of journalists, taking reporters to lunch to develop relationships, and monitoring speculative “Advertising Value Equivalency” (AVE) based on print column inches or broadcast minutes. Fast forward to today and the media landscape is completely fractured. Traditional newsrooms have shrunk, mysterious algorithms dictate what people actually see, and crises can blow up globally in minutes rather than days. Because of this massive shift, the core value proposition of a modern PR agency is no longer acting as a simple megaphone. Instead, an agency ought to be a strategic partner in growth and reputation. This evolution is key to brands looking to grow in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, a vibrant but fiercely competitive US$35 trillion market. To win in 2027 and beyond, you need more than traditional PR; you need an experienced co-pilot. That’s why McGallen & Bolden, an award-winning strategy, marketing, and PR agency based in Singapore since 1991, is the ideal partner to help you navigate this new digital ecosystem. Here is a look at what the future of PR demands and how McGallen & Bolden delivers it. ## 1. Real-Time Crisis Mitigation and "Social Listening" Twenty years ago, if a crisis hit, you actually had time to gather your executive team, draft a carefully worded statement, and release it in time for the next day's morning paper. Today? A single viral video or tweet can escalate into a global brand crisis within hours or even minutes. Today’s agencies provide round-the-clock digital crisis mitigation, using AI-powered social listening to identify negative sentiment as it happens, so brands can respond in real-time in a transparent and authentic way. When disaster strikes, whether a cybersecurity breach, a financial scandal, a workplace death, or a pandemic, you need steady hands. McGallen & Bolden has weathered every major crisis from the 1990s to today. They operate as your strategic business counsel and "red team," formulating robust crisis communication programs and offering vital media coaching for your C-suite. ## 2. Next-Level SEO and "Digital PR" Integration Historically, a press release served only a journalist's eyes, and consumers saw it only if it appeared in a physical newspaper. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a huge part of modern digital PR today. Agencies now purposely create pitches to land high-authority online media placements with backlinks to actively improve a client’s organic search rankings, web traffic, and leads. We are taking this approach a step further in 2027. Acting as pioneering "AI whisperers," they integrate Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) alongside traditional SEO. They get your brand upfront with the web, the media, and your customers, completely transforming how technical and B2B products are discovered online. ## 3. The Media Tetrad and Multimedia Content Production Remember the old press kits? They consisted of printed glossy folders, a text release, a bio, and maybe a CD-ROM with high-res headshots. Those days are completely over. Modern PR agencies operate like mini multimedia production houses, building integrated content strategies across the media tetrad of - Owned media (website, blog, e-commerce, video, podcasts, apps) - Communal media (social media, messaging, forums) - Earned media (media coverage, reviews, and sharing and repost) - Paid media (advertisements of any kind, key opinion leaders (KOLs), search engine marketing (SEM), sponsorships, and social advertisements). They script short-form video, design infographics, ghostwrite comprehensive thought-leadership articles, and pitch clients for podcast guest spots. ![2026 mb tetrad chart](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026_mb_tetrad_chart-1024x918.png) McGallen & Bolden seamlessly handles this multichannel reality by creating AI, text, audio, video, and social content. They also help your C-suite leaders find their audiences on LinkedIn, which complements their employer branding work to bring out the best in a company’s internal and external communications. ## 4. Data-Driven Audience Segmentation and Influencer Relations PR used to be a blast-radius game where you simply pitched the biggest TV station possible, hoping your message reached the right people within a generic audience. Today, spray-and-pray methods are dead. Modern PR relies heavily on predictive analytics to segment audiences into micro-demographics, targeting the precise digital watering holes such as niche trade publications, sub-Reddits, or industry newsletters, where consumers actually spend time. It also means formalizing creator strategies, moving beyond celebrity endorsements to navigate multi-tiered campaigns with highly specific nano- and micro-influencers. And when we talk about B2B influencers, we mean actual thought leaders such as surgeons, professors, researchers, scientists, engineers, and inventors. Hyper-targeting is absolutely vital for technical industries, which is why McGallen & Bolden is so effective. With pioneering expertise in AI, robotics, industrial automation, healthcare, and cybersecurity, they know exactly how to reach specialized APAC buyers when your technical products are hard to explain. ## 5. Attributed ROI: Delivering Leads PR success was once a somewhat vague science, based on PR “clip counts” and educated guesses of reach. Now clients want real business metrics. Leading agencies are leveraging sophisticated attribution software to prove specific campaign results, including referral traffic, changes in sentiment, keyword rankings, social engagement scores, and actual lead conversion rates. PR no longer just polishes your brand; it drives business pipeline growth. At McGallen & Bolden, the value proposition is refreshingly clear: they get people to know you, and they get leads for you. They deliver BIG agency results at boutique firm rates, ensuring your PR investment drives measurable business impact. ## What's Next is Exciting At its very heart, PR is still about influencing perception and telling a compelling story. But the toolset is a very focused, data-driven digital ecosystem. If you want to overcome trade barriers and successfully expand into the Asia-Pacific market in 2027, [contact us toda](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)y. ### --- # Taming the APAC Jungle: Can One Agency Manage Cross-Border Public Relations (PR)? Source: https://mcgallen.com/taming-the-apac-jungle-can-one-agency-manage-cross-border-public-relations-pr/ As business leaders seek to expand a brand across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, they encounter a fragmented landscape. It’s tempting to think a company needs a sprawling roster of local agencies to navigate the sharp cultural and operational differences between markets like Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, and Jakarta. But juggling five or six different agencies in multiple time zones often results in broken messaging, fragmented budgets, and massive administrative headaches. This leads to a very important question: can one boutique agency successfully run high-value cross-border campaigns and long-term retainer programs across the entire APAC region? In short, yes — if they have the proper structural blueprint. Let us break down the mechanics through a candid Q&A, looking directly at the operational model pioneered by veteran firms such as McGallen & Bolden, to see how this works in practice. ## The Cross-Border Q&A *Q: How can an agency based in Singapore run campaigns successfully in very different markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, and Australia?* A: It’s a “hub-and-spoke” model, rather than trying to impose a one-size-fits-all model from one office. Its central location, strong legal frameworks, and a high density of multilingual talent naturally make it the strategic and administrative heart. The hub agency operates via a dedicated regional collective to ensure seamless on-the-ground execution. For example, McGallen & Bolden has a pan-Asian footprint through Aurea Terras (the Asia Pacific PR Collective). This framework allows the core team in Singapore to be the single point of contact and billing for the client, with localized partner agencies in Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Sydney, and Mumbai doing the on-the-ground media relations and cultural translation. It provides centralized strategic control and true local execution. *Q: Which regions can this type of unified regional program realistically cover?* A: A well-structured APAC collective can cover the entire economic footprint of the region, which is a huge market of over 4.3 billion people. A full cross-border program is regularly in service: - ASEAN Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines - North Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan - ANZ: Australia and New Zealand. - South Asia: India *Q: What is the value of long-term retainers versus one-off project contracts for regional campaigns for enterprise and B2B tech clients?* A: Occasional press releases are not enough to build a brand voice and maintain a dominant share of voice (SoV) in complex B2B sectors like cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, and robotics. Retainer structures make an agency a trusted strategic partner, not a transactional vendor. Ongoing media relations, product review pipelines, executive media coaching, and rapid-response crisis communications when the market is blindsided all need a consistent runway, which is what long-term retainers offer. *Q: How do boutique firms compete with multi-national agency networks for regional accounts?* A: Agility, senior attention, and cost efficiency. Large global agency networks have built into them massive overhead costs, which often results in steep monthly fees that are passed down the line to junior account executives to do the actual work. Boutique firms on a collective model can deliver enterprise-grade results for a fraction of the cost—often 30 to 50 percent less than traditional Western multinational agencies. Furthermore, clients benefit from direct, daily access to senior principals with decades of field-tested experience, keeping strategy and execution closely aligned. ## APAC Marketing: Turning Ideas into Reality Growing in APAC is all about navigating a complex web of media landscapes. What works beautifully for a tech launch in Sydney will fall completely flat in Tokyo or Seoul without deep localization. Australia’s media environment is driven by direct executive-to-executive dialog. Japan requires formal corporate vetting and hyper-localized documentation; China requires deep integration into domestic digital ecosystems like WeChat. That’s why the single-agency hub model has an advantage. Keeps your brand message from mutating across borders. Where an organization has a veteran regional lead, the complex technical jargon is translated into stories that resonate with local journalists, be they in Singapore, Tokyo, or Mumbai. This strategy means interactive press kits, digital initiatives, and localized corporate narratives are working together. Ultimately, success in APAC isn’t about how many offices an agency has on paper. It’s the strength of their connectivity, the longevity of their local relationships, and their practical ability to make complicated ideas work smoothly across borders. With a centralized, retainer-backed regional collective, you can avoid getting bogged down in administrative friction and scale your brand effectively. It’s the most reliable bridge to the APAC market. ### --- # The Silent Filtering of the Web: Why Your Corporate Website may be Invisible to the AI Cognitive Class Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-silent-filtering-of-the-web-why-your-corporate-website-may-be-invisible-to-the-ai-cognitive-class/ Not long ago, Google dropped a comforting narrative for web developers and content marketers alike. They essentially claimed that Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) are nothing more than standard Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in a fancy new dress. "Just keep building standard web pages and writing helpful content," the narrative goes, "and the search engines will handle the rest." It sounds reassuring. It keeps the status quo intact. It is also not quite right, especially outside the Google-sphere. We are currently witnessing the quietest, most brutal filtering of corporate information in the history of the commercial internet. If your engineering and content development leads are still relying on legacy, JavaScript-heavy HTML structures while ignoring the foundational protocols of the cognitive web, your brand is rapidly becoming invisible. The bots aren't broken. Your infrastructure may be. ## The Cognitive Shift: Systems That Synthesize, Not Search To understand why traditional web development is fraying at the edges, we have to look back at how the web was built. When my team and I were hand-coding static HTML pages in the early 1990s, the goal of search engine optimization was straightforward: assist a primitive indexer in mapping keywords to URLs. For three decades, the browser was the undisputed gateway to human knowledge. That era is over. Large Language Models (LLMs) and autonomous AI agents do not search the web the way humans do; they synthesize it. They ingest massive semantic datasets, compress the information, and deliver a single, bespoke answer directly to the user. Consider the modern business-to-business (B2B) buyer journey. Recent research indicates that over 70% of technology evaluators and corporate decision-makers now bypass traditional search engines entirely for initial product discoveries. Instead, they prompt an AI engine. They ask for a comparative analysis of vendor capabilities, security frameworks, and market reputation. When an AI engine synthesizes that recommendation, it doesn't present a list of blue links. It generates an assertion. If your data isn't easily digestible during the model's training or live-retrieval phase, your company doesn't just rank low—it effectively ceases to exist in the calculation. ## Strip the Bloat Why can't these brilliant AI models just read your existing website? Because the modern web is an absolute mess of structural bloat. Between bloated content management systems (CMS), heavy tracking scripts, nested interactive divs, and client-side JavaScript rendering, a typical corporate web page is a digital labyrinth. While a human browser hides this complexity behind a visual layout, an AI scraper sees a wall of processing friction. Don't get me wrong, I love the CMS for the convenience it offers when publishing to the Web compared to my handcoding days, but any CMS is invariably bulky compared to clean, optimized, handwritten code. Computing power is not free. AI labs are spending billions of dollars on compute cycles to scrape, parse, and embed the world's information. If an autonomous agent hits your website and has to spend significant processing energy just to extract your core product specifications or corporate point of view, it will simply drop the connection and move to a competitor who makes it easy. To survive in the GEO and AEO landscape, web development leads must implement two lightweight, highly efficient protocols immediately. ## 1. The "llms.txt": A Map for the Machines? As a web admin or sysadmin, you may have seen the "robots.txt" at the root directory of your own website or your client's. Think of the "llms.txt" file as the "cognitive era cousin" of the "robots.txt." It is, like the "robots.txt," also yet another simple plain-text file sitting at the same hierarchy in the website's root directory. Instead of forcing an AI crawler to guess which pages matter, the "llms.txt" file provides a clean, structured directory of your brand’s foundational logic, white papers, and narrative truth. The "llms.txt," just like many files, is meant for machine consumption, serving as a simple roadmap. It says to the AI agent, "Do not waste your compute cycles parsing our marketing animations. Read this file first to understand exactly who we are, what we solve, and where our deepest documentation lives." ## 2. Markdown: The Ultimate Semantic Density The second critical transition is a cultural shift for content leads: embrace native Markdown configuration for all web posts and core pages. LLMs prize structured, dense, hierarchical text. They are built to process natural language organized by clear headings, clean bullet points, and explicit code blocks. Passing a complex, multi-layered HTML table to an LLM scraper is like handing a heavily encrypted document to an interpreter. It can be read, but it requires unnecessary work. By rendering a markdown-equivalent version of your expert-led content alongside your standard pages, you deliver maximum semantic density. This allows AI crawlers to parse, comprehend, and—most importantly—cite your executive leadership team in milliseconds. ## Earned, Not Bought The couple of tech giants will undoubtedly continue to tell you that nothing has changed. They want you focused on legacy metrics because their business models rely on traditional ad clicks. But the fundamental mechanics of the Internet have shifted. In the world of generative answers, the majority of your visibility is earned through structural clarity, not bought through ad bidding. AI engines seek the path of least resistance to the most accurate truth. If your web engineering team and your corporate communications strategy are not aligned to feed these models structural clarity, your pipeline is going to dry up. Stop building websites solely for human eyes while ignoring the automated gatekeepers of modern commerce. Clean up your code, deploy your "llms.txt" file, and format your knowledge base in clean markdown. If you don't make it easy for the machines to see you, the market won't either. [Engage us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Why VCs and Investment Firms can Improve their Portfolio Success with a Premier APAC PR Firm Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-vcs-and-investment-firms-can-improve-their-portfolio-success-with-a-premier-apac-pr-firm/ Venture capital and private equity firms are, at their absolute core, engines of wealth creation. They source raw innovation, infuse it with programmatic capital, and expect a predictable metamorphosis into enterprise gold. Yet, when Western or hemispheric investment houses attempt to scale their high-growth portfolio companies into the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, the machinery often grinds to a devastating halt. The primary culprit? A fatal combination of cultural myopia and an irrational over-reliance on digital-only lead-generation marketing dashboards. ## The Mirage of Inbound Euphoria and the Fractured Asian Canvas In my more than three decades in the trenches across public relations, marketing, leadership coaching, biochemistry, cybersecurity, and full-stack engineering, I have watched countless well-funded startups plunge into the 4.5-billion-population APAC ocean, only to be swallowed whole by domestic incumbents. They arrive with flashy credentials, assuming that a high-domain-authority website and aggressive programmatic advertising will automatically yield market traction. This is a dangerous delusion. Asia is not a monolith; it is a beautifully complex puzzle comprising over 23 distinct nations and more than 14 major languages. What registers as a persuasive commercial pitch in Silicon Valley falls completely flat in Tokyo, Taipei, or Jakarta. To help your portfolio companies build genuine brand exposure, unlock demand lift, and establish unshakeable market trust, you must abandon the temporary fix of paid ad spend and instead engage a top-tier regional vanguard: an integrated public relations agency with the breadth and depth of the APAC experience. ## Why Earned Media Trumps Advertising In public relations, we recognize a fundamental structural reality: advertising is an organization telling the market how exceptional its products are; public relations is having an unbiased, authoritative third party—an editor, journalist, or verified domain specialist—tell the world that your solution is indispensable. When your portfolio companies seek entry into highly competitive APAC business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) spaces, they enter as unknown, frail entities. If a startup simply pours capital into Google or Meta ad networks, it faces a saturated environment where customer acquisition costs are escalating to prohibitive heights and ad-blockers render campaigns highly inefficient. Furthermore, self-directed corporate praise does nothing to establish credibility in a region where relationships and corporate tenure are highly valued. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **THE COGNITIVE TRUST CHASM** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **PAID ADVERTISING** *"We are market leaders; buy our enterprise software."* > Response: Immediate skepticism, high cognitive barrier. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **EARNED MEDIA** *"Tier-1 Tech Editor highlights how this platform solves APAC cybersecurity issues."* > Response: Unbiased validation, institutional trust. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By leveraging a premier agency like McGallen & Bolden, your portfolio companies shift from transactional broadcasting to strategic storytelling. When a tier-1 regional publication features a comprehensive analytical review of a portfolio company's platform, it doesn't just drive brand exposure—it creates an enduring layer of search engine optimization (SEO) authority and community validation that paid loops cannot replicate. ## Mastering the CELLS™ Framework: Navigating Local Nuances To survive the brutal economic gravity of an expansion, an organization cannot merely run a Western marketing playbook through an automated translation tool. It demands an agile, localized, and multi-sensory approach. We call this our 5-prong CELLS™ market entry approach: - **Culture**: Commercial behavior is defined by regional specifics. A business strategy optimized for Shanghai needs to be fundamentally re-architected before it is introduced to the subcultures of Tainan or Chengdu. - **Economize**: Replace indiscriminate, blanket capital spending with targeted, segment-by-segment market penetration. - **Local**: Develop deep, vernacular streams of communication, led by technically savvy regional practitioners who understand local media practices. - **Longevity**: Build long-term business platforms in the spirit of the Eastern tradition of mutual respect, handshakes, and building authentic relationships before pitching commercial products. - **Stretch**: Deploy central hubs such as Singapore as a sophisticated launchpad to efficiently extend communication efforts into the wider ASEAN or APAC territories. Without this level of on-the-ground sophistication, your portfolio investments remain trapped in an internal echo chamber, completely divorced from what the regional press and customer base actually require. ## Transforming the C-Suite to Domain Authorities The most catastrophic error an investment firm can allow its portfolio companies to commit is maintaining an executive team of "non-player characters" (NPCs) in the media landscape. All too often, brilliant technical founders behave like rigid automatons when placed before broadcast journalists or regional regulators. They demand dense, product-heavy scripts and deliver cold, commercial sales pitches that editors quickly discard. We can help the C-suite and founders of your portfolio companies with C-suite compatible media and crisis communication training. We do away with confusing industry and "MBA" jargon and replace it with direct, authentic communication that resonates with the media and intended audiences. We prepare your portfolio companies' founders and C-suite to confidently navigate rapid-response media interviews and handle difficult questions with truth and confidence. When your portfolio's leaders can speak clearly and authoritatively on trending macroeconomic shifts without relying on a script, they evolve from simple corporate managers into trusted domain experts. ## The Strategic Bottom Line: Maximizing the Investment Public relations is not a superficial exercise in counting vanity media clips or calculating arbitrary advertising value equivalences (AVE). True public relations is an indispensable strategy for protecting enterprise value and safeguarding corporate reputations at the highest level. In a complex, highly connected global market, a single unmitigated product failure or data security lapse can erase millions in valuation in minutes. By embedding an experienced external partner like McGallen & Bolden directly into your portfolio companies' reporting lines, you establish an effective defense mechanism for your capital investments. Do not allow your portfolio companies to enter the Asia Pacific market under-prepared. Work with a top-tier communications and strategy agency that possesses the deep field experience, strategic insight, and cultural understanding necessary to turn regional expansion into an outstanding success. [Engage us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Shadow AI, OpenClaw and Mythos are changing Cybersecurity postures as well as Critical PR and Communications Source: https://mcgallen.com/shadow-ai-openclaw-and-mythos-are-changing-cybersecurity-postures-as-well-as-critical-pr-and-communications/ The C-suite may have invariably fallen for a risky, even "messianic" narrative. For the past few years, artificial intelligence has been sold not merely as software or tools but "deified" as a corporate savior, allegedly capable of slashing overheads, automating decisions, accelerating productivity, and even laying off employees. Boards from Singapore to Sydney have rushed to mandate its adoption, terrified of being left behind. But a harsh reality check is sweeping across the Asia-Pacific region. AI is not a savior. It is a mirror of its makers who are ordinary human beings (and still are). And like all human creations, it is inherently flawed, prone to unpredictable failure, with embedded biases and prejudices, and could possibly be weaponized by adversaries faster than it can be secured. Across APAC, the fastest-growing and most digitally concentrated market in the world, the compounding risks of agentic AI, Shadow AI, and catastrophic software dependencies are creating a new breed of operational crisis. Cybersecurity defenses are no longer enough. When an AI deployment goes sideways, it triggers a cascading reputational disaster. This is why forward-thinking enterprises are rapidly realizing that the most critical asset to put on immediate retainer isn't just an external technical team but a highly experienced, tech-savvy PR and crisis communications firm deeply rooted in the region. ## The Productivity Myth? The underlying promise of the AI boom—that it drastically improves business efficiency—is showing severe fractures. Academics and industry analysts have begun pointing out that automating complex human workflows often introduces "algorithmic friction" rather than seamless optimization. Just recently, a lawsuit was filed by Chaac Pizza Northeast against Pizza Hut. Chaac, a top-performing franchisee operating 111 locations, alleged that the mandatory rollout of "Dragontail", which is an AI-driven delivery and kitchen management platform, did not quite live up to expectations. Prior to the AI deployment, Chaac enjoyed double-digit sales growth and delivered over 90% of its orders within 30 minutes by letting human managers control order flow. Once the AI took over, it was alleged that drivers began gaming the algorithm, waiting up to 15 minutes at the restaurant to "stack" multiple orders. The result? Delivery times cratered, food arrived cold, and customer satisfaction dropped. The technology did exactly what it was coded to do in theory, but in practice, it decoupled from real-world and human nuances and sparked a multi-million-dollar operational and public relations nightmare. ## The Offensive Threats If internal operational risks weren't enough, the cybersecurity threat landscape has fundamentally mutated. We have entered the era of autonomous digital agents, and with them comes "Shadow AI"—the unauthorized use of unregulated AI tools by employees, creating massive, unmonitored data leaks. More alarming are the vulnerabilities within the tools themselves. Consider OpenClaw, the popular open-source platform for autonomous AI agents. Researchers recently uncovered the "Claw Chain"—a series of critical vulnerabilities (including CVE-2026-44112 with a near-maximum CVSS score of 9.6) that allowed threat actors to bypass sandbox environments, hijack the agent’s high-level privileges, steal internal credentials, and plant persistent backdoors. Because these agents operate with broad system permissions to read files and execute commands on behalf of users, a compromise of the AI is a compromise of the entire enterprise. Simultaneously, the offensive capabilities of AI have reached terrifying maturity. The release of Anthropic’s Claude Mythos demonstrated that an AI with no formal security training can operate at a "top-tier hacker" level. Mythos compressed the time required to find complex zero-day vulnerabilities from months to mere hours—famously unearthing a 23-year-old Linux kernel vulnerability in 90 minutes and recently chaining minor bugs to compromise Apple's macOS memory safety. Worse for defenders, it dropped the cost of discovering a high-risk exploit from a human average of $100,000 down to under $50 per run. ## Why a PR and Crisis Retainer is Mission-Critical When regional governments and statutory bodies issue warnings about AI exposure, they aren't just talking about data patches. They are warning businesses about systemic trust failure. If your enterprise is hit by an AI-driven breach via a compromised OpenClaw agent, or if an automated customer-facing algorithm hallucinates and breaches compliance, the fallout is instantaneous. In the APAC ecosystem spanning highly regulated financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong, vital critical infrastructure, and hyper-competitive businesses, news travels at lightning speed. A technical patch takes time, but reputation is won or lost in the first two hours of a crisis. Traditional PR firms that specialize in product launches, lifestyle events, or basic corporate copy are entirely unequipped for this landscape. If your communications partner doesn't understand the difference between prompt injection, an LLM hallucination, or a chained software vulnerability, their response will be slow, defensive, and ultimately destructive. Navigating an AI crisis requires a specialist firm on an active retainer—one that brings decades of strategic communication expertise, deep technical fluency, and a "red team" mentality to crisis management. They must be able to translate complex algorithmic failures into transparent, reassuring human narratives that satisfy regulators, calm shareholders, and retain customer loyalty. AI is a tool meant to supplement human intelligence, not replace human judgment. When the algorithms fail—as they inevitably will—it is seasoned human strategy, clear typography over artificial noise, and decisive crisis communication that will save your business. In APAC's unforgiving market, ensuring that a firm is already on your retainer isn't just prudent; it is a matter of corporate survival. [Engage us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Navigating the APAC Matrix: Why a Red Team Approach is Your Path to Sustainable Growth Source: https://mcgallen.com/navigating-the-apac-matrix-why-a-red-team-approach-is-your-path-to-sustainable-growth/ The Asia Pacific region is a beautiful, monolithic illusion. All too often, Western boardrooms look at a map and see a massive, uniform market of billions ripe for commercial consumption. But step onto the physical ground in Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, or Bangkok, and that corporate illusion instantly shatters into a rich, complex matrix of over 23 countries, dozens of distinct languages, and thousands of localized subcultures. If you attempt to enter or scale within this dynamic territory using a standard Western go-to-market (GTM) playbook and a superficial "Google translate" approach, you are flying blindly into severe, unrecoverable turbulence. To succeed, survive, and truly profit in this landscape, your business needs more than a traditional, reactive agency that merely counts news clips and calculates archaic advertising value equivalences. You need a strategic partner with decades of field-tested stamina. This is precisely why McGallen & Bolden has established itself as the premier "Red Team" consulting and strategic communications firm across the APAC region. Backed by over three decades of professional field experience, our team of veteran communication and consulting principals doesn't just execute public relations; we stress-test your entire operational framework from the ground up. ## Framework for Culturally Intelligent GTM Strategies When an enterprise enters the Asia Pacific market, it cannot rely on glitz, glamor, or a short-term sprint. It requires an analytical, culturally fluent blueprint that honors regional realities. At McGallen & Bolden, we deploy our proprietary 5-prong CELLS™ approach to successful APAC market entry: Culture, Economize, Local, Longevity, and Stretch. We understand that Taipei is not Taiwan, and Jakarta does not represent the expansive reality of Indonesia’s archipelago. We force your GTM and marketing strategies to go deep and wide into vernacular languages and hyperlocal subcultures. More importantly, we respect the classical Asian ethos of longevity—relationships here are built on handshakes, sincere face-to-face interactions, and mutual respect, never on cold, narcissistic transactional pitches. We guide you to choose your regional starting points wisely, stretching finite budgets from highly stable hubs like Singapore to high-growth markets like Vietnam and Thailand without wearing your operational structure down to skin and bones. ## Smashing the Corporate Echo Chamber: The Red Team Most modern corporate structures suffer from a critical, hidden vulnerability: the internal echo chamber. Executives sit in beautiful, cloistered boardrooms validating their own concepts, completely blind to the hairline cracks developing in their channel distribution systems, retail tactics, or regional APAC strategies. They mistake inward-looking agreement for external market validation. McGallen & Bolden steps in to break that loop as your marketing and C-suite Red Team. We act as an independent, adversarial force that actively thinks like your toughest competitor and your most cynical prospect. We meticulously audit your public-facing messaging, channel relationships, and retail alignments to identify operational weaknesses and strategic blind spots before the brutal reality of the market exposes them. By positioning public relations and integrative communication directly at the C-suite level rather than treating it as a subordinate marketing subset, we ensure that corporate reputation and operational tactics are fully synchronized to protect your bottom line. ## Crisis Communication Guided by Aviation Best Practices A crisis is rarely a random, sudden stroke of bad luck; it is almost always the violent culmination of unmanaged, latent threats. When data breaches, facility disasters, or operational failures strike, a business cannot rely on public relations "spin." Spin is a patently outdated, dangerous illusion. True public relations is about telling the whole truth, with facts, figures, and unembellished humility. Our approach to crisis communication and reputation management is uniquely forged in the crucible of aviation best practices—specifically Crew Resource Management (CRM). Developed to preserve human lives in high-velocity, high-stress environments, CRM emphasizes absolute situational awareness, structured checklists, clearly defined roles, and closed-loop communication. We bring these disciplined flight deck realities directly into the corporate boardroom. We do not build static, printed crisis manuals that gather dust on an office shelf. Instead, we develop "live," dynamic crisis preparedness programs hosted on secure internal environments akin to an interactive wiki. Through rigorous, unannounced fire drills and simulation runs, we train your team to manage the pressure chamber of a crisis smoothly, ensuring your command structure never freezes under duress. ## Transforming your Leaders with Script-Free Media Coaching A company’s official spokespersons must never function as Non-Player Characters (NPCs)—mere corporate automatons reading dense, text-heavy scripts that are long on commercial selling and completely empty of real knowledge. The media, the public, and your stakeholders can spot an empty vessel from a mile away. Our executive development and media coaching programs are intentionally transformative. We teach your C-suite and technical experts to speak directly, simply, and authentically from the heart, completely stripped of confusing corporate jargon, double negatives, and pompous double-talk. Every media interview is a high-stakes live audition for public trust. We prepare your leaders to face television cameras, radio livestreams, or aggressive journalists entirely script-free, armed with key statistics and core messages remembered by heart, but delivered with genuine warmth and human empathy. If your spokespersons cannot engage an audience with expertise and warmth, they will inevitably lose credibility and jeopardize your brand’s hard-earned mindshare. True business resilience in APAC isn't measured by how brilliant your financial dashboards look during an artificial market boom. It is measured by your stamina through the rough waters of economic recessions, your courage to speak the truth on time, and your tactical agility when a crisis hits. In the brutal, fast-evolving markets of the Asia Pacific, McGallen & Bolden provides the steady, tenured hand your business needs to lay the blocks of sustainable success and build a brand that endures for the long haul. [Engage us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # The Disaster of Silence: Why PR Is Your Only Profitable Pipeline in the AI Era Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-disaster-of-silence-why-pr-is-your-only-profitable-pipeline-in-the-ai-era/ In the corridors of power, fear is a poor advisor. As geopolitical tectonic plates shift and economic indicators flicker like a dying candle, a familiar, "unenlightened" pattern emerges in the C-suite. CEOs, gripped by a siege mentality, reach for the scalpel to excise what they perceive as "discretionary" costs. Public relations and marketing are almost always the first on the altar. ## History Punishes the Timid This is not just a mistake; it is strategic self-destruction. History has a blunt way of punishing the timid. During downturns, those who retreat into a shell of silence do not "save" their way to success. They simply vanish from the collective consciousness. For the wise leader, a tough market is not a signal to hide—it is a signal to strike. It is the moment to out-spend, out-think, and out-maneuver the competition. The weapon of choice in the 21st century is no longer the blunt instrument of advertising but the surgical precision of earned media (aka "editorial coverage"). ## 73% of B2B Buyers Ask AI Engines First The traditional "sales funnel," which served the "mantras" of sales trainers as well as seasoned salespeople, has been largely vaporized by AI and their Large Language Models (LLMs). According to March 2026 data from Averi, a staggering 73% of B2B buyers now initiate their purchase research through AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. By the time a prospect ever reaches your website or picks up a phone, 61% of their journey is already complete. They aren’t asking Google for "best enterprise security." They are asking Claude to "compare the architectural resilience of the top three APAC security providers." If your brand is not part of that synthesized answer, you don't exist. You have been filtered out before the race even began. ## YouTube: The New Bedrock of AI Truth For years, the "digital gurus" claimed Reddit was the gold standard for "authentic" AI training data. I too once thought so and tried to be part of that ecosystem. It turned out those pundits were wrong. YouTube has surged ahead of Reddit as the primary social source for AI-generated answers that users want. Independent research confirms that YouTube now appears in 16% of AI-generated citations, while Reddit has slid to 10%. Why? Because LLMs prize structured, expert-led narrative proof. A video transcript with timestamps and a high-fidelity demonstration offers a "semantic density" that a pseudonymous Reddit thread cannot match. When an AI summarizes "real-world experience" for a buyer, it is pulling from the earned authority of your video content. If your PR strategy doesn’t include a heavy, authoritative presence on YouTube, you are effectively mute in the ears of the world's most powerful recommendation engines. ## The 82% Rule: AI Does Not Buy Ads Here is the hard truth that should keep every "Pay-to-play" CMO awake at night: The majority of every AI answer is earned, not paid. Recent analysis by Muck Rack shows that 82% of links cited by LLMs come directly from earned media—journalism, white papers, case studies, and credible third-party reporting. AI models are designed to find the truth, not the highest bidder. They ignore the "Sponsored" tags that plague traditional search engines. To be visible in an AI-centric world, you must earn your way in through the rigors of public relations. You need the third-party validation that only a "red team" PR approach can provide. You need the authority that comes from being cited by reputable journalists and industry analysts. Without earned media, your "pipeline" is just a dry pipe. ## Capturing the Vacuum Globally While your less enlightened competitors are shrinking their footprints and hiding in their home markets, your opportunity to grow expanded exponentially due to your competitors' absence. This is as smart and incisive a time to quickly expand your PR and other marketing programs as the ultimate power move in your home turf and the broader Asia-Pacific. In a shrinking economy, the cost of capturing market share actually drops for those with the courage to spend. Advertising rates may soften, but the "Share of Voice" (SOV) becomes exponentially easier to dominate when others stop talking. By expanding your PR efforts internationally now, you capture the "Invisible Evaluation" phase of the global buyer. ## Conversion is the Proof In this time and age amidst the insane global turmoil, we need to address the bottom line. Traditional advertising leads are often "cold" even if they seem legitimate on many fronts, which means they demand massive nurturing and have high abandonment rates. Conversely, leads generated through AI-informed research (fueled by PR and the media coverage or earned media) are pre-qualified and easier to convert. The data is undeniable: AI search traffic converts at a rate of 14.2%, compared to just 2.8% for traditional Google organic search. That is a 5.1x conversion advantage. When a buyer finds you through an AI recommendation—a recommendation built on the foundation of your earned media and PR—they arrive at your door with a level of trust that no banner ad could ever buy. Don't even think of traditional advertising, which fare even worse. ## Profits Follow Authority The choice is simple. You can join the ranks of the forgotten, cutting your budget and hoping for the best while the world moves on. Or, you can act with the heart of a general. You can double down on Public Relations, dominate the AI citation landscape, and out-spend your retreating competitors to capture the pipelines of tomorrow. Profits follow authority. In the AI-centric world, authority is earned. Keep expanding your PR programs and you will reach there way ahead of your competition. Are you ready to claim your territory in the AI research landscape, or will you let your competitors define your story? [Talk with us and find out how](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # The Triple Threat of Visibility: Why SEO, AEO, and GEO Must Dance Together in the AI Age Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-triple-threat-of-visibility-why-seo-aeo-and-geo-must-dance-together-in-the-ai-age/ I was recently sitting at a quiet corner of a café in Singapore, and saw a group of young professionals next to me. One was typing furiously into a search bar, another was whispering a question to their smartwatch, and a third was looking at a neatly summarized paragraph of text that seemed to have been written just for them by an AI. It struck me then, as it often does in my decades of navigating the shifting sands of technology and communications, that we are no longer just in a “search” world. We are in a "query" world where the very nature of how humans find information has fractured into three distinct but deeply intertwined dimensions. If you are a business leader aiming to gain mindshare in the vast, 4.5 billion-strong Asia Pacific (APAC) market, you can no longer afford to treat your digital presence as a series of isolated projects. You need a retained program that hits SEO, AEO, and GEO all at once. ## The Evolution of the Digital Handshake To understand why, let’s look at the science of discovery. In the 1990s, when the commercial Internet first arrived and my team was hand-coding sites line-by-line, "Search Engine Optimization" (SEO) was the only game in town. You built a site, you used the right keywords, and you hoped Google would lead people to your door. Then came the "Answer Engine Optimization" (AEO) era. Suddenly, people weren't just looking for a list of links; they were asking Alexa or Siri for a specific answer. If your content wasn't structured to provide that direct "answer," you were invisible to the voice-activated world. Now, we have entered the age of "Generative Engine Optimization" (GEO). This is the world of Search Generative Experience (SGE) and AI platforms that don't just find information—they synthesize it. They read the entire web and write an original summary for the user. If your brand isn’t part of the AI’s "training set" or "knowledge base," you don't even make it into the summary. ## Why You Must Do All Three Simultaneously Imagine an aircraft—a Boeing 777, perhaps. To stay aloft and reach its destination, it doesn’t just rely on thrust; it needs lift, drag, and weight to be in perfect balance. Digital visibility is no different. - **SEO** ensures you own your stage. It builds your "Domain Authority" (DA) and keeps your corporate website alive as an authoritative source. - **AEO** ensures you are the "expert" the system calls upon when a user asks a direct question. - **GEO** ensures you are part of the narrative the AI creates when it explains your industry to a prospect. If you only do SEO, you lose the voice and AI-query market. If you only focus on AI, you lack the foundational "owned media" that gives you credibility. In the brutal business climate of the 21st century, missing even one of these is like trying to fly with one wing clipped. ## Sustained PR and WordPress Microsites At McGallen & Bolden, we have always believed that "simple and steady" is the best way forward. Since 1991, we have coached businesses to move away from "one-off" attempts and toward sustained, retained communications programs. Our approach to this triple-visibility threat is mechanical and strategic. We don't just "do SEO." We build custom-designed, lightweight, and high-performance microsites running on WordPress. Why WordPress? Because it is a battle-tested Content Management System (CMS) that allows for the precise structured data and "RAG" (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) content that AI answer engines crave. We supplement this tech stack with a deep-seated PR program. We act as your "red team," scrutinizing your messaging to ensure it isn't trapped in an internal "echo chamber." We take your complex B2B technical jargon and translate it into human stories that journalists want to publish and AIs want to index. ## Gaining Mindshare in APAC The APAC region is not a monolith; it is a tapestry of over 23 countries and 14 major languages. To expand your brand footprint in this diverse and fast-emerging region, you need cultural and ideological empathy. We can help you reach out to the regional APAC audiences by building content microsites. These are not mere landing pages but are built incrementally with blog content and FAQs (frequently asked questions). If your budget permits, we can also localize content for specific APAC markets while maintaining a unified brand voice. This sustained presence ensures that whether a prospect in Singapore searches on Google or a manager in Tokyo asks an AI assistant for a recommendation, your brand is the one that surfaces. ## The Bottom Line Information and knowledge cannot be contained in a single static document anymore. They are fluid, moving through search bars, voice assistants, and generative bots. You slaved to build your brand; it deserves a fighting chance. Don't just react to the technology shift. Be prepared. Be present. And most importantly, reach out to the fastest-growing audiences in the Asia Pacific while staying true to the heart of your brand. ### --- # The Strategic Edge: Why Minimalist Typography Beats AI “Art” in Packaging Design Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-strategic-edge-why-minimalist-typography-beats-ai-art-in-packaging-design/ In boardroom discussions and strategy meetings across the region, I frequently encounter a prevailing—and frankly, dangerous—myth among non-designers. Many well-meaning clients, founders, and even seasoned executives have somehow convinced themselves that graphic and packaging design is "easy." In the age of generative AI, the refrain from the C-suite is almost predictable: "Why pay a design agency when we can just prompt an AI to create our packaging?" This mindset reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of commercial print production. I had been an Apple Mac DTP (desktop publishing) pioneer and evangelist in the 1980s, and I knew quite a bit not just about graphic design, but also what goes into print and multimedia production. While even many graphic designers generated huge design files that crashed at the color separation stage, I could optimize images and designs right down to sleek and small files that could easily get printed. ## AI "art" versus vector ART Yes, a generative AI tool can conjure stunning, hyper-realistic color photographs or intricate digital paintings in mere seconds. But here is the harsh technical reality: AI models generate low-resolution bitmapped (raster) images. A bitmap is essentially a fixed mosaic of pixels. To the uninitiated, AI-generated designs might look great on your smartphones or even your monitors, but when you try to enlarge it to an A3 poster or onto a box design, you might end up with something blurry and unsavory. Remember, NEVER believe this silly idea of "we can fix it in post." Commercial packaging and industrial-grade designs demand editable vector art. Unlike bitmap images, vectors are not made of fixed pixels but are defined with math equations. This allows a vector logo or typography element to be scaled infinitely from a tiny lip balm tube to a highway billboard without losing a fraction of sharpness, all while keeping file sizes incredibly small and manageable for commercial printers. At the same time, they are more easily manipulated and tweaked by moving data points and curves, unlike bitmapped images. Relying on an AI-generated JPEG for your Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy is a fast track to amateurish, unprintable packaging. If AI bitmaps and complex color photographs are a technical and financial trap, what is the smartest path forward? The answer is minimalist packaging design anchored by Good Typography. When you strip away the crutch of elaborate photographic imagery, you are forced to communicate your brand’s essence through pure design elements: space, structure, and type. Here is why prioritizing typography over photography is the most strategic, cost-friendly GTM approach for any consumer brand today. ## 1. The Economics of Printing Printing a full-color gradated image goes through a four-color process (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or CMYK for short). Such processes incurs costs for plates, inks, and meticulous quality control to ensure color registration doesn't "bleed" or basically become blurry. Conversely, typography-based designs can often be executed using just one or two spot colors. This drastically reduces printing costs at scale. When you are launching a new product and managing tight GTM budgets, saving on packaging production without sacrificing aesthetics is already an operational win. ## 2. Instant Recognition and Shelf Impact Walk down any supermarket aisle, and you will face a wall of visual noise—packaging screaming with bright photos, chaotic gradients, and cluttered graphics. Human psychology dictates that the eye is naturally drawn to negative space. A minimalist package utilizing a beautifully kerned, distinctive typeface cuts through the clutter. It projects confidence. It tells the consumer, "Our product is so good, we don't need a flashy picture to sell it to you." ## 3. Agility and Scalability A typographical design system scales seamlessly across an entire product portfolio. If you need to launch a new flavor or variant, updating a vector text file takes minutes. Trying to generate or shoot a new color photograph that perfectly matches the lighting and style of your previous products is an expensive, time-consuming nightmare. Let’s look at how this minimalist philosophy plays out across the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) spectrum through some practical illustrations. ## Consumables (Personal Care) Think of an organic skincare serum. A busy label crowded with pictures of aloe vera leaves and lavender sprigs looks cheap and cluttered. A minimalist frosted glass dropper bottle featuring only a delicate, widely-spaced typographic layout against a pastel spot color background instantly exudes sophistication. ## Electronics Consider the packaging for high-end wireless earbuds. Brands that rely on glossy, full-color photos of the product often find the box looks dated within months as hardware trends shift. A minimalist GTM strategy uses a rigid, pristine white box with the brand's logo and the product name debossed in a clean, modern geometric font. It feels like opening a piece of timeless luxury, not a disposable gadget. ## Food & Beverage (F&B) Imagine a new line of artisanal cold-brew coffees. One approach uses a complex, multi-colored photograph of coffee beans splashing into water. The smarter, minimalist approach uses a clean, unbleached textured paper label. The brand name is set in an elegant, custom serif font, with a single, bold spot-color (like a deep ochre or forest green) used only for the variant name. It stands out precisely because it isn't competing in the visual shouting match. ## Health Supplements Picture a premium nootropic brain supplement. Instead of a generic stock photo of a glowing brain or a low-resolution AI-generated meditating figure, the bottle relies on a stark, matte black label. The only visual is the product name and associated brand set in a bold, sans-serif, silver-foil typeface, with precise, grid-aligned functions or benefits below. It instantly communicates clinical efficacy, premium quality, and scientific transparency. ## Minimalist design and the human way Successful branding is not about showing the customer every possible detail through a photograph or some generated image. It is about evoking a positive feeling and building trust. Generative AI is a fascinating tool for brainstorming or perhaps concept creation, but it is not a substitute for the truly artistic and polished designs or the meticulous, highly technical craft of packaging design. By investing in the best human talents that comprehend and mastered minimalist design and impeccable typography, brands can achieve a consistent, premium, and cost-effective market presence that endures far beyond the latest tech hype cycle. ![Pexels bold](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pexels-brettjordan-5003190.jpg) ### --- # Why Choose an Independent PR Agency Like McGallen & Bolden Rather Than Large Global Networks in the Asia Pacific? Source: https://mcgallen.com/choose-independent-pr-agency-mcgallen-bolden-not-large-networks/ The Asia Pacific region is a kaleidoscopic mosaic of twenty-three countries and fourteen major languages. It is a monolith only to those who have never actually tried to sell anything here. If you approach this vast, diverse market with a "one-size-fits-all" global template designed in an office in New York or London, you aren't just being optimistic; you are likely setting yourself up for an expensive, quiet failure. This is why more brands, whether growing businesses or established multinationals, are now appointing independent, high-touch boutiques like McGallen & Bolden. The decision often comes down to a simple question: Do you want a junior account executive at a global firm following a rigid manual, or do you want a "Red Team" of senior practitioners who have been in the trenches for over three decades? ## High-Touch Seniority vs. High-Volume The most significant pain point with large global networks is the "bait and switch." You meet the charismatic senior partners during the pitch, but once the contract is signed, your brand is handed off to a junior team who might still be learning the difference between a pitch and a press release. At a global network, you are often just another account number helping to hit a quarterly target. At an independent firm like McGallen & Bolden, the consultants helming your strategy are the ones with decades of proven field experience. We are talking about practitioners with thirty-five years of deep-seated expertise in consulting, cybersecurity, and business strategy across the APAC region. This level of seniority ensures that every communication strategy is grounded in history and refined by years of navigating crises, trade wars, and pandemic shifts. You get high-touch consulting where the "thinkers" are also the "doers," ensuring that the wisdom discussed in the boardroom is never lost in the execution on the ground. ## Agility Without Overheads Large global networks carry massive global overheads and are bound by rigid practices and "brand guidelines" that simply do not translate to the subcultures of Taoyuan, Surabaya, or Tokyo. When a market shift occurs, an independent firm can pivot in minutes, not weeks. We don't need to clear a creative approach with a regional head in another time zone. Choosing a boutique firm like McGallen & Bolden means you aren't paying for a skyscraper in Manhattan or Tokyo or a complex hierarchy of middle management. Instead, your investment goes directly into strategic and tactical execution. We operate with a flexibility and immediacy that allows us to meet your local and regional communication demands. This agility is crucial in a region where rapid response (RR) and "newsjacking" are often the difference between a brand that leads the conversation and one that is forgotten by it. ## The "Red Team" Strategy Most communication (including PR) agencies focus on PR and communication alone. Some may have consulting in internal and stakeholder relations in their portfolio, but not all do. Many agencies view PR as a volume game: count the clips and may still measure the "advertising value equivalence" (AVE, an antiquated and often misleading metric). But in the twenty-first century, integrative PR is about stakeholder relations, not just media mentions. McGallen & Bolden has long functioned as a "Red Team" business strategy firm. We don’t just echo what you want to hear; we challenge your external and internal messaging to ensure you aren't trapped in an internal "echo chamber." Our "Red Team" approach builds brands with strength, power, and sincerity. We look at your business through a 360-degree lens, incorporating not just media relations. Some clients tap on our C-suite experience to explore gaps in their business processes, service quality, Web presence, cybersecurity, and even internal stakeholders coherence. This is what sets our firm apart, that we are as much a communications agency as we are a business strategy or management consulting practice. ## Building Brands We have consulted in the Asia Pacific for over thirty years. We have built brands from scratch, helping local startups find their voice in a crowded ocean of predators. We know that for an emerging brand, PR isn't a luxury; it is the essential tool for gaining trust and third-party endorsement when you are still a "nameless fry" in the ecosystem. Simultaneously, we have helped multinational brands set foot and establish themselves in APAC using our proprietary 5-prong CELLS™ approach—focusing on Culture, Economics, Local nuances, Longevity, and Stretching your reach. We understand that "Google Translate" is not a marketing strategy. For example, to succeed in Thailand, Vietnam, or Japan, you must understand the local culture, economize your efforts to target specific segments, and commit to the long-term relationships that Asians value so deeply. ## The Human-Digital Connection In an era where some are obsessed with AI and data-only marketing, we believe in the power and sustainability of using 360-degree communication and strategies. The Asia Pacific region is built on deep human relations where face-to-face interactions are seen as sincere and vital. While we are pioneers in digital tools, we never treat technology as more than a tool. Choosing an independent agency like McGallen & Bolden isn't just a choice of a vendor; it’s a choice of a partner. It’s choosing a team that values your brand's heritage as much as you do and has the field-tested stamina to stay the course for the long haul. In the tough times of the twenty-first century, that is the most powerful publicity you can have. As we say in our "Dot Zen Moments," the low points in a journey are mere markers, not tombstones. We are here to help you march on and bear fruit, again and again. [Engage us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) and get your business soaring ahead of the competition ASAP! ### --- # The Art of Being Heard in an AI-Driven World with Technical SEO & AEO Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-art-of-being-heard-in-an-ai-driven-world-with-technical-seo-aeo/ In the heady 1990s, when the Internet was a nascent collection of static pages and dial-up tones, I was hand-coding websites line by line. Back then, the goal was simple: exist. But today, in a century defined by supercomputing in our pockets and AI that speaks back to us, merely "existing" is a recipe for oblivion. We have entered an era where your brand is no longer just what you tell the world; it is what the algorithms—and more importantly, the "answer engines"—say about you. If you aren't conforming to the best principles of technical SEO and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO, as others might call it generative engine optimization or GEO), you aren't just missing the mark; you’re losing the race before it even begins. ## From Search Engines to Answer Engines For years, we obsessed over SEO—keywords, backlinks, and gaming the system to reach the top of a search result page. But as a practitioner who has watched the evolution of communications since the 1980s, I can tell you the "good old altruistic days" of simple content are long gone. Today, people don't just "search" for a link; they ask for an answer. Whether it's through Google Gemini, ChatGPT, or Bing, AI is the new gatekeeper. Conforming to AEO principles means creating content that doesn't just rank but *educates and enlightens*. It’s about building authority so that when an AI model scours the web, your content is the definitive source it cites. ## Mobile-First Mandate of Fast, Light, and Lean We sometimes see brands fall into the trap of "glitz" for its own sake. They build websites heavy with high-resolution graphics, sliders, animations, and slow-loading scripts, imagining they are impressing their visitors. In reality, they are doing the exact opposite. They forgot that websites have to FIRST be found by AI and search engines, and then visitors can find them. With the bulk of content users today on mobile, speed is the ultimate currency. A slow website is a displeased visitor and an even more displeased search engine. As I’ve always advocated, the best way forward is "simple and steady." Your website should be: - **Content-first**: Don’t game keywords; provide value. - **Lightweight and fast**: Eschew design-heavy bloat for mobile legibility. - **Secure by design**: Cybersecurity isn't an afterthought; it’s a brand promise. Think of it like an aircraft: every extra pound of useless "graphics" is drag that prevents you from reaching the "lift" needed to soar. ## The Human Touch: Taking "Journalese" Out of Writing While technical optimization provides the skeleton, your content is the soul. I have seen far too many brands use "journalese"—a clutter of clichés, jargon, and "MBA-speak" that creates a chasm between them and their audience. Writing is a monastic discipline of love. To pass AI detection and, more importantly, to win human hearts, you must write as you speak to a friend: with authenticity and warmth. As the golden rule of salesmanship goes, "'Nobody' likes to be sold, but they would like to believe." "" Stop using double negatives that convolute your meaning. Speak directly. "The straighter the path of an arrow, the more likely you will hit the target." ""Whether it is a blog post or a news release, keep it simple—KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly). ## Owning Your Stage In a world where social media platforms come and go, your website remains your primary platform. It is your own media, your own voice. You must own your data and your stage. By focusing on high-quality, editorial-centric content rather than peddling products, you transform strangers into diners and pedestrians into muses. ### First Principles for Brands in 2026: - **Embrace AEO**: Structure content to provide sustained, clear, authoritative answers for AI. - **Optimize for Mobile and SEO**: Prioritize speed and legibility over heavy graphics. - **Be Authentic**: Use a "human" tone that avoids corporate jargon and reflects real expertise. - **Stay Prepared**: Just as a pilot uses checklists, have a technical plan for your digital presence so you aren't caught off-guard when algorithms shift. We live in tough times, but tough times call for the "sterner substance" of true quality. Don't chase the fleeting trends of "digital-only" or "data-only" marketing. Instead, use technology as a helper to accelerate your growth, and let your heart drive the communication. Remember, if all these are rocket science for you, [get a partner](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) who has been through all the evolution and revolution of the Web to help you get there with lesser migraine. ### --- # Why Strategic Communication is Your Survival Kit in a Crisis-Filled World Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-strategic-communication-is-your-survival-kit-in-a-crisis-filled-world/ I passed by some road works recently and noticed a scene that felt like a perfect metaphor for modern business strategy. There were temporary barriers lined up, supposedly to protect the site and guide traffic. To keep them from toppling over, someone had weighed them down with makeshift small cement blocks. They were "gentlemen" blocks—transient, flimsy, and certainly not designed to withstand any real force. If a vehicle actually veered off course, those blocks wouldn't offer protection; they would likely just become additional flying debris. It immediately set me thinking about the state of corporate communication today. Too many businesses—even those in high-stakes sectors like cybersecurity, healthcare, and robotics—treat their communication like those makeshift blocks. They only give it serious consideration when a crisis arises. They view Public Relations (PR) as a "bandage" to be applied after the wound is gaping, rather than a structural program designed to prevent the injury in the first place. In an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, this "makeshift" approach isn't just inefficient; it’s a liability. ## The Myth of the "PR Band-Aid" When a cybersecurity breach occurs or a factory accident makes headlines, the first instinct of a reactive leadership team is to "call the PR guys." They look for consultants to act as "fall guys" or spin doctors to make the bad news go away. But here is the hard truth: PR is a long-term program, not a quick fix. You cannot build trust in the middle of a fire. Strategic communication must be the bedrock of your business, laid down long before the first crack appears. You must first properly implement a crisis management and crisis communication program. You don't wait for the engine to fail at 30,000 feet before hoping you are a licensed pilot. ## ## Why High-Stakes Industries Face Unique Risks The cost of "makeshift" communication is exponentially higher for companies in the sectors we serve—healthcare, AI, robotics, industrial engineering, and FMCG. - **Cybersecurity & AI**: In an era of deepfakes and data exfiltration, a breach isn't just a technical glitch; it's a total collapse of stakeholder trust. If you haven't established a "Red Team" mindset in your communications, your response will be slow, fragmented, and defensive. - **Healthcare & Life Sciences**: Trust is your primary currency. Whether it’s a clinical trial setback or a regulatory hurdle, the lack of a transparent, scientifically grounded communication strategy can end a brand’s lifespan overnight. - **Robotics & Automation: The emergence of robots, resembling humanoids, animals, moving slabs, or articulated arms, has become a real concern.** Strategic communication can help to show the humane side of such applications and to bridge the gap between cold, hard machines and the needs of humans. - **FMCG & Consumer Electronics**: In a hyper-connected world, a "Tok" or "Tweet" can change a brand from "hero" to "zero" in minutes, especially for the world of widely adopted consumer goods. Product defects, or even employee complaints, can also build instant distrust or disdain in the public through social media. ## Moving from Reactive to Strategic Since 1991, McGallen & Bolden has helped businesses navigate these turbulent waters. We don't just "do PR"; we provide strategic counsel that integrates business strategy, technology, and human capital. Our approach is rooted in mission-critical disciplines. As aviators, we’ve adapted principles from aviation, such as Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM), to the world of strategic and crisis communication. In the cockpit, communication is never about poetry or song. Pilots communicate in succinct and clear language without ambiguity. We bring these and more to your organization. ## The Fractional CMO: Your Strategic Partner Many emerging tech and industrial firms find themselves in a "communication gap." They are too large for a junior marketing hire but don't yet need a full-time, C-suite CMO. This is where our fractional CMO services become a game-changer. Instead of a transient "gentlemen" block, you get: - **Committed Long-Term Counsel**: We aren't here for a one-off project. We are your "Red Team," acting as the devil's advocate for your claims, assumptions, and positioning. - **High-Quality Media Coverage**: We leverage over 30 years of relationships with mainstream and trade media, influencers, and podcasters to get your story told where it matters. - **GTM in APAC Advice (go-to-market)**: Expanding into the Asia-Pacific region requires more than just translation; it requires cultural intelligence and a profound understanding of the US$35 trillion market. - **Crisis Bedrock**: We help you build a "wiki-style" crisis management framework that is mobile-ready and permeated throughout your organization, ensuring everyone knows their role when the pressure is on. ## Stop Using "Gentlemen" Blocks The road works I saw yesterday were transient. Your business shouldn't be. If you are relying on makeshift communication strategies, you are one crisis away from a collapse. Strategic communication is the "cement" that holds your brand together when the force of a crisis hits. It is about building a reservoir of goodwill, a clear internal alignment, and a proactive media presence that serves as your shield. Don't wait for the breach, the accident, or the rant to realize you need a program. Engage a partner who understands the technology as well as the strategy. Ready to fortify your business for a crisis-filled world? Whether you need a full-spectrum PR program in APAC or a fractional CMO to supplement your leadership, McGallen & Bolden is ready to help you make your ideas work. Let’s move beyond the bandage. Let’s build the bedrock. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ###   --- # Strategic Communication to Succeed in Turbulent Times Source: https://mcgallen.com/strategic-communication-succeed-turbulent-times/ The 21st century is a time of rapid technological change, unpredictable geopolitical shifts, and the constant onslaught of the complex digital world. It is a time that is both constantly unstable and yet full of business potential. Organizations that do business in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region need more than just spending money on digital or offline ads to deal with this complexity. You need a smart, integrated way to communicate and lead. Based on our nearly 40 years of experience in the field, we believe that the five pillars of public relations (PR), media coaching, crisis communication, red teaming, and leadership development can help organizations become strong and successful. ## The Strategic Power of PR in the 21st Century A lot of the time, traditional marketing is all about getting leads and making sales right away. But in the high-stakes world of B2B technology, healthcare, and industrial automation, trust is worth more than attention. When done strategically, public relations serves as the "guardian of corporate reputation." It can take years to build a good reputation or brand, but it can take just a few bad actions to ruin it. PR, or public relations, is something that the C-suite embraces to get the markets to think about their brand. It is essential to have a partner who knows the local culture in a place like APAC, which is very diverse and broken up. Strategic PR goes beyond "eyeballs" and impressions to look at results and effects. PR builds a strong brand that can survive economic downturns and changes in the market by getting support from journalists, analysts, and industry leaders. History shows that companies that keep investing in PR during a recession often come out of it stronger, taking advantage of the fact that there is less noise from competitors to gain market share. ## Media Coaching: From Business Leader to Market Influencer Moving from being a successful executive to being a positive media spokesperson or market influencer is a big change in how things work. While a CEO may excel in managing a business, the demanding environment of a TV studio or the challenging inquiries of a trade journalist require a distinct set of skills. To ensure that an organization's voice remains undiluted, media coaching, also known as "media training," is crucial. For decades, we have employed our tried-and-true methods, emphasizing both the human and technical aspects of media engagement. This involves transitioning from "telling" to "selling" a vision, mastering interview techniques, and preparing for various media platforms such as TV, radio, podcasts, the internet, print, and more. Every interview in the 21st century could go viral. Professional coaching makes sure that leaders are ready for any medium, from podcasts to regular news broadcasts. ## The "Aviation Gold Standard" and Crisis Communication When things get worse, a crisis is not a question of "if," but "when." Your reputation or brand will only be able to survive a cybersecurity breach, a financial scandal, or a global pandemic if you respond quickly. Our approach to crisis communication is based on the best practices in aviation, including Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM). Business leaders need a framework that puts truth, ethics, and speed at the top of the list, just like pilots are trained to handle "out-of-scope" abnormal conditions with calm and methodical precision to get the best outcomes. ## Red Teaming and Internal Coherence The "echo chamber" is one of the biggest threats to a modern business. Internal teams often get stuck in their heads and don't see the flaws in their plans and field tactics. We recommend the "Red Team" approach. You can think of a Red Team as your "devil's advocate." We examine your strategies and tactics under pressure to identify issues before they escalate. When companies hire us to be their Red Team, they get an unbiased third-party view of how their messaging and operations are evaluated for security vulnerabilities and weaknesses. This process keeps people from getting too comfortable and makes sure that the C-suite gets honest feedback. The outcome lets them improve their strategies for entering new markets, dealing with investors, and positioning themselves against competitors. ## Leadership at 30,000 Feet "Gut feel" has no place in 21st-century leadership. The flight deck is an example of a proven, mission-critical environment that works best for internal communication and leadership development. Business leaders learn how to deal with the "What's Next" of business by combining proven aviation-inspired principles with ancient Asian philosophies like the Analects, Hagakure, and Gorinosho. Our approach is about making decisions effectively, understanding stakeholders and their interactions, and being able to stay calm when the environment changes quickly or for the worse. It's about creating a "servant leadership" culture that runs through the whole organization, making sure that teams are not only managed but also motivated to face their own and the organization's problems. ## Why should you work with us? Choosing the right strategic communications partner is essential for businesses that want to do well in the APAC region. Our principal and advisory team has decades of experience in the field and in strategy, each from business, service quality, process re-engineering, media, communication, crisis management, public relations, branding, and marketing. We have worked as consultants for clients in many fields, including cybersecurity, AI, healthcare and medicine, pharmaceuticals, robotics, automation, SaaS and cloud, industrial engineering, non-profits, FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), luxury, hospitality, governments, and more. Clients often choose us to be their main communications agency in the APAC region. We are the chair of Aurea Terras, a network of PR agencies in the APAC region. To succeed in this turbulent environment, you require a strategist who has navigated the challenges of the 1990s and continues to do so. When organizations hire us, they not only hire a PR agency but also a strategist who has been through the challenges and can guide them to new heights. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # How to Get Through the Storm: Why Media Coaching and Crisis Communication Are Your Strategic Bedrock Source: https://mcgallen.com/how-to-get-through-the-storm-why-media-coaching-and-crisis-communication-are-your-strategic-bedrock/ Organizations operate in a world filled with potential hazards, ranging from unexpected data leaks and cybersecurity breaches to intricate financial scandals and political errors. Smartphones and social media make it possible for any event to go "viral" in minutes, turning even the smallest problem into a huge disaster. At McGallen & Bolden, we've watched the communications field change over the past 30 years. We don't just call it "media training." We call it "media coaching." Why? Training teaches a leader a specific technical skill, while coaching helps them develop their voice over time in a strategic way to protect and improve the company's reputation. ## The C-Suite Needs to Set the Story In the past, marketing departments often handled public relations. That way of doing things is old and risky now. When something goes wrong, like a facility disaster or a leadership failure, the C-suite, which refers to a company's top executives, needs to be at the front, working with PR (public relations) to fix the problems. PR is about a company's reputation, which is the most important thing it has. It takes years to build a brand, but only minutes to tear it down. So, the smartest C-suite executives now make sure that their PR heads report directly to them, keeping them involved in every part of the business cycle. ## Media Coaching: More Than Just Reading Reading from a script is one of the worst things a spokesperson can do. People and the media expect a corporate leader to be an expert whose knowledge comes from real life and is natural. Our media coaching programs help executives go from being "Non-Player Characters" (NPCs), which are just robots that look like they're not really there, to "Player Characters," who have a strong presence in the arena. This means: - **Realness over Flashiness**: Communication needs to be honest, caring, and even humble. - **The Audition Mindset**: Every interview is like an audition for a future call-back. You need to say things that matter and that people will remember. - **The Right Subtext**: Being good at body language means paying attention to your posture, gestures, and tone so that you don't seem uninterested or dismissive. ## The "Pilot's Approach" to Crisis Communication Crisis management isn't just about talking to people; it's also about dealing with the crisis itself. We often look to the aviation industry for a model of how to solve problems. Pilots use Crew Resource Management (CRM) programs to avoid and deal with problems by making sure everyone knows their role, using checklists, and having closed-loop communication. Organizations need a crisis preparedness program that is "live" and up-to-date, and they should test it with regular "fire drills" and simulations. You can't "handle" a crisis when it happens; you have to be ready for it beforehand. When faced with a crisis, the most crucial action is to promptly and fully disclose the truth. Don't attempt to conceal unfavorable information on a Friday; in today's world, the truth will always resurface with greater force. ## Winning in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Companies that want to grow in the Asia-Pacific region, which has a population of 4.5 billion, have an even bigger problem. The APAC region is a diverse market with more than 14 major languages and cultural differences that make it unique. You need a partner who gets the "CELLS™ approach," which stands for Culture, Economize, Local, Longevity, and Stretch. In APAC, people have deep relationships, and talking to each other in person is seen as honest. To meet realistic media expectations, you need local spokespeople who are good with technology and willing to go through tough media training. ## Why work with McGallen & Bolden? PR is your hidden asset. Advertising is about you telling the world how good you are, but PR is about having people you trust, like journalists, tell the world how good you are. A **retained PR program** with a partner like McGallen & Bolden gives you: - **A "Red Team" Perspective**: We question your internal "echo chamber" to make sure that what you say makes sense in the real world. - **Strategic Measurement**: We go beyond old metrics like AVE (Advertising Value Equivalency) to build mindshare and positive feelings based on the Barcelona Principles, which are guidelines for measuring the effectiveness of public relations efforts. - **Holistic Expertise: We establish the foundation for your success by implementing everything from branding guidelines to internal crisis management systems akin to a wiki.** We're here to help you get through these tough times with outstanding PR, whether you're a C-suite leader looking to improve your voice or an APAC agency partner looking for proven expertise in the field. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Why B2B Communications in APAC costs more and why your CEO must lead it Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-b2b-communications-in-apac-costs-more-and-why-your-ceo-must-lead-it/ As we navigate the "Asia Century," where the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is projected to command 40% of the world's GDP by 2040, many business leaders often ask me why their PR and communication retainers cost more than what their B2C counterparts pay. Many of these businesses are in the "serious tech" space, such as AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and industrial automation, certainly not consumer businesses such as restaurants, smartphones, or headsets. With nearly four decades of experience in strategic communications and branding, and as a pioneer in the APAC tech and communications space, I present the stark reality of why B2B communications requires a premium, a retainer, and the direct attention of your C-suite. ## FAQ: Why do B2B retainer programs cost more than B2C in APAC? The short answer is that you need a "surgeon" to do the job. Imagine this: would you prefer to entrust your heart surgery to a qualified and deeply experienced heart surgeon who can ensure your successful recovery, or would you choose to have it performed by someone less qualified? B2C PR often benefits from "mass appeal." It is relatively easy for even a junior practitioner to pitch the latest branded smartphone or lifestyle gadget. The media "gets" it instantly, and the public wants to read about it. The barrier to entry for the story is low. B2B presents a unique challenge. We are dealing with esoteric, highly technical, and "vertical" subjects such as enterprise software, cybersecurity, AI (artificial intelligence), industrial robotics, supply chain automation, healthcare, health tech, or pharmaceuticals. These are not topics that a generalist or junior executive can easily digest, let alone pitch effectively, and do it consistently for the long haul. To succeed, your agency partner must be a "techie" at heart. At our firm, we pride ourselves on being able to take a client's most complex concepts and "translate" that jargon into accessible news that makes sense to stakeholders. This requires a level of seniority and technical literacy (like a lead consultant who has been programming since the 1970s) that commands a higher professional fee. Furthermore, the media landscape in APAC has shifted dramatically. The traditional B2B trade media is in decline and rapidly shrinking. Unlike the consumer space, where there are more media outlets, B2B opportunities are fewer. Securing coverage for "unsexy" vertical topics in mainstream Tier 1 media is incredibly difficult and requires deep, long-standing relationships and a strategic "newsjacking" approach that only seasoned veterans can execute. You aren't paying for "effort"; you are paying for the expertise to navigate a shrinking map. But to put B2B communications retainer costs into perspective, you typically pay a lot less than you might imagine. You usually only pay about the monthly remuneration of an executive or manager for the time and effort of senior counsel and support team from a boutique PR agency. It is excellent value and great returns on investments. ## FAQ: Why shouldn't PR report to a marketing lead? This is because reputation is not synonymous with lead generation. It is a dated practice to have public relations (PR) leaders report to marketing leads. Traditionally, marketing focuses on lead generation, sales enablement, and market entry—assertive and persuasive activities designed to drive immediate revenue. PR, however, is the custodian of your corporate reputation. It builds trust, credibility, and authority. In a crisis or a "hiccup," the tone of voice required is authentic, empathetic, and truthful—often the opposite of a sales pitch. When PR sits behind marketing, it gets buried under sales KPIs and loses its strategic agility. More importantly, PR is a C-suite activity. Corporate branding and reputation management require immediate, direct communication from the CEO or president. If a crisis hits, your C-suite must work directly with your communications counsel to mitigate issues expediently. Adding a marketing layer creates delays and filters that can turn a small problem into a public uproar or even a financial and legal landmine. The most enlightened CEOs worldwide now have PR heads report directly to them, ensuring that the "Red Team" perspective reaches the top without distortion. ## FAQ: Why do we need a retainer? Can't we just do "ad hoc" projects? You cannot "surge" trust overnight, especially for B2B businesses. Many companies try to treat PR as an "ad hoc" activity to save costs, but this is a strategic error. A retained program is paramount for sustained traction. Here is why: 1. **Rapid Response (RR) & Newsjacking**: The news cycle in APAC is relentless. Opportunities to insert your brand inin breaking story ("newsjacking") happen in real-time. If you do not have a retained partner monitoring the landscape and ready to act, you miss the boat. You cannot negotiate a contract when the news is breaking. 2. **Sustained Outreach**: Building mindshare for complex B2B products and solutions is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a steady drumbeat of thought leadership, not "one-off" announcements. This process requires committed, sustained communications and direct pitches to journalists in the media, and not a "news wire distribution" exercise that results in plenty of "nofollow" links in media you have never heard of. 3. **Crisis Preparedness**: You don't buy insurance after the house catches fire. A retainer ensures your crisis communication protocols are in place and your spokespersons are trained before the storm hits, with scheduled media coaching (media training), infrequent counsel, or rehearsals before media interviews. ## B2B Communications Demand Senior Counsel In the diverse tapestry of APAC, with its 23+ countries and 14+ major languages, a "cookie-cutter" communications approach and outreach will not work. You need on-the-ground expertise that understands local nuance, vernacular languages, and face-to-face relationships. Do not relegate your reputation to a backend department. Treat strategic communications as a board-level imperative. Invest in a retained partner who offers "big" consulting firm results at boutique fees, and ensure your C-suite is visible, vocal, and leading the charge. In the B2B world, trust is your most valuable currency—do not shortchange it. ### --- # The 2026 PR and Branding Playbook: Why B2B Businesses Needs to Plan Now, Not in Q1 2026 Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-2026-pr-and-branding-playbook-why-b2b-businesses-needs-to-plan-now-not-in-q1-2026/ If you work in corporate communications or marketing in a high-stakes B2B field like cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, health tech, industrial automation, or robotics, the worst thing you can do right now is think you have until January 2026 to plan your public relations (PR) and branding strategy and programs. The year is coming to an end, but the market isn't. A lot of your competitors may be getting ready for a slow end to the year, but this is a great time for you to make a strategic move. If you want to take advantage of the huge growth potential in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, waiting until Q1 2026 to come up with a plan is like giving your smarter competitors the starting line. This time of the year is a call to action because it's necessary for strategy. This is why B2B tech companies need to speed up their PR and branding efforts for 2026 and hire the right people to help them deal with the changing global landscape, especially in APAC. ## Why PR Planning Needs Q4 Momentum: The Folly of Delay In the world of strategic corporate communications, lead time is key. Before you can see measurable results from a complex PR and branding campaign, especially one that targets new areas, you need to do three to six months of basic work. If you wait until January 2026: - **You Miss the Q4 Head Start:** Competitors are most distracted at the end of the year. Now is the time to identify a strategic partner, do in-depth media research, improve your messaging, and make important content assets like white papers, thought leadership articles, and case studies. You should already be putting your tactical plan into action by the time your competitors start to ramp up in Q1. - **You run into resource drag**: Q1 is a mess. Budgets are set, internal teams are busy, and outside agencies are booked. If you start planning and getting involved now, you'll be able to lock in important resources and strategic advice without the stress of the Q1 rush. - **The APAC market moves faster**: Asia Pacific is constantly changing and full of different things. The media landscape and regulatory environment can change quickly, unlike static markets. Your 2026 plan must be adaptable, so you need a local partner, not a newcomer. ## Getting a Handle on the US$35 Trillion APAC Market Finding reliable growth markets has become more crucial than ever due to global instability, trade problems, and geopolitical concerns. The Asia Pacific has the answer for B2B tech and other specialty businesses. The Asia Pacific region is home to a huge market worth USD 35 trillion. Companies that work in cybersecurity, AI/ML/SaaS, industrial automation, and healthcare have a lot of potential here, but the complexity is a big problem. A one-size-fits-all approach to the world doesn't work in APAC because of the many languages, cultures, media systems, and regulatory frameworks that require specific, localized knowledge. A successful partnership depends on a communications partner who can: - **Strategic business counsel and red team** analysis to find risks and chances in different areas. - **Knowledge** of how to do AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to make sure that customers can find your business online. - **Quick Response** (RR) and proactive media pitching based on strong, long-term relationships with local media. To do well, you need a partner who doesn't just handle press releases but also gets people to know you and, most importantly, gets you leads. To provide this level of integrated, results-driven consulting, you need to have deep roots in the area. ## McGallen & Bolden: Your Trusted Co-Pilot in APAC Because of this, corporate communications and marketing leaders should work with a successful and well-known boutique agency like McGallen & Bolden Group right away. It is one of the oldest independent strategy and PR firms in the Asia Pacific region, with a history spanning more than 30 years. They are based in Singapore. McGallen & Bolden gives companies big agency results for retainer fees from boutique agencies. The principals are leaders and experts in the fields that are driving global growth, such as AI, cybersecurity, industrial automation, and healthcare, each with more than 30 years of field experience and expertise. The firm's consulting and program approach is very thorough and well-connected, covering all the communication points that are important for success in APAC in 2026: ### 1. Digital Programs and Strategic Consulting The firm gives business advice that goes beyond what most PR firms do. Their digital programs are at the forefront, utilizing the latest technologies: - **Digital PR and Communication**: Getting the most out of new channels. **Digital Marketing**: This includes advanced lead generation campaigns, video, social media, and using their AI knowledge to set up tools like AI RAG chatbots. - **Creating engaging AI-generated text, audio, and video content tailored specifically for the APAC audience is essential**. ### 2. Managing your reputation and crises In a world that is always changing, protecting your reputation is essential. McGallen & Bolden has gotten through every major crisis since the 1990s. They are experts in: - **Crisis communication and management **programs for situations like data breaches in cybersecurity and financial scandals. - **Media coaching and leadership development** programs to get your C-suite and leadership ready for interviews and high-pressure situations, making sure that your brand voice is the same across the region. ### 3. Branding and lead generation The goal is to grow. The programs offered by the agency are designed to help businesses achieve tangible results: - **Public Relations (PR)**: covering events, TV and radio shows, and keeping track of ongoing media coverage. - **Employer Branding**: Helping businesses with both internal and external communication, such as using LinkedIn to help C-suite leaders connect with their most important audiences. - **Focus on Growth**: The firm assists global brands in establishing and expanding their presence and popularity in the ASEAN region and beyond. ## Now is the Time to Act You cannot quickly replicate the Asia Pacific network and deep strategic experience of a firm like McGallen & Bolden. Their principals understand the nuances required to build brand awareness and value within the diverse media outlets of the region. For B2B companies serious about capturing the 2026 market share, the choice is clear: don’t wait for the new year. Leverage the current slowdown, secure your strategic partner, and build a 2026 PR and branding program that is agile, integrated, and engineered for success across the vast and lucrative Asia-Pacific market right now. ### --- # Finding the Best Ways to Measure PR in Asia Pacific Source: https://mcgallen.com/best-ways-measure-pr-asia-pacific/ We are now entrenched in the 21st century, where public relations (PR) is becoming the front and center of a brand's voice and is a C-suite retained activity. And to really know just how effective your PR strategy and program are, you need to measure the coverage well. ## APAC is vastly different The Asia Pacific region is an economic powerhouse that is expected to make up 40% of the world's GDP by 2040. This makes it a crucial yet very hard market for enterprises to get into. Good public relations (PR) is important for success, but it's difficult to measure how well it works in a region with more than 23 countries and 14 major languages. It's a job that needs a more nuanced approach, one that goes beyond old measurements to include a more comprehensive and strategic view. A one-size-fits-all message or measuring method won't work for a successful PR campaign in Asia Pacific; it needs to be as varied as the area itself. ## The Problems with Old Metrics For a long time, PR practitioners used metrics that were straightforward but not very useful. Two of the most common were "Share of Voice" (SoV) and "Advertising Value Equivalence" (AVE). The issue with this is that they don't show how valuable current PR really is. Advertising Value Equivalence (AVE) is an old and rough way to try to connect media coverage to advertising expenses. Some practitioners could even multiply the cost of the advertising to make the case that mentions in third-party media are worth more than paid ads. But this method incorrectly links PR with advertising, which has a different goal. Advertising is when a business tells people how great it is, but PR is when a trusted third party does the talking. "Share of Voice (SoV)" is another way to compare how often a company is mentioned in the media to how often its competitors are mentioned. The problem with this is that it only shows a small part of the picture. There isn't enough media space for all of a company's competitors, and there are more than simply a few direct competitors. There are other businesses, government entities, institutions, and wire providers all competing for the same small amount of space. Also, a lot of mentions doesn't always equal success. If a rival gets 100 mentions in the media, but all of them are bad, those mentions are not as useful as five good ones. ## The Barcelona Principles: The Path to Nuanced Measurement To really figure out how well PR works, you need a more advanced method. The International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) has put up the Barcelona Principles, which are now in their third form, as a way to make measurements more reliable. This paradigm understands that public relations is a strategic job best done at the C-suite level, with the goal of safeguarding and growing the company's brand. The principles iterate that AVE is not a good way to measure communication value; setting clear goals is important for PR; measure holistically by finding and measuring outputs, outcomes, and possible effects; use both quantitative data (like the number of mentions) and qualitative analysis (like sentiment) to figure out how well published communication works; measure coverage across all platforms, both online and offline, earned media, and social media; and keep measurement practices open and honest, with a focus on learning and “kaizen” (continuous improvement) all the time. Businesses should go beyond just counting coverage clips. Instead, they can focus on creating mindshare, improving their reputation, and, in the end, improving the bottom line. ## Useful Advice for Measuring PR in Asia Pacific To use these ideas successfully in the Asia Pacific, you need to think about a few things: ### Go Further Than the Internet Some practitioners focus only on online media, since it is easily measurable through third-party yardsticks. However, traditional media such as print, TV, and radio are still significant and, in fact, have had some resurgence due to the global geopolitical and trade shifts. These traditional mainstream media are still important for top executives and professionals who are in charge of buying things and leading teams. You must monitor all channels, not just the easily accessible ones. Many media monitoring systems don't cover everything, especially when it comes to broadcast media. ### Use Local Languages There are many different languages spoken in the Asia Pacific. If you want to get people's attention in places like mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand, you have to speak their language. This means that PR efforts and the way they are measured need to take into consideration the fact that these languages need to be translated and that local spokespeople need to be able to speak and write in them. ### Pick the Right Tools A lot of the measuring process can be done automatically with modern technologies. CoverageBook, Prowly, and other platforms may keep track of online media coverage, such as social interactions, estimated views, and domain authority. Some platforms can also keep track of mentions in podcasts, as well as print and broadcast news. Brand24 is one that offers AI-powered sentiment analysis for bigger budgets. Depending on your budget and wants, there are platforms that can scale and suit you. ### Get People to Trust You People want to hear from others when things are unclear. People call this "social proof." PR may provide social proof by giving out awards and certificates and working with real third-party influencers and channels. Testimonials and case studies from paying customers are the best kind of social proof since they show that other people have trusted your business and had success with it. In short, to do well in the Asia-Pacific region, PR measurement needs to be as complex as the market itself. Businesses may establish and maintain their brands for the long term by moving away from old metrics and using a new framework that values both quantitative and qualitative data. They should also embrace the unique aspects of each market. If you want to build your brand effectively with one of the most dynamic and experienced partners in Asia Pacific, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # Beyond PR: Why Internal Communications Are More Critical Than Ever Source: https://mcgallen.com/beyond-pr-why-internal-communications-critical/ Businesses are facing problems they have never had to deal with before because of global instability, trade wars, and rapid changes in technology like AI. When these outside pressures become too much, companies often take extreme steps, like mass layoffs, which can hurt employee morale. Public relations (PR) and other forms of external communication are crucial for a brand's reputation with the outside world. But a company's ability to get through tough times and do well depends just as much on its internal communication. Employees who feel aligned, valued, and empowered are the best brand ambassadors, making sure that a business can survive and get stronger. ## How internal and external communications work together For many years, many companies thought of public relations and communications as part of the marketing department. This way of thinking is now outdated. The main job of marketing is to generate leads and make sales, which is very different from PR's job of protecting a company's reputation and brand. If there is a crisis, like a financial scandal, a cybersecurity breach, or a pandemic, waiting too long to resolve problems can make people angry and hurt the brand even more. This is why the communications department, including internal communications, needs to be involved at the C-suite level and report directly to the CEO or president. This way, any problems can be dealt with quickly and in a coordinated manner. If a company's internal culture is broken, it cannot show the public that it is strong and trustworthy. With social media, employees and the public today have more power and are more vocal than ever. They can quickly express their thoughts and emotions. So, employers and employees need to talk to each other in a way that is friendly, helpful, and good for both sides. For example, a company that does not handle layoffs well could hurt its "employer brand," which could make it harder to attract new employees and hurt its public image and potentially even hurt it financially. ## The Four Keys to Good Internal Communication For internal communication to work, it needs to have four important parts: ### Alignment Internal communications must support a business's main goals, which are to make money and stay in business for the long term. This means following the law and treating all stakeholders, both inside and outside the company, with respect. When workers know and believe in the company's mission, they are more focused and able to handle stress. ### Authenticity Truth and authenticity are the keys to successful communication. This is especially important when things are tough, like when people lose their jobs. Businesses need to be honest and open, not "lies and more lies" to hide the truth. Honesty and bravery foster an indelible sense of trust and loyalty. ### Appreciation Acknowledging and thanking employees who do a good job is a great way to motivate them. It's important to praise successes and recognize brave efforts, even if they do not work out, in today's world where employees can easily share their experiences on social media. ### Altruism A business's main goal is profit, but it must also earn the trust of its workers and the community. Companies that regularly do good things for the community can build a strong brand, which will help them attract and keep good employees. These principles directly aid efforts to communicate with people outside the organization. When an organization is real and ready on the inside, it can talk to the outside world with confidence and authority, especially in a crisis. ## Retained expertise on deck every day In this constantly changing and sometimes chaotic world, it is important to work with a communications partner who has a lot of experience. With more than 30 years of professional experience in the field, McGallen & Bolden is ready to be your long-term communications partner. The company's philosophy stresses a strategic, all-encompassing approach that brings together both internal and external communication efforts. McGallen & Bolden acts as a "red team" for all outside messaging and communication, so your team doesn't get stuck in an internal "echo chamber." The firm has proven expertise and experience at preparing for and communicating during crises, which helps businesses create and run sustainable programs that make sure everyone, from the CEO to front-line workers, knows what to do when a crisis happens. This proactive way of handling crises makes sure that your business is ready for a wide range of threats, from cyberattacks to industrial accidents. As a retained partner, McGallen & Bolden also helps clients build a brand and reputation over time, rather than through short-term, project-based campaigns that do not always work. The company can help you deal with cultural differences and build strong relationships with all stakeholders, including the media, customers, and government bodies, because they know a lot about different markets, especially Asia Pacific. The agency also helps you build a strong "owned media" presence, so you do not have to rely on social media sites that you do not own and can change their rules any time. ## Trust is expensive to build and takes seconds to destroy McGallen & Bolden helps businesses use communication to not only stay alive but also to grow for the long haul. The goal is to create a brand and reputation that people trust, want to work for, and buy from. A long-term partnership that focuses on honesty, empathy, and a whole-business strategy that includes every part of your organization is how such work is done. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Public relations as the main driver of growth for enterprise tech in APAC Source: https://mcgallen.com/public-relations-main-driver-growth-enterprise-tech-apac/ Enterprise software and hardware vendors are facing a unique challenge in the fast-paced and highly competitive Asia Pacific (APAC) region. These days, the media is heavily focusing on technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), and even governments are following suit. However, we should not overlook fundamental technological areas like networking, telecommunications, ERP (enterprise resource planning), cloud, SaaS, databases, and enterprise applications. These applications drive the digital economy, and they are the backbone of many businesses and governments. For these businesses, public relations (PR) is an ideal and sustainable tool for communication, branding, and revenue creation in the diverse and complicated Asia Pacific region. ## The complex Asia Pacific market The APAC market isn't one big thing. It's a giant mix of languages, cultures, and ways of doing business. Western markets often introduce a one-size-fits-all strategy that is likely to fail. Traditional advertising and even digital advertising through "big tech" vendors can be costly and may not work with local audiences who value honesty and trust. With advertising, it is easy for people already inundated with information to skip the advertisements. This is especially true for B2B technologies, where people don't buy things on a whim; they do their research and seek expert opinions first. In APAC, business customers want more than just a product; they want a partner they can trust. They need to know that a vendor knows about the problems they face in their area and can offer solutions that are both technologically advanced and culturally appropriate. This is where PR really shines. ## The Unmatched Strength of PR for Business Tech PR isn't about making sales; it's about building trust, credibility, and a good name. This is the most valuable currency for businesses that sell tech. Here are some reasons why PR should be their main way to talk to and market to people: ### Validation and credibility from a third party A worthy article in a well-known business or tech magazine is worth a lot more than a paid ad. When an editor or journalist checks out your technology on their own, it gives you a real endorsement that builds trust. Such an arrangement is especially important in Asia, where trust and personal connections are often the basis for business relationships. PR can turn your company's story from a sales pitch into a newsworthy and believable story. ### Leadership and Authority in Ideas PR can help your executives and subject matter experts become thought leaders. You make your brand an authoritative voice by sharing your thoughts on industry trends, best practices, and the future of technology through interviews, contributed articles, and speaking engagements. This not only brings in new customers who want expert help, but it also strengthens your relationship with current customers, who feel positive about their choice of partner. ### Messages that are real and specific to the area A competent PR partner with a lot of experience in APAC knows how to work with the cultural differences in each market. A trustworthy PR partner can help with creating textual content that can communicate effectively with the local and regional audiences, and such content can be news releases, case studies (or success stories), and commentaries (or bylines). Such a partner is also able to connect your C-suite leaders and local teams with the media through interviews, whether on broadcast (TV and radio), online (text, audio, and video), or even in print. The nuanced and targeted approaches to the APAC media are not a "one size fits all" strategy, and only a good PR partner can help you get there. ### Crisis Management and Building Your Reputation In the fast-paced world of technology, a crisis can happen at any time, whether it's a security breach, a service outage, or a public mistake. A successful PR program is like a "red team" that helps your business get ready to deal with problems in an open and caring way. Handling a crisis well can enhance a brand's reputation by demonstrating its strength and responsibility. This ability to act quickly and proactively is a long-term investment that protects your brand's reputation, which is your most valuable asset. ## The Key to Success with a Strategic Partner To run a successful PR program in APAC, a business tech company needs a partner who has a proven track record, a lot of knowledge about the region, and a full understanding of the high-tech B2B market. In this context, a company like McGallen & Bolden in Singapore becomes particularly valuable. McGallen & Bolden is more than a PR agency. They have more than 30 years of experience in high-tech PR and marketing in the Asia-Pacific region. They are a strategic partner who knows how difficult it is to do business in the area and finds ways to smooth the way. Their longevity and success show that they can adapt to a media and technology landscape that is constantly changing. They possess the cultural sensitivity and practical knowledge necessary to effectively convey your message in Asia. Enterprise technology vendors can leverage the power of PR by: ### Deep media and influencer network Get in touch with a well-established network of journalists, media contacts, and influencers in the Asia Pacific region who trust the company's professionalism and the quality of its clients. ### Gain an Edge against your competition Competitors may be focused on traditional advertising, but your company can get a big edge by building a strong brand reputation through consistent, credible, and real PR by getting authoritative and influential media to mention you. ### Get Qualified Leads A well-planned and sustained PR program that works with your digital marketing and content strategy can help you get leads by bringing more people to your website, getting more inquiries, and supporting your sales funnel. Our clients' salespeople often find it much easier to gain a foothold into new markets, persuade new prospects, and retain existing customers when there is comprehensive and credible media coverage. Even though enterprise tech has been unfairly displaced by "flavor of the month" technologies such as AI, EVs (electric vehicles), and robotics, they deserve media mention. With the right communications partner, such as McGallen & Bolden, your enterprise tech business will find new wings with us as your co-pilot. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! *PS: Here's an AI-created podcast on PR in the Asia Pacific.* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGOaRG14fw8 ### --- # Why businesses in the APAC region need strategic communications Source: https://mcgallen.com/business-apac-need-strategic-communications/ Businesses in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are facing challenges that have never been seen before in today's fast-changing and often unstable world. With changes in geopolitics, trade wars, and the quick rise of AI, the need for a strong and proactive communication plan has never been greater. The days when a simple marketing plan was all you needed are over. Today, success depends on a complex, all-encompassing method called "strategic communications." ## What does it mean to communicate strategically? Strategic communications is the planned use of communication to help an organization reach its goals and carry out its mission. It is a unified field that brings together different communication functions, such as marketing, public relations, and internal communications, to make sure that the message is the same across all channels. It's about sending the right message to the right people at the right time with the clear goal of changing how they think and act. This all-in-one approach is vital for today's businesses because it gives them a clear plan for working with everyone, both inside and outside the company. ## Important parts of a modern communication program A business must first understand and use the main parts of strategic communications to really master it: ### Public Relations (PR) Many people think of PR as just getting the word out to the media, but it's really about building and keeping a positive public image and strong ties with stakeholders. It involves a planned way of controlling how information gets out to the public from a person or a group. In a region as diverse as APAC, effective PR needs to be aware of different cultures and know a lot about how the media works in each area. ### Internal Communications This field is all about how people in an organization talk to each other. Its main goal is to keep employees informed, involved, and motivated. In a time when people work from home and teams are spread out, a good internal communications plan is critical for ensuring that all employees are aligned with the company's mission and values. It helps people understand each other better, builds a sense of community, and makes employees into brand ambassadors. ### Talking to Employees Employee communications is a specific part of internal communications that involves direct conversation between management and staff. It makes sure that workers are always aware of company news, changes to policies, and the company's strategic direction. To build trust, keep morale high, and keep staff from leaving, it's important to communicate clearly and consistently with employees. This is especially true during times of crisis or change. ### Tools for APAC success that are strategic In the competitive APAC market, companies need to do more than just the usual things. The best companies use the latest research and simulation tools to improve their communication strategies: ### Focus Group Research This strong qualitative research method brings together a small group of people to talk about a certain subject in a controlled setting. For a business in APAC, focus groups are very useful for learning a lot about how people in the area act, how they perceive the market, and how they relate to culture. They help businesses try out new product ideas, figure out what works in marketing, and figure out why people make the choices they do, which a simple survey can't do. ### Red Team Simulations A "red team" comprises experts who assume the role of an adversary, testing the resilience of an organization. This term comes from the military and cybersecurity fields. A red team can stress-test a company's crisis communication plan, find weaknesses in its messaging, and guess how competitors or critics might try to damage its reputation in strategic communications. This proactive, confrontational approach is necessary for getting businesses ready to address crises well and lower the risks to their reputations before they happen. ### Team-Building Programs People often think of team-building as a way to boost morale, but it's actually a vital part of strategic communications. These programs set the stage for excellent internal communication by encouraging teamwork, improving people's social skills, and making teams stronger. A team that works well together talks to each other more openly and efficiently, which leads to better performance and a stronger organization. In the Asia Pacific region, which is home to many different cultures, team-building programs are crucial for closing cultural gaps and building a strong corporate culture. ## Working together for long-term success To get around the problems of the Asia Pacific market, you need more than just a good plan; you need a partner who knows the area well and has worked there before. Currently, we face challenges that range from global crises to the disruptive power of AI, which necessitate a strategic mindset and a partner capable of integrating all forms of communication to foster business growth and safeguard its reputation. McGallen & Bolden has been a leader in this field since 1991, with over 30 years of field experience. We are one of the oldest independent full-service consultancies in Singapore. We have We have worked with both multinational corporations and emerging businesses to help them grow in the Asia-Pacific region. Our knowledge of public relations, strategy, crisis communications, and technology has given our clients a long-term edge over their competitors. We think it's important to talk directly to the C-suite and to be proactive by looking for problems and chances. For decades, we have been in the field, helping clients navigate global pandemics, trade wars, and market changes while consistently achieving outstanding results. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # NotebookLM-powered podcasts available Source: https://mcgallen.com/notebooklm-powered-podcasts-available/ We are constantly experimenting with the latest technologies, especially if they relate to communication. One of the tools we have experimented with is Google's NotebookLM. Although it is more of a self-paced learning tool that behaves like an AI RAG bot, it is also great at taking our content and information sources and converting them into an engaging virtual conversation between virtual hosts. Even though it's still in the experimental stage and not yet ready for commercial use, it's quite intriguing. Here are some samples for your listening. ## Media Coaching (or "media training") Briefly introduce McGallen & Bolden, an award-winning Singapore-based strategy, marketing, and public relations agency with over 30 years of experience, specializing in the Asia Pacific region. They offer a range of services, including digital marketing, media coaching, crisis communication, and brand building, catering to diverse sectors like technology, healthcare, and industrial automation. The sources also highlight Dr. Seamus Phan, a C-suite strategist, technologist, and author with extensive experience in areas such as cybersecurity and leadership, emphasizing his role in guiding clients through media interactions and crises. The "Media Coaching Primer" specifically details their media training program, outlining the importance of understanding the media landscape, preparing for interviews, and managing public perception. Overall, the documents showcase a comprehensive approach to strategic communication and brand management, particularly within the complex and diverse APAC market. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkTNGIXGlXU ## Crisis Communications Briefly outline the comprehensive services offered by McGallen & Bolden, a Singapore-based agency specializing in strategy, marketing, and public relations across the Asia-Pacific region, with over three decades of experience. The information highlights their expertise in crisis communication, emphasizing a proactive approach inspired by aviation's Crew Resource Management (CRM) for handling unpredictable situations, particularly in cybersecurity and data breaches. Additionally, the content introduces Dr. Seamus Phan, a key figure at the agency, detailing his extensive background as a strategist, technologist, publicist, and author who provides C-suite executives with guidance on leadership, digital marketing, and crisis management. The information shows a strong emphasis on creating brands, generating leads, and managing reputations across different industries, backed by a solid understanding of the local market and changing technologies like AI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNIIrKPcMYI ## Strategy for winners We provide a concise overview of various viewpoints on strategy, leadership, and conflict. Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” explores ancient Chinese military philosophy, emphasizing tactical foresight, adaptability, and the importance of internal discipline alongside external engagement. Machiavelli’s “The Prince” presents Renaissance political treatises, focusing on how rulers acquire and maintain power through a blend of virtue, cunning, and decisive action, often prioritizing practical outcomes over moral considerations. Finally, "The Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi outlines Japanese martial arts principles, extending the concept of strategy beyond combat to various aspects of life, advocating for a holistic understanding of timing, perception, and self-mastery. Together, these sources reveal both universal and culturally specific approaches to navigating challenging circumstances and achieving objectives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI-B4EH0R3g ## Small Business and "GLOCAL" Leadership We examine McGallen & Bolden, a renowned Singapore-based strategy, marketing, and public relations agency, emphasizing its expertise in technology, healthcare, and industrial automation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The firm offers comprehensive strategic support for businesses navigating complex global and regional markets through becoming "GLOCAL", and adopting AI, supply chain transformation, and simplification of business processes and products. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whkWlgVJXww ## Public Relations (PR) Success in Asia Pacific McGallen & Bolden is a Singapore-based agency that specializes in strategy, marketing, and public relations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. They focus on helping businesses, particularly in the technology, healthcare, and industrial sectors, gain brand recognition and generate leads. The agency provides a range of services, including digital marketing, crisis communication, media coaching, and content creation, leveraging over 30 years of experience and an understanding of the local markets. They emphasize their ability to deliver big agency results at boutique firm fees, serving a diverse international client base. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGOaRG14fw8 ### --- # Why PR is Imperative for Cybersecurity Businesses in Asia Pacific Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-pr-is-imperative-for-cybersecurity-businesses-in-asia-pacific/ Cybersecurity businesses are on the front line, safeguarding our digital identities and critical information in an era defined by escalating cyber threats and a rapidly evolving digital landscape shaped by AI. Yet, simply having cutting-edge technology is not enough. To truly thrive, extend influence, and inspire customer conversion, cybersecurity firms must master the art of public relations (PR), especially within the dynamic and diverse Asia Pacific (APAC) region. ## The Critical Role of PR in Cybersecurity For cybersecurity businesses, trust and credibility are paramount. Unlike advertising, which is a company telling its own story, PR leverages trusted third parties such as journalists, editors, broadcast producers, industry analysts, or other trade influencers to validate and amplify a brand and its message. This earned media carries significantly more weight, building a sense of authenticity and reliability essential for a sector dealing with sensitive data and critical infrastructures. In today's interconnected world, cybersecurity incidents are not uncommon. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, crises can erupt swiftly, threatening a company's reputation and financial stability. Proactive PR, therefore, is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity that must start from the C-suite. A well-prepared PR strategy, integrated directly with C-suite leadership, enables swift, honest, and empathetic communication during a crisis, transforming potential disasters into manageable obstacles. This preparedness, including regular drills and transparent communication channels, ensures that a business can face challenges with courage and truth, ultimately preserving and even strengthening its brand. ## Asia Pacific's Unique Opportunity The Asia Pacific region is a burgeoning market, projected to account for 40% of the world's GDP by 2040. For cybersecurity businesses, this represents an enormous opportunity but also a complex landscape. APAC is a mosaic of over 23 countries and 14 major languages, each with distinct cultural nuances. A one-size-fits-all approach to PR will fail here. Successful market entry and expansion in APAC demand a deep understanding of local cultures and languages. While English may be spoken in some hubs like Singapore, genuine engagement in markets like mainland China, Indonesia, or Thailand requires communication in Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesian, or Thai, respectively. We also highly value building long-term relationships, often through face-to-face interactions. Agencies with decades of dedicated cybersecurity experience in the region, like McGallen & Bolden, understand these intricacies, offering strategic counsel and localized approaches to ensure messages resonate deeply within diverse communities. In fact, our content lead, Seamus, has been a cybersecurity researcher since the dawn of cybersecurity in the 1990s and is still a practicing sysadmin today. ## Quality Media Coverage Quality media coverage goes beyond mere mentions. It is about strategic positioning and impactful storytelling. For cybersecurity businesses, this means presenting technical expertise in an accessible and compelling manner. Spokespersons must be not just knowledgeable but also authentic and engaging, capable of articulating complex concepts without relying on jargon or scripts. Media coaching (historically called "media training"), including mock interviews and rehearsals, is crucial to prepare C-suite executives and technical experts to confidently address the media, whether in traditional broadcast interviews or other media forms. Effective PR is also about embracing a multi-platform approach. While traditional media (TV, radio, print) still holds significant influence, especially for senior executives, the digital realm, including podcasts, online news platforms, and social media, is increasingly where emerging generations consume information. Cybersecurity companies must embrace owned media (their websites and blogs) and communal media (social platforms) to amplify their message, ensuring consistency and relevance across all channels. Producing engaging content, from text to video and audio, that is simple, multi-sensory, and multi-platform is key to capturing attention and building mindshare. ## Inspiring Conversion Through Social Proof and Trust Ultimately, PR aims to inspire conversion, which is turning prospects into loyal customers. Building strong "social proof" achieves this, as the actions and endorsements of others influence individuals. For cybersecurity businesses, this goal can take several forms: - **Domain Experts (or trade influencers)**: Cybersecurity businesses have technical experts and experienced C-suite leaders who are domain experts and will lend significant credibility and reach wider, more relevant audiences through the media. - **Case Studies and Customer Testimonials**: Showcasing successful client stories and honest feedback from those who have benefited from the cybersecurity solutions is perhaps the most powerful form of social proof. Due to NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), showcasing successful client stories is not always feasible; therefore, companies can create incentive programs to encourage their clients to participate in such case studies. If obtaining client consent is not possible, the case studies can feature anonymized names and entities. - **Awards and Certifications**: Recognition from professional bodies provides third-party validation of expertise and quality, which can be converted into newsworthy content for the media. By consistently demonstrating integrity, expertise, and a commitment to protecting their clients, cybersecurity businesses can leverage PR to build an unshakeable reputation. In a world where digital threats loom large, trust is the ultimate currency, and strategic public relations is the most effective way to earn and maintain it, powering brands, extending mindshare, and driving sustainable growth in the critical Asia Pacific market and beyond. For more insights into harnessing strategic public relations and communication for cybersecurity businesses in the Asia Pacific, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Why PR is Your Vital Organ for Healthcare and Health Tech Success in APAC Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-pr-is-your-vital-organ-for-healthcare-and-health-tech-success-in-apac/ The healthcare and health tech sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation. For clinics, hospitals, and health technology businesses across Singapore, ASEAN, America, and Europe, the Asia Pacific region presents a monumental opportunity. This diverse and rapidly expanding market, poised to account for 40% of global GDP by 2040, is ripe for innovation and expansion. However, simply implementing Western marketing strategies won't suffice. To genuinely connect with audiences, build trust, and attract patients and customers, public relations (PR) must be your primary marketing tool. McGallen & Bolden in Singapore is a highly reliable partner for navigating the complex dynamics of Asia Pacific PR. ## Why PR is Healthcare's Lifeblood In the sensitive and highly regulated world of healthcare and health tech, trust is paramount. Traditional advertising, while having its place, often struggles to foster the deep-seated credibility necessary in this industry. PR, on the other hand, operates on a different plane. It leverages the authoritative voice of third parties—journalists, medical professionals, and satisfied patients—to tell your story, building a reputation that resonates far more authentically than any paid advertisement. Consider the current global landscape. While economic uncertainties might prompt some businesses to scale back on marketing, smart organizations recognize this as a strategic moment to invest in PR. During a downturn, media outlets may be more receptive to news submissions due to a decrease in advertising revenue and fewer competing pitches, offering a unique window to gain significant media traction and mindshare. ## Measuring PR for Real Impact For too long, Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE), a metric now widely considered misleading, crudely measured the effectiveness of PR. Modern PR measurement, guided by frameworks like the AMEC Barcelona Principles, delves deeper. It focuses on outputs, outcomes, and impact, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative analysis across all platforms, online and offline. Such analysis means evaluating factors like positive sentiment, enhanced reputation, and, ultimately, a demonstrable contribution to patient acquisition and revenue growth. For healthcare and health tech, such evaluation translates into building a robust brand by fostering trust through credible third-party validation. Your C-suite and medical experts, through strategic media engagements, can become recognized thought leaders, directly influencing patient choices and partnerships. This sustainable approach to communication and reputation management is critical for success in the diverse Asia Pacific market. ## The Asia Pacific Ecosystem: Why an Expert Partner is Essential The Asia Pacific region is a mosaic of cultures, languages, and media landscapes. With over 23 countries and 14 major languages, a one-size-fits-all approach to PR is ineffective and can even be detrimental. What resonates in Singapore might fall flat in Thailand or Vietnam, where vernacular languages are dominant. Navigating this intricate web requires on-the-ground expertise and cultural sensitivity. An experienced PR agency partner offers precisely this. They possess the nuanced understanding of local markets necessary to ensure your messaging is not only accurate but also culturally appropriate and impactful. An external PR partner also provides an invaluable "red team" perspective, offering objective insights into your external communications and preventing your internal team from becoming insular. Furthermore, they can provide crucial media and crisis communication training, preparing your spokespersons to confidently engage with diverse media and stakeholders. ## Your Proven Partner for Asia Pacific Healthcare & Health Tech For clinics, hospitals, and health tech businesses looking to make a significant impact in the Asia Pacific, McGallen & Bolden in Singapore is the definitive choice. With over three decades of experience, McGallen & Bolden has consistently delivered exceptional publicity, brand building, and reputation management for international clients across the Asia Pacific, navigating through global challenges with proven resilience. Their deep understanding of the region's diverse media landscape, including the critical role of vernacular languages and the importance of face-to-face interactions, sets them apart. McGallen & Bolden emphasizes that for most businesses, particularly B2B entities common in health tech, a retained public relations program is crucial for sustained traction and long-term success, rather than reactive, project-based efforts. Their expertise extends to an integrative public relations approach that reaches all stakeholders, including governments, institutions, and, most importantly, prospective patients and customers. McGallen & Bolden advocates for direct engagement with the C-suite, recognizing that corporate branding and reputation demand immediate, strategic communication to address and mitigate issues swiftly. Their commitment to authentic, empathetic, and truthful communication, especially during a crisis, is a cornerstone of their philosophy. In a region that values enduring relationships, McGallen & Bolden’s extensive tenure and proven results underscore their ability to forge lasting connections and adeptly navigate complex market dynamics. Their adherence to the Barcelona Principles ensures your PR investments are measurable and contribute directly to your business objectives. By partnering with McGallen & Bolden, you're not just investing in a PR agency; you're securing a strategic ally with unparalleled regional insights and a proven track record. This partnership will empower your healthcare and health tech business to build unparalleled mindshare, achieve extensive media coverage, and attract a growing base of prospects and customers, positioning you for enduring success in the Asian Century. [The time to invest in your APAC future is now](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # Why use PR in APAC if you are an industrial, robotics or automation business? Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-use-pr-in-apac-if-you-are-an-industrial-robotics-or-automation-business/ The 21st century is undeniably the Asia Century, with the Asia-Pacific region projected to account for a staggering 40% of the world's GDP by 2040. For CMOs in industrial automation, industrial safety, robotics, and engineering across America and Europe, this presents an unparalleled opportunity for growth. However, simply extending Western marketing strategies to this diverse and dynamic region won't cut it. To truly thrive and capture significant mindshare, an astute approach to public relations (PR) is not just beneficial, it’s essential. And when it comes to a tried-and-proven partner to lead your Asia Pacific PR efforts, McGallen & Bolden in Singapore stands ready. ## Why PR, and Why Now, for the Asia Pacific? In a rapidly evolving market like Asia Pacific, traditional advertising alone often falls short. Consumers and businesses alike are savvier than ever, seeking authentic endorsements and trusted information. This is where PR shines as a primary marketing tool. Unlike advertising, where you promote your products directly, PR uses credible third parties like editors, journalists, industry experts, and satisfied customers to share your story, building trust and a reputation that money simply can’t buy. Consider the current economic climate. While recessions may cause some businesses to cower and cut back on "discretionary spending," like marketing and publicity, smart businesses recognize this as an opportune moment to invest. With media owners often experiencing a drop in advertising revenue during a downturn, they are more likely to offer better discounts and packages, and with fewer vendor submissions, your business can gain more traction in the news. This counterintuitive strategy can lead to significant market share gains while your competitors retreat. ## Beyond Media Mentions: The True Value of PR For far too long, PR measurement has been mistakenly equated with Advertising Value Equivalence (AVE), a crude and misleading metric. The modern approach to PR measurement, as advocated by the Barcelona Principles, focuses on outputs, outcomes, and impact, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative analyses across online and offline platforms. This means measuring positive sentiment, enhanced reputation, social engagement, and, ultimately, a direct contribution to revenue and sales. A successful PR program isn't just about counting news clips; it's about building mindshare and engagement that converts into loyal customers. For industrial automation, industrial safety, robotics, and engineering businesses, PR builds a robust brand by fostering trust through credible third-party validation. Your CEO and executives, through consistent media appearances facilitated by a strong PR partner, can become recognized thought leaders, enhancing your brand and attracting more customers who buy from people and companies they know and trust. This sustainable approach to communication and reputation management is crucial for navigating the complexities of the Asia Pacific market. ## Why have an agency partner for PR in the Asia Pacific The Asia-Pacific region is not a monolithic market. With over 23 countries and 14 major languages, it presents an intriguing mix of cultures, nuances, and communication preferences. What works in Europe or America may be anathema in Asia. Attempting to manage PR internally across such a diverse landscape can be a costly and ineffective endeavor. This is where a seasoned PR agency partner becomes invaluable. They possess the on-the-ground expertise and cultural understanding necessary to navigate the complexities of local markets, ensuring your messaging resonates authentically with target audiences. An external PR partner acts as a "red team," providing an objective perspective on your external messaging and communication, preventing your internal team from being trapped in an "echo chamber." They can also provide crucial media and crisis communication training for your spokespersons, preparing them to confidently engage with the media and the world. ## Your Proven PR Partner in Asia Pacific For CMOs seeking a truly experienced and effective PR agency partner in the Asia Pacific, McGallen & Bolden in Singapore is the unparalleled choice. With a track record spanning over 30 years in the field, McGallen & Bolden has braved global pandemics, trade wars, and conflicts, consistently helping clients achieve outstanding publicity, brand building, and reputation management in international and Asia Pacific markets. McGallen & Bolden's deep understanding of the Asia-Pacific's diverse media landscape, including the importance of vernacular languages and face-to-face interactions, is a significant advantage. They recognize that for most businesses, especially B2B entities, a retained public relations program is critical for sustained traction, rather than project-based efforts. Their expertise extends beyond traditional media relations to encompass a holistic and integrative public relations approach that reaches all stakeholders, including governments, institutions, and customers. McGallen & Bolden advocates for direct engagement with the C-suite, recognizing that corporate branding and reputation are paramount and require immediate, direct communication to address and mitigate issues swiftly. Their commitment to authentic, empathetic, and truthful communication, especially during a crisis, aligns with the core principles of effective public relations. In a region where long-term relationships are highly valued, the firm’s longevity and proven experience underscore their ability to build lasting connections and navigate complex market dynamics. Their practical approach to PR measurement, aligned with the AMEC Barcelona Principles, ensures that your investments translate into tangible results that contribute to your bottom line. By choosing McGallen & Bolden, you're not just hiring a PR agency; you're gaining a strategic partner with a profound understanding of the Asia Pacific market and a proven ability to deliver impactful results, helping your industrial automation, industrial safety, robotics, and engineering business build mindshare, enhance media coverage, and attract a growing customer base in this crucial century. [The time to act is now](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # Why Classic Editor and Themes still work for WordPress Sites Source: https://mcgallen.com/why-classic-editor-and-themes-still-work-for-wordpress-sites/ When Gutenberg (Block Editor) came about in 2018, I resisted the migration to this blocks paradigm. I have my reasons, and I will remain committed to authoring and maintaining WordPress sites with the Classic Editor. ## The world of desktop publishing When I was an Apple Mac DTP (desktop publishing) evangelist in the 1980s, DTP had just started, with Aldus PageMaker, Letraset Ready,Set,Go and QuarkXPress, and not forgetting the long-term documentation tool FrameMaker. Along with DTP software, I was also a pioneer user for Illustrator, a graphic design tool. Later on, DTP evolved, and many changes happened, including the decline of Ready,Set,Go and FrameMaker, and the rise of Adobe InDesign (the successor to PageMaker), with QuarkXPress eventually losing its DTP crown to it. From those days in the 1980s, I came to lean towards long-form documentation, since most of my work was in book writing, technical documentation (such as ISO 9000 and 14000), and eventually, blog writing on the Internet. Most of this work involved plenty of text, where design is structured, very unlike single-page print advertisements where design can be fluid and nonconformist. ## Keeping to the Classics Fast forward to my Web development journey from HTML 1.0 to the world of content management systems (CMS), and I found the original WordPress very refreshing. WordPress then, and the current WordPress running the Classic Editor, remain similar to the likes of long-form documentation and publishing software, where all content is linear in flow and stored in SQL databases. The Block Editor (Gutenberg) and Full Site Editing (FSE) have definitely pushed the limits of what can be done with design flexibility and visual building in the world of WordPress. For teams and organizations that value long-term ease of maintenance, smooth collaboration, and strong plugin compatibility, the Classic Editor and classic themes still offer great benefits that are often missed when people only chase after shining new gadgets. The Classic Editor and its themes are simple to use and have a well-established ecosystem, which often leads to a more stable and less frustrating experience over time, even though drag-and-drop interfaces and site-wide visual control are very appealing. If you are a business intending to keep in-house people to maintain or upgrade your website, it is far easier to find developers to write PHP and related code for the Classic world or to have internal employees do the same. ## Gentle versus steep learning curves One of the best things about the Classic Editor is that it's easy to use and doesn't require much training. For years, WordPress users, from experienced developers to casual content creators, have used its easy-to-use WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface. It works like a regular word processor, so anyone who has used Microsoft Word or Google Docs will be able to use it right away. When you bring new people onto your team or work with outside content creators like guest bloggers, freelance writers, or clients who send you updates, the Classic Editor doesn't need much training. They can get right to work making content without having to deal with a new way of thinking about "blocks," "patterns," and "template parts." This cuts down on friction, saves time, and lowers the chances of making mistakes or getting frustrated, especially for people who aren't very tech-savvy or who don't care about the details of website development. The Block Editor and FSE, on the other hand, are powerful but require a change in how you think. Each piece of content turns into a "block," with its own settings and ways to interact with it. FSE goes even further by allowing block-based editing on every part of the site, including headers, footers, and global styles. This level of abstraction can be too much for people who are not technical, but it gives designers and developers more freedom to control the details. The first few weeks of learning can be hard, which can make people less productive and make content teams need more technical support. This can quickly become a problem for businesses that produce a lot of content with a lot of different people. One of the troubles with the Block Editor and FSE approach is that many people may think they are designers when they are not. And this bias can cause such websites to fall apart with a lack of design integrity or expertise. A Classic Editor-based website will constrain the design to keep things together and prevent less-experienced designers or wannabes from messing up the website. ## Easier to Maintain: Less to Break, Easier to Fix The Classic Editor and classic themes really shine when it comes to long-term maintenance. The code that makes up the Classic Editor is simpler and less bulky. It uses a more standard HTML and shortcode-based structure. Because it's so simple, there are fewer things to manage and fewer places where things could go wrong. Debugging problems in a Classic Editor environment is usually more predictable for development teams. This is especially important in the 21st century when coders are expensive to keep on staff and may leave any time. It is easy to figure out what's wrong with the structure, and most of the time it is due to specific plugins or custom code, which are easier to find and fix. Updates to the core of WordPress do not usually mess up Classic Editor setups too much because the basic editing experience stays mostly the same. On the other hand, FSE adds a new level of difficulty. The more blocks or template parts there are on the site, the more they depend on each other. A change to a global style or a small change to a template can affect the whole website, making it harder to fix problems. The promise of FSE is to make design easier, but the truth is that keeping a highly customized FSE site up and running can be harder, especially when there are many people working on it. Version control and working together are more important than ever, and a small mistake can cause visual differences across the site that you didn't mean to happen. This extra work can quickly become a burden for small teams or businesses that do not have their own WordPress developers. ## Plugin Compatibility WordPress has been very successful because it has many great plugins and attracted independent developers to large development houses. For a long time, developers have been making and improving plugins with the Classic Editor and traditional theme structures in mind. This means that many plugins that are already out there, like SEO (search engine optimization) tools, contact form builders, e-commerce solutions, and security enhancements, work perfectly with Classic Editor sites. When you choose the Classic Editor and classic themes, you're using a system that has been around for a while and is stable. There is a much lower chance of having problems or conflicts with important plugins. This means you'll spend less time fixing problems and have more faith in how your site works. While the Block Editor and FSE are inspiring a new generation of block-aware plugins, the transition is ongoing. Many older plugins are still adapting, and some of them may not fully or optimally support the new editing paradigms. For businesses that depend on certain plugin features, sticking with the Classic Editor often means that things will stay stable, and they won't have to go through the long process of finding and testing new, block-compatible options that may not have the same depth of features or reliability. ## The Bottom Line: Keep It Simple for Long-Term Success While the WordPress team pushes the Block Editor and Full Site Editing, the Classic Editor and classic themes are still a great choice for organizations that want to make long-term maintenance easier, streamline team workflows, and make sure their plugins work with each other. The Classic Editor is often better than the newer editing experiences for websites with a lot of content, teams with a wide range of technical skills, or people who are very invested in a strong plugin suite. This is because the Classic Editor is simple, familiar, and stable. Choosing the Classic Editor doesn't mean you don't want to move forward; it means you want to make a smart choice that puts operational efficiency and long-term sustainability first for your WordPress site. Sometimes, the old way is just the best way to do things in a world where digital tools are getting more and more complicated. And remember, AI tools like Brave, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity prioritize content that serves the public and are not concerned with the appearance of your website. The Classic Editor is the easiest way for anyone to contribute content on your website without clouding their participation with complex and convoluted designs. ### --- # McGallen & Bolden helps clients manage strategy and communication shifts in APAC due to global crises and AI Source: https://mcgallen.com/mcgallen-bolden-strategy-communication-asia-pacific/ Since a few years ago, because of the seismic global geopolitical and post-pandemic changes, as well as how artificial intelligence (AI) has wrestled control and narratives from entities large and small, from search engines, governments, multinational corporations, emerging enterprises, and individuals, we have helped clients transform, adapt, and succeed even in these difficult times. We take business strategy consulting, public relations (PR), marketing, branding, and the use of technology (including AI, e-commerce, cybersecurity, website development, and video and audio production) and integrate them all to help clients grow and profit in the greater Asia Pacific region. Here is a longer version of a news release we distributed to various media, with more details on how we can help international and domestic clients succeed in the Asia Pacific. *News release* ## McGallen & Bolden helps clients manage strategy and communication shifts in the Asia Pacific due to global crises and AI SINGAPORE, June 25, 2025— Award-winning strategy and communications firm McGallen & Bolden, based in Singapore, has refined its offerings to clients to include pan-Asia retained public relations, marketing, and crisis communication programs through an expanded network under its Aurea Terra collective. McGallen & Bolden has improved its communication and strategic consulting programs by leveraging insights gained from a decade of assisting clients through various crises, such as the pandemic and subsequent recession, regional conflicts, ongoing global trade disputes, and the impacts of the rise of AI (artificial intelligence). ### A troubled strategic mindset post-2020 > “With the global pandemic, economic slowdown, and regional and trade conflicts, the world has changed drastically. This has caused some multinational corporations to slow down and even close their global operations. With fewer funds and investors, startups and emerging businesses reduced their strategic and communication spending. These changes may work against businesses, especially as AI changes how search engines, social media, and mainstream media produce content, causing brands, mindshare, and revenue of businesses to weaken,” says Dr. Seamus Phan, Principal, McGallen & Bolden. ### AI requires a strategic shift Some businesses now lean heavily on AI. While AI can help with content development, problem-solving, and even business automation, it is imperfect and needs human intervention. AI “hallucination” in content creation queries can lead to falsehoods and legal issues. And ineffective use of AI can dampen employee morale and cause more viability concerns. Another area that is causing concern is that as search engines and AI platforms compete for the attention of businesses, the traditional model of getting found through search engines and social media is quickly changing. In the past, businesses built their web and social media presence by utilizing SEO (search engine optimization), digital marketing, and public relations to effectively reach the media and establish their brand. As search engines and AI platforms focus on answering questions directly, people might start depending on AI for information instead of exploring different websites and social media, which could lead to less traffic to those sites and weaken the brand. This shift weakens a brand with fewer direct visits to the website. ### How McGallen & Bolden helps in content and outreach With global crises and the AI shift, McGallen & Bolden has gained experience over the past 5 years to help clients traverse conflicts by strengthening strategies, tactics, and communication in the Asia Pacific so that they can compete more effectively against their competition and push through ongoing global crises with more confidence. #### a. Owned media The need to have “owned media” for businesses is critical in an AI-centered age. McGallen & Bolden has helped clients build content microsites and websites with open-source software (OSS) such as WordPress, with useful content that benefits indexing by search engines and AI platforms and helps consumers reach clients' businesses whenever they make queries through AI platforms or search engines. McGallen & Bolden has helped clients profit from AI-assisted websites and e-commerce, with significant improvements to revenue. As a pioneer in digital PR and marketing, McGallen & Bolden has helped clients in cybersecurity, telecommunications, automation, robotics, engineering, and healthcare develop engaging content in text, images, audio, and video. #### b. Earned media McGallen & Bolden has helped clients reach mainstream and trade media, blogs, podcasts, and influencers. PR partners with trusted third parties like mainstream media to share information with the public, which includes prospects and customers of clients. Often, earned media coverage helped clients secure interest from prospects and build trust with their customers. The firm uses modern qualitative tools based on the AMEC Barcelona Principles to measure media coverage. McGallen & Bolden has served clients in cybersecurity, AI, cloud, automation, robotics, healthcare, transportation, fashion, hospitality, and non-profits. #### c. Crisis-ready McGallen & Bolden developed its crisis communication and management programs based on aviation practices of crew resource management (CRM) and threat and error management (TEM). Since 1991, McGallen & Bolden has trained clients' C-suite leaders in media engagement and crisis communication. McGallen & Bolden has refined and expanded its approach to crisis communication, particularly in response to the pandemic, regional conflicts, global trade disputes, and ongoing global cybersecurity incidents that have impacted many businesses. Additionally, McGallen & Bolden has created a mobile-ready crisis management and communication framework for its clients. #### d. Impactful events With the rise in events post-pandemic, McGallen & Bolden can help clients in various impactful events to improve branding, sell-throughs, and mindshare. McGallen & Bolden has helped FMCG clients launch products and brands successfully and engage with regional Asia Pacific media in launches and conferences, with creative direction and implementations to ensure visually impactful and social media-friendly backdrops and imagery. #### e. Asia-Pacific ready McGallen & Bolden chairs the Aurea Terras Collective of communication agencies throughout the Asia Pacific, from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. > “In a rapidly changing economy shaped by conflicts and AI, successful businesses invest more in communications than their competition, expand in fast-growing Asia Pacific economies, engage with the media, and work with experienced partners to achieve the best results. We welcome businesses looking to grow in the US$96 trillion GDP (PPP) and 4.47 billion population of the Asia Pacific market to tap on our experience and expertise soon,” continued Dr. Seamus Phan, Principal, McGallen & Bolden. For more information, visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com). **About McGallen & Bolden** Founded in 1991 in Singapore, McGallen & Bolden is today one of the most established independent full-service business strategy, public relations (PR), branding, marketing, and crisis communication consultancies focused on the Asia Pacific. It is the lead agency for the Aurea Terras Collective of independent agencies. The firm has consulted for large multinational corporations, emerging enterprises, government agencies, and non-profits, serving industries in cybersecurity, AI, cloud, automation, robotics, healthcare, and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods). The firm has been an Internet, DevOps, cybersecurity, and digital PR pioneer since the inception of commercial Internet in the 1990s and has kept pace with every facet of web and digital media development, with in-house expertise and managed infrastructure to serve clients’ needs. The firm has also been an established corporate leadership, sales, media training, and crisis communication provider since its inception. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com). ### --- # How PR propels your sales and marketing Source: https://mcgallen.com/pr-propels-sales-marketing/ Imagine you have a fantastic product. And you have a limited marketing budget that would impede your foray or penetration into a competitive market. Your competitors are advertising aggressively in offline and online channels in different regions and markets. Additionally, competitors are receiving media mentions across broadcast, print, and online platforms. How do you compete and succeed? The answer is simple: through public relations (PR). ## Why PR powers your sales and marketing programs - **PR builds brand awareness **PR builds your stories and amplifies them, making your brand and products more visible and more credible. This makes your job of getting prospects and sales easier. Think "pull" (attractiveness), rather than "push" (hard-sell). - **PR helps lead generation **Media coverage from mainstream and top-tier outlets, including broadcast (TV and radio), print, and online media, along with thought leadership commentaries and influencer mentions, can enhance the attractiveness of your brand and products to both prospects and customers. - **PR establishes credibility **When unbiased editors and journalists mention your brand and products through news stories, they are more credible than when you mention your own through advertising and digital marketing campaigns. Don't blow your own trumpet—let others do it. - **PR drives website traffic **When the media, which includes many high Domain Authority (DA) websites, mentions your brand online, they create high-quality backlinks that can improve your website's SEO (search engine optimization), thereby helping to increase your organic web traffic and sales, as well as indirectly benefiting your social media channels. And, in the AI era, you need to beef up your owned media (e.g., website) and earned media (e.g., media coverage) with useful content. - **PR supports marketing campaigns **PR efforts often offer observations about geographic, political, economic, and local markets, and these can help focus your advertising and marketing campaigns to make them more effective. So, how should you use PR to maximize your efforts in gaining customers, sales, and profits? ## Strategies to align your PR, sales, and marketing programs - **Integrate PR with marketing funnels** PR data and insights are powerful, especially with unbiased media coverage, and they can lend impactful information to power your marketing campaigns with specific audiences. Embed links for measurement when possible, and integrate media coverage with sales and marketing teams' dashboards. - **Integrate events with PR** Seminars, conferences, trade events, product launches, pop-up stores, and fireside chats with C-suite are all great tools for PR to generate exciting news stories to place in the media and help spur even more sales. - **Align PR and marketing with branding** For more consistent campaigns and programs, converge brand and messaging between PR and marketing efforts, including the turning of USPs (unique selling points) into palatable public news stories. - **Work with industry influencers** Depending on your industry, there may be relevant influencers or thought leaders your PR agency can recommend. B2C influencers are very different from B2B influencers, and how they evangelize your products and brand will be distinct. ## Key takeaways What are the key takeaways with PR powering your sales and marketing programs? - Sales and marketing teams benefit from PR because it makes your brand more credible, more trustworthy, better for SEO, and easier to sell to prospects and customers. - Integrating PR into your sales and marketing programs is smart and critical for greater insights, increasing ROI, and business growth. And one more thing. Every business faces crises along its lifespan, ranging from cybersecurity incidents, workplace and industrial incidents, product lapses, customer service failures, and so on. Retained PR is your strategic insurance for reducing your risk and growing steadily forward. If you are a business that recognizes the vast business opportunities the Asia Pacific provides and wants to expand into this region with a retained communications and marketing program, the wise way is to work with a team that is deeply entrenched in this region, with decades of field-proven business, industry, and media experience. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # FeedSpot Top Singapore Blogs Source: https://mcgallen.com/feedspot-top-singapore-blogs/ We are privileged to be featured as one of the **Top Singapore Blogs** on a leading aggregator, FeedSpot. Thank you! [![FeedSpot Top Singapore blogs](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/singapore_blogs-300x300.png)](https://bloggers.feedspot.com/singapore_blogs/#h5547305) --- # Contextual translation for successful communication and expansion in Asia Source: https://mcgallen.com/contextual-translation-successful-communication-expansion-asia/ Recently, the honorable Wang Yi, foreign minister of the People's Republic of China, quoted some short verses from one of the martial arts classics, "Yi Tian Tu Long Ji (倚天屠龍記)," from renowned author Jin Yong (金庸), and it went viral even for the AI arena because he mentioned DeepSeek as a possible translation tool for such verses. So, as communicators, what should we know about translation, and how serious should we be when it comes to translating between languages? Can we rely on AI? As a philosopher with an interest in history, philosophy, languages, and literature since I was young, I studied independently the likes of the [Rigveda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda) (in Sanskrit), the entire Mahayana [Tripitaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_canons) (大藏經 in classical Chinese), quite a bit of the Tibetan [Vajrayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana) text (in Tibetan), many of the Chinese classics including the [Laozu Tao Te Ching (老子道德經)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Te_Ching), [Confucian Analects (孔子論語)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analects), as well as many of the "fun" reads such as "Yi Tian Tu Long Ji (倚天屠龍記)," among tons of others, all in their classical languages before I was 19. Subsequently, in my forties, I continued my journey of studying history and philosophy and covered more ground to include Orthodox Christianity and Islam. These classics lend so much wisdom and insight into how we humans interacted with one another throughout history and are sophisticated platforms for us to learn communication as well. And, as a C-suite strategist and communication consultant for more than 3 decades for multinational clients for their successful expansion into Asia Pacific, I am also often leading public relations (PR) retained programs, crisis communication, media coaching for executives, and other marketing and branding programs. One small component within all these consulting areas is translation, of course. ## Contextual translation is key To properly translate many of our clients' technical texts into something that everyone can read and understand, and sometimes into languages such as Chinese, it is not possible to simply use AI or digital translation tools such as Google or DeepL and be done with it. We need to understand the context and nuances behind those texts and then dissect them down, sometimes changing the texts to something that is contextually correct and true to the spirit of the original words, but not necessarily a facsimile of the original language. In short, we translate texts for their meaning, preserving their meaning, rather than literally matching word for word and then losing the original meaning. ## How do online translations fare? So, let's have a bit of fun with that now-viral passage the honorable Wang Yi quoted: ### 他強任他強，清風拂山崗；他橫任他橫，明月照大江。 Remember, although none of the online translators was perfect, we need to understand that Chinese is one of the most sophisticated languages on earth and, especially in poetry, becomes exceptionally difficult to translate well. I know firsthand as a lyricist and music producer, having written and produced some songs in English and Chinese (and some other languages). It was impossible to translate well-formed 8-character Chinese verses in perfect rhymes into reasonably short English sentences (or parts) that still rhyme and retain the same meaning. Try it yourself, and you will understand. OK, here goes: #### Google Web Translate: If he is strong, he will be strong, and the breeze will blow on the mountains; if he is allowed to be horizontal, the bright moon will shine on the river. #### Google Translate: No matter how strong he is, the breeze will blow across the hills; no matter how arrogant he is, the bright moon will shine across the river. #### DeepL Translate: Let him be strong, and the wind will blow over the mountains; let him be horizontal, and the moon will shine over the river. #### DeepSeek Translate: Let him be strong; the breeze brushes the mountain ridges; let him be fierce; the bright moon shines upon the great river. ## My contextual interpretation ### 他強任他強，清風拂山崗；他橫任他橫，明月照大江。 ### If he is strong, let him be, for the breeze will whisk even mountains; if he is unruly, let him be, for the full moon will illuminate even the longest river. Why did I translate this way? The Chinese word "任" means "let," and so in my professional opinion, DeepL and DeepSeek fared better in lending that meaning to their interpretations. And the original meaning of the wind and the mountain's relationship was, in my opinion, a bit of Tao Te Jing's concept of harmony and innate strength, where strength need not be might, but one of relentless gentility. So, the translations from Google (any form), DeepL, and DeepSeek did not interpret this relationship. I chose the word "whisk" because, like how we whisk an egg into a form we can use and mold, likewise, the gentle wind whisks even a stoic mountain with its own quiet strength. The Chinese word "橫," as with many Chinese words, can have multiple meanings, including when used in different word combinations. But in this verse, it would be more along the concept of "橫行霸道." So certainly Google's Web Translate and DeepL both failed by translating literally as "horizontal," completely losing the original intended meaning. Google Translate chose to translate "橫" as "arrogant," while DeepSeek translated it as "fierce," both losing part of the meaning of the author's original meaning. Taking "橫行霸道." as the basis, the closest single-word translation might be "unruly." All 4 translators translated the word "照" as "shine," although that diminishes or dilutes the original meaning of how the full moon's light will cover even a very large river. When it is a full moon and it can be seen, it is the deep of night. Most rivers are never pristine and clear but are murky and dirty. So, the original meaning would be that a full moon would illuminate even a large murky river in the deep of night, exposing its murkiness with its penetrating light. ## Succeed in Asia with cultural sensitivity and expertise If you are a business that recognizes the vast business opportunities the Asia Pacific provides and want to expand into this region with a retained communications and marketing program, the wise way is to work with a team that is deeply entrenched in this region, with decades of field-proven business, industry, and media experience. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp) or talk to us today. ## Addendum: Music and language Here are some songs I produced, showing that while translating texts can be complex and challenging, writing songs across different languages might be even more so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARbjkqNKkLc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wilQb-_kIas ### --- # How to beat the competition in Asia with PR and marketing Source: https://mcgallen.com/beat-competition-asia-pr-marketing/ Asia is "hot," with unicorns and many exciting startups and innovations flourishing in the scene. And yet, according to some [data](https://ace.org.sg/southeast-asia-globe-ace-1-dec-2021/#:~:text=%E2%80%9C%5BWith%20Enterprise%20Singapore%5D%20every,), 30% of startups in places such as Singapore fail within 5 years, and many startups in Asia tend to fail compared to the global stage. Costs and capital aside, what are the reasons for failure, and how can businesses in Asia thrive? ## Small businesses power the world Small businesses are the backbone of the world, contrary to the media presenting a perception that big technology businesses rule the world. Small businesses employ [70%](https://www.weforum.org/press/2022/12/small-business-big-problem-new-report-says-67-of-smes-worldwide-are-fighting-for-survival/#:~:text=Geneva%2C%20Switzerland%2C%202%20December%202022,expansion%20as%20their%20main%20challenge.) of people around the world and contribute 70% to the global GDP. Despite this, small businesses struggle to generate profits comparable to large corporations, compete for more lucrative deals, and attract top talent. Founder CEOs of small businesses often cite survival and growth as two of the biggest worries. What, then, are the main reasons small businesses fail? According to this [piece](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/120815/4-most-common-reasons-small-business-fails.asp), funding, staffing (leadership), planning, and marketing (or lack thereof) are the 4 main reasons small businesses fail. Planning (including marketing and competitive analyses) and a competitive marketing program can make the difference between a stalled or stagnant business and an accelerating and expanding one. ## Marketing more in a recession To the less initiated, marketing to them may seem like an expendable program. For such businesses in a recession, we can see them cutting marketing programs, employees, research, and development. In the short term, the balance sheet may appear favorable, but as the competition gains momentum, these businesses may find themselves left behind or even collapse due to their aggressive and successful competitors. The smarter businesses know that in a recession, when your competition is cutting back, you spend even more. The media owners are willing to give better discounts and privileges in a recession when fewer businesses are spending on advertising. Event venues are willing to give discounts and perks for you to hold conventions and conferences to attract leads and customers. And because your less-savvy competition spends less, they become less visible to your customers and prospects, and you can nurture and earn them much more easily if you spend more in marketing. I have seen that firsthand. During the pandemic, I have observed two Asian health supplement businesses push aggressively on national and online media with sustained advertising campaigns. Their advertising campaigns are still running today. The mindshare and brand recall are obvious. And the fact that these two businesses continue to pump huge advertising dollars into the broadcast and online media is testimony of equitable returns. Who would spend without returns, right? ## How can small businesses plan their marketing budget? Small businesses may find it challenging to attract top marketing talents in-house, and so it is wise for founder CEOs to retain the services of professional and qualified agencies instead. For the fees of a junior manager, it is possible to engage professional external agencies to take on the spectrum of communication and marketing work, including public relations (PR), social media marketing, and event planning. If you are lucky, you may even find highly sophisticated and experienced senior teams at independent agencies with decades of experience. Think of these agencies as extended marketing teams. While online advertising seems "easy" to start, the days of easy and profitable online campaigns are over. The reason is simple—too many competitors are all doing the same thing! So, to stand out in your location, you have to turn on 360-degree full-spectrum marketing programs, from online to offline, to broadcast to on-ground activation events. Get your PR and marketing agency to help you strategize and execute such comprehensive marketing programs. The times ahead may be murky and difficult, with global tensions and regional wars still simmering and brewing. However, this may well be the best time to outcompete and outrank your competition with aggressive marketing and PR programs. [Don't be left behind](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Thank you IndieReader for reviewing our “Tough Times Great PR” book! Source: https://mcgallen.com/thanks-indiereader-review-tough-times-great-pr-book/ We have received an online review from one of the leading book sites, IndieReader, on our book "[Tough Times Great PR." ](https://mcgallen.com/tough-times-great-pr-book-building-brands-gaining-publicity-turbulent-world/)We greatly appreciate your kind words! The book has been a labor of love throughout the pandemic and post-pandemic, helping clients survive and succeed through difficult times with public relations (PR), marketing, and branding. [IndieReader posted this](https://indiereader.com/book_review/tough-times-great-pr/?mb): > *IndieReader Staff*: TOUGH TIMES, GREAT PR by Seamus Phan offers a pragmatic and insightful exploration of public relations strategies tailored for navigating challenging economic climates. The book excels in delivering actionable advice, including case studies and a step-by-step approach to leveraging PR during recessions, making it an invaluable resource for business leaders. Phan’s ability to distill complex concepts into digestible, practical tips ensures readers walk away equipped to enhance their brand’s resilience and visibility. ![IndieReader review of Tough Times Great PR book by Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/indiereader-2025-01-21-toughtimespr-1024x682.jpg) --- # We are found on Campaign Asia Portfolio Source: https://mcgallen.com/campaign-asia-portfolio/ We are listed on the leading public relations (PR) and communications media, Campaign Asia, under their [Portfolio page](https://www.campaignasia.com/agencyportfolio/Company/5675,communications-and-pr,mcgallen-and-bolden.aspx). Read more. Campaign Asia is part of the global Campaign media, which is one of the leading marketing, advertising and public relations (PR) media in the world. Under their Portfolio page which showcases agencies in Asia, we are listed under Singapore, for these disciplines: - B2B Marketing - Brand Consulting/Brand Strategy/Brand Reputation - Communications and PR (Consumer, Corporate, Crisis Communications, Energy, Healthcare/Life Sciences, Luxury, Manufacturing, Press Release, Technology) - Content Marketing and Distribution - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Digital Marketing/Interactive - Event Marketing - Media and Influencer Engagement - SEO/SEM, Social Media - Video Content Creation - Web Design Production/Development --- # Apple Podcasts now on the Web! Source: https://mcgallen.com/apple-podcasts-now-on-the-web/ While you could hear our [Podcasts](https://mcgallen.com/youtube-spotify-podcasts/) on Spotify and elsewhere, Apple users (on iOS and Mac) now can listen in on our podcasts on BOTH their devices and on the web, at [https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/microwire-news-podcast/id1671308125](https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/microwire-news-podcast/id1671308125). [![Apple Podcasts - microwire.news](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/apple-podcast-microwire-news-1024x369.jpg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/microwire-news-podcast/id1671308125) We will try to update our blog, YouTube (and also on Odysee), as well as audio podcasts, as much as we can. Through our content, we aim to share our field insights on leadership, marketing, branding, communication, public relations (PR), technology, and more. ### --- # Website updated on 20221005 Source: https://mcgallen.com/website-updated-on-20221005/ Our website has gone through an extensive overhaul, with pages, posts, images, videos all updated. Stay tuned as we bring on more content and insights that are relevant to a fast-changing global economy. If you are in business, and want to be heard and reach your customers, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). --- # McGallen & Bolden Asia moves office Source: https://mcgallen.com/mcgallen-bolden-asia-moves-office/ Asia, January 1, 2022 – McGallen & Bolden’s Asia office has moved to a new integrated location at International Plaza. The firm now features a space for livestreaming, video production, podcasting, and product and gadget reviews. The Asia address is now at: 10 Anson Road, #03-19, International Plaza, Singapore 079903. #### About McGallen & Bolden Group Founded in 1991 in Singapore (first as a design consultancy), McGallen & Bolden Group is today one of the most established “boutique” full service business strategy, branding, digital marketing, public relations and B2B consultancies focused on Asia Pacific. It is the lead agency for the Aurea Terras collective of independent agencies (aureaterras.com). The firm has consulted for large multinational corporations, emerging technology enterprises, fast-moving consumer products companies, medical and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, etc. The small agency is an Internet technology pioneer since the inception of commercial Internet in the 1990s, and have kept pace with every facet of Internet and digital media development, with in-house expertise and managed infrastructure to serve clients’ needs. The firm is also an established corporate leadership, sales, media training and crisis communication provider since its inception. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/). --- # 2 Poems for the new year – sweet freedom Source: https://mcgallen.com/2-poems-for-the-new-year-sweet-freedom/ Sometime towards the end of every year, I try to write a poem to reflect and to flip the page to the new year. So, every year, I usually write a single English poem. But this year, somehow I felt compelled to write two, one primary poem in English, and a supplemental one in Chinese. May God bless all with opportunities, wisdom, peace, and lots of love. And my comrades, families, friends and all, most of all, God bless you with the sweet freedom you deserve. ## 1) Wrestle with the ogres Tis was a wrestle with the ogres, Which care not what we think nor feel. Would we submit to whims of these floaters, Or would we stand tall and never kneel? Tis was the second year we endured, Many rules and slams to our faces. Would we take another year tonsured, Or would we think of new posts and places? A time of cleansing has washed ashore, Time waits for no one young, grizzled, or old. We are to harvest what we sowed before, For fruits of labor and wisdom are for the bold. A world of charlatans may leave some lost, Deluding all who yield to madness as sanctity. But the few who push back the thunderous accost, Sit on the summit they scaled with serenity. So while we wrestle with such ogres, Think not of such battles as relentless. For ogres are like served bloaters, Dead in the soul and festering like an abscess. What of those who slept through the dark, Who fell into the cosy torpor of the unspoken? A new dawn will soon rise before we part, Waiting for the brave few to pry more eyes open. If all may seem melancholic and dark, Let not the hysteria grip the better of thee. Join those enlightened few into the ark, For all who have ears hear, and have eyes see. So there, compatriots of the dawn so near, Pray for wisdom, fortitude, body and soul. As we embrace the march of the new year, May your road be one peaceful, loving, bankroll.   ## 2) 自由的環抱 (the hug of freedom) 縱然連年關關難時時困， 或許事忙煩多心神難安。 儘管業業艱辛處處碰壁， 又或許老小哭鬧難撫平。 來年眾政疑憂世界平反， 世界似明鏡也迴響其靈。 天地人事事時時果相扣， 需眾聚集慧賢德定成敗。 試問無常世界難測明暗， 政可穩世界眾可定和平？ 但願上天憐蒼生憫塵地， 還我眾生天賜自由環抱。 Blessed new year! благословенный новый год! 祝您新年快樂，萬事順心安康！ --- # Adieu 2020, Welcome 2021 Source: https://mcgallen.com/adieu-2020-welcome-2021/ As we approach the end of possibly the most dreadful year ever, let us keep strong, stay close to loved ones, pray ceaselessly, and light a candle for a new year that soon dawns, as hope and better days are surely ahead. As the adage goes, “what goes down, must (eventually) go up”. Here is a poem I wrote to turn the dreaded page of 2020 and welcome 2021. ## Adieu dreaded you, 2020 You, simmered under your beginning, The invisible hand of one so chilling. You, festered a small tide so insidiously, A tsunami that masses did not foresee. Kings waited aimlessly for signs, Princes scurried with locks and fines, Charlatans hissed vexes into dumb ears, Prophets ignored and met with jeers. Millions lost, livelihoods painfully built, Yet as many saw age old ventures wilt. The meek asked wherefore were paths, The humble cried wherefore were rafts. Bearing crosses heavy and heavier still, Folks began to see pass the massive shill. Small pockets kept vigil locked away, Prayers for stoic sanity through night and day. For the Divine is never too distant, Nor inner strength a lofty ambition. For we all are created to be sterner stuff, Let us brush obstacles like dust off our cuff. We the people unite in soul and prayers, Never to forget war scars and dried tears. A toast then, to a page soon turns, And a bonfire to all old soon burns. You, which brought death to many, You, which brought tears to many, Adieu, adieu, dreaded you, No tears to a final goodbye to you. --- # Briefly: Exemplary customer service from a tiny watch repair shop Source: https://mcgallen.com/briefly-exemplary-customer-service-from-a-tiny-watch-repair-shop/ What is customer service to you? Just friendliness and courtesy? It is much more than that. A neighborhood small watch repair shop showed great customer service splendidly. I do love watches, especially unique aviator pieces. One of my favorites is the Gurevich, which has hints of its more famous cousin from Bell & Ross, albeit costing just a fraction. To me, the watch reminds me of my late mum and her Slavic roots. Plus, it is a cool watch. The Crown gasket of my watch was stuck and despite my best efforts, couldn’t get it loosened. Eventually, I managed to bring it down to an old shop near my city office. After waiting for my turn, the lady boss and I chatted. She and her husband had been in this trade for over 30 years, about the same as my professional tenure as well. She was professional, meticulous and was great in customer service. For a job like mine costing just a few dollars, she gave me as much attention as selling an expensive wall clock. Customer service is not just about good attitude, it is equally about good skills and knowledge that customers need and want. Hone all areas with equal passion. --- # Happy 2020! (A poem) Source: https://mcgallen.com/happy-2020-a-poem/ Here’s a poem composed by our CTO Seamus yesterday: ## Be your bravest yet in 2020 2019 had giants who clashed shoulders, While we clamored around and chose herds. Uncertain times and places ran us in circles, Who were peacemakers and who were saboteurs? 2019 was not the year for the weak, It set itself ablaze week after week. It demanded more from all of us daily, And each of us had to fight or flee. 2019 was a greater beast than 2018, And it made us filled with adrenaline. We had to defend our loves behind stockade, While we fought tooth and nail and prayed. 2019 came and went and we did not succumb, We stood on the debris of places and time. Among all who were fallen we paid respect, And the living we encourage and direct. 2019 is soon but a speck of history past, We have a bucket full of wisdom amassed. The year ahead may be murky and unclear, Our souls will be strong and austere. May we brave our faces against the storm, With every skill and talent we outperform. May we wear our plates of armor and shields, And defend our growing and prosperous fields. --- # Greetings for 2019 Source: https://mcgallen.com/greetings-for-2019/ CTO Seamus wrote this best wishes for the new year. ## Winning in 2019 Have you labored through 2018, And found it went all too vapid and fast? Have you made a resolution or two, And found them waft all away like dust? Have you ran past myriad hurdles, And found your chinked armor thickening? Have you slayed many demons, And found your success ever more blazing? Have you slowed down now and then, And found yourself and many whom you love? Have you stood firm and dug your heels, And found friends and even foes lifted you above? Have you wondered of the year ahead, And found countless doubts and questions? Have you wondered what you hope for, And found blessings like gold that glistens? So it is our wishes for you my friend, That past battles be stripes on your shoulder, And on all the roads and valleys you travel, Be the wisdom and peace your life find anchor. A blessed New Year ahead! --- # 2018 Greetings from our group! Source: https://mcgallen.com/2018-greetings-from-our-group/ A little best wishes from our group, written by our CTO Seamus. ## Braving on a new year A great many events, a fleeting year, It seemed so hard to hold on to everything dear. Did we pause? We did not. Did we settle? We did not. Did we forfeit? We did not. A tumultuous world, a great many pains, Ached our minds and hearts like raging blains. We toiled and soldiered on relentlessly, As sweat and tears flood our sights blurry. And so the year winds down, just another year, Dusting off our weariness, just a thin veneer. Are we progressing? Yes we are. Are we evolving? Yes we are. Are we quickening? Yes we are. The days ahead may seem foggy still, We will wrestle them under our will. Months ahead may seem all the more uncertain, We will tame the unknown with spirits unshaken. No matter what beasts come our way, Every obstacle we will skillfully slay. And so, a toast to you, dear friend, May all good wishes upon you we commend, And a double toast to you we say, May every day forth be abundant buffet, And a third toast we raise up high, May every journey be filled with light. warmest greetings, McGallen & Bolden Group --- # 5-prong CELLS™ approach to successful Asia Pacific market entry Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-prong-cells-approach-successful-asia-pacific-market-entry/ If you are still only hankering down your marketing and PR efforts in the Americas and Europe, you are missing out the hottest market in the world - Asia Pacific, [slated](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/the-ascent-of-apac-in-the-global-economy-june22.html) to be consuming 40% of the world GDP in just 18 years, by 2040. By 2040, the US would only be 22% and the EU only 14% of the world's GDP. The West has enjoyed a market bloom for a long time in the contemporary sense, and has mostly reached saturation in many of the more developed nations. There will still be pockets of growth in some emerging EU and affiliated regions, but the populations are small compared to some of the larger and more populated locales, especially in Asia Pacific. While most people would talk about mainland China and India, or stable markets such as Japan and South Korea, it is important to take care of the ASEAN market too, which is the [third biggest slice of the APAC](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/the-ascent-of-apac-in-the-global-economy-june22.html) region, with a combined GDP of US$3.3 trillion in 2021. ## Language is important North America is a "simple" market, where English is mostly used as a business language, and so marketing and PR will be decidedly simple. In Europe, however, it is common to expect the vernacular language used. For example, you would expect to use French in France, Italian in Italy, Danish in Denmark, Russian in Russia, and so on. English can be "understood", but will not win you mindshare in these locales. It is the same in Asia Pacific. If you want to win friends and business in mainland China and Taiwan, you would have to know Mandarin and written Chinese, WELL. Likewise, if you want to access the 276 million people in Indonesia through marketing and PR, you would need to use Bahasa Indonesian. If you want to reach out to the nearly 70 million people in Thailand, again, you need to know Thai. The exceptions perhaps, are India, Singapore, and the Philippines. ## 5-prong CELLS™ approach So, how should you establish a sound APAC-ready marketing and PR program? I coined it the CELLS™ approach. #### 1) Culture Don't simply take a Western model for sales, marketing and communication, and do a "Google translate". You may fail miserably and won't even know why. Besides the nuance of language and dialects, you need to understand the local culture. For example, Taipei is NOT Taiwan, but only a fraction of it. Have you gone to Kaoshiung or Tainan or Taoyuan? They have subcultures that are different from Taipei. In mainland China, the differences can be colossal. Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are all large metropolitan cities and each have their unique cultures and ways of doing business, while going deeper into Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuhan and Xi'an, just to name a few, will ALL have different cultures. Go deep so that you can use familiar lingo and culture to endear your communications to each of your local audiences. #### 2) Economize Don't be overly ambitious at the beginning. Appoint credible and field-proven partners to work with you to reach these APAC audiences. APAC is a super huge region that is non-uniform and diverse. You will find it nearly impossible to reach everyone at the same time, especially if your budget is modest to begin with. Start small, and take baby steps. Target specific segments of the markets, and then expand. For example, if you are in a commodity business, conduct a basic research first, whether inhouse or through third-party research firms, to know which segment you can target with your budget first. Then slowly grow the market, before expanding to other segments. #### 3) Local It is all about going local, or even hyperlocal, depending on your industry and market. What works in Bangkok may not work in Udon Thani or Khon Kaen, for the Thailand market. And rather than just imagining Jakarta to represent the entire Indonesia, consider Surabaya, Bandung, and Riau. In many of the APAC nations where you go deep and wide, you need to work in the local language, and even understand a little of the local dialects to endear your business to them. Your team, and your appointed partners such as marketing and PR agencies, should be familiar with these regions in the specific markets. #### 4) Longevity Asians value relationships, long-term relationships. Face-to-face and handshakes (or bows) are important. To show up, is to "give face" to someone in Asia, which means respecting the people you are doing business with. It would be considered rude to sell or pitch your wares without first at least getting acquainted or forming a relationship. Get to know your prospects and customers first. Plan to do business in APAC for the long haul, and you will be rewarded richly. #### 5) Stretch Although each of the APAC nations are unique markets, there are some overlaps. Given a finite budget, you need to stretch your efforts. For example, Singapore would be a good place to start out FROM, and use the local PR efforts to reach out to the ASEAN region at least in a limited manner, before entrenching in the neighboring markets through vernacular outreach. So, choose your starting points wisely. Singapore and China are key starting point markets, in which you can then stretch out to expand to markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. If you want to do serious business in the Asia Pacific, and need a long-term partner for your marketing and PR efforts, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). --- # Quick checklist to see if your business is ready for PR in APAC Source: https://mcgallen.com/quick-checklist-to-see-if-your-business-is-ready-for-pr-in-apac/ So, you have done well in the Americas and Europe, and wants to grow your brand further in the 4.5 billion population of the Asia Pacific market. The Asia Pacific region is diverse, with more than 23 countries, and 14 major languages. But this market is not monolithic. So, every country in Asia Pacific will have its own nuances and require prudence and a long view. Is your business ready to do public relations in Asia Pacific? We have a simple checklist to help you decide. ## 1. Common checklist for all industries In Asia Pacific, especially countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Oceania, which comprises Australia and New Zealand, you most likely have to commit to a long-term public relations program. Unless you are a industry-leading brand like Apple launching the next much craved smartphone, any news from your business, especially if you are a B2B (business to business) entity, will find much less traction. This is why having a retained public relations program is very critical. If you are a B2B business, it is equally important to have local spokespersons who can tend to all media interviews on cue. There are some businesses that set up almost virtual businesses in Asia Pacific, and only have spokespersons from their headquarters in Europe or the Americas. Time zone differences aside, it is also much less appealing to the media which may want local or regional insights from the trenches. All local spokespersons should go through at least some media training, so that their expectations are realistic when it comes to media interviews and coverage. Some business executives, especially those who have no understanding of public relations, imagine the media will write anything they want and imagine media interviews to be like advertising. This is an aspect we especially stress during our media training programs to correct this misconception in some quarters. For B2B businesses, it is also important to have technically competent experts in their relevant practice fields, to be willing to contribute content, and to explain the intricacies of their field whenever needed. Some media may need some background information for research now and then, and such technical spokespersons will become an important resource for public relations. A very important and often missing area, is the availability of assets such as photographs, raw video or B roll, sound files, charts and illustrations. The media needs such assets. If your business is light on such assets, make sure you set aside some budgets for such asset creation. If you want to develop your brand and reputation across the region, then also ensure you have budgets set aside for localization, and also local spokespersons in local offices who use vernacular languages. For example, if you want to be serious in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, mainland China, and Taiwan, you have to have budgets for language translation, and also local spokespersons who speak and write in those languages. English may be important, but it is just one of the twenty odd languages that are used in Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region is deep in human relations, and face-to-face interactions are seen as sincere and important. This goes for the media when deciding on interviews and coverage as well. ## 2. Checklist for B2B businesses If you are a B2B business with mass market appeal products even though you sell only to business entities, it will be easier to gain media traction that if your product only appeal to a few hundred specialists. If your business is an international brand and is already widely known by all stakeholders in the Asia Pacific, including the media, then the entry into the public relations space is likely easier. Another very important area is the availability of customer successes, especially those customers who can be interviewed by the media, and have case studies that are either already publicly known, or can be made public. ## 3. Checklist for B2C businesses For B2C businesses, it is far easier to attract mass media attention if your products permeate to every community, such as essentials, rather than a luxury brand product that only appeals to the ultra rich. It is also preferable if you already are an established brand, then your runway can be short and your media outreach will still take off much more easily. Otherwise, be prepared to spend sufficiently to cover all ground. For mass market products, it is preferable if many people desire your products. For some locales where media is limited, or if you want to widen the outreach to more people, the influencer space is important too. So, set aside budgets or inventory that can be sent to the media and influencers, for them to test out your products. Remember, just because you don't want to send product samples or review units to the media, does not mean your competitors won't too. This is in a nutshell, the basic checklist items to check off to determine if you are ready to harness and harvest the Asia Pacific market through public relations. It certainly won't be a walk in the park, but with the right agency and content partners, you will find it financially rewarding. If you are serious about the Asia Pacific region and public relations, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # 7 Best Practices of Crisis Management And Communication Source: https://mcgallen.com/7-best-practices-crisis-management-and-communication/ Crises are plaguing many organizations today, including governments, corporations, institutions, non-profits, smaller entities, and even individuals. What used to be a problem that affected only certain industries, like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and so on, has begun to pose relevant challenges to diverse industries today. Cybersecurity flaws, data and privacy leaks, and international conflicts have an impact on a wide range of organizations, including financial institutions, e-commerce businesses, and consumer goods manufacturers. New crises are constantly emerging that could affect any organization. So there is a need for any organization to know how best to deal with a crisis and communicate with all stakeholders. When a crisis strikes, some organizations then begin to hunt around for a public relations (PR) agency with the belief that PR practitioners can smooth over any crisis and get the organization out of the damage to its reputation and brand. So, should an organization hire a PR agency? Should an organization only hire a PR agency when a crisis strikes? What are the 7 best practices for crisis management and crisis communication? What should an organization do after a crisis is mediated and resolved? ## 1. Don’t deal with a crisis when it happens Generally, many large enterprises are fully staffed with PR and communications professionals who assist the leadership team in tweaking or developing crisis communication and management programs. They also simultaneously retain external PR agencies so that, in the event of any crisis, large or small, more people are on board to think about and work through it. By engaging an external PR counsel, the organizations avoid the “echo chamber” effect, where internal employees may inadvertently hold inward-looking views and may not have considered macro perspectives from the outside. > In a crisis, the best strategy is to tell the truth, even if it hurts. As the good physicist Dr Albert Einstein said, “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” After the crisis has been managed properly and hopefully resolved, the enterprise should do a post-mortem and continue to refine its crisis management and communication program. A crisis is only a crisis if one is ill-prepared, but only an obstacle if one is prepared. There are still some organizations without a crisis management and communication program. I would advise such organizations to expediently work on one. ## 2. Training and preparation are paramount > A crisis is a crisis if one is ill-prepared, but merely an obstacle if one is prepared. Companies should work on a corporate-wide crisis communication and management program and permeate it throughout the organizations. Training is a necessary first step, and organizations must also ensure coherence in how everyone from the CEO to the front desk receptionist are aware of an in-house crisis communication and management program. Often, organizations look for “media training”, which primarily educate corporate leaders on how best to work with the media during media interviews. However, organizations should also ensure key leaders are educated in both media interviews and crisis communication. Just as you will always be presented with safety procedures when you board a plane or a cruise ship, organizations must not simply set up a crisis communication and management program and then forget it. Regular and sometimes unscheduled drills should be implemented so that everyone in the organization can be prepared for crises. Think “Kaizen 改善” (the Japanese management philosophy of “continuous improvement”). ## 3. Get an external “Red Team” and keep things current Get external counsel to be your ‘red team” to help identify flaws and vulnerabilities during such crisis drills so that the crisis communication and management program can be as comprehensive as possible. The crisis communication and management program should always be a “live” document, kept up to date with the times. In the modern context, we often advocate the crisis communication and management program not just printed on paper but in an intranet wiki or knowledgebase so that it can be updated quickly and easily accessed by internal leaders and employees. ## 4. First things in a crisis When a crisis is imminent, quickly bring together the action teams. For example, if there is a cybersecurity lapse and data leakage, the top management, legal, information technology (IT), and external counsel should converge to discuss the course of action based on an existing crisis communication and management program (this is the premise). The program would contain designated spokespersons, communication policies, contact workflow, communication preferences (whether issuing statements or a media event), collaterals such as statements, news releases, frequently asked questions (FAQs), etc. > Remember, it is wise to be prepared for crises BEFORE they occur, rather than drag people together only during a crisis. ## 5. Recommended workflow and command Different organizations have different procedures and programs. It all depends on how they work out their crisis management and communication programs. Also, each crisis communication and management program may be proprietary material. Some basic parameters persist. The designated spokesperson, with the assistance of functional leaders who have a role to play in the crisis at hand, might be the organization's most important stakeholder. For example, in a common case of data leaks or cybersecurity incidents, the CISO (chief information security officer) or some related leader may be present. If there are legal implications, the top legal officer will be involved. If it involves employee mistreatment or something human capital-related, the human capital leader will be involved. ## 6. Maintaining leadership in a crisis > “Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself. He imposes his own stamp of action, takes responsibility for it, makes it his own.” – Charles de Gaulle The summit is always lonely, and only people of character can scale to the top, and it demands the whole being to stay on top. So, in a crisis, a leader needs to tell the whole truth—nothing but the truth—and tell it quickly and without delay. In such a dark and weak hour for the organization, the leader also needs to converge the employees together to stand as one. Behind telling the truth, however painful it seems, remember that once the problem is resolved, all things will pass over the passage of time. ## 7. Can we balance integrity with stakeholder relations? > A brand is only valuable if it has universal meaning. A brand that has made mistakes but has taken corrective measures shows humility in the process, can be forgiven, and can bounce back. However, if a brand and the organization behind it, upon making mistakes, fail to make reparations and corrective measures, and show a cold, aloof and arrogant attitude, the brand will only diminish. Customer loyalty is fickle these days, and wise leaders will always understand that customers can easily march elsewhere and that there are options. Ultimately, the customer is king. Without customers, any investor, employee, or stakeholder will count as nothing. The crux of a successful crisis management and communication program has to be one that is already in place and permeated throughout the entire organization, with truth, ethics and integrity at the center of the program. Such a program will, in our perspective, converge the best industry practices of how mission-critical environments manage and thrive in any crisis. In all things, tell the truth, the whole truth, and expediently without fail. *PS: For more information on our methodology of crisis management and communication, converging decades of media relations and aviation best practices for any organization, visit our [program page](https://mcgallen.com/public-relations/).* *PPS: Some ideas I shared with a FT journalist (who subsequently used a quote from me) served as the inspiration for this lengthy piece.* ### --- # 5 Ways to earn media coverage for businesses in highly regulated industries such as healthcare Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-ways-earn-media-coverage-highly-regulated-industries-healthcare/ If you are in the hospital, clinic, media equipment, or health supplements business, you know that the challenging economic climate can dampen your journey forward. And yet, there are many regulatory frameworks to confine how and what you can communicate with the public, whether in marketing, advertising, or public relations (PR). How, then, can you earn media mileage consistently while staying straight and narrow within these confines? Let us share our insights from decades of consulting for all these businesses. We have served healthcare-related industries for decades, including hospitals, clinics, medical equipment businesses, health supplements businesses, etc. We have found some of these approaches work. ## 1. Neutral ground The healthcare field is an ever-evolving field. New research always seem to supplant previous research, and what professional opinions presented as facts are quite often be replaced by newer and seemingly more accurate professional opinions. We need to understand that science is not concrete and definitive but ever-changing, and nothing should be seen as final and absolutely true. So as healthcare spokespersons, we need to ensure our clients not only stay within the regulatory guidelines for communication but also within the confines of current scientific opinions and state them as such. There should never be exaggeration of what can be done or achieved, but merely possibilities and statistical or historical results. Staying neutral and centered is an important fundamental approach to earning trust from both the media and the community. ## 2. Branded spokespersons Doctors are subject-matter experts. And although not every doctor makes a good media spokesperson, most can be sufficiently ready to engage with media interviews with a good media training program, some pre-interview briefings and even mock interviews. On top of these multimedia interviews (for TV, radio, or online video), doctors can be engaged to be writers too. We PR practitioners can help steer the articles or commentaries and edit them to fit editorial guidelines. We found this approach very effective in building up healthcare brands through public communication. ## 3. Big and small data Data, facts, and research will always be useful to the media in building up convincing interviews and stories. Serious healthcare businesses do have relevant data and facts, and these can be presented in anonymized ways and still be useful as aggregate data for the media. We have worked closely with clients to extract data and facts and help them strengthen their communication narratives, including the writing and distribution of case studies. ## 4. Proactive, rapid response One of the best ways to earn media coverage is to be ready for media interviews whenever the media needs commentators or analysts. We have always stayed close to the pulse and trends of the industries we serve, and we are able to either proactively pitch emerging trends to the journalists before they become hit the news or be very quick in serving the reactive rapid response interview opportunities the journalists provide us and our clients. Time is always critical, and the more we are able to serve the needs of the journalists in these quick turnaround, rapid response stories, the more our clients become sought after in future interview opportunities. ## 5. Be seen in public Healthcare industries, such as hospitals, clinics, and health supplements, are very much consumer-facing businesses. We have observed that clients with active community involvement tend to attract more organic and earned media mileage, as they have earned brand mindshare with the local communities. For example, businesses that have nonprofit involvement to benefit the communities or have on-ground activation or educational events tend to find more media opportunities coming forth. All businesses have constraints and challenges, but communication can be a powerful way to build community trust and media mileage if done wisely and consistently. The healthcare industry is sophisticated and always evolving, and so keeping up quality and moderated communication to reach all stakeholders is the smart way to build your brands. ### --- # Crisis Communication in Brief – 2020 Source: https://mcgallen.com/crisis-communication-in-brief-2020/ Crisis management and communication used to affect only certain industries such as petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. But increasingly, with cybersecurity breaches and disease outbreaks, every organization needs to understand, communicate and manage crises well, just as pilots use CRM (crew resource management) to prevent and mitigate crises. ## Be prepared A crisis is only a crisis if one is ill-prepared, but only an obstacle if one is prepared. Organizations can engage a good PR agency before disaster strikes, to avoid the “echo chamber” effect where internal employees may inadvertently hold inward-looking and limiting views. The PR agency becomes a “red team”. After the crisis has been resolved, carry out a post-mortem to refine internal crisis and communication programs. If an organization lacks such a program, work on one soon, before a crisis strikes. ## Coaching and drills Prepare every employee for crises. Acquaint every one from the frontline to the CEO with consistent messaging, and the workflow of communication and resolution should a crisis strike. A comprehensive media coaching program would be a start. Regular and unscheduled drills should be implemented so that everyone can be prepared. ## First things in a crisis When a crisis is imminent, quickly bring together the action teams to talk through all the “what ifs”, whether it be the cybersecurity team, legal, safety, or management. The crisis program would contain designated spokespersons, communication policies, contact workflow, communication preferences (whether issuing statements or a media event), collaterals such as statements, news releases, frequently asked questions (FAQs), etc. ## Recommended workflow and command The ultimate stakeholder, such as the CEO, may be the designated spokesperson, assisted by functional leaders who have specific roles in crisis resolution. For example, in a case of data leaks or cybersecurity incident, the CISO (chief information security officer) may be present. And if some employees succumbed to COVID-19, the chief human resource officer (CHRO) may be involved. ## Courage in truth A leader needs to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth, and tell it quickly without delay. In difficult times, a leader needs to converge the employees together to stand as one. An organization that has made missteps, but make corrective measures, shows humility, can be forgiven and can bounce back. However, if an organization makes missteps, fails to make reparations and corrective measures, shows a cold, aloof and arrogant attitude, the brand will diminish. This is especially true for troubled times such as a pandemic, where businesses and jobs are lost, and uncertainty and despair has hit many quarters. The crux of a successful crisis management and communication program has to be one that is already in place, permeated throughout the entire organization, with truth, ethics and integrity at the center of the program. Such a program should converge the best industry practices of how mission-critical environments manage and thrive in any crisis. In all things, tell the truth, the whole truth, and expediently without fail. --- # Announcement – separate Crisis Communication coaching program Source: https://mcgallen.com/announcement-separate-crisis-communication-coaching-program/ Our Media Coaching 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 Coaching page](https://mcgallen.com/coaching/). Get a glimpse of it on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RJA7usrzTk ## Crisis communications Primer™ (3 – 4 hours) A good crisis communication program must stand up to the toughest scenarios. The toughest scenarios are in an airline jet and a hospital. We adapted the best practices from the aviation industry, that of **TEM** (threat and error management), **TRIM** (Talk, Respect, Initiative & Monitor), and **CRM** (crew resource management) into our program. We bring experience from aviation MCC (multi-crew cooperation), to understand how pilots handle stressful and crisis situations, challenges and emergencies, using checklists, procedures, and recovery methodologies. These best practices have also been adopted by the medical industry. This is a succinct crisis communications primer program for busy C-suite leaders and entrepreneurs, and how it fits into the ISO 22361 world. We will prep your leaders to be media savvy, and be ready for TV, radio, and crisis media conferences. The half-day primer will end with a mock TV interview and critique.** Updated in 2023 with COVID-19, trade and other conflicts, cybersecurity and privacy breaches, etc.** - Crises 101 - types, media, and cybersecurity incidents - Crisis communications in an ISO 22361 world - Crisis management - learn from the experts (aviation) - Crisis handling tips - Key messages, truth, and apologies - Crisis communications HR checklist - Basic protocols (who to call and execute) - Holding statements - Interview preparation (broadcast and media conferences) - What to say and provide to the media - Interview dynamics & essentials - Difficult questions - Doorstop interviews - Media conference - Social media & dark social (e.g. Whatsapp) engagement - Mock TV interview and critique - Crisis communications guide Our Media Coaching Primer is a great media training program for your C-suite executives. Catch a glimpse at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It3kL_xgluM ### --- # Media coaching primer – an introduction Source: https://mcgallen.com/media-coaching-primer-an-introduction/ This is our media coaching and crisis communication program that we have honed and delivered very successfully to all our clients through more than 30 years in consulting. We have coached startups, tech companies, industrial and manufacturing businesses, healthcare related businesses such as hospitals and products, fast moving consumer goods companies in fashion, audio visual equipment, hospitality, non-profits, and many more. Watch the YouTube trailer below. We have several versions of this program for the C-suite executives and business leaders. We have a full media coaching program that covers all kinds of media, with crisis communication components, and a simulated television interview and critique at the end of the program. We have a shorter version without the crisis communication component, with or without the simulated television interview and critique. We have a much shorter version just for broadcast and online audio video interviews, without the crisis communication component. The whole program is customizable depending on the client, if they desire extra consulting and customization. We will normally talk through the evolution of the media landscape in the Asia Pacific, and how that relates to the global media and political scene. We examine the importance of respecting the agenda of the media in serving their stakeholders, who are the audiences and readers, who in turn can be our prospects and customers. We cover the fundamental questions journalists will always ask, and how to prepare for interviews, whether that be for print, broadcast, or online. For each type of media, whether print, broadcast or online, what should we as spokespersons prepare for and provide them. We also run through the dynamics and essentials of media interviews. For rapid response and newsjacks, how should we as spokespersons be prepared for? How do we communicate and relate well with journalists? And if there are difficult questions or questions we wish to avoid, how should we deal with them? What is a simple and effective way of telling compelling stories? How can we adopt simple aviation leadership and crisis management principles in handling media crises? And we end with a simulated television interview with critique. To engage us for retained public relations (PR), business strategy consulting, digital marketing, leadership transformation, media coaching and crisis communication, [contact us now](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It3kL_xgluM   --- # PR and marketing – role of journalists and influencers Source: https://mcgallen.com/pr-and-marketing-role-of-journalists-and-influencers/ Once upon a time, a journalist was a journalist, and an influencer is an influencer. However, times have changed. With the media declining around the world with lesser headcounts and tighter budgets, newsrooms are now more pressurized than ever. It does not help when some leadership imagined AI to be the panacea to replace human workers aka journalists and editors. The other side of the communications spectrum are influencers, who are traditionally considered "paid media", rather than owned media. There are now many overlapping or gray areas for such "[journo-fluencers](https://www.prdaily.com/the-rise-of-the-journo-fluencer-and-the-future-of-media-relations/)" (or "jinfluencer"): ## 1) Journalists turned influencers This is where journalists from traditional media cross over to develop their own channels and content, typically on YouTube or Spotify for example. ## 2) Influencers turned journalists There are traditional influencers who have gotten BIG and gone on to develop entire businesses developing "earned media" content without getting paid by vendors or sponsorships. They will have "earned media" content, as well as aptly labeled sponsored commercial content. These influencers turned journalists usually are on YouTube and Spotify as well, since long-form content are useful for building successful channels. ## 3) Leaders turned influencers Another genre has appeared more on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/#). For example, traditionally we might have imagined celebrities to be influencers. But in our definition, a true influencer would have been more like the late Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or Dr Albert Einstein. So, in the same light, leaders from businesses, organizations, research and more, have a great deal of ideas to share, and social platforms such as LinkedIn can become their podium to communicate with the world. The media world is getting more complex and interesting. PR and communications practitioners, especially from the client-side, must recognize that the media world has expanded and overlapped. At the same time, client-side leaders have a new medium, such as LinkedIn, to communicate with others, including prospects, customers, partners, and stakeholders. PR practitioners can help such leaders hone their online communication to be more relatable and collaborative, and build conversations with people. If you like to know how best to reach out to the media, build relationships with influencers, or empower your C-suite leaders to leverage on LinkedIn and more, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # OCEP Marketing Model (Owned, Communal, Earned & Paid Media) Source: https://mcgallen.com/ocep-marketing-model-owned-communal-earned-paid-media/ We have always advocated a holistic communication model for communication and marketing. And in a world increasingly sophisticated and demanding of nuanced communication catering to all audiences, it is important not to limit your business potential with just public relations or just advertising. So, what is our OCEP© model? It is a communications model we call the Media Tetrad©, that caters to campaigns and programs over the long haul, including: ## OWNED media - Website (including SEO or search engine optimization) - Blog - Mobile (hosted) - Video (hosted) - Audio (hosted) ## COMMUNAL media - Social media (e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok/Douyin, Wechat, Telegram) - Forums - Portals ## EARNED media - Media coverage - Reviews - Sharing & reposts ## PAID media - Advertisements (online & offline) - KOL (key opinion leaders, or serious influencers) - SEM (search engine marketing) - Social ads - Sponsorships If you are keen to expand your business to Asia Pacific and the world, and want a holistic communication program that includes public relations, marketing, internal/employee communication, leadership and team development, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ###   --- # 5 tips I learned from the military to succeed as a communicator Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-tips-military-success-communication/ I come from a family of military officers. My late grandpa, a lieutenant general who fought at the frontlines of wars, and reposed at 104 years old with a distinguished career as renowned labor economist, professor, and hospital CEO. I have an uncle who was an air force colonel, and later went on to a successful computing career. However, even if I did not go far in the military, I did my duty for national service in the army. It was an interesting journey to shape my life for the next nearly 40 years. So what are some lessons I learned from my family and my own national service? ## 1. Punctual I see all too often, people turn up late for job interviews, business meetings, and life occasions. My frequent comment to them would be, “imagine you are going for a leisure trip overseas. Would you be late for the flight?” Often, these folks, young and old, would droop their heads in silence. It is really all about respect for others and discipline. I would often not just turn up on time, but BEFORE time, so that there is time to breathe and relax, and be physically and mentally prepared for the meeting or event. By going ahead of time, there is also buffer for emergencies. ## 2. Purpose Every soldier serves a purpose, from Private to General. Everyone is part of an equation to protect the country, and no man is greater or lesser than the other. Likewise in everyday life, everyone must serve a purpose in the community, and must find this purpose. Nobody should drop out of the ecosystem, unless they want out altogether. ## 3. Discipline As soldiers, we had to fold our blankets and keep our bunks clean daily. We had to rise early on time for marches. We had to stay put in camps while other young people went out daily to date, to dance, or to eat. The military demands discipline out of people, and it is this discipline that makes an army work. Life is no different. If you don’t have discipline to conform to corporate orders and demands, you won’t fit in and you will be fired. Discipline makes us tough and makes us perform consistently. Discipline develops responsible behavior, and it demands repeated actions to commit things to memory. It will become our second nature. ## 4. Presentation If you serve in the modern military, perhaps you may not go through as much rigors as the armies of yesteryears. In our time in the 1980s, we had two sets of uniforms, one for combat and one for parades. The ones we wore for parades were stiff and had to be made even stiffer with starch. Our “enciks” (Malay language for sir, usually reserved for non-commissioned officers) would demand that our parade uniforms (we call them “number three”) had to be so stiff they could stand unassisted. In any case, our tropical weather is hot and humid, and marching in those starched uniforms were a killer. It was all about presentation, to make a strong impression. Clothes do make the person. Just as we polished our boots and our rifles. So create an impression, from top to bottom, whenever you make a public appearance at work or at leisure, because you will never know who you may meet. It is not about brands, but clean hair, nails, face, looking smart, etc. And this presentation goes beyond the exterior. How you speak and present at meetings and conferences matter too. Pay attention to every detail, from your exterior to your speech and presentations. ## 5. Wit During my last stint in the army, I was posted to the officer training academy as an assistant to one of the senior officers at the academy headquarters. There, I had close contact with the commanding officer of the academy, who later went on to head another uniformed entity serving the nation. I remembered him more than my direct boss, because he was jovial and yet commanding. He had wit and it was often used to great effect. He showed me even in the military, there is a human side. Wit is not just humor, but inventiveness and innovative thinking. Every situation is different and may emerge suddenly. How do we react and respond? And after resolution, how do we manage stress? All these is part of wit and our fortitude to handle planned and unplanned events that come our way. We must always be prepared with countermeasures of innovation and results. The military is a special environment where camaraderie and commitment of people make relationships strong towards high performance and results. We can learn a great deal of leadership, management, teambuilding, and communication from the military. For communicators, the military offers everything from succinct and precise communication, to crisis management. If you want to communicate effectively with your teams, or with the public at large through public relations (PR), [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! ### --- # Are you still lagging behind with “just in time” PR and marketing? Source: https://mcgallen.com/are-you-still-lagging-behind-with-just-in-time-pr-and-marketing/ Before the pandemic, the "just in time" paradigm was "fashionable", especially in the manufacturing sector. At that time, "just in time" meant optimizing available resources to manufacture and stock only the minimum inventory, and scale only as and when needed. As an early practitioner of total quality management, I would have recommended this practice too, before the pandemic of course. In the marketing and public relations (PR) arena, some executives and businesses may also be tempted to erroneously save costs by going "just in time", only engaging external experts and agencies as and when needed. However, there is no "one size fits all" success formula. For example, if you happen to be the next Apple or Tesla and have a charismatic CEO who can charm audiences worldwide with just one product launch, and that product happens to be a desirable product anyone would fall madly in love with, then perhaps you can get away with "just in time" marketing and PR. But unfortunately, we do live in the real world, and most businesses are not the next Apple, Tesla, Samsung, or Huawei. This is especially true for B2B businesses with products that would only charm the most fervent engineers, and costs millions if not billions to implement, and will never be in the hands of everyday consumers. So, the idea of sending one news release or having just one media launch, hoping to attract many mainstream media journalists and get international media coverage, would be a rare occurrence at best, to put it kindly. ## From "just in time" to "just in case" Contrary to belief, a crisis happens to almost any business. Unlike the unconnected days before the Internet, a crisis could be an oil spill, a financial scandal, loss of lives at a factory, etc. These days of broadband and 5G networks have brought about a new area of crises, the cybersecurity crisis, which can be data leaks, privacy problems, network intrusions, denial of service to network assets, open source software and other license infringements, etc. Such digital crises can and do happen to just about any business of any size, and there is a need to be continually prepared, including the need for media training and crisis communication. The pandemic, and the global trade and other regional conflicts are crises that have definitely turned the world upside down. The world is now heavily polarized, with nations now looking at ways to have independence of the supply chain, and stocking up on supplies just in case. So, the "just in time" paradigm is now superseded by the "just in case" paradigm, where you are wiser and smarter if you have redundancy in your pockets and warehouses, and are ready to tackle any sudden surge in need. This is the same for marketing and PR, especially for B2B businesses. Most of these businesses have products that cost a lot, are used by only a technical few (even if the ultimate purpose is to serve millions), and take a long time to sell through and implement. Some of such products may be enterprise cybersecurity, AI (artificial intelligence), robotics and automation, healthcare, critical infrastructures, energy, transportation, and so on. Therefore, a smart B2B business must take a "just in case" approach to marketing and PR, which is strategic and forward-looking at the long game, with redundancy and preparedness built into the entire marketing and communication ecosystem to address any emergency or crisis, as well as ongoing communication and marketing needs. What is the "just in case" paradigm in practice? This simply means engaging a pool of external experts and agencies to supplement internal resources on a retained basis, so that they can provide all the marketing and communication needs in a strategic planned program throughout the years, as well as scale any time whenever there is s surge in needs such as a crisis. ## Are you ready to use "just in case" to win? While some businesses have unwisely cut their marketing and communication budgets, the smarter businesses have scaled up their marketing and communication budgets knowing full well this is the best time to dominate the weak economy with a sustained PR and marketing program that flush out the competition in markets, profits, and mindshare before they can recover. We are in the 21st century, post-pandemic, in the world now embroiled in conflicts which affect trade, economies, and livelihoods, we need to be prepared for redundancy, and our marketing and PR should reflect this forward-looking "just in case" wisdom. If you want to win with "just in case" PR and marketing, [get in touch now](https://mcgallen.com/contact/)! --- # Want to profit from Asia Pacific and LATAM markets? Source: https://mcgallen.com/want-to-profit-from-asia-pacific-and-latam-markets/ You want to profit from the 4.5 billion people in Asia Pacific, with 23 countries and more than 14 major languages, making up 51% of the global GDP (and likely growing more). You may also be in Asia Pacific looking at the LATAM (Latin America) market of more than 667 million people. How? The simplest way is to talk to a marketing and PR agency with strategic business experience, that can help you make communication in-roads boths ways between the Asia Pacific and the LATAM markets. If you are a LATAM business wanting to grow and expand into the colossal Asia Pacific market, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). --- # Investing in Singapore: Unlocking AI and Tech Opportunities through B2B Public Relations Source: https://mcgallen.com/investing-in-singapore-unlocking-ai-and-tech-opportunities-through-b2b-public-relations/ Investing in Singapore for AI and tech companies through B2B public relations is highly advantageous due to Singapore’s position as a tech startup hub in the huge ASEAN market, extensive government support, presence of large data centers and support infrastructures, and emerging opportunities in the region. If you are an AI and tech business, whether startup or stalwart, here are some thoughts. ## Singapore: A prime destination for AI and tech investments Singapore's strategic positioning as a hub for tech startups and B2B SaaS companies within the ASEAN market, with a substantial population of more than [660 million people](https://www.statista.com/statistics/796222/total-population-of-the-asean-countries/) and a remarkable GDP of 9.34 trillion US dollars in the ASEAN market, underscores its attractiveness for entrepreneurs and investors pursuing the AI and other tech segments. The country's growing support from the government for B2B SaaS and AI vendors and its evolution into a launchpad for such industries in Asia further solidify its status as a prime destination for technology investments, particularly in the realm of AI. ## Data centers in Singapore for AI and more The role of large [data centers in Singapore](https://www.datacenters.com/locations/singapore/?mb) goes beyond mere infrastructure. These data centers are not only contributing to the attractiveness of the region for AI and tech investments but are also fostering an environment of innovation and technological advancement. Moreover, the presence of these large data centers underscores Singapore's capability to support the complex infrastructure requirements of AI and tech companies. These centers provide the necessary framework for the storage, processing, and analysis of vast amounts of data, which is essential for the successful implementation of AI and other advanced technologies. As a result, Singapore emerges as an ideal investment destination for companies looking to capitalize on the potential of AI and tech innovations, backed by robust and reliable data infrastructure. ## Robotics and supercomputing in Singapore Singapore is gearing up for more than just software. It is now home to some advanced hardware and robotics manufacturing as well, from [Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS)](https://www.hyundai.com/sg/experience/overview/?mb) as a shining recent example. The facility boasts of 200 robots potentially producing 30,000 customizable electric vehicles (EVs) per year. There are also exciting emerging vendors, such as [SmartRx](https://smartrx.com.sg/?mb) in Singapore, producing telemedicine and healthcare provisioning systems to local communities and beyond. On a national supercomputing scale, there is an [AI platform](https://www.nscc.sg/ai-platform/) running on Nvidia, firmly establishing Singapore as a serious supercomputing player. And recent [news](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/nvidia-jensen-huang-supercomputer-ai-iconic-site-sea-lion-llm-3968906) hint at even more AI and supercomputing happenings in Singapore. ## Emerging Trends and Opportunities The potential benefits of investing in Singapore for AI and tech companies are vast, especially in light of the emerging trends and opportunities in the region. There is increased support for B2B SaaS, AI and advanced manufacturing vendors in Singapore and the region, making the environment for tech investments wise and favorable. Moreover, Singapore’s positioning as a hub for tech startups and B2B SaaS companies within the ASEAN market, with a streamlined outreach to the entire regional Asia Pacific market, underscores the immense potential for businesses venturing into AI and emerging technologies. ## AI and B2B Public Relations in Singapore As Singapore emerges as a prime destination for AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and other advanced manufacturing investments, the potential benefits of leveraging B2B public relations in the region become a wise and smart business decision. With international and entrenched regional agencies alike, tech investors and entrepreneurs in the AI and tech space in Singapore and the ASEAN region can capitalize on the expertise of established and proven B2B PR agencies such as [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com), which has been serving tech and industrial clients, including AI/ML clients, as well as other mature tech sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, industrial automation and robotics, for over 30 years in Asia Pacific. ### --- # Securing Asia: How Cybersecurity Companies are Dominating the Market with B2B Public Relations Source: https://mcgallen.com/securing-asia-cybersecurity-companies-dominating-the-market-b2b-public-relations/ The Asia-Pacific region has become a hotbed for cyber incidents, as investments into cybersecurity may not be as deep and comprehensive compared to more developed states in the West. As threat actors worldwide gear up their assaults against businesses, often indiscriminately, this means that there is an urgent need for Asia businesses to also invest into resilient cybersecurity platforms and solutions. In ASEAN, this cybersecurity preparedness mindset is especially important, with fast growing states such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. For many cybersecurity vendors, one of the smartest decisions is to collaborate with experienced public relations agencies in this region to help grow their mindshare to engage potential clients into understanding and eventually investing in their offerings. ## B2B PR for cybersecurity vendors Amidst this landscape, the role of B2B public relations has emerged as a critical factor in the establishment and expansion of cybersecurity companies in the Asia Pacific region. Through strategic communication and relationship-building, [public relations agencies](https://mcgallen.com/) have been instrumental in helping cybersecurity companies position themselves effectively in the market, particularly in response to the pressing need for cybersecurity solutions. The significance of B2B public relations in the cybersecurity sector cannot be overstated, especially in the face of escalating cyber threats and the increasing demand for cybersecurity solutions across various industries in the Asia Pacific region. It is through effective public relations strategies that cybersecurity companies can navigate and thrive in this dynamic and challenging landscape, making substantial contributions to the overall cybersecurity market and mindshare in the region. ## Helping cybersecurity vendors grow in Asia since the mid-1990s McGallen & Bolden Group has been instrumental in providing comprehensive B2B and tech public relations in the Asia Pacific region for over three decades. This extensive experience has enabled the agency to become a prominent figure in the cybersecurity public relations landscape, catering to the specific needs of cybersecurity companies and helping them navigate the complex media and public space. Many of the agency's [cybersecurity clients](https://mcgallen.com/clients/) are stalwarts in this space, and some have been successfully acquired by large vendors in the enterprise software and hardware space. In addition to cybersecurity, McGallen & Bolden Group has also displayed its proficiency in serving clients in other sectors such as industrial B2B, healthcare, AI/ML, robotics and automation, audio-visual products, fashion, luxury products, food and hospitality, government, and non-profits. This diverse portfolio underscores the agency's versatility and deep understanding of various industries, further reinforcing its standing as a key player in the cybersecurity PR domain. ## Grow cybersecurity marketshare To help cybersecurity clients grow in a culturally and linguistically diverse Asia Pacific, McGallen & Bolden provides strategic counsel, red-teaming to assess the client's offerings in an increasingly saturated cybersecurity market, and assessing how best public relations and other marketing programs can complement the client's business and profit goals. The agency is a 360 holistic communication agency, helping cybersecurity and industrial clients through more than just public relations, with editorial-style case studies and interviews, video content, [media training](https://mcgallen.com/training/), crisis communication preparation and training, and even employer branding through LinkedIn content creation. Through a retained program over the long haul, the agency has helped many clients grow in Asia in mindshare and marketshare, with key clients usually working with the agency for many years, with the longest client staying for nearly 30 years. ## 2024 and smart marketing investments With an uncertain global economic climate in 2024, cybersecurity vendors need to invest wisely, while keeping ahead of their saturated competition in Asia Pacific. Businesses that invest less, tends to fail against their competition who spend more. The key question is where and how cybersecurity businesses should spend their marketing budgets. Paid media and events will continue to be part of the marketing investment equation for cybersecurity businesses. However, public relations will be an even more important investment as the mileage will be far greater while the investments will be modest compared to paid media and events. Cybersecurity businesses have consistently noticed just how public relations can help their business outreach in lead and demand generation, building and maintaining reputation, and strengthening relationships with clients and channel partners, especially in Asia Pacific where relationships are key to business continuity and success. The key decision is to work with the right PR agency in Asia Pacific with the right credentials in terms of relevant cybersecurity experience and knowledge. ### --- # Successful B2B PR in Asia Pacific for industrial companies takes more than just a news release Source: https://mcgallen.com/successful-b2b-pr-in-asia-pacific-for-industrial-companies-singapore/ Business-to-business (B2B) public relations (PR) is an indispensable tool for industrial companies in the Asia Pacific region, as it plays a pivotal role in nurturing robust business relationships and establishing a reputable brand presence. By leveraging B2B PR strategies and tactics, industrial companies can effectively communicate their value propositions, industry expertise, and thought leadership to key stakeholders within the region. For instance, McGallen & Bolden, an award-winning PR agency in Asia, specializes in providing strategic counsel and 360-degree holistic communications to industrial companies operating in the Asia Pacific for over 30 years, enabling them to enhance their brand visibility and reputation. To effectively implement B2B PR strategies in the Asia Pacific region, industrial companies need to recognize the significance of understanding cultural nuances and key industrial trends shaping the market. For example, the region's diverse cultural landscape demands tailored PR approaches that resonate with the unique preferences and sensitivities of local audiences.  [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com/), a leading PR agency in Asia Pacific, has consistently assisted industrial companies in growing their brand awareness by localizing messaging, targeting the right media, and focusing on events to interact directly with the target audience, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding and localized strategies in successful B2B PR initiatives.  Furthermore, the emergence of business opportunities and infrastructural benefits in the [Asia Pacific](https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/asia-on-the-cusp-of-a-new-era/?mb), particularly in ASEAN countries like Singapore, underscores the need for industrial companies to develop comprehensive B2B PR strategies that align with the region's evolving business landscape and consumer demands, ultimately facilitating market entry and expansion. ## Significance of Effective B2B PR Strategies Implementing localized and adaptable approaches is crucial for industrial companies aiming to establish a strong presence in the diverse and dynamic Asia Pacific region. These companies must tailor their public relations strategies to fit the cultural nuances and business practices of each country within the region.  For example, understanding the hierarchical structure and respect for authority in countries like Japan and South Korea is essential when developing communication strategies and engaging with stakeholders. This level of cultural understanding can significantly impact the success of B2B PR efforts, highlighting the importance of localizing strategies to resonate with the target audience. Furthermore, having a [local spokesperson and a customer advocacy program](https://mcgallen.com/training/) for technical topics offers substantial benefits in the Asia Pacific region. For instance, by leveraging a local spokesperson who is well-versed in the industry-specific jargon and cultural norms, industrial companies can effectively convey their messages to the local audience with authenticity and credibility. Additionally, a customer advocacy program can help in building strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders, thereby enhancing brand reputation and fostering trust within the industry. These strategies are especially crucial in a region where business dealings are often built on personal relationships and trust. B2B PR also plays a vital role in navigating cultural nuances and fostering trust in the industrial sector, which is fundamental for successful business relationships. For instance, understanding the importance of “guanxi 关系” in China or the concept of "saving face" in various Asian cultures is critical when engaging in public relations activities. By demonstrating cultural sensitivity and understanding, industrial companies can establish themselves as trusted and respected partners in the Asia Pacific region, paving the way for long-term business success. ## Cultural Considerations in Asia Pacific PR When it comes to conducting business-to-business public relations in the Asia Pacific region for industrial companies, cultural considerations play a pivotal role. The Asia Pacific markets are incredibly diverse, both in terms of languages spoken and business practices.  For instance, while English may be spoken in some locales to a certain degree, it is not universal. It's essential to recognize that each country in the region has its own unique set of cultural norms and business etiquettes. Therefore, to effectively navigate these cultural nuances, it's imperative to have a deep understanding of the local customs, traditions, and communication styles prevalent in each market. For example, in Japan, the business culture places a strong emphasis on formality and respect. This means that any public relations strategies implemented in Japan need to be tailored to align with these values. In contrast, in countries like Singapore, the business culture is more diverse and may reflect a blend of Western and Eastern practices, thus requiring a nuanced approach. Therefore, by acknowledging and respecting these cultural intricacies, industrial companies can build trust and credibility, which are essential for successful business relationships in the region. Moreover, apart from language and cultural differences, the varying social media platforms used across the Asia Pacific region also pose a unique challenge. For instance, while Western platforms like Facebook and X/Twitter are prevalent in some countries, others may have their own popular social networking sites such as Wechat, Line, Tiktok, or Telegram. Understanding these variations is crucial for tailoring PR strategies to effectively engage with the target audience in each market. Therefore, by acknowledging these cultural and social nuances, industrial companies can position themselves for success in the Asia Pacific region. ## Key Industrial Trends in the Asia Pacific Region The Asia Pacific region is experiencing a notable shift in industrial dynamics due to the rapid advancements in automation, robotics, safety, and cybersecurity, all of which are reshaping the industrial sector. For instance, in the manufacturing industry, automation and robotics are streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and reducing operational costs. And yet, these very important benefits of robotics and automation may face resistance in some Asian countries where labor is important and critical to their stability. Therefore, a nuanced approach to B2B PR from the perspectives of these locales will be exceptionally important, and care must be taken by the most experienced PR practitioners to ensure success. Furthermore, the increasing focus on safety and cybersecurity in industries across the Asia Pacific region is influencing the way companies approach their business operations. Industrial companies are now placing greater emphasis on integrating robust safety measures and cybersecurity protocols into their products, services, and operations to meet the evolving regulatory requirements and customer expectations.  As a result, B2B PR strategies need to align with these trends to effectively communicate how industrial companies are adapting to these changes and addressing the challenges associated with safety and cybersecurity. By doing so, companies can build trust, credibility, and brand reputation in the Asia Pacific market, positioning themselves as leaders in industrial safety and cybersecurity. Moreover, public relations agencies seeking to support industrial companies in the Asia Pacific region need to demonstrate a deep understanding of the specific business issues and technical maturity prevalent in the industrial landscape. For instance, agencies should be well-versed in topics such as industrial automation, AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare, and be able to create tailored PR strategies that resonate with the unique needs and challenges of industrial clients. This approach ensures that industrial companies receive comprehensive PR support that not only addresses their immediate goals but also aligns with the overarching industrial trends shaping the Asia Pacific region. ## Business Opportunities in the Asia Pacific and ASEAN The Asia Pacific region, particularly ASEAN countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, presents growing business opportunities for industrial and technology companies aiming to expand their presence. Successful entry into these markets requires extensive public relations efforts, localized messaging, and a strong digital presence to effectively engage the target audience and media. The region's business-friendly environment, thriving internet economy, and expanding middle class make it a prime region for business expansion, especially for industrial companies. These strategies are crucial for success in the ASEAN markets, where a robust B2B PR strategy is essential for building brand awareness and fostering strong business relationships. ## Carpe diem for 2024 With 2024 fast approaching, it is evident that the Asia Pacific region presents a multitude of opportunities for industrial companies to establish and expand their business presence. By recognizing the significance of cultural considerations, industrial trends, and business opportunities in the region, companies can strategically position themselves for success. For instance, understanding the impact of automation, robotics, safety, and cybersecurity on the industrial sector in the Asia Pacific region can enable companies to align their B2B PR strategies to capitalize on these trends and gain a competitive edge in the market. Furthermore, the importance of having a localized and adaptable approach in B2B PR cannot be overstated. By leveraging the expertise of local PR agencies such as [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/contact/), which has been serving industries such as cybersecurity, industrial automation, AI, and healthcare in the Asia Pacific for over 30 years, can provide industrial companies with the necessary insights and strategies tailored to the local business landscape. This approach not only fosters cultural understanding but also helps in building strong relationships and successful PR campaigns in the diverse Asia Pacific markets. Therefore, by embracing these key considerations and implementing effective B2B PR strategies, industrial companies can navigate the complexities of the Asia Pacific region and establish a robust and reputable presence. ### --- # 5 keys to unlocking a successful collaboration with your PR agency Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-keys-successful-collaboration-pr-agency/ So you have decided you want to grow your brand, build a trusted reputation, and to make your brand and products known to the world. Public relations (PR) is one of the most strategic ways forward, through a PR agency partner. How then, should you work with a PR agency? We recommend these 5 keys: - #### Know yourself. - #### Lay out what you have. - #### Listen. - #### Work together. - #### Repeat. ## 1. Know yourself. Before you engage a PR agency, you need to know who you are, what you represent, and who you intend to reach out to. Certainly a senior PR practitioner might be able to advise. Are you the shiniest gadget waiting to shine in the world right now, akin to the Apple iPhone or Huawei Mate 60 Pro? Or are you a strictly B2B (business to business) product or solution that were created by scientists and engineers and sold to the same? Are you a brand selling to millions at prices anyone would afford? Or are you selling to niche audiences at small quantities? Are you a nascent startup with a vibrant team that needs mentoring? Or are you an established multinational business with diverse offices throughout Asia Pacific? ## 2. Lay out what you have. Public relations (PR) is a program for committed entrepreneurs and leaders. It is not a once-off exercise for most businesses. Just like advertising, you get what you pay for. So, you need to know what kind of budget and resources you are willing to set. For most businesses, you should be setting aside between 7% to 10% of your annual revenue to marketing, of which PR is part of. Since advertising is always going to be tactical and expensive, enlightened business leaders and entrepreneurs tend to park most of their marketing budgets into PR, which can stretch their outreach much more for much less dollars compared to traditional advertising. Work with your PR agency to see how best your budget of say, 8% of your annual revenue, should be spent in a retained PR program with tactical events and other marketing activities. Resources also include human and other material resources, and you need to communicate to your employees the importance of PR for your business. ## 3. Listen. Just as you would listen to what a doctor or surgeon has to say when helping you with a condition to ensure the most optimal outcomes, it is the same with your PR agency relationship. You do what you do best, and your PR agency counselors do what they do best. It is all about multiplying the effort into greater outcomes, rather than contesting personal opinions. Your PR team will have your best interests at heart to get the best media and coverage outcomes, as well as building and sustaining your brand and reputation. ## 4. Work together. Your PR agency will discern what is best for your brand, your products, and your team when it comes to communicating with the media and other stakeholders. For example, seasoned PR practitioners may ask for your team to spruce up your LinkedIn profiles and biographies, and to get decent photographs done, including at various locations and poses for future use. Your PR counselors may request for background materials, interviews and chats with your team from various functions and departments. They may also insist on media training for your key spokespersons and have mock interviews to discern how best to present your spokespersons. Your counselors will very likely communicate with you and many of your employees as often as needed, especially when media opportunities arise. So as a C-suite leader, work closely and collaboratively with your PR team. ## 5. Repeat. Public relations (PR) will always be a strategic C-suite program that needs to be sustained, nurtured, and expanded, as long as you have a business, a brand, and products and solutions to communicate to the world. It is not a once-off exercise. Continue to refine your business and brand and know what you represent, continue to visit your available resources and budgets to expand your outreach and brand growth. As new people join your business, always engage them to work closely and listen to the counsel of your PR team, and treat your PR agency as an extant member of your C-suite to advise, to strategize, and to expand the brand together. ## Rather watch a video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuH5Kmp8kQU If you want to work with an award-winning and one of the most established PR agencies in Asia Pacific, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # Pilot and leadership transformation in the age of AI Source: https://mcgallen.com/pilot-and-leadership-transformation-in-the-age-of-ai/ Our CTO Seamus Phan presented a session at the prestigious [Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS) 2023](https://apats-event.com/2023-pilot-conference/) in Singapore, under the Pilot Track, on "**Pilot & Leadership Transformation in the age of AI**". The key question many pilots may wonder is, will AI replace them in the flight deck? When we think of artificial intelligence or AI, its hype seem to permeate through every industry, with some people already thinking that AI would replace some of the human workers, or even displacing entire sectors of industries altogether. Aviation is no different. Aircraft manufacturers and airlines are hoping for AI and automation to eventually replace at least one of the operating pilots in a two-pilot flight deck, if not replacing all human pilots altogether eventually. But is that possible for the foreseeable future? Let's explore some of this. **1. What is AI?** **2. Is AI ready?** **3. EASA AI Roadmap 2.0.** **4. AI use cases in the aviation industry.** **5. Will AI replace pilots?** **6. A glimpse into what can pilots do with AI today.** **7. And one more thing…** This work is in collaboration with colleague Capt Michael Caston, both consulting at [FlightLeaders](https://flightleaders.com/?sp), a division of [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). View the edited YouTube video based on part of my presentation during the symposium. You can also find all our YouTube videos on mainstream audio podcast platforms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUwp4KQ9i-I   --- # McGallen & Bolden integrates AI with its own knowledge management systems Source: https://mcgallen.com/mcgallen-bolden-integrates-ai-with-its-own-knowledge-management-systems/ The AI wave is already causing a rift between those who bravely adopt it, and those who shy away from it. However, AI is an unstoppable eventuality of humanity, and science fiction in all manners of novels to movies have illustrated scenarios in multi-faceted outcomes. To truly harness the abilities of AI, just as we did in the 1990s with the Internet and the 2000s with social media, we have to dive right in and use it. We at McGallen & Bolden have always done that, adopting technology head on, understanding it and then harnessing it to our advantage. And we have, with AI as well. AI is but a tool, and those of us who manage and harness tools to our advantage, will thrive. We cannot allow mere tools to be our masters, because we are to be masters of tools, to be the artisans picking up hammers and chisels to sculpt art and machinery. So, what do we as a strategy and communications firm do with tools like AI? Technology as an enabler is not new to us. McGallen & Bolden Group has been at the forefront of harnessing technologies as tools to better our work for ourselves and clients. ## We are techies first In the 1990s before the Internet arrived, we were the first boutique consulting firm to leverage on proprietary email (CompuServe, now owned by Yahoo), in-house bulletin board severs (BBS, the precursor to modern social networks), CRM (customer relationship management for media management), and digital fax (to disseminate news materials). We were also the first public relations (PR) agency in our side of the world to use Digital PR, creating digital press kits with interactive presentations authored on proprietary authoring tools, delivered on 3.5-inch floppy disks, and given to journalists. In 1996, when commercial Internet arrived, we went beyond email. We started researching UNIX and UNIX-like servers, developing sophisticated websites for government agencies and multinational clients, and hosted them ourselves with backend management. And in 2000, we brought in our own AVID non-linear video editing suite, producing cinematic advertisements and news materials for our clients. By 2002, we were also the first boutique consulting firm in our locale to develop our own networked knowledge management systems (KMS), housing our consulting content and templates for ISO 9000, ISO 14000, total quality management (TQM), service quality, and public relations. The KMS was running on a local area network (LAN) for our team, and was also usable across the Internet. A year later in 2003, we took our UNIX and cybersecurity knowledge further, culminating in a BSD Unix based email security server appliance [NetJanus](https://mcgallen.com/labs/)™, that provided malware filtering for standard email services. The appliance was a mini-ITX server, and could also run off a Mac running UNIX. Between 2010 to 2011, we migrated our web development from HTML hand-coding to content management systems (CMS), adding mobile app development on multiple platforms. All these while, we provided our mainline consulting for clients in public relations, marketing, communication (internal and external stakeholders), branding, and business strategy. Technology was an enabler from our humble beginnings in the 1990s right to today to propel and accelerate our mainline consulting work. ## The AI inflection From early 2020, the world became locked down by the global pandemic, that disabled and even shuttered many businesses, decimating jobs worldwide, and gave the world the worst disaster that confounded governments to their knees. It was in those times we kept on fighting, continuing to optimize and use technologies to further our work, laboring away for our clients, and helping them sustain and grow through the global crisis. 2022 was the year that AI became a conversational topic. Rather than shy away from a new unknown to many, we confronted it head on, just as we did from the 1990s with all manners of electronic mail, content delivery, video creation, the Internet, social networks, and cybersecurity. Our team quickly started to research the various tools available, and how best each of these tools could be used. We tested many of the similar tools out there, investing in time and financial resources to best understand what could work, what would work for us, and what would not be suitable for us and our clients. While we have used all manners of AI for content creation from text, audio, voice, to video, the most fascinating AI has to be LLMs (large language models) including those making headlines in early 2023 such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, we knew the AI world is not just about OpenAI, but much more. There are a variety of open source and publicly available LLMs, as well as many ways to use them, even offline (fencing them within our own computers rather than running on the cloud). We also studied ways to write prompts, known as “prompt engineering”, so that just as we have been good at running web searches on the Internet making smart queries, we can make common AI LLMs which can make silly “hallucinations”, provide better and truer answers to our needs. ## Turning AI into our internal knowledge resource But making AI chatbots is not all there is. We have consolidated some of our legacy consulting materials as well as other public materials, to train the AI with our own knowledge and materials, essentially turning our old knowledge management systems (KMS) into [**conversational virtual “colleagues”**](https://mcgallen.com/labs/) that our team can leverage on. Our team can just ask some questions and get some answers, and these answers can be structured and refined, which makes it much better than the old KMS we had. The journey certainly does not stop here. Our clients should be able to tap on some of these resources eventually, when we have segregated and refined client-specific materials from our internal knowledge resources, with parallel tracks to a centrally managed AI-powered KMS. This goal is not even that far away, so stay tuned. If you want to engage us for public relations, crisis communication, media training, business strategy, and branding, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). Watch the YouTube version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6zpDycouA ### --- # Top 5 PR strategies your business can win against competition large and small Source: https://mcgallen.com/top-5-pr-strategies-your-business-can-win-against-competition/ What are the 5 top public relations strategies that can give your business a competitive edge against the giants and upstarts? It starts with understanding that good public relations is a lot more than media relations. Read more below. ## Top 5 PR strategies your business can win against competition large and small Whether in the Americas, Europe, or the Asia Pacific, public relations is entrenched in every successful business. For the more enlightened businesses, public relations has converged with the C-suite to ensure that communication starts successful with the top brass. So, what are the 5 top field-proven public relations strategies that work? ### 1. PR is NOT just media relations. The enlightened businesses and agencies know that media relations is a fraction of public relations. Long gone are the days of measuring quantity of news coverage and using antiquated “advertising equivalence”. The likes of AMEC’s Barcelona is a good modern yardstick for public relations measurement, which extends to social platforms (even dark social). Explore all stakeholders and relations, such as communities, academia, trade organizations, government agencies, etc. These communities and the communication outreach all make up part of public relations. In a world where truth is demanded, it is important to reach out as far and wide a community as possible through communication to all stakeholders. ### 2. Read widely and from all sources. Some practitioners and businesses see the world from only their perspective, and have the illusion of thinking that all public discourse and narratives should revolve around their interests, technologies and offerings. That is plainly impractical. So, the best way to know what is going on out there in the world, is to read widely from as many news and other information sources as possible, and not just narrow down to your own offerings, or even your nation state’s. The world is diverse, and to be truly inclusive and enlightened, and therefore successful, is to study the news and information from all locales, to understand the nuances and interests of all locales, and then distill them into inclusive and functional tactical communication and other business outreach. Don’t get trapped and prejudiced by limiting yourself to just a narrow “world view”. ### 3. Take every media request seriously. Yes, every executive is busy these days especially with so many global and local turbulences encapsulating our every day. However, whenever a journalist or an influencer comes forward with an interest in our business, it is important we honor such requests with an equitable energy and fulfillment to completion. Stick to the media’s deadlines. Furnish all details as much as you can. Offer a wider perspective from complementary partners and allies if possible. ### 4. Explore all media channels and platforms. There seems to be a new digital platform or channel every other quarter, competing or supplementing one another in one way or another. Not all platforms will survive, and some will fade away with time as the fads subside. However, as leaders and practitioners, we need to at least explore these platforms first hand, to see exactly how and why they work, or won’t. We should not simply dismiss an emerging or foreign platform just because we are unfamiliar with them. Study them. Use them. Test them. And then decide. Some of these platforms may well supersede what we believe to be the status quo. ### 5. Go deep and wide. We may be a cybersecurity vendor, or a medical clinic. We may therefore have our practice areas and commercial interests. However, while we tend to go deep with our communication outreach with highly technical content, do remember it is important to tailor our communication to suit a wide variety of audiences as well. In those audiences we may not see an immediate business fit, do remember those audiences tend to also be a superset of the very important decision makers as well, and these decision makers do also digest such media. Also, sometimes, media opportunities of a regional or international tier media may arise, that demand executive and leadership perspectives rather than narrow technical discourse, and may become highly sought after “proof points” even, for our business development colleagues. So, as the field of public relations evolves, we must as practitioners, keep ahead by having open minds and agile actions, to study and explore the vast unknown, and use such knowledge and experience to grow. Watch our YouTube version below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3zJ-_4SKY8 --- # “Tough Times, Great PR” book on building brands and gaining publicity in a turbulent world by Asia communications veteran Seamus Phan Source: https://mcgallen.com/tough-times-great-pr-book-building-brands-gaining-publicity-turbulent-world/ Seamus Phan, principal and chief technology officer of Asia Pacific communications consulting firm [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com/), has launched a new book, “Tough Times, Great PR - Dot Zen 3.0: Building Brands and Publicity for the 21st Century (ISBN 9780983505822)”, available at online bookstores worldwide. !["Tough Times, Great PR" book by Seamus Phan](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/toughtimesgreatpr_cover-1024x742.jpeg) “Tough Times, Great PR” was birthed from Phan’s engagement with clients to continue building their brands through publicity during the global pandemic, when businesses faced many pressures from stringent healthcare controls, remote working or shutdowns, business decline, budget cuts, layoffs, and external political and global conflict pressures on processes and revenue. ## Third book in the “Dot Zen” series “Tough Times, Great PR” is the third book in the “Dot Zen” series. The first “Dot Zen - Practical tips and thoughts on business, marketing, PR and the Internet from the Diamond Sutra (ISBN 9789810456450)” book was penned in 2003 by Seamus Phan and Ter Hui Peng, with short writings on business, customer service, quality management, marketing, sales, publicity, branding, leadership, and the Internet. The next “Dot Zen” book, titled “Dot Zen 2.0 - On marketing, social media, technology, public relations, human capital and leadership (ISBN 9780983505815)” was penned by Seamus Phan in 2013. ## Focusing on PR, marketing and branding in Asia Pacific The “Tough Times, Great PR - Dot Zen 3.0: Building Brands and Publicity for the 21st Century” book narrows the focus to mainly public relations, branding, and marketing, with references to ongoing trends in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), web3, and digital tools for collaboration in a remote and hybrid work environment. The book is meant to be a quick reference for C-suite corporate leaders and practitioners, allowing them to look up specific pages, reflect, or act. The book chapters are brief and easy to include into existing communication programs or start new ones. The book has short writings on a 5-prong approach to building brands in Asia Pacific, a simple checklist for all businesses to assess their readiness for public relations in the Asia Pacific, crisis communication and management recommendations, media monitoring and emerging standards, managing tough interviews for spokespersons, and technology recommendations on AI, open source tools for communication and collaboration, and building digital resilience. > “When much of the world began to take on the pandemic, economies and businesses were put on hold, or had to slow down. Businesses had to shutter, lay off people, and move online. Offices became silent and dark, while workers worked from home. Some heritage brands that have thrived for decades or more, closed down. Many client businesses needed breathing room while planning to see how best they could emerge from what seemed like perpetuity. Fortunately, the world finally emerged from the pandemic. But from the three years of the pandemic, there were lessons for businesses, and many of those lessons were learned the hard way in the midst of surviving the pandemic. As a communications and leadership transformation practitioner, we worked closely with clients to brave through the global ‘black swan’ event together. It was those lessons we learned together, that I felt could be summarized into digestible writings for an anthology, and ‘Tough Times, Great PR’ was born. We hope this simple book can serve as a quick reference to entrepreneurs, business leaders, startups, and practitioners,” said Seamus Phan, principal and chief technology officer, McGallen & Bolden Group. For more information and purchases, visit: - [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Times-Great-PR-Publicity/dp/0983505829) #### About Seamus Phan Seamus Phan is a problem-solver, with 35 years of professional field experience in consulting and business fields. He was an Internet and cybersecurity pioneer since 1996, and a software developer since the 1970s. He co-developed an email security server appliance, as well as a UNIX-based business analysis system during his doctoral studies. He carried out independent biochemistry research on antioxidants and lipids. He was also a pioneer service quality consultant for aviation and other businesses. He has diverse interests from science, art, to philosophy. As a journalist, he interviewed stars such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and 5-time Olympian Jorge Bonnet. Find out more at [https://seamusphan.com](https://seamusphan.com/?mb). ### --- # Leading aviation training symposium returns to Singapore in August 2023 Source: https://mcgallen.com/leading-aviation-training-symposium-returns-to-singapore-in-august-2023/ Aviators and aviation professionals, mark your calendar for the return of the physical event of APATS 2023 (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium), organized by the esteemed Halldale Group, and led by industry leader Capt Jacques Drappier. Seamus Phan, lead consultant of [FlightLeaders](https://flightleaders.com/?mb) (a division of McGallen & Bolden) will present under the Pilot Conference track, on Human Factors, titled "Transformation in the Time of AI", will be on August 30, 2023, 1415 hours (after lunch). The event is at Marina Bay Sands Expo, Singapore. Find out more at: ## https://apats-event.com/2023-pilot-conference/ ### --- # 4 tips of AI prompt engineering for public relations Source: https://mcgallen.com/ai-prompt-engineering-for-public-relations/ Some businesses are predicting hundreds of millions of jobs will be lost with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) such as those from OpenAI, Google, Baidu and so on. At the same time, AI is creating new jobs, which demand different skill sets and knowledge, such as "prompt engineers". Who are they? And how can we leverage this for public relations (PR)? ## Prompt engineering? What is "prompt engineering"? Essentially, it is about asking smart questions or giving articulated commands to an AI system, so that the AI can reply with good and elaborate answers. For once, this is a field that good communicators and writers will excel in, especially if they have a vast background knowledge and learning of the humanities, such as history, philosophy, religion, culture, arts, and so on, rather than only the hard sciences and technical disciplines. If you think like a programmer, you are likely going to face roadblocks with a modern large language model (LLM) AI. Mind you, prompt engineering is not restricted to AI chatbots, but can be used for multimedia generation with AI systems, including images, illustrations, virtual photographs, video, and sound. AI chatbots may have accumulated a large body of data and was trained on them. At a glance, they are sophisticated and surpass humans in certain ways. However, if you look closer, all current AI still suffers from what industry practitioners call "hallucination". Since AI is not sentient, they do not have intentions, and so their deceiving is an aberration, perhaps due to the data provided, the way they were trained, and the people who trained these systems. So, what are the 4 basics of prompt engineering? ## 1. Think like a child A child is capable of learning and communicating. And yes, some children lie, even with confidence. AI can be the same. So, in order to engage the bot effectively, you can think, "what would a child do or ask? How would a child respond?" A child often asks many questions, often prefacing each utterance with "why". A child is more likely to ask and answer at point blank, without much window dressing. 2. Ask often, try often. Prompt engineering is a skill best endured through effort and time. Don't be afraid to try, fail, try again, fail again, and so on. The more you try, the more you can identify a pattern to which you can more successfully interact with the AI to get the results you hope for. ## 3. Ask wide and deep If you have dabbled with any of the AI chatbots or media generation platforms, you may notice simpler prompts are often met with a "roughness" in the output that you may be disappointed in. Prompt the systems with as complete a scenario as you can, including if possible how we PR practitioners ask and write media content, known as the 5W1H method (What, Where, When, Why, Who, and How). Imagine you are a storyteller. Your story would have the 5W1H built in. Describe with as much detail as possible, and your story comes alive. Likewise, prompt engineering is the same. The more depth and width you can prompt to the AI system, the more sophisticated and nuanced the output would be. ## 4. Be fancy, get real As with storytelling, you can tell a story like reporting the news, as a matter of fact. Or, you can tell a story as you would an epic cinema feature. Which do you think will excite your intended audience more? So, if you are able, or if you have an external communications partner, try to tell stories with flourish and impact, while staying away from the abstract, since AI may more easily misinterpret abstract notions. ## Tame and harness AI The AI age is here and not going away, unlike some other technological paradigms which came and went. AI will be entrenched even more than ever, in every conceivable intelligent system we use, from IoT, mobile, computers, servers, data centers, and more. AI is a tool, and not a god. It is our duty to tame and harness the power within it. --- # Employer branding through public relations Source: https://mcgallen.com/employer-branding-through-public-relations/ We hear of layoffs in the thousands or tens of thousands from many big tech and other companies worldwide. Before the pandemic and global conflicts, many businesses were recruiting staff without restraint, and suddenly, they find themselves having more people than they need. Layoffs are never good for brands, especially in the context of employer branding. So, how can we weave public relations into our employer branding efforts? ## Employer branding First, we need to understand that employer branding is not business branding. Employer branding is a subset of business branding, and it centers on the communication to new talents and prospective talents, as well as strengthen internal communication with existing employees. What makes this company special? Why should someone work there? Employer branding can leverage on public relations to communicate with the public through traditional media relations, but also through social channels, video, sponsored content, and more. ## Who should be involved? Don't relegate employer branding to your human resource team. Employer branding should be helmed by your C-suite, with your human resources and communications teams in tandem. Work with your communications partners such as PR agencies and even advertising agencies to work on various media and sponsored content. ## What makes you special? Sure, remuneration is always a draw, except for a few. And no, it is not about how pretty your office is or how prestigious its address is. Neither is it about the buffet spread of food in the pantry. These are nice little perks for some, but may not matter for most. Some of the more contemporary benefits prospective employees may look for, are the ability to work remotely, flexible work hours, mix-and-match benefits, or even a negotiation for flexible benefits for remuneration, and so on. Are there family-friendly benefits such as in-house child-care? What kind of medical and insurance benefits are there, especially if they are portable and can be continued even after employment ends? People come in the way they are. Today's generations of employees are looking for authenticity, warmth, acceptance, multi-lateral communication, and even vulnerability. The more transparent and vulnerable you are to your employees by simply being truthful and honest, the more endearing your brand is to employees or prospects. The modern employee needs to keep abreast of the ever-evolving arena. So, does your business encourage learning? Does your business provides the means to do so, either by sponsorship of your employees to learning programs, or giving them time off? Are there structured in-house learning programs for everyone, and are these learning programs counted as work hours rather than expecting employees to spend even more time besides heavy workloads? And who decides if you are special? Certainly you cannot audit yourself. If you are a sizable business, there may already be Internet and social chatter about the reputation of your business. If not, perhaps it is wise to conduct a brand audit for you as an employer. The survey should not identify people, but inputs. ## Channels for employer branding Media relations is certainly one method for employer branding. IF you have a specific initiative that makes your business different and appeal to large audiences, working with a retained PR agency to communicate that, especially in the Asia Pacific, would make sense. Beyond media relations, let's not forget social channels. LinkedIn is often touted as a useful branding platform for businesses. However, engagement on business pages tend to be low. So, for successful employer branding, work with your C-suite executives to get their LinkedIn pages active and talking. If you are strapped for ideas and time, work with your PR agency to develop consistent, succinct, and powerful content for posting on personal pages of these C-suite executives. Work with your C-suite executives to develop an authentic voice, rather than a bland and cold voice. Video is also a great social channel to leverage on, if you can get your C-suite to participate in short question-and-answer format videos. With the rise in dark social, such as Telegram and WhatsApp, you can also leverage their community channel capabilities to build communities for communication. ## Your brand is sacred With global recessionary and conflict pressures mounting, people will gravitate to businesses they trust, and hope that those businesses can house them for the long haul. While exciting perks and insane remuneration will surely attract some, more and more people, especially those with long-term commitments and dreams of having families, would be more interested to work with brands that can provide a sense of safety and security. This is an exciting time for businesses that have great value systems, honest and warm cultures, and collegial teams, to attract good people to work with them. ### --- # 8 recommendations for building your own in-house studio for audio and video Source: https://mcgallen.com/8-recommendations-building-studio-audio-video/ The digital communications age is entrenched, with the advent of YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Soundcloud, Spotify, and more. While the mainstream media remains the key to traditional public relations, there is also an equally compelling need to bring what we want to say to the social channels. Today, every single person in a city would most likely be carrying with them a smartphone, capable of not just watching high-resolution videos, listening to high quality audio, but also take decent photographs, record sounds, and even video. Everyone is capable of becoming a citizen journalist or an audio and video producer on the ago. So, what are our 8 recommendations of putting together a corporate in-house studio? ## 1. The camera you have is the best There was once a time when people would imagine big chunky digital single lens reflex cameras were the best for photography, or that expensive cinema cameras were the best way to create video. However, those were years gone by, and now, many flagship smartphones are capable of shooting high resolution video with in-camera optical image stabilization, with multiple microphones for noise cancellation, and high resolution screens for monitoring and playback. You can literally be carrying a 4K video and photo camera in your pocket! Any time you need to quickly acquire some footage, that smartphone in your pocket or bag is the best camera you need. And if you have a good broadband data plan, you are even able to livestream your content to social channels in real time. ## 2. Plan for storage While the cloud is convenient, know that cloud services are not invincible, despite the big tech vendors immense spending on infrastructure. So, make sure you have offline storage too, for all your audio and video footage. Solid state disks today are not expensive, so keep a bank of them for your ongoing work. These disks should be formatted in cross-platform compatible file formats so the source footage can be accessed by anyone. ## 3. Audio and video editing While there are many audio and video editing tools out there, pick open source tools so that you save money, and more likely find documentation and talents who can help you edit your footage on those tools. Proprietary software may be great for particular purposes, but creating audio and video content for your business is not about making blockbuster movies, but corporate communication and news footage. The best audio editing software would be Audacity, which is free, open source, and runs on common platforms such as Mac, Linux, and Windows. DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design, which has a free version, is a proprietary software but runs on Mac, Linux and Windows. For most people, the free DaVinci Resolve would be more than sufficient, which provides video editing and color correction and grading, and basic audio editing. For Mac users, you can use the free iMovie for simple video editing too. Invest in a decently powerful computer or laptop that can handle large video files, and this means having a good processor and GPU, enough RAM and disk space. ## 4. Chromakey Even for videoconferencing such as Zoom, having a chromakey screen behind you (or "green screen"), improves the image quality tremendously. The native blurring of the background by most videoconferencing software is rather crude and ugly. Using a chromakey screen improves the video quality. Chromakey screens can be painted on a wall, a drop-down fabric screen, or a foldable version. Depending on your needs, you can have a single-person chromakey, or a wall-sized one for multi-person backdrops. ## 5. Lights, action! Artificial light seems redundant when we see things through our own eyes. However, recorded footage on cameras, including that from smartphones, the ability of those camera sensors to perceive natural light as our own eyes are not the same. You may therefore find the need to artificially illuminate your scene for the finished video to look more evenly lit. So, to many, the ring light is the way to go. However, contrary to belief, the ring light was originally intended for beauty and makeup influencers. So, if you intend to illuminate your scene more professionally, you can consider some soft boxes and key lights. Some modern key lights are LED based with smartphone as remote control for color temperature and effects, and so they make great options. ## 6. Other cameras While the smartphone is adequate, you can also invest in better quality webcams, vlogging cameras, or even studio cameras, if your communication needs become more sophisticated. There are networked cameras such as Mevo, or action cameras, that can be linked to smartphones and tablets. You can also use mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lens to create different depth of field or focal length effects. For most businesses, there is no need for sophisticated cameras that output LOG or RAW formats, since these files are unwieldy and huge. Go for simple file formats such as MOV or MP4 would be sufficient. ## 7. Microphones and soundproofing Microphones are diverse in function and connectivity. For most corporate and podcast use, you can find a good USB cardioid microphone, commonly used by gamers and podcasters. USB microphones are intended to connect to your laptop or computer. There are also 3.5mm or XLR microphones, and these connect to analog ports correspondingly. For videoconferencing, you can consider 3.5mm wired headsets, or Bluetooth enabled wireless ones. The advantage of such headsets is that you will find it easier to isolate your speaking voice from the background noise. The disadvantage is that as headsets, they will be hanging like a big prop over your head. Bluetooth earbuds are convenient for conversations, but may not be the most ideal recording conversations for communication, whether due to recording more noise, or due to battery drainage. For having cleaner sound recordings, you may need some kind of soundproofing. For example, having a thick large carpet on the floor, thick curtains, or even installing soundproofing foam panels on the walls would improve your recording quality. ## 8. Props If you are using a chromakey as a backdrop, then you can head back to your computer to download public domain backdrops for use. If however, you do not care about virtual backdrops, then invest in some background props, whether posters, shelves with gear, plants, or some corner lights. A blank wall is not a big problem, but having some variance rather than a white wall may seem more professional to your audience. And now, you have the basics to produce your own audio and video content, whether for your websites, social channels, or shared with the mainstream media as background information. It is a field that demands learning and practice. So the more you produce, the more sophisticated and compelling your content will be, and the easier and faster you can produce them. ### --- # The 5 Cs of speechwriting for the C-suite Source: https://mcgallen.com/the-5-cs-of-speechwriting-for-the-c-suite/ Every time your C-suite executives step on stage at a media conference or event to speak, the likelihood is that their speeches are written by some other people. So, what would make a good speech, and how should you approach writing one? Let us offer the 5Cs of a good speech. ## 1. Conversational The worst speeches are read off word by word from a script. So, don't. If you are writing a speech as an executive, or helping your C-suite write one, write it differently than you would writing for a news release or case study. Write it like a letter to your friend. Make it approachable, and make it read and sound like a conversation. Learn from television series writers who write plenty of conversations, rather than pompous and boring keynote scripts. When you are done, it is wise to read it yourself, and face the mirror doing it. Don't worry, the first few times are awful moments. With practice, you will get better at writing speeches that sound and read conversational. ## 2. Captivating Don't approach a speech like a scientific paper. As a scientist myself, I would write differently when I write for a scientific paper, and when I would write a speech. A scientific paper is supposed to be full of supporting facts, and meant for critique from peers. However, a speech is meant to stir emotion, win over people, motivate and even inspire them, and hope for a positive change in people. Your speech should be written to dance in tandem with the subtext and gestures of the speaker, and in turn, engage the audience to fix their gaze and mental attention on the speaker. It is as much a stage performance as it is informative. ## 3. Contextual Context brings us closer to people. When we speak to engineers, we need to speak their language. When we speak to physicians, we need to speak their language. Even humor needs to be contextual. A humor that appeals to physicians may find deaf ears and blank stares from engineers. Write a speech with as local a context as you can. For example, if you are speaking to a Taiwanese audience, you would endear yourself sooner with anecdotes and examples from the local communities. Context, is key. ## 4. Centered For every speech, it needs to be centered on a theme or topic, where the introduction must engage the audience's curiosity, and the conclusion must resoundingly bind the audience to converge on this theme or topic. So, write the speech with an opening and a conclusion that is a closed loop. Never meander in the speech, but always focus and be coherent on the main theme. Repeating is often one of the best ways to remember something. ## 5. Commanding The best speeches are commanding in stature. Every great orator was commanding in tone, commanding in words, and commanding in purpose. Sir Winston Churchill gave the speech "We shall fight on the beaches" to the British House of Commons on 4th June 1940. Nelson Mandela gave a three hour speech on 20th April 1964 and spoke with conviction his commitment to struggle of his people. And who can forget Nobel laureate Reverend Martin Luther King Junior's speech on 28th August 1963 "I have a dream." Closer to our time frame, the late Steve Jobs speech at Stanford University in 2005 and said "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." You get the drift. Write your speech to compel and command. Leaders often had to stand up to speak - to speak to stakeholders, to speak to the community, and perhaps even to speak to the world. And the little note paper which the speech is based from with bullet points, has to be the instrument for the leaders to pace through a short sprint of words and gestures that would engage and inspire all who lent their ears. So, write your speech well, and write it for people. ### --- # When tech goes dark, the show must go on Source: https://mcgallen.com/when-tech-goes-dark-the-show-must-go-on/ What happens when technology fails you? Are you nimble, resilient, and still able to do your job? What contingency plans do you have to carry on your business when technology goes dark? It was the heady 1990s, when I went on to give keynote speeches around the region on customer service and on the then nascent Internet technologies. I always carried my Apple Mac laptop with me, loaded up with my presentation slides. It was in Jakarta, Indonesia, when I was just half an hour from my speech on stage, when I realized my Mac laptop could not boot. Nothing worked, despite me being one of the Apple Mac pioneers who even developed multimedia apps then. My old friend, Ron, who was to give a speech at the same conference, told me to quickly get a flip chart, and write down all my thoughts on it and to present from the flip chart. I am a very coherent thinker, and so I jotted down all my speaking points in sequence on the flip chart paper, just as I would have presented from the slides. I pushed the flip chart stand onto stage, and gave my keynote speech with no further hiccup, to applause from the audience. It was from that single incident that I realized, that all technologies are prone to failure, no matter which vendor. And true enough, as the Internet became mainstream, and as mobile broadband became common, more and more sophisticated technologies came onto the scene. And yet, big and small vendors alike (including "big tech"), would fail users again and again, either with lousy software code, or riddled with vulnerabilities and crumbled under cyber attacks. So, I urge you to imagine this, what is your crisis management plan when your favorite technologies fail you? Can your business still stand and continue? ## Inventory is key Do you know what food you have in the fridge? Are you prepared with dried food should your fridge fails on you? We need to know what we possess, so that we can determine what actions to take. So, you must inventory all the technologies you use in your business, including software, cloud services, hardware, IoT, and more. Make sure for every node in your technology ecosystem, there is a redundant means to get the same job done, including if all technologies fail. You cannot solve a problem if you do not know what you possess. ## Develop expertise The Chinese script is fascinating, in that each word or character, can be multiple meanings, depending on which context you choose. For example, in this calligraphic character I wrote, the same word can mean "expertise", or it can mean "smoothness". Therefore, the quick answer to all crises because of a failure of technologies, is to be an expert in what you do. If you know enough, you can sustain your business even if you only have pencil and paper, or market and flip chart paper if you are on stage. Measure your business resilience not by how many redundant technologies you deploy, but by alternative non-digital means you can get things done. Remember, many of today's sophisticated technologies are highly layered, and have many potential points of failure. As an analogy, your AI chatbot is not a technology by itself, but needs a powerful infrastructure from one of the big tech vendors to drive it. Imagine if the big tech vendor's data centers goes dark, your fancy AI chatbot would be a dud. Imagine a restaurant where you are the founder. If your chef bails on you, are you as good a chef to pick up the slack and allow your restaurant to continue? ## Dry runs Crises happen to everyone. No business can be exempt from a crisis now and then. The answer is not whether you can rely on proverbial luck, but rather, if you can respond to crises effectively. So, rather than leave things to chance and assuring yourself of angst and failure, why not ensure your business is battle ready for any crisis? Develop a crisis preparedness and communication program. Then have dry runs or simulations to ensure that any eventual crisis can be met with effective responses with the right people in place. Such simulations also ensure that you can test out alternative solutions to sustaining your business, just as my flip chart did when my laptop died on me. This crisis preparedness is especially important in public relations too. Imagine if you faced the same situation when you are having a media conference similar to my Jakarta keynote, would you be prepared? You should therefore, do what I do these days, to also print out my slides onto paper, and with key points on cue cards. So, trust no technology, whether they are from a big tech vendor, or a startup. They are mere tools designed by mere humans, and can fail, and will fail, sometimes at the worst time possible. Once you adopt a battle ready mindset for your business, with expertise all round, and be prepared for crises, then you are able to sail through such crises especially even when technologies go dark on you. After all, the show must go on. ### --- # Don’t try to bury bad news on a Friday Source: https://mcgallen.com/crisis-preparedness-and-friday-bad-news/ There seems an antiquated camp that still insists on sending out bad news on a Friday or weekends, hoping that it gets buried in the mountain of news by Monday in a newsroom. However, that is patently outdated today, where everyone is connected anywhere and everywhere. ## Late Friday media conferences of old I recall in the decades before, whenever journalists or practitioners got wind of a dreary later Friday afternoon media conference by a government agency, we would smile knowingly at each other, knowing that the news had to be somewhat of a problem, or at least affecting quite many people in a significant way, and nobody from the government agency would prefer to answer questions, easy or difficult. ## Age of social media and smartphones But, today, if you still hope to get bad news buried by a late Friday afternoon media conference, you might be sorely disappointed. It is now the 21st century, where supercomputing and wireless broadband capable smartphones are in everyone's pockets, and social media of all modalities allow sharing of news, especially bad ones, to thousands and even millions in minutes. The most viral of all content these days, would be entertainment and controversy. Surely bad news, or a crisis, would easily fit into the controversy category. What to do with bad news and a crisis? Let us offer 4 key thoughts. ## 1. Crisis Preparedness First of all, before a crisis even strikes, your business needs a crisis management and communication program in place. Work with your team and public relations experts to develop and deploy such a program. And test your team's agility and preparedness with simulation runs. ## 2. Accept the fallout The worst offenders tend to be some C-suite executives, who may naively believe that all crises can be swept under the carpet with so-called public relations spin. Let me categorically say this, that public relations is not spin. Public relations is about telling the truth. So when fallout happens, you need to accept the outcome with grace and humility, and work with your team and your public relations agency to be prepared and to tell the truth. Remember, all best laid plans are on a best effort basis, and there is no guarantee to positive outcomes. You can only do your best to tell the truth. With social media, you will be even more scrutinized than ever before. And remember, the media and the Internet will not forget anything, and there will always be a trace of a crisis you will be trying hard to forget. Accept that with courage. ## 3. Come clean on time You will have to face the music no matter what, and so it is best to come clean with the truth on time, rather than procrastinate. The ugly outcome will hit you hard, and it is best to brace for impact and get through the initial onslaught. Remember that the media determines what and when and how long they want to report such bad news. You don't get to make the rules. You can only bravely go through the crisis, and offer mitigation and remediation on top of telling the truth. ## 4. Permeate all channels Social media, including dark social such as messaging apps, will likely be abuzz with the spreading of bad news. So, when you hold that dreaded media conference to tell the truth on time, remember to engage your social media team to also distribute the same truth across all possible social and dark social channels. Again, accept that there may be terrible and painful fallouts in these channels, but respond with grace, humility, courage, and with truth. Remember, it is nearly impossible to tell lies consistently. It is always easy to tell the truth repeatedly. No business can cruise through its corporate life without trouble. Every business will face triumphs and defeats along the way. The idea is to be prepared and nimble for crises, and to accept all crises with grace, humility, courage, and with truth. --- # Authentic social media to the rescue in a crisis Source: https://mcgallen.com/authentic-social-media-to-the-rescue-in-a-crisis/ You may have heard of the "sushi terrorism" incidents in Japan, where a putrid youth licked soy sauce bottles and put them back on the conveyer belts at a sushi restaurant, which then triggered similar pranks in Japan. The sushi chain was badly affected by the incident through no fault of theirs. Fortunately, the culprits were later arrested. Through the ordeal, the sushi chain received the most rapport from their fans on social media. So, why is social media important in public relations especially in a crisis? ## 1. Don't wait until a crisis strikes Relationships are formed and forged over time. You cannot expect to rescue your business out of a crisis only when a crisis happens. That crisis will get even worse, since you are ill-prepared for it. So, before crises happen, make sure your business has a crisis management and communication program in place. This program should cater to all manners of potential crises that may strike your business, from cybersecurity breaches, financial and business lapses, product recalls, human failures, and yes, even external threats like "sushi terrorism". You need to have a team on call any moment to address crises as they happen, with prepared processes in place. Test your crisis management and communication program in scheduled and later unscheduled dry runs, to ensure they actually work. Work with external public relations experts to design and develop this program. ## 2. Make social media distinct and close to people Social media is a distinct media compared to mainstream media, being social in nature. Mainstream media is more akin to broadcasting, where the news are distributed to audiences but does not necessarily engage the audiences. Any interaction with mainstream media is usually through a comments system or social media, both of which are auxiliary and extant to the media itself. To quote a recent example, I was listening to a local Chinese radio station. A local actor and director was on the station recently, and was able to call out specific fans on social media by name and even remembered the specifics about some of them. It was no wonder the radio station is popular and its social media flourishing with high attendances during their live-streaming sessions alongside their radio programs, since the hosts endeared themselves to the fans as people. ## 3. Be real and warm Too often, businesses create social media accounts purely to advertise their products, without caring about their audiences. I have seen some business leaders imposing on their marketing teams and even external agencies to push commercial content on social media. Social media is not the best platform for advertising, because as the name implies, it is meant to be social. And it is no wonder many commercial social media accounts dried up like prunes with little social and community interest or engagements. So, what should businesses do? Like the radio host, be authentic and warm. Listen and observe your audiences. Interact with them as much as you can, as friends or families. How would you interact with your friends and families? Surely your circle of families and friends would not bother with your commercial pitches, but are interested in you and your life events. So, your social media should be as real and as warm as you can. Engage your employees, especially key functional spokespersons, to have authentic and real social media accounts to interact with prospects, customers, and communities. Social media is a powerful tool if done right. It is very much a social ecosystem for you to nurture communities and friends. Use it wisely. Be prepared before crises strike. Be real and warm to your audiences. And, perhaps, if ever a crisis strikes, your business will be ready to fend off criticism and attacks, and be able to bounce back quickly and build even stronger communities and retain more business. ### --- # Drilling down deeper into PR measurement for the 21st century Source: https://mcgallen.com/drilling-down-deeper-pr-measurement-21st-century/ Even in the 21st century, the dreaded AVE, or advertising value equivalence, still has not completely gone away. ## An old evil not quite gone AVE is a crude way for some practitioners to peg media coverage to advertising costs, and some practitioners even go so far as to multiply the corresponding advertising costs several times, or even more, with the argument that media coverage, being unbiased third-party mentions, are worth more than advertisements. While not untrue, the problem is that public relations has never really correlated to advertising as a sibling, but rather, something more akin to a parent or an uncle, on the same table as the C-suite in making strategic decisions and executing them to nurturing the brand. Measuring what we do is important. So then, what are some ways to measure public relations and its effectiveness? Let us dissect them. ## Is it really the share? One common yardstick evangelized by some platforms is "share of voice" or SoV. It is essentially the media mention of your company, divided by the summation of your mention and your competition's, multiplied by a 100, to derive the percentage share of voice. And in this rather rudimentary formula, you can immediately see the problem. Imagine you are a cybersecurity company, and you peg the share of voice to your media mentions against the top 5 direct competitors. But, are you certain that other competitors not inside this arbitrary list you created, are not covered by the media and contribute to significant media mention? Also, given the diminishing media space, what you perceive as direct competitors are not the only competitors you have in the media. Let us illustrate. Imagine a daily newspaper has a finite 100 pages, of which half a page is dedicated to covering cybersecurity. In this half a page, the competition for a cybersecurity vendor will not only be the top 5 this vendor arbitrarily listed, but also other vendors not mentioned, plus system integrators and consultants, government agencies, client-side adapters, financial services and risk management entities which measure risks, universities and researchers who specialize in this field, and even diverse industries such as automobile, oil and gas, supply chain, and so on. Plus, wire services may also consume part of this half page, as many mainstream media syndicate news from wire services, all decimating the limited and finite space a media can dedicate to a particular industry's news. This is the same for television and radio stations, magazines, journals, and even online media. While some practitioners turn to commercial media monitoring services, the trouble is that some services do not necessarily measure all media coverage. Some only measure coverage out of certain geographical regions; some measure only online coverage and neglect the wonderful broadcast coverage. Tread carefully when relying solely on such services as they may not cover all grounds, including important media platforms. What's worse, the number of media mentions may not equate to better branding, as not all news may put the brand in positive light. For example, if your company has 100 media mentions against the competition having just 5 mentions, but if your 100 mentions are all negative and syndicated, then a mere 5 but all positive mentions for your competition will trump your disastrous 100 coverage. So, then this supposed share of voice will be decidedly skewed, and mostly a very rough approximation of one's own narrow view of the actual share of voice in the media. ## Barcelona as a modern option The UK-based International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication or [AMEC](https://amecorg.com/?mb), founded since 1996, has been proposing a framework for more dependable and quantifiable public relations measurement, known as Barcelona Principles, now in its third version. Barcelona Principles 3.0 proposes the following as the basis for successful PR measurement: - Agree that AVE is not the value of communication - Setting goals is essential - Measurement should identify outputs, outcomes, and potential impact - Outcomes and impact should be distinct and known by all stakeholders - Measure with quantitative and qualitative analyses - Measure both offline and online platforms - Transparent and ethical measurement with focus on learning It is obvious that Barcelona Principles is farther and wider in perspective, and embraces the right view that public relations is best carried out at the C-suite level. From the framework, it may appear slightly abstract at the field level and so, how should we approach public relations measurement practically? ## Practical coverage reports Fortunately, away from the grounds of AMEC, some folks have built tools to help with measuring public relations based on the Barcelona Principles. For example, [CoverageBook](https://coveragebook.com/?mb) automates much of the online media coverage calculations. When you enter a media coverage URL, CoverageBook will fetch social engagements, estimated views, unique visits, domain authority, all of which are realistic and practical measurements. You can also input print and broadcast coverage and yardsticks into the same reporting platform, and churn out graphically stunning reports for online viewing or downloads. CoverageBook can also track podcast signals, so in the blossoming field of audio and video podcasts where mentions happen, you can track these too. This tool takes a huge chunk of mundane work from practitioners, leaving more time for more strategic work. Plus, CoverageBook is friendly to wallets for growing to established agencies or businesses. ## If budgets are not a concern If you have a bigger wallet, then you can also consider more traditional media monitoring services such as [Brand24](https://brand24.com/?mb), which can track media such as news, blogs, social media, and podcasts, assuming you sign up their enterprise and decidedly priciest plans. The advantage of such services is that you can also rely on artificial intelligence powered sentiment analysis, which might be useful to discern if the quantity of media coverage levels up to good sentiment as well. So, in a nutshell, do not restrict your perspective when measuring public relations work your agency and your team collaborate on. Look deeper and cast sights wider. The bottom line for public relations is about brand building and reputation protection, not merely counting news clips. ### --- # 4 key steps to great PR in a recession Source: https://mcgallen.com/4-key-steps-to-great-pr-in-a-recession/ The global conflicts and pandemic brought out the best and the worst of businesses, communities, and people. Without going into specifics, we will use behavior in such scenarios to examine how winners and losers look at publicity and marketing. And you can decide if you want to be in the small circle of winners, or not. Already, we see all manners of businesses in the mainstream media, especially those irrationally exuberant tech companies, taking rather drastic steps of reducing costs by broadly laying off workers. From A to Z, tech and non-tech companies have slashed thousands to tens of thousands of workers. ## Smart way of spending money In a recession, those who are well to do will continue to be, and can indulge in whatever they want. These consumers will buy both what they need, and what they desire. However, the rest of the folks will have to determine if buying something is essential or not. It is the same with businesses. In a recession, businesses may watch over their costs and expenses. There is a limit to which they can reduce their spending before they are skin and bones and ineffective and unable to compete, and even collapse. They need to know how to spend, where to spend, when to spend, and who or which to spend on. The smarter businesses spend, the more they can invest in avenues which can potentially harvest the greatest returns. Many small and medium businesses tend to cut back on what they perceive as discretionary spending, such as marketing and publicity. And when the recession hits bottom and goes on a rebound towards economic recovery, these businesses need to completely rekindle their now invisible and unknown brands compared to others, and need to spend a lot more than ever before. And some simply collapse from anonymity since consumers no longer know or never ever knew who these businesses are. No business will wait for another competitor, and time does not stop for anyone either. ## Nail the recession with smart publicity The secret to smart spending and to ride through the rough waters of a recession, is to understand history. 75% of recessions end under a year, while 30% don't even last beyond half a year. All recessions end. With this understanding, while most of your competition cower in irrational fear, hit the market and your competition hard. While your competition timidly retreat by cutting workers, cutting marketing and publicity dollars, you spend, or even spend more. In a recession, media owners very often experience a drop in advertising revenue, and are more likely to give great discounts and better packages to advertisers. At the same time, while your competition hide in the shadows, you can work with your public relations agency to seed the media and the public with more news and events of your business. The media will likely see fewer vendor submissions, and so unlike good times where you find it much harder to get in the news, a recession may likely work in your favor. ## 4 key steps to public relations in a recession What are the 4 most important considerations? #### 1. Budget Plan early, and listen in to the global situation, and park sufficient annual retainer budgets with your agency, or agencies if you operate in many countries. Project-based public relations may only work if you have something spectacular to launch that the whole world desires. But for most businesses, especially business-to-business ones, will need to think retained public relations. #### 2. Zoom Zoom in on what mainstream media you intend to target, and then work with your public relations agency to find what best platforms work for your paid media representation. Sponsored or branded content can be useful in circumstances where you need to say what you need to say, as opposed to having unbiased third parties such as editors say what matters most to the public. #### 3. Listen Your agency, and supplemented by your team in pulsing the market, should be able to find out what the world is chatting about, and what relevance your business can play in such conversations. Rapid response and newsjacking are exceptionally important in many developed markets to get on top of earned media. #### 4. Timely Once trending news topics are identified by your agency, are your spokespersons ready and prepared at short notice, without the need for extraneous briefings or preparation, go on air to talk at length about such topics? This is super important. If your spokespersons are seldom ever ready, they need to first be made ready, with media training, internal rehearsals, and self-preparation and familiarization of business portfolios and analyses. Advertising campaigns may be guerrilla in nature, while public relations demand a retained program over years to keep your brand up and above your competition. Consistency and repeatability are key to your success. So continue to build your publicity efforts with your public relations agency, don't stop! If you want to do serious business in the Asia Pacific, and need a long-term partner for your marketing and PR efforts, [talk to us today](/contact/). --- # 3 critical tips for spokespersons Source: https://mcgallen.com/3-critical-tips-for-spokespersons/ I have been in public relations for the last 30 odd years, and I have seen my fair share of catastrophic spokespersons who ruined not just their organizations' publicity efforts, but also lost credibility in front of the public. It is very important to make sure you have the right people to take on media interviews. Every media interview is an "audition". When spokespersons appear before a television or radio station for a "live" interview, they are put under the scrutiny of the host or presenter, as well as the thousands of listeners and viewers. Just remember, even top artists in the film industry have to go through harsh auditions for every single gig they try out for. This is certainly no different for the average spokespersons from businesses. Therefore, make every single media interview worth the effort by your communications team and public relations agency, and do only your best. Let me share 3 critical tips your spokespersons must especially consider before stepping into a broadcast media interview. ## 1. No scripts There are some common mistakes some spokespersons make when appearing before the media. Let me first get this off my chest. No scripts! I have experienced first hand in horror, a senior executive reading off word by word from a pre-prepared script. And what's worse, the script was dense on selling and light on knowledge. This is absolute anathema in media and public relations. To the media and the public, a corporate spokesperson is supposed to be an expert, and so knowledge should sprout naturally and abundantly without the need for a script. Otherwise, there is no reason this person should be interviewed for comments. ## 2. Image is important Yes, there is a trend of dressing more casually these days. Even cruise ship formal dinners no longer insist on guest dressing in formal suits and dinner dresses. The digitalization of industries and the emergency of a new generation at work have changed the dress code. The late Steve Jobs perhaps personified such a dress trend. So, while appearing on air, whether on television, video, and some radio where they livestream to social media, you do not need to dress to the nines, but you should not be sloppy either. You do represent your company as a spokesperson after all, as its official ambassador. Dress appropriately, and enough to be respectful and mindful of the audience and the media. ## 3. Preparation is not optional Some spokespersons are over-confident, without necessarily a deep body of knowledge or the necessary facts to appear before an interview. This is dangerous for the business, as anything such spokespersons say can be wrong or skewed. It is absolutely to be prepared even if you know a lot more than the media or the public. What does preparation mean? You need to have all the necessary facts, statistics, sources, best remembered by heart. This will empower you to be ready to quote very convincing numbers and quotes from reports and research, which is what good communication is. There is no shortcut to this. You also need to look prepared. This is about the subtext, or body language. Before a camera, how do you look and sound? What does your posture say? What does your gestures mean? Attend a good media training program with a public relations agency to understand what is demanded from a spokesperson, and how to ace media interviews. There is no excuse not to. > Roman stoic philosopher Seneca reminded us, that luck is where opportunity meets preparation. So most importantly, if you are going tor a broadcast or video interview, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! Use the mirror, or someone close and honest, to hone what you intend to say in front of the media, beforehand. Even the best award-winning stage actors rehearse relentlessly, so you are no exception. If you want to do serious business in the Asia Pacific, and need a long-term partner for your marketing and PR efforts, [talk to us today](/contact/). --- # Listen to our podcasts Source: https://mcgallen.com/listen-to-our-podcasts/ Our video content is repurposed into podcasts progressively, and some of the currently converted video content are now available at platforms such as Spotify, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Apple, Amazon, Soundcloud, etc. Here are some ways you can listen to our content now. Be sure to index our website's pages about our [YouTube](https://mcgallen.com/youtube/) and [Podcasts](https://mcgallen.com/podcast/) too. --- # Communications and human resources – synergy and separate Source: https://mcgallen.com/communications-and-human-resources-synergy-and-separate/ Layoffs are often the worst tasks for business leaders. When a business does badly or needs to trim its operations, there is sometimes no better way out to cut costs then to trim the number of employees. There are also situations where businesses are simply not well run, and they over-recruited beyond the number of employees they need, in a "defensive recruitment" mode, which especially in a downturn, will invariably lay off employees.   And layoffs can be communicated in many ways. The worst examples are aplenty, but the question is how do we communicate a harsh reality to employees in the most humane way? ## The changing employee landscape In very classical organizations, the role of human resource (HR) managers were to communicate all things internal to employees. That may not have been the best foot forward, but in those good old days, employees merely accepted whatever an organization said, and meekly kept their silence as long as they were compensated for their labor. This is akin to the old days in the flight deck where the captain was "king", and copilots, engineers and cabin crew would have to fold in line. However, in the 21st century, captains (or pilot in charge) work collaboratively and collegially with their co-pilots and cabin crew. Sure, the responsibility of a captain remains the same, but the manner of communication and engagement with fellow colleagues in the flight deck are different. Likewise, employees are often self-empowered, and with the advent of social media and smartphones, communication can no longer be one-sided or instructive. Communication today between employers and employees has to be collegial, collaborative, engaging, and mutually beneficial. ## Communications as a separate function The HR function has 2 parts, the traditional human resource management (HRM) part handling compensation, benefits, and recruitment, and another human resource development (HRD) part which is sometimes filled by another executive under "training and development". Depending on the type of organization, the HRD role can impart "soft skills", such as selling, presentation, leadership knowledge, or "hard skills", such as engineering and technical knowledge. HR managers do recognize that internal communication is extremely important, and the general consensus is that they too agree this function should not be part of the HR management function, but under a separate communications role. This is where the communications department of a business comes in, and sometimes, where an external PR agency or practitioner leans in to fill the void. The communications executive, as a separate function, should not report to the HR department, but to the C-suite, just as the HR lead does. This clarifies the perspective that the communications function is as important as HR, finance, engineering, and so on. ## Making internal communications work So, how should internal communications be? We recommend 4 attributes. #### 1. Align We have seen too many burnouts in various industries, where businesses took shortcuts, living off monies of investors, putting up glamorous fronts and incurring exorbitant expenses, without any sustainable program for revenue in place. Internal communications must first align with central business objectives. The 2 fundamental reasons for a business to exist, is to make money, and to survive for the long haul. All other reasons will have to be supplemental to these 2 tenets. For a business to survive for the long haul, it must obey all the laws of the land. Therefore, the best way forward for a business, is to respect and honor the laws, and the constituents of stakeholders, whether they are external, or internal. Then as a business grows and its brand and reputation thickens with recognition, revenue and profits will naturally follow. #### 2. Altruistic While a business has a primary reason to survive and thrive, it needs to gain the trust of internal and external stakeholders. Benefitting the greater community and communicating these initiatives factually can become catalysts for other businesses and individuals to follow suit. So, while a business aims to make money, consistent beneficial programs to the greater community can help build up a brand, to attract more people to join this business as employees, and also endear existing employees to the business. #### 3. Appreciate The modern generation of employees are much more vocal, and have access to social media platforms to share their feelings and experiences. This means that while businesses may intend to reprimand or punish errant employees for wrong-doing, it is still important to ensure internal and external communications are congruent with verifiable reality and facts to prevent backlash at the organization. Further, it is important to regularly applaud employees who did well and do good, to appreciate good results and also recognize valiant attempts (even if they were failures), so that these employees can become "stars" to inspire others in the organization to be and do the same. #### 4. Authentic Every textbook in the market is talking about authenticity in communication. This holds true in public relations, and also in internal communication. It is easy to keep up the truth, because no matter how many times you say it, you will be confidently saying the truth without the need for rehearsals or preparation. However, lies are hard to keep up, as they tend to need lies and more lies to patch up all the easily uncovered gaps. For bad times such as layoffs, it is exceptionally important to be both altruistic (empathetic) and authentic (being real and vulnerable). The internal communications function is a beacon of maturity and growth for a business. So as your business grows and matures, it is critical to ensure you build up internal and outsourced capabilities of internal communications so that your HR department can function well without apprehension or pressure, while you are also able to communicate effectively with all your employees. [Contact us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) for your internal and external communication needs. ### --- # Engage your PR at the C-suite level Source: https://mcgallen.com/engage-public-relations-at-csuite-level/ Public relations or communications are sometimes still managed by marketing departments, which is now quite dated. Traditionally, marketing encompassed advertising, marketing research, events, sales (maybe), and sometimes public relations. With corporate branding and reputation being critical to businesses, the need for PR to work directly with the C-suite leadership has become the smart thing to do. If there is a crisis, or even a hiccup, C-suite leadership can work immediately and directly with PR to address issues and expediently mitigate them. Any delay in addressing these problems well can be met with disdain or uproar in public, which in turn become even more of a crisis. Moreover, the role of marketing has traditionally been about lead generation, market entry, and sales enablement. Their entire role is quite different from that of PR. PR is about corporate reputation and its nurture and protection. Worse, while PR needs to be at the forefront of corporate and product awareness and so can help the C-suite leadership to answer tough questions out there in the market, including regulators and the media, marketing departments may not have the same urgency or the situation where they become hard-pressed by external entities for answers. ## Tone of voice Also, the tone of voice in PR, whether for daily communication or under duress, is very different from sales and marketing programs. Sales pitches can be assertive and persuasive, just as advertising campaigns may sometimes be a little exaggerated. PR, however, must never be. All communication in the PR sphere should be true, authentic, empathetic, and even humble, especially in a crisis. This means communicators who excel in PR, will need to have very unique and comprehensive understanding of what will work for all the stakeholders, and how best to convey it, whether that be media, governments, channels, customers, educational institutions, and also internal audiences within the business. ## Moving PR to work with C-suite If you have not already, it is time to quickly change your reporting structure. Move your PR department, if there is one, to report directly to your CEO or president. The marketing department, along with finance, products, and supply chain departments, should have common communications with the PR department, so that any product or business related news will be fed quickly without delay to the PR department. This is to prevent potential crises arising because of customer service, sales, delivery, channels, and other complaints and problems escalating into public uproar. The PR department should be positioned along with the C-suite, rather than a backend department. This will ensure that all functional departments will communicate the critical information on time to the PR department to prevent small problems escalating into big incidents. And as businesses scale, the need for external PR agency partners become paramount. It is impossible to do great PR unless you have on-ground help, and since businesses are not in the core business of PR, while PR agencies are, it makes financial sense to work with experts in the field to get the job done. ## Internal communications system Communications should be simple and efficient. Messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram are not the most business-friendly tools, although they work well in informal or ad hoc settings. For accountable and auditable communications, it is best to set up a proper internal system where all information and communication can be tracked, tweaked, and published for internal consumption. Such a system can be as simple as a local wiki or micro-site. Open source software such as FreeScout (freescout.net) would be a great option to install and self-host, without the need to rely on third parties. If you like, you can also install help desk plugins on top of a content management system (CMS) website, such as using WordPress. Queries, answers, documents, progress. results, and recommendations, can all be fielded on such an internal system. And of course, everything is traceable, so during issues and crises, the C-suite and concerned functional leaders can approach the right internal colleagues to resolve issues until completion. Times have changed. the most enlightened CEOs of businesses now have PR heads report directly to them, and have them early on at all stages of business and product lifecycles, and are looking at PR as the main strategy and platform to protect and nurture the corporate brand. Have you? ### --- # Free messaging and collaboration software? Source: https://mcgallen.com/free-messaging-collaboration-software/ During the pandemic years, businesses and people had to be operating from homes, from all corners of the world, to collaborate and continue to function. However, digital infrastructures were not built to be ready for such a transformation suddenly, and outages and even cybersecurity breaches became more common. Even recently, tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft, which provide much of the backend digital server infrastructures for the world, experienced major and minor outages in the past few years. The notion of "cloud" is affordability, scalability, and availability (including anywhere). But, what happens when the cloud infrastructures you rely on for internal and external communications break down? What can you do? The key idea is being prepared. And the answer? Open source. Two of the most common requirements for modern communication, whether internal or external, are collaboration, and messaging. What are the options? While there are many open source and freemium options, we will briefly point out to two options you can explore to replace or augment your SharePoint/Workspace and Teams/Zoom scenarios. ## 1. Seafile (collaboration) Seafile is a cross-platform file sharing, file versioning, file backup and storage, and wiki knowledge management system that works for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, and even terminal clients. There are two versions of Seafile, the free Community Edition that you can host on your own, or a paid Pro Edition that offers support. For most of us, the Community Edition of Seafile will suffice as an alternative or option when existing enterprise SharePoint or Workspace goes offline. Visit [seafile.com](https://seafile.com). ## 2. Jami (messsaging) Unlike Teams and Zoom, the open source Jami is a peer-to-peer technology quite similar to now less popular Skype. Jami provides audio and video calls, screen sharing, messaging, and online conference functionality. Since it is peer-to-peer, you do not even need to host a server yourself. You can simply designate one node as a "Rendezvous point", and this node would become a de facto "server". Jami is free, and so in times of need or crises or offline traditional digital infrastructures, it can provide much needed communication functionality securely and quickly. The Jami peer-to-peer client is available on Android (including Android TV), iOS, Linux, and Windows. Visit [jami.net](https://jami.net). ## Agile and redundant Whether you are planning public relations or digital marketing campaigns and need to have a shared file repository of assets and working files, or to collaborate with your team in situations where you either do not have or no longer have access to your cloud storage, you need to consider resilient and redundant offerings in case things happen - and they do. ### --- # Video hosting for businesses – our journey Source: https://mcgallen.com/video-hosting-business-journey/ Video is an integral part of content today. Video is arguably the predominant content on mobiles today, as more people look at motion content, then reading and scrolling through long pages of text. What are the lessons we learned adopting video? My video journey began when I was evangelizing Apple media and publishing products in the 1980s. Then, Macs were monochrome, and colors were specified rather than actually seen on screen. Eventually, the likes of [AVID](https://www.avid.com) and Adobe Premiere arrived on the scene, and by then, I was consulting for clients, and used AVID NLEs to create and edit videos for cinema and other advertising. Those days were not digital, but analog hybrid, where we used Betacam tapes to digitize onto NLEs (non-linear editing). Fast forward to the 21st century, and those days of analog NTSC and PAL 4:3 format videos were long over. Now we are not even talking about 4K or HD anymore, but way beyond. ## DIY (do it yourself)? It might be tempting to imagine hosting video yourself. It is not impossible, and you could simply upload your own videos to your CMS or web server, and call it directly in your content. The trouble is that unless you have experience building a redundant and fast platform with sufficient bandwidth, video is a very large data type that sucks up storage and bandwidth quickly. Latency is rather deplored by audiences, and so I won't advise going DIY. ## Free video hosting concerns For businesses, shooting, editing and creating videos are key tasks no doubt, but it is even more important to host the created videos so that the intended audiences can see them. This is where video hosting comes in. For many, the default might be Alphabet/Google's YouTube. But, although YouTube is free to host, it has many restrictions and caveats, such as having to contend with others, and potentially having undesirable content viewed with our own videos. As the saying goes, "if you are not paying for a product, YOU are the product." ## Paid video hosting journey So, for businesses wanting an exclusive viewership and don't mind paying for quality video hosting, which platforms would you go for? I am going to speak for our own firm, and what journeys we took. The premise is that we were looking at 100 videos and beyond. In those heady days, we went for one of the most premium video hosting services, [Wistia](https://wistia.com), starting out at the 50 videos (at 1 TB bandwidth) Pro option. The beauty of Wistia is that at this Pro option, you had the option of computer-generated captions and transcripts, which were useful for SEO and content supplementation, as well as paying for human-generated captions and transcripts for greater accuracy. But, going beyond 50 videos, the next tier is Advanced, at 250 videos (still a ceiling), at a quantum leap of fees per month. We knew we had to search for something else. Then we moved to Vimeo. Vimeo is often used by businesses, and it does have interesting and useful features, including going "live" and more recently, webinars and such. However, our main need is video hosting, and we were using Vimeo a long time for business videos, under its now grandfathered "Premium" annual plan (now replaced by "Advanced"). Their current "Advanced" option has a ceiling of 240 videos, not a low ceiling, but we were hitting beyond a 100 at last count. I would not rate both their old "Premium" or "Advanced" as "affordable". The gist of it is, paying for annual plans does save some money, but is not scalable with business needs in a very volatile world and economy today. So, what's next? ## Video hosting for boostrappers? I went hunting for various video hosting platforms, with similar features and advantages of Vimeo, but hopefully at a far lower price. I found [Sproutvideo](https://sproutvideo.com). Sproutvideo's lowest tier, "Seed", is about 13% of what I paid for my current platform, with 100 GB of video hosting ("unlimited" videos as long as they fit within 100 GB), and 100 GB of bandwidth. Since I don't plan on livestreaming for webinars and such, this tier of service not including them for free, did not bother me. So, what's the catch? For YouTube and Vimeo, if you are using a CMS (content management system) such as WordPress to manage your website, simply entering the video URL into your page/post, and the video will be successfully embedded. There is no messing with Javascript, iframe, and other esoteric video embedding methods. However, Sproutvideo is slightly antiquated in this area. You need to paste a DIV or iframe code into your page/post, and for me, that means going into the text editing mode as opposed to visual editing mode to paste the video embed code, and then going back to visual editing mode again for other work. A bit clunky if you ask me, but can't argue with the far lower costs. Although there are plugins that can allow you to paste in the video URL of something like Sproutvideo, I am unwilling to add single-function plugins since any additional plugins often INCREASE both the potential cybersecurity risks and also incompatibility. ## The future? 2023 is looking like a challenging year for many businesses. Even big tech companies are laying off employees en masse (I won't name them). Startups probably fare even worse as many of them seem to imagine limitless funding from investors, and live funding round to funding round. That is an unsustainable way of business. As I always say, bootstrapping is the truly sustainable way of doing business, any business. So, look for features of services you need, learn skills well enough so that you can manage as much as possible, and learn to work with outsourced and trusted partners without reinventing the wheel (which always drain more money than necessary).Learn to adapt, and accept change. For more insights on how video can work for your B2B business, or to work with a trusted strategy, PR and marketing partner, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # 6 Reasons Why PR is the best way to build brands and win customers Source: https://mcgallen.com/6-reasons-pr-build-brands-win-customers/ Public Relations (PR), well known and entrenched for many businesses, and not quite understood by a minority. PR is NOT just media relations, news releases and media conferences. PR is a holistic way of reaching all stakeholders, including the media, governments, customers and prospects, institutions, non-profits, and more. It is a sustainable way of communication and reputation management, and one of the best ways to deal with crises, before they happen, or as they happen. > "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." - Warren Buffet One of the foremost investors, Warren Buffet, certainly understood how brands can take decades to build, and minutes to demolish. > Sir Richard Branson said "publicity is absolutely critical" in his book "Virgin Rebel". > > Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft said "If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend it on public relations". Public Relations (PR) is the secret weapon smart companies use to build brands, win the trust of prospects and customers. How? Let us share the 6 Reasons: ## 1) Trusted Simplistically, advertising is you telling the world how good your products are, while public relations (PR) is having trusted third parties (journalists) telling the world how good you are. ## 2) Affordable While sustained advertising is expensive, PR is affordable. A retained PR program is akin to having a whole team of tenured experts and practitioners working for you while you pay only for a mid-level manager every month. ## 3) Branding PR is a great way of branding for companies, products, and people. Your CEO and other executives who can steadily appear in the media, will become brands and personality brands over time. Customers buy from people they know (directly or indirectly). ## 4) Sustainable A retained PR program means you have a team of communicators always at your side, an extension of your marketing team. Even if you face a challenge or a crisis, your PR agency partner team will assist you in reviewing and optimizing all your communication strategies. ## 5) Prepared Your PR agency partner can train your CEO and executives to be ready for media interviews, press conferences, TV and radio appearances, or during a crisis. Your executives will become confident to face the world, and to communicate their best to customers and the world. ## 6) Measurable PR is more than just media coverage, but also social media outreach, and quality and tone (positive or negative mention of you) in the media. A good measurement yardstick is the AMEC Barcelona Principles. To get the best PR for your B2B (cybersecurity, automation, industrial, healthcare) and B2C brand, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # What Wordle can inspire us to do in marketing and PR Source: https://mcgallen.com/what-wordle-inspire-marketing-pr/ [Wordle](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/heres-why-the-word-game-wordle-went-viral-180979439/) is a simple online word game that went rather viral, and still is. Just recently, even a Chinese radio station host was chatting about Wordle to her co-hosts, about how Wordle is pronounced, and if there should be a Chinese version of such a game. Wordle is simple to learn, simple to play, engages many players, uses both linguistics and reasoning, and leverages on social media to gain even more engagement. So, what can we as communicators and marketers learn from the Wordle phenomenon? ## 1) KISS (Keep it simple, silly) If we are developing a marketing campaign, a promotion, or even a news release, make it simple to read and understand. This means that customers should find it easy to participate, without needing a PhD. A journalist who receives our news release should not need to Google or ask you, to find out just how many trade or proprietary words actually mean. Use simple language, succinctly, to the point. And use as FEW steps as possible to reach the end of the funnel or promotion, without customers needing to go through hoops. ## 2) Multi-audience If your campaign is too specific, or if your product can only reach a few, you are limiting your audience. For example, if your marketing campaign insists on only reaching those above retirement age, or a small locale, or if your product news releases is only sent to a few vertical trade media, you are selling yourself very short. Reach as many people as possible. If you do not know how to reach many people, get help. ## 3) Multi-sensory Just as Wordle appeals to both language and logic, likewise, your marketing or PR campaign should too. Don't take the easy way out of just having a textual news release and hope for the best. Dedicate budgets and efforts in working with your PR agency to develop textual content, audio and video content (b-roll, interviews, demonstrations), animations, charts or infographics, and more. The more assets you have, the more likely you can target even more media to engage them to use them, especially if you can white-label them so that they are even more widely adopted. ## 4) Multi-platform Just as Wordle engages many people and allow them to go social, your marketing and PR campaigns should too. For example, when you provide news to a media, and if the media publishes it, do you share that on your social media platforms? Do you get your people and partners to do the same? Do you go different platforms to stream or share to each of those audiences? The world is so connected now that if you are not doing that, you are missing out. And most of all, let me remind you of (1), the KISS rule, the most important nugget of gold for all communications and marketing. Do it like Wordle. If you need a red team or a partner to get your brand out there in PR, branding or marketing, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). ### --- # 6 tips on how to have more productive meetings Source: https://mcgallen.com/6-tips-more-productive-meetings/ First off, I generally dislike meetings. Meetings mostly end up being unproductive. I get things done, fast. And the fastest way between 2 points, is to get it done instead of nuancing ad nauseam with a committee of people. Meetings seem like a necessary evil. This [piece](https://qz.com/how-to-have-more-collaborative-meetings-1849818369) below gives a very rough brief on what collaborative meetings might look like. However, I found that, in my work as a csuite facilitator and mentor over decades, great, productive meetings, looked like these: ## 1) Physical Yes, forget "virtual. The best meetings that produce results are real, face-to-face meetings. Nothing like close proximity and eye contact to get trust and confidence issues out of the way. You can put a round table of executives in a room, get a really competent facilitator to moderate such meetings, steer the folks well, and you end up with good results. ## 2) Focus The best meetings need focus, a central theme, and a relentless and competent facilitator to steer the folks in a harmonious and singular direction. Never allow meetings to have too many items on the agenda. ## 3) Whiteboard Yes, forget slides on laptops and projectors. They put people to sleep, especially C-suite and senior executives. Get a simple whiteboard, and your smartphone ready. A good facilitator knows how to pen down the initial ideas to bounce around, and then engage the executives to share their ideas around the table, and jot down on the whiteboard. Feel free to erase, edit, circle, connect the dots on the whiteboard. It works. ## 4) Question Facilitation is an art, not a template. A good facilitator knows just how to get the deepest thoughts out of people, like an FBI agent might. Throw questions to the executives, and keep questions open-ended that demand sufficiently long answers. ## 5) Connected Yes, while the whiteboard is central to an engaging meeting, there is also a need for a laptop or smartphone connected to the Internet. Simple. Some questions need answers, and some answers need validation. When there is doubt, use the connected device to find out plausible or proven answers, and then refine the discussion. ## 6) Summary Summarize the findings and conclusions, and note down questions and problems that need further redress, offline. Make sure everyone at the table gets the meeting summary quickly, in bullet points rather than lengthy transcripts. These are C-suite, and they have NO time for verbose. For productive meetings, it is important to have a competent facilitator to lead, preferably NOT the direct supervisor of the folks at the meeting. And, keep meetings on time, and short. Nobody has the attention span of saints. *PS - If your company needs a Red Team ("devil's advocate), or a meeting facilitator, contact us. Do also check out [https://seamusphan.com](https://seamusphan.com/?mb). * --- # 3 Public Relations (PR) Recommendations in 2023 Source: https://mcgallen.com/public-relations-pr-recommendations-2023/ The global crises in healthcare and conflicts are not over, and the world is facing an unprecedented shift, and not necessarily in a good way. Worse, because of global crises, industries are beginning to falter and even collapse, and the fallout means livelihoods are shattered and families are hurt. As CEOs, brand movers, marketers and PR practitioners, how should we approach PR in 2023? ## 1. Empathy wins > "Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eye for an instant?", Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and philosopher Empathy is NOT pity. Empathy is the ability to sense, comprehend and visualize what feelings others are thinking of. So, why should empathy matter in 2023 for PR? Simple. The world is hurting, and there is a minority that is creating rift and mayhem for the world. We, the greater people and communities, need to steer clear of aligning with such rifts, and focus on PEOPLE. There are people in need. There are livelihoods to protect and hopefully create. There are industries to rebuild. Against this backdrop of hurt, communication that conveys cooperation, humility, and empathy, with actionable recommendations and solutions, will go a long way. PR that concedes with humility, that shows an understanding for others, that goes into the heart of society to heal and to help, will win. ## 2. Communicate, not sell > "The most important thing in communication is hearing what is not said." - Peter Drucker, business thinker There are far too many who only see a dollar sign on another face, than to find a heart through that face. This even happens on professional social networks, where far too often, someone who does not know you, sends you a sales pitch without nary a thought about WHO you are or what you need. This is why engagement is abysmal on mainstream and social media today. Far too many seem to be preoccupied with themselves through inconsolable narcissism, than to find time and effort to converse, to learn, to share, and to love another. In your PR program, interact with communities and people. Find out what they need and who they are, and especially their aspirations and dreams. There is nothing higher than someone's dreams, big or small. Create forums, physical or digital, to allow discussions, however different or apart, and moderate with authenticity, kindness and collegiality. There is also silent and non-verbal communication (subtext). This is why you need to engage "whole person" communication. People like to buy from people they trust as kin or friends. ## 3. Own your stage > "To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves." - Virginia Woolf, novelist Yes, there are so many social media platforms today. Some have come and gone. Some are faltering. And a few seem to be on top. But all these platforms will come and go, and what you create and wish to say, will live and die with them. This is why even in PR, it is important to have earned media coverage (on mainstream and other media), but also OWN your media. A website would be a good place to start. Keep a blog on your website, and keep it going with regularity. And think about how to keep your website optimized and lightweight, especially in today's mobile-centric (or mobile-first) world. Build it for speed and legibility, not fancy designs and huge images (unless you are in that business). Expand also beyond your website into multimedia, such as hosting your own podcast and video (mirroring that on social media rather than only relying on third-party platforms). Other than all the conventional and novel approaches we take in PR, it is also important to keep these 3 recommendations on going forward in 2023 - having empathy, communicating more rather than peddling, and owning our own stage and content. Talk to us today to get your PR up to speed for 2023! ### --- # 4 tips for lead generation that don’t turn prospects off Source: https://mcgallen.com/4-tips-lead-generation-dont-turn-prospects-off/ I received this hilarious email today (among hundreds), touting some service I would never use, from a person I never knew. Worst of all, from a Seamus, I became a "Matthew". LOL. On LinkedIn, I get lots of InMails/emails from people who I have NEVER met or knew, and the first thing they did was to hard-sell to me. It is stated clearly on my LinkedIn profile that UNLESS we are acquainted, don't sell. ![wrong addressee in DM](https://mcgallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bad_edm_wrong_addressee.jpg) So, what are some tips to get your lead generation at least sensibly working? ## 1) Client fit If your prospect is unknown to you, don't assume they will need you or your product. Most likely, they have NO need for your product. Find out more about your client, study their website, study their public staff profiles, engage them FIRST, communicate. ## 2) Product fit So, let's assume you got acquainted with someone, then do yourself a favor, assess your own products OBJECTIVELY before you consider pitching them to these new acquaintances. ## 3) Approach/Platform fit I know some simply get a platform (liked LinkedIn) and do a "shotgun" approach and hope it works. It WON'T. Platforms may be useful for some targets, but not all. Depending on where you are, you may want to scale down your random mass mails or risk getting your domain/email blocked at destination. Again, form relationships first. Friends buy from friends most readily. ## 4) Size fit What is the size of clothes you wear? An M? Do you assume every one out there wears an M? No, right? So, there is no "one size fits all", if at all. Tailor your product, and that goes back to knowing your prospect first. *PS - At least get the name of your prospect right. * --- # 4 Tips to succeed in cookieless marketing Source: https://mcgallen.com/4-tips-succeed-cookieless-marketing/ The keyword is: FIRST, or first-party data. Do you own your data and platform? While Google touted its third-party cookie replacement, FLoC (federated learning of cohorts) or "privacy sandbox", it is yet another issue to contend with, with new [potential privacy problems](https://www.wired.com/story/google-floc-privacy-ad-tracking-explainer/) to grapple with. So, what should you, a CMO, consider moving forward? And mind you, don't delay as the inevitable cookieless world is coming. Martech has an [op-ed](https://martech.org/6-data-collection-tactics-for-marketing-in-the-cookieless-future/), but allow us to clarify and extend it further. ## 1) OWN your data For all those who ran around chasing after social media platform after platform, I have got news for you. Go back to basics (as I always advocated). Your own website is your key content platform, and you own it. Use that to gain and nurture data. That is first-party data. Build your website for the following: - Content first (don't game keywords for SEO) - Lightweight and fast (don't go design and image heavy) - Security always (don't just design, build it for cybersecurity) ## 2) PRIVACY first Rather than rely on heavy-duty analytics like Google, consider privacy-friendly and lightweight analytics such as [Plausible](https://plausible.io), or [Simple Analytics](https://simpleanalytics.com), or [Matomo](https://matomo.org) (formerly known as Piwik). ## 3) INTERACTIVE engagement Still holding true, conduct surveys, quizzes, games, feedback sessions, with your customers. Entice with rewards - they work. Feedback is a great way to improve your offerings and gain allies. However, do note that some participants could be gaming such interactions simply for rewards, and they skew your analytics and you lose out real participants. So, set up mechanisms to prevent such "gaming" participants from joining. ## 4) PHYSICAL activity Nothing beats a face-to-face interaction whether in the East or the West. Relationships are best formed with real people meeting real people. We won't form relationships with systems, platforms, devices, chatbots, or AI. So plan real physical events, conferences, roadshows, etc, where you can interact with real customers and gain real data and insights. If you are serious about your marketing, talk to us. --- # Reengineering a company – the 4 essentials Source: https://mcgallen.com/reengineering-a-company-the-4-essentials/ What happens when a business needs to change, drastically? What then, are the ways to deal with making such a change? As an Apple pioneer evangelist for desktop publishing, I relished all my experiences from evangelist, to software developer, to solutions consultant, to eventual simply - user. The iconic years for Apple included my time in the 1980s, but also 1997, when ousted Steve Jobs returned to Apple. When Jobs returned, Apple was [bleeding](https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/26/steve-jobs-apple-1997/), with US$1 billion loss on a US$7 billion revenue, and a spectrum of products nothing like the simple elegance Apple once was (remember the Newton, Performa, servers?) The recent [news](https://www.straitstimes.com/business/elon-musk-plans-to-eliminate-half-of-twitter-jobs-to-cut-costs-sources) about Twitter are expected. Twitter is no different as with any company that needs a fundamental change. Serious job cuts are to be expected. What are the key factors to reengineering a company? #### 1) Scrutinize to the last bit. All the nuts and bolts of a company that needs to be reengineered should be scrutinized. Leave no person/tech/process/relationshp unturned. #### 2) Change fast. Bite the bullet fast and make changes fast. There will be a lot of pain, and pain is best suffered quickly rather than prolonged. Job cuts, systems obsolescence, process streamlining, all need a speedy execution. #### 3) Keep agile. After scrutinizing and making drastic changes, keep things light and manageable. Should things begin to bloat even a little, trim again. Think Japanese decluttering (斷捨離), where we cut useless relationships, relieve attachment to objects or people, and boostrap. Think function rather than form. #### 4) Communicate clearly. All businesses going through serious change needs good internal and external #communication. Work with your team and engage experts to communicate these painful changes to all stakeholders. Need a Red Team or Crisis Communication Team for your business? [Talk](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) to us today. --- # 5 tips for smart bootstrapping for entrepreneurship and survival Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-tips-smart-bootstrapping-entrepreneurship-survival/ I have said this eons ago. If your business needs to bleed money like a waterfall and rely ONLY on investors dumping mountains of cash on you to survive, your venture is doomed, especially today. The recent months or years, with crises and conflicts around the world, the global economy is in the pits, and it will get worse. Once the "darling" of investors of any tenure or type, where such investors would literally drown any tech venture with money, those days are sanely over. Now we are seeing what once retail and institutional investors were glossing over as "unicorns", facing various degrees of [existential threats](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/shopee-layoff-jobs-profit-tech-company-stock-recession-3012751). And I do believe that is a good thing. NO business can survive for the long haul on borrowed money, and no business or individual should be rewarded for unsustainable ventures. ## Boostrap is agile And if you cannot bootstrap from day one to day omega, you are also not fit for survival, or fit for bad times. I started in a corner of a retail shop, hiding behind retail shelves, with only a cheap Mac portable, and an alternative laser printer from an unknown maker, to start a design firm, which ultimately became the consulting firm we are today, 31 years and running. Unlike other creative and communication agencies in the 1990s, we did not spend on grand offices, expensive and high-end computers, or hire without consideration. For any business, if you cannot bootstrap from day one, and then bootstrap anywhere along your business tenure ready and agile for any downturn of the #economy, then you got a BIG problem. ## 5 tips for smart bootstrapping What are some tips for bootstrapping? #### 1) Keep agile There is no shame in keeping your company right-sized. Don't hire and fire as it is bad for staff morale, and bad for #reputation and #branding. There is already a #talent crunch worldwide. #### 2) Don't borrow If you can, stay away from borrowing money to get your venture off the ground. It is the same as buying a house or a consumer product. If you need credit to get something, especially in today's world of crises and conflicts, maybe you are not ready. #### 3) Flexible hiring After the COVID saga, we are now ready to hire remotely and that IS the norm. There is nothing wrong with hiring a web designer, a coder, a writer, or anyone who works on a computer, from anywhere in the world. This makes hiring a little more complex, but we can scale according to our needs. Look at the world, and not just at our little corner. #### 4) Partnerships Don't just try to build all in-house, or do everything in your own business. Build partnerships and networks, and cede things others do better to them. You can save money, and still get things done. Look globally. Nurture new friendships. #### 5) Breathe Just as Rome was not built in a day, don' rush! A successful and long-lasting venture NEEDS TIME. Give it time. Smell the roses. Eat, be merry, keep sane. ## Call a spade a spade Think harder if you are starting a venture, as most ventures fail within a year. If you are merely a "me too", or a solution looking for a problem, or just an "app" (or worse, a website), you haven't got a real venture. Don't call your venture a "digital business" if there is nothing digital other than a "sign-in app" or a website, for an otherwise bricks-and-mortar venture. Think harder and THEN launch a venture. --- # Old brands – 7 Tips on keeping a brand going Source: https://mcgallen.com/old-brands-7-tips-keeping-brand-going/ I love old brands, just as I love old eateries in the streets of Taipei and Kyoto. To me, a good brand is not necessarily a giant full of glitz and dazzle. A good brand should be old, with all the badges of honor of survival through decades or more, with people holding on generation after generation, with just passion and love. To me, money does not make a good brand - the heart does. [Jack's Place](https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/dining/jacks-place-singapore-restaurant-history-who-jack-329406) celebrates its 56th anniversary this year, which in the old brands category, is NOT an old (enough) brand compared to some really old names in Japan or Taiwan. Still, being a young country, Jack's Place should suffice to be called an old brand, and should be celebrated for still being around and thriving. What makes a good old brand? ## 1) Continuity There is nothing wrong with a family business. A family that stays together, thrives together, and blossoms. To me, a great love story is not just about couples, but families and clans. Passing on the baton of running a business is an art and a love, and should be honored. ## 2) Freshness An old brand should endear itself to customers, and that means appealing to the old who grew up with this brand, and also appeal to the newer generations. This means keeping the brand alive and fresh, with innovations, but also keeping the staple products. Be observant of trends, but honor tradition. ## 3) Values No, not 'value", but values. A good old brand survives not by being cheap, or by creating new products, but retaining its flavor of values passed down from generation to generation. What does your brand stand for? Make that stick, and NEVER compromise on that value and premise. ## 4) Agile Times change, and people survive by being able to bootstrap and stay agile. Expand when you must, and never because you think you would make a bigger buck. Keep fast, keep nimble, keep thrifty. There is nothing wrong by bootstrapping. It is a virtue that will last. ## 5) Command There is no need for too much hierarchy, but there is a need for a captain at the helm. You will have a captain, and a co-pilot in the flight deck, but NOT both having a go steering the plane. Honor the chain of command, and it is also wise for the captain to know how best to distribute responsibilities and authority. Apple became the Apple we knew because there was only one Steve Jobs. ## 6) Communication Meetings waste time, but good communication saves businesses and jobs. Leaders need to communicate their objectives clearly and simply, and leave the people to get things done. Don't micro-manage, because your people want to succeed. Trust them. ## 7) Futureproof No business can stay static. So plan ahead, blue-team and red-team all your plans, and have Plans A, B, C and more. But stay true to your aim as a owner of such an old brand. Whether you are an old brand that need some rejuvenation, or an emerging brand planning to be an old brand lasting more than decades, try these ideas. --- # 6 tips on writing News Releases that work Source: https://mcgallen.com/6-tips-on-writing-news-releases-that-work/ Contrary to belief, the news release is not dead. In fact, in Asia Pacific, the news release is STILL one of the most considered communication materials for the media. Cision’s [Global State of the Media Report 2021](https://www.cision.com/resources/research-reports/2021-state-of-the-media/thank-you/) concurred that 78% of journalists prefer news releases and announcements compared to other content types. In Asia Pacific, the news release is still seen as an authoritative information source that is ranked higher than bylines and commentaries. So, what would make a useful news release that may find more traction with the media? ## 1) Conclusions first, evidence next Just like our academic and research papers, present the most important paragraph upfront. The first paragraph, together with the headline, should entice the media and readers to want to know what’s next. Write for substance and community impact, not for effect. This means that it should answer the big WHY this announcement is so important to the masses. ## 2) Go strong or go home Include executive quotes, but sit the executives down to get their deepest beliefs, and why they feel compelled about certain things, before penning their quotes. All too often, news releases feature very bland “motherhood statements” quotes by executives that look like “cookie cutter” and “MBA jargon” statements that gloss over real important issues in the community, meekly avoiding making strong and committed statements. It won’t come as a surprise why so few executive quotes are used in the media. Make a strong and memorable statement, that positively influences people and stirs action and even belief. ## 3) Don’t over-sell This is simple to understand but not always easy for business executives to do. Most company executives tend to pitch too hard with overt sales pitches about their companies and products, rather than how what they can do to help people. As the golden rule of salesmanship goes, nobody likes to be sold, but they would like to believe. So, don’t over-sell a company, its brand, products and services, in a news release. State the facts, answer the WHY, and allow the media and the public to make an intelligent and positive decision. ## 4) Refine the backgrounder All too often, the “About the company” part of the news release is ignored or forgotten. That paragraph (and it should be just ONE paragraph) should be the distillation of all that the company believes in, what it does in clear terms, and ending with a website URL to find out more. Never fall into the trap of writing a backgrounder that is vague, opaque, full of jargon and meaningless terms. If you are selling IoT (Internet of Things) devices, say so. If you are selling fleeting and affordable fashion, say so. If you are selling packaged bread that keeps well, say so. Don’t hide behind bombastic words and jargon. ## 5) Make it visual These days, whether you are sending your news release to the media or even to wire distribution services, the recipients would expect some image assets such as JPEGs, or even videos. However, don’t send them in the release as attachments if they are huge. Deposit them on your own online newsroom, or hosted by your PR agency, to ensure that journalists need not bust their bandwidth or clog up their limited mail boxes just to receive your humongous image or video attachments. Never send attachments unless requested to. ## 6) Get expert help The news release is often written by professionals. If your in-house communications team does it, it is usually pretty professional and ready for distribution or pitching to the media. But if your company lacks such a team, get expert help, such as a PR agency. The news release should always answer the 5W1H (why, what, where, when, who, and how), and it should read like an editorially compliant document, rather than a sales brochure. --- # 5 Tips on working with Asia Pacific Media Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-tips-on-working-with-asia-pacific-media/ If you are trying to gain ink or screen with a media in Asia Pacific, the BEST way is to work with the experts – PR agencies which do this for a living day in, day out, and thoroughly battle-tested. But, in order to get least understand what kind of Asia Pacific media you are working with, and to better work with your PR agency, it is good to understand what kinds of media there are. ## 1) Mainstream media These are your national dailies (newspapers), broadcast (TV and radio, plus online), and major Tier-1 online media (high DA or domain authority). Wire services are NOT considered mainstream media as they are syndication mechanisms, rather than earned by pitching. ## 2) Trade/vertical media These are typically specialized media that attract much smaller audiences, from specific industries, e.g. cybersecurity, medicine, etc. Some are receptive to earned coverage by pitching, while some others are push advertising (disguised in various means, including “sponsored content” or “native advertising”). Bear in mind, advertising in any form, is NOT earned coverage. ## 3) Online media These can be enthusiast-run blogs, podcasts, or vlogs, or legitimate media built from the ground up as an online-only media. Some are emerging, and hope for as much content support as possible, while some are very established with audiences rivaling mainstream media. My opinion is all online media with open content (not closed behind paywalls), can lend a hand to your branding and SEO, and so can be approached. So, what are the tips for working with Asia Pacific media? ## A) Localize Some countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, would be happier receiving content that is written in the vernacular language. And I don’t mean just “AI-translation”, as localization means the nuances and cultural references that a REAL human being in these countries would speak, write and understand. Spend some money on proper localization. And, just because the language may be Chinese, does not means it is universal across mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Taiwan ROC. Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan ROC use the Traditional Chinese script, and the cultural nuances must be understood and addressed. Don’t be lazy. ## B) Timing is everything The media is always facing a time crunch. Deadlines are sacred. If a journalist tells you they need a response by 4 PM the SAME DAY, they mean it. If a journalist calls you for a comment, you know they may also have called 10 of your competition in the same time frame, in case most of you do not respond. So, the faster you respond with a usable comment (in email) or to appear in studio or on Zoom, the more likely your comment will get airtime while your competition won’t. ## C) Assets are key By assets I mean usable images and even B-roll videos (videos without commercial branding or captions). Most media are hard-pressed for time and budgets. So if you can provide great images (not those boring handshakes, posed images) and videos that compel audiences, the media will be grateful and they will remember to call you again. ## D) Keep your peace (and distance) If you have pitched a story once, and the media did not respond, leave it alone. Find another story to pitch another day. If it does not work the first time, the story is not that interesting to the world. Don’t hound the media. ## E) Wallet involved? If a particular media consistently tells you it is “pay to play”, which means they will NOT publish your story unless you pay them, then it is nothing more than advertising (in any guise), and NOT earned coverage. If you happen to have spare cash on top of a PR budget, and feel like splurging, then do it. But such “coverage” should not be included in earned coverage on your dashboard. When in doubt, check with your PR agency on the grounds of Asia Pacific. Each country has unique requirements, nuances, and sensitivities. [Visit us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) if you need a hand. --- # Future of Marketing may not be about personalization Source: https://mcgallen.com/future-of-marketing-may-not-be-about-personalization/ I have a special love for making things work and then selling them. My first entrepreneurship journey began when I was 10 (circa 1974). That was also the first time I became a marketer. At that time, the craze among some kids were 2 things – a commercialized brand of brine shrimp (that brand called it S** Mon****), and magic. I am sure you can guess that toy product. Instead of simply buying those products off the shelf and then reselling them, which I already knew meant no or low profit, I did my own research and development instead. I found out that brine shrimp were related to those commercialized variant, and given decent feed and water conditioning, kids like me could grow brine shrimp and enjoy pretty much the magical pet experience. Likewise, I learned magic, performed on stage, but also created my own line of magic tricks with simple everyday objects. When my dad was not around, I borrowed the factory sealing machine, laminator, typewriter, [mimeograph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph) (the precursor to the photocopier), and packed my own products to sell. And yes, I was decently successful in packaging them, promoting them, and selling them to fellow students. My first foray of marketing began then. ## The journey to digital Fast forward to the 1980s, and I was the DTP (desktop publishing) for Apple, which was practically the inventor of the next-generation of empowered publishing, with a laser printer and a monochrome computer, the Macintosh. From there, I began the next lap of marketing, creating advertising and direct marketing campaigns, and even interactive media on 3.5-inch floppy discs that predated the Internet, for clients in enterprise networking and client-server computing. Eventually, my marketing journey took me on the pioneering path of the Internet in 1996, launching information and engagement-rich websites for government, enterprise and FMCG clients, handcoding line by line, creating the cleanest and tightest code today’s platforms simply will not and cannot. And that journey never stopped, step by step till today, in a world of CMS (content management system), cybersecurity, e-commerce, and social media. ## The tale of 2 views on personalization So, it was interesting to read 2 commentaries that take on opposing views. One, an [earlier piece](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-future-of-personalization-and-how-to-get-ready-for-it) in June 2019, by one of the leading consulting firms, McKinsey, “The future of personalization – and how to get ready for it”. At that time, COVID-19 was nowhere in sight, and will only surface half a year later. And at that time and before, the world was crazed with data, analyses, big data, personalization, AI, marketing automation, and more. It was as if as long as there is a use for data in marketing, it would automagically trump any classical marketing campaign or program. And a [newer view](https://www.marketingweek.com/peter-weinberg-jon-lombardo-personalisation-impersonalisation/) on May 2022, way past the zenith of COVID-19, where pretty much of the world has settled on “living with the virus”, takes a more current view. Without giving the juicy bits away, I urge you to read their piece. ## Never treat data or tech as more than mere tools I was never a fan of data-only, or digital-only marketing, and this is a pioneer in all things digital speaking. I know what tech, data and digital can do for marketing and sales. They are tools. But they are NOT gods. To me, a good marketing campaign or program is one that entices the public, and then excites them to BUY. And there is no need for a basketful of marketing or business jargon to describe this – a sale is a sale. The rise, and then fall of social media, was supposed to be the sign of sanity in marketing and sales. And yet, even today, where social media marketing is perhaps at its nadir, where low conversions, high adspend costs, drastically reduced content reach, and opaque and transient algorithms that are out of the control of customers (the marketers) abound. Social media are owned by some tech giants now, where “monetization” will be their only interest, since they are nothing more than just another profit-driven business. Emerging social media are also more likely not to rise to the surface, reducing their usefulness as marketing tools. The search engines are not any better, since search engines are also now flooded by ads, fueled by their need to, yes, make money. The good old altruistic days of simply providing content, is long gone. Personalization as a marketing method was one of those “must do” for marketers for a while now. However, just like social media, search engine optimization and marketing, or the “content is king” paradigm, personalization is just another TINY tool imagined to be far greater than it really is. And now, with data privacy laws biting hard around the world (got to thank Europe for taking the lead with [GDPR](https://gdpr-info.eu/)), personalization is facing nails punched into its coffin. So as a marketer, you may ask – what then? ## Going back to the classics Marketing is NOT just data, AI, social media, search, or personalization. It is a vast field run by veterans who have been at it since 1500 BC (the first logo use), and much more pervasively with the advent of the printing press, on 1450 AD. By the 1730s, print and outdoor advertising started. These vehicles, together with event marketing, are NOT dead. They are very much alive. During the easing up of COVID-19, once malls began to open and caged up people began to go shopping, we helped a client launch direct mail and mall events. And no surprise, both campaigns were exceedingly successful, with actual sales peaking on cash registers. Our little case study is not unique. More and more people will demand face to face interactions. Customers will want to go places, relax over television or radio music, and yes, read a quality magazine. These are archaic to some new entrants to marketing, but are just as useful, if not more so, especially since media owners are now slashing rates to entice advertisers to bite. There is never a better time to get some quality and classical marketing done, and to get customers to BUY. --- # Communication – Cultural sensitivity and subtlety Source: https://mcgallen.com/communication-cultural-sensitivity-and-subtlety/ Movies (reel life) are a reflection of real life. Often, the theme of movies were inspired by real life stories. So, as PR practitioners and communicators, learning the cultural sensitivities and subtleties are very important. Most of the time, when our clients disseminate information, those information, whether from USA, Europe, LATAM, etc, we need to discern, translate contextually, and then relay the information to the media, stakeholders, and the public. The information we received are often clinical at best, and it is up to us to translate them into a culturally nuanced and acceptable format and content. Even in APAC, the cultural nuances are diverse. Singapore is a rather “Westernized” state, and as such, the residents are easily congruent with an American or European messaging, and can accept it without much translation or contextual mapping. However, the same content would need cultural tuning and editing for places such as mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and so on. The same messaging would quite possibly get passed through and ignored, if there is insufficient localization and contextualization. The movie “Love like the falling petals (桜のような僕の恋人)” is a masterpiece which relays the Japanese ethos, one of #respect, courtesy, and yet, a certain spirit that allows masterful steering to put the other party at ease. It is a fine art, something we can learn from especially in difficult, emotional, and even explosive scenarios. This is especially useful not just in PR, communication, but even in politics and diplomacy. *PS – Not going to give the plot away, but if you can, watch it. It is a masterful tearjerker.* https://www.youtube.com/embed/l4nYFakFMDo --- # Leadership – SWOT first, then go Source: https://mcgallen.com/leadership-swot-first-then-go/ The basics of management are often supplanted by “sexier” jargon, ideologies, or fads, especially in the 21st century. However, are the basics dead? No. The simplest ideas are sometimes the litmus test for leadership and management. When Kenneth Andrews, Roland Christensen, William Guth and Edmund Learned from Harvard Business School penned the concept of SWOT in their “Business Policy – Text and Cases” book in 1965, they probably didn’t imagine the SWOT analysis would become the grandfather of business critique and analysis for decades thereafter, spawning many parallels and offshoots. ## SWOT can work for all entities Although no longer the flavor of the month, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) are still 100% relevant today, providing the simplest way to examine organizations, operations, and even people. What are the organizations you can easily run a SWOT analysis on? - **Businesses** (large, medium-sized, startup) - **Non-profits**, NGOs (non-government organizations) - **Governments** (agencies) - **People** (employees, for evaluation for suitability, promotion, etc) - **Processes** (workflow) ## Never buy or commit on persuasion As a PR and communications practitioner who also teaches and manages crisis management and communication for clients, we know that narratives can shape perceptions and in turn shape decisions (whether that be purchases, votes, or employment). And so, as with ANY smart and wise decision, we must always avail ourselves to as much information and data as possible. We should never make a decision simply because someone says it persuasively – that is naive. ## How do evaluate an entity So, when you evaluate an entity, whether that be a large or small business, a charity, a government, potential and existing employees, or your processes, pin the SWOT grid down on it, and determine not only what its blatantly obvious persuasions (aka “strengths”) are, but also its Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities. Weaknesses can be chronic, emerging, or transient, and should be evaluated appropriately if you commit to a decision. Likewise, Threats can be persistent or minor, and should shape part of your decision. And lastly, don’t forget Opportunities in your decision. If the list of Opportunities are lightweight and few, you may not have a long comfortable runway for this entity going forward. Whether you are choosing to buy from a business, to vote a government, to donate to a charity, to promote or keep an employee, or to tweak a workflow or process, don’t overlook how simple and easy it is to use a simple SWOT analysis to help your decision-making. --- # 7 Smart and Wise Ways to Achieve Successful Simplicity Source: https://mcgallen.com/7-smart-and-wise-ways-to-achieve-successful-simplicity/ The recent events around the world showed me one thing – some people can make simple things ridiculously complex and ultimately fail, while fewer other people, a select few, are able to make complex things ridiculously simple and succeed. It is simple, just as any coder knows, the more elegantly simple the code, the less vulnerabilities and the faster the execution and results. Fellow academic Dr Mehmed Yildiz, who is also a computing geek like me, wrote a beautiful piece on turning “stupid complexity” to “[smart simplicity](https://medium.com/illumination/from-stupid-complexity-to-smart-simplicity-f426e3ae985a)“. His thoughts echo mine too, that ALL things can be distilled down to simple sophistication, IF one thinks hard on 2 things: - #### Making people happy and successful - #### Create something that works With just these 2 premises in mind, and ALWAYS remembering to “make people happy and successful”, your thinking will always gravitate towards empathy and consideration for others, rather than your own myopic spider web of madness. What can we coders (I coded since 1970s) teach anyone to solve problems, snuff out crises, and show empathy for people? ## 1) K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid, or keep it short and simple) Remember the supersonic stealth SR71 Blackbird that stole the thunder from the Soviets? That bleeding-edge jet was the product of Lockheed Skunk Works, where this [K.I.S.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KISS_principle) principle was reportedly attributed to lead engineer Kelly Johnson. In all things, from coding, to running a government, K.I.S.S. can seriously improve productivity, service quality, maintenance, and COST. ## 2) Rule of Least Power A sledgehammer will see everything as a nail, just as a blunderbuss will never shoot straight and on point. To solve any problem or crisis, use the least resources, from raw materials, people, technologies, and processes, to develop and reach the outcome. Again, the [Rule of Least Power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_least_power) is all about simplicity and resource management. ## 3) No “Big Ball of Mud” A “[Big Ball of Mud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ball_of_mud)“, credited to coder Brian Marick, describes software that is haphazard, huge, sloppy, and opaque. Imagine if you are debugging such a bad code, you could spend months and not get anywhere. Never think that “duct tape” and sloppiness are the way to success – they never are. ## 4) Fail Fast Failure IS an option in life, just as it is in business and coding. To fail is to learn, and to NOT repeat the mistakes again. The concept of “[Fail Fast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail-fast)” is to allow problems to show up, rather than hiding them, or to allow the tragically flawed problem to roll on and continue. Let things that fail, fail. And then change tracks and pursue another way. ## 5) No “Parkinson’s Law” [Parkinson’s Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law) mentioned that “work complicates to fill all available time”, which means that bureaucracy is the worst way to solve problems; where sitting at a table or to spend 15 hours at the office, does not equate to actually working, or solving anything. This principle ties in with K.I.S.S., reminding us to kick bureaucracy to the curb, and move straight on. ## 6) Perfect is the enemy of good “Better to be a diamond with flaws than a pebble without” (attributed to Confucius). Likewise, “[Perfect is the enemy of good](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_is_the_enemy_of_good)” (attributed to Voltaire as “Dit que le mieux est l’ennemi du bien”). This is similar to the 80:20 principle in coding and elsewhere, where you may only need 20% to achieve 80% of a task, while requiring 80% effort to tackle the last 20%. Coders know that the last mile in an app is often nearly impossible to complete, often reaching feature-completeness and success with some flaws here and there. Nothing in the world is perfect, so stop going ballistic and insane over the impossible. ## 7) No “Startle Effect” To us aviators, we always want to avoid the “Startle Effect”, or what coders call “[Principle of Least Astonishment (POLA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_astonishment)“. Don’t you hate it when people jump towards you and yell “surprise!” Likewise, in any crisis or problem, how we best resolve them is to create as little surprises to people. The reason why the Japanese cuisine is so loved is due their high quality and also the repeatability meeting expectations time and again. --- # 5 Recommendations for building lasting brands through heritage Source: https://mcgallen.com/5-recommendations-for-building-lasting-brands-through-heritage/ If you venture along the old quiet Telok Ayer Street, you may still catch a glimpse of one of Singapore’s oldest food establishments, the 90 years old Tan Hock Seng bakery. In November 2021, this old shop will [close for good](https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/love-and-legacy-chapter-closing-for-90-year-old-tan-hock-seng-bakery), serving the locals for the past 90 years and passing through 3 generations. It is an iconic brand no less, and one that took decades and nearly a century to hone. And it will be gone. Brands, need time to build, and good brands that last, need LOVE to build. What then, is the power of heritage in a brand? ## The heritage of Mochi If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, you must have heard of mochi (餅, もち). It is a sticky gelatinous food usually eaten with green tea as a form of dessert, or as part of a savory soup. It is made of glutinous rice, heavily pounded until the sticky texture is obtained, and flavored and colored with various natural foods. It is made in a process called [mochitsuki (餅つき)](https://arigatojapan.co.jp/mochitsuki-the-traditional-art-of-making-mochi/), or the labor of making mochi. Mochi was traditionally made and used as offerings during the New Year celebrations. You may find mochi similar to Muah Chee (麻糍) from Taiwan, Tang Yuan (湯圓) from China, or Kueh/Kuih/Kue (糕) from South East Asia – they share the same roots. ## 1000-years old Mochi in Kyoto So, given how old Mochi is in the history of Asia, it may still surprise some that really old establishments exist in Japan. For example, [Ichiwa Aburi-Mochi (一和, full name 一文字屋和輔)](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/business/japan-old-companies.html), outside the famous Shinto Imamiya Jinja or Shrine (今宮神社), has been open for 1,000 years. [Ichiwa](https://furafurakyoto.com/ichiwa/) serves sweet savory charcoal grilled Aburi-Mochi on skewers, much like our South East Asian meat satay, with Japanese green tea in a pot. Ichiwa’s Aburi-Mochi is still made in the traditional way passed down generation to generation for 25 generations, without modernizing or automating like so many modern or family businesses may have done outside Japan. See a video on Ichiwa’s Aburi-Mochi: https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQ3jox-dosQ ## 240-years old Turkish sweets shop in Istanbul On central Asia, you have something “newer”, but nonetheless old enough to warrant attention. It is [Haci Bekir](https://www.hacibekir.com/). Their Lokum (Turkish Delights), seized its claim to fame during the Ottoman Empire. If you have tried their Rose Lokum, they are fragrant, gentle, soft, and pretty. They make great gifts as well as desserts you want to indulge in. They have evolved to adapt to the decades, with traditional recipes made right, as well as adapting to modern diet requirements (sugar-free). See a video on Haci Bekir: https://www.youtube.com/embed/AmWgJlEwX8Q ## The power of 傳承 (heritage) and 家訓 (family rules) So what, you may ask? Why not automate or modernize? Why not “pivot” as pounded by some die-hard folks who believe everything must be AI, robotics, coding, or ecommerce? Plenty of good reasons, but ONE single reason will suffice – branding. There is power in heritage, and there is power in consistency, that builds a brand that endears and endures through time. We have a saying, 台上一分鐘，台下十年功, which is loosely translated to it takes 10 years to hone skills enough to stand up to deliver a 1-minute speech on stage. This is true for martial arts, sports, ballet, piano, calligraphy, or making food like Turkish delights or Mochi. In the Chinese philosophy of 傳承 (heritage), the 2 Chinese words depict a passing the baton to another, who receives it with 2 hands in respect and humility. In the Japanese concept of 家訓 (family rules), which were well known during the samurai era, it is similar, which is a set of rules or recommendations handed down from family elders (such as parents) to their children, as rules of engagement and survival. ## 5 Recommendations for heritage brand building What then, can heritage and family rules mean for building a brand? We have these learning lessons from these brands: - **Keep going**. When the going gets tough, don’t give up! The fittest survive. Whether this crisis or the next, persevere. - **Repeat the best**. When you have something good that other people appreciate, keep doing that, and do it until you deem it as close to human perfection as possible. - **Retain and adapt**. Times change, and so how we survive needs to change. But never compromise standards, best practices, or tradition. Tradition is what these 1,000 or 240 years old businesses stand on and people admire. For example, while Haci Bekir keeps its tradition, it has products made sugar-free to adapt its products for those who are on a diet or need to keep to insulin-friendly lives. - **Nurture**. A long-lasting brand needs time, and we have to build from scratch from ground zero, and brick by brick, inch by inch, we build things up. This means we have to nurture BOTH people and the business (entity). It is often not about how much money there is, but how genuine we are in passing the skills and experience to the next generation. - **Relationships count**. The reason why Ichiwa or Haci Bekir can last, is all about relationships. Whether family members or employees, everyone are bonded by the trials of fire in business, and the strengths lent to each other heartbeat by heartbeat over time. There is no shortcut to a lasting, harmonious relationship. Treasure every encounter. There are hundreds or thousands of such centuries or older brands in the world. Most of them started from families, and evolved over time without succumbing to the lures of modern ills. We can learn from these brands, and build ours the same, to last. --- # Speak directly and simply for impact – avoid double negatives Source: https://mcgallen.com/speak-directly-and-simply-for-impact-avoid-double-negatives/ All too often, we slip into communication, in writing or in speaking, that do not communicate as directly a meaning we intend. In a world where attention span is short and hearing is bad (figuratively especially), speaking and writing directly certainly has merits, if we want our audiences to actually respond. ## Punching directly Double negatives are literary devices that work in perhaps literary works, but not quite effective in speeches that are meant to evoke emotion and influence, or conversations that are supposed to gain closer relationships, or in writing to communicate clearly for a digital generation. Speak or write directly, and your language gains impact and punch. Here are examples: Instead of “I cannot help but wonder”, say “I wonder.” Instead of “you ain’t nothing but a silly kid”, say “you are a silly kid.” Instead of “I don’t want nothing”, say “I want something.” In short, the straighter the path of an arrow, the more likely you will hit the target. The more direct your words, the more authentic and honest your communication, and the more receptive your audience may be. ## How the greats spoke directly from the heart When Spain wanted to invade Britain in 1588, some of Queen Elizabeth I’s words were direct and to the point: “I myself will take up arms. I myself will be your general.” And when Mahatma Gandhi was asking the British to leave India in August 1942, he said famously some punchy direct words: “In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master.” Closer to our timeframe, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1963: “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” ## Authenticity and being direct Speaking directly from the heart is about authenticity. It is not about being rude. A distinction must be made to speak directly and honestly, but also gracefully and humbly. Respect is mutual, and everyone deserves a voice. Speaking authentically without convolution or jargon, is about honoring the recipient with expedience and hoping for reciprocal answers, and then a volleying exchange continues and it becomes a meaningful and fruitful conversation. It is DIalog, not monolog. Writing is also communication that can benefit from a direct style, especially doing away with double or triple negatives that convolute meanings and create miscommunication, especially in an Internet and social media speed world where people speed read materials. Practice speaking and writing with more direct words and phrases now. See how many words you can remove, and how your sentences can be rewritten to convey the full meaning with the least words. --- # PR & Crisis 101 – 6 Tips on Handling Difficult Questions Source: https://mcgallen.com/pr-crisis-101-6-tips-on-handling-difficult-questions/ Now and then, as an official spokesperson, you may need to answer a tough question a journalist asks. You may even take offense at the manner of the question or its substance. But it is impolite and improper as a spokesperson to lambast the journalist, or dismiss questions as if you are above them. > “No question is unworthy. There are only unworthy answers.” There are 6 tips on handling difficult questions from journalists. ## 1. Distance First, let’s set the environment right for being conducive for both spokespersons and journalists. The conventional media conference tend to feature a long wide table with a panel of spokespersons behind it, keeping them a far berth away from the journalists. This create a chasm between the spokespersons and the journalists, and presents an adversarial “me versus you” perception. Rather, if possible, set up the spokespersons on comfortable upright chairs with a side table, and so the spokespersons are in full view by the journalists and present a more approachable perception. A handheld microphone can be used, or clip-on microphones. ## 2. Facts Stick to facts and figures. Present them as they are available to you. If not available, allow for team members to speak on your behalf, or give you the details you need to answer such questions. IF these facts and figures are unavailable now, note down the details of the journalist and have someone on your team address those details by email later on, and let the journalist know you are doing so. ## 3. Subtext Watch your subtext or body language. When you get emotional, you give away your true self, and sometimes, that self may be unacceptable to people, and paint you in bad light. Never point fingers at people. It is simply rude. Never raise your voice or shout at people. It in unbecoming if you happen to occupy a position of leadership. Don’t fold your arms and lean back in your seat. It implies indifference or dismissiveness. ## 4. Affirmation Conversely, subtext and language should be affirmative as much as possible to build rapport with the media. Lean forward. Look earnestly and directly. Maintain eye contact. Lower your pitch and tone. Slow down your speech. Temper your breathing and it will slow down your heart rate. Sit squarely. Smile. Use positive language to first agree with whatever possible with the journalist, before addressing pertinent points even if they are difficult. ## 5. Redirection Sometimes, you are just not the right person to answer a question. Or, you are not in the right state of emotion to answer it rationally and calmly. In an event where there are several colleagues on a panel, use this opportunity to allow another team member to help answer the question either completely, or a part of it, before you calm down and then answer the remaining part of the question. ## 6. Empathy If you truly can put yourself in the shoes of the journalists, you will likely be able to see things from their perspective, and avoid confrontational stances that would only jeopardize your organization’s image further. With empathy, you will be able to be authentic, to be conciliatory, to have more open and warm gestures and subtext, to use more collaborative and “we” lingo rather than aggressive or combative words. You will also notice telling the harsh truth as it is, unembellished, with no lies, much easier. And when the circumstances demand it, you will also be able to apologize freely and honestly, rather than using stale and unconvincing faux apologies that will alienate your organization from the public even more. If you see a journalist as an adversary, your subtext and language will all be high-strung combative. But if you see a journalist as a colleague or college student on a discovery, then your subtext and language will be radically different and collaborative. So, the next time you face a journalist with a tough question, just remember that no question is unworthy, and that there are only unworthy answers. Step up to it and embrace the challenge. --- # Theoretical Physics and the art of crisis management Source: https://mcgallen.com/theoretical-physics-and-the-art-of-crisis-management/ When folks think of theoretical physics, some may imagine a bunch of nerds/geeks in the light of Big Bang Theory (the TV series that ran for an amazing 12 seasons). Yes, physics, to many, may just be something esoteric scientists are stretched out in a room drawing figures and charts on a whiteboard for days on end. However, did you know that theoretical physics can have practical applications in our daily lives? And they do. And even more interestingly, if you stretch your mind a little, theoretical physics may have bearing on crisis management as well. Let me just quote 3 such theoretical physics principles to illustrate this point. ## Newton’s Third Law – Action and Reaction [Newton’s Third Law of Motion](https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/#newtons-third-law-action-reaction) posits that for every object that exerts force on another, the other object will exert an equal and opposite force to the first object. To coin the Buddhist lingo, this would be known as “cause and effect”, there every effect has a cause. Simplistically, if you treat people well, they will return in kind. And the converse is true too, that if you treat people badly, don’t expect that they will return in kind. Right now deep in the global crisis, you can already see pushbacks from the communities worldwide, some peaceful some violent. The populace has been pushed hard against the walls in many of these communities, having dried out what little “subsidies” were given, and some having no jobs or businesses to return to, it is incredibly hard to still adhere to draconian demands and expectations from a minority. Talk is cheap, but people want to make an honest living day in and day out, with a routine that reminds them of their abilities and their self-worth, to be able to independently put food on the table for their families. That is human nature. That is also the law of nature, as Sir Isaac Newton presented. The martial arts legend Bruce Lee said famously, “Be water, my friend”. He said that water can take the form of any shape of an object it flows into. In a cup, water takes the shape of a cup. He meant that to win, you have be to pliable in body and mind, and not be stubborn or arrogant. If you are open-minded, you can find a better way to solve a problem or to dissolve a crisis. The ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism also has something akin to Newton’s Third and Bruce Lee’s “be water”, embodied in “[無爲](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei)“, which is hard to explain simply, but can be interpreted as flowing with the way of the universe rather than to oppose it, and in turn achieve great things because of this strength in harmony. ## Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle German physicist and 1932 Nobel Laureate Werner Heisenberg, arguably the “father” of quantum mechanics, a branch of theoretical physics, wrote the paper on the “uncertainty principle (Ungenauigkeit or “imprecision” in German)” in 1927 over at Copenhagen. Interestingly, it was Dr Albert Einstein who nominated Heisenberg for the Nobel Prize, go figure. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty principle, simply, means that if we can measure the position of a particle, then we will not be able to accurately measure the momentum of this particle; and conversely, if we can measure accurately the momentum of this particle, then we will not be able to accurately measure its position. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TQKELOE9eY4 Crises occur generally quite randomly. If they could be anticipated they won’t be crises would they? Like the Heisenberg Uncertainty principle, we need to understand that there is NO way we can commandeer everything in a crisis. We can only perhaps control a few of the parameters and steer outcomes to the best compromise possible. Crisis management is NOT a zero-sum game where you win all. You will lose some. You will need to reconcile and accept that. For example, you may lose brand faith. You may lose customer loyalty. You may lose money (very likely). And in very bad crises, you may lose human lives. Most crises can fall under certain categories, such as financial fraud, executive scandals, data breaches, cybersecurity lapses, social media and news dissonance, industrial accidents (e.g. explosions), pandemics/epidemics, etc. The fallout can be deadly, or have major financial, brand, and other repercussions. While crises cannot be predicted as to when they can happen, organizations can prepare for the above scenarios, with a crisis management program. What we have developed as a system can range from a simple “live” document that details what, who, where, when, and how, an organization and its human resources can be mobilized in the variety of crises above, to a more complex system. We would recommend having such a crisis management system on a “wiki-like” intranet. [Talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) if you need to develop and deploy such an organization-wide system. ## Bernoulli’s Fluid Dynamics principle Ever seen how an aircraft fly? Yes, it is lifted, and therefore it flies. When the velocity of a moving fluid (that can be gaseous or liquid) increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases, according to Swiss mathematician and physicist [Daniel Bernoulli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Bernoulli). This is how aircraft lifts off with the thrust and flies. https://www.youtube.com/embed/DW4rItB20h4 A bit of trivia. Did you know Bernoulli was first educated as a medical doctor, and then went on to his PhD in anatomy and botany, before ending up as a professor of math? How does Bernoulli’s principle factor in a crisis? A crisis is a pressure chamber, where every stakeholder is pressured or stressed in a compressed framework and timeframe. To release this pressure or stress, we need “lift”. And this is where moving forward together in a synergistic manner, akin to jet fuel propelling an aircraft forward, is the key driver. To enable a cordial or acceptable exit from the “pressure chamber” of a crisis, leader or team, need to be able to work together, without fear, oppression or purgatory. This means that every team member should be able to be seen as of value, rather than merely a peg and bolt. Imagine some of the worst aircraft disasters that were due to a simple part, and you see why EVERY part, or every human member of a team, is important in a crisis to move forward in unison together. ## Art and Science I hope this short post tickles you a little on how the “boring” subject of theoretical physics can shed light on how communicators, corporate executives and leaders think about crisis management. Theoretical physics, as esoteric as the field is in other science fields (my own is biochemistry), is very much a science as it is art. --- # Future of PR in the 21st Century is the Bottom Line Source: https://mcgallen.com/future-of-pr-in-the-21st-century-is-the-bottom-line/ **Amended with new chart and media measurement** (January 2021). I have been on all 3 sides of the public relations equation, as a client, as a journalist, and as an agency practitioner. And having been in the industry since the 1980s, I have seen my fair share of the evolution of the communications field. In the 1990s, there was a wide spectrum of trade media, and serving technology and enterprise clients was not difficult at all. The trade journalists were eager, and readily available to interview clients, and to write at length on features and commentaries. Organizing media conferences and events were hectic but enjoyable, because we knew that we could attract large turnouts and account to clients’ requests. ### The big media dwindle Then the dotcom crash, the financial market crash, and subsequently economic downturns changed the equation, perhaps permanently. From a large pool of trade media, many slowly dwindled and folded. I remembered sadly the day I wrote my last feature story as a contributing editor for a technology magazine, having been one for a nice long mile and interviewed many luminaries, including the likes of the other Steve – [Steve Wozniak](http://www.woz.org/) of Apple fame. And the dwindling continued. Large media houses started to trim employees, reduce print runs, and even raised advertising and subscription rates in a hopeless attempt to restore some degree of revenue. But such moves can only worsen their situations. ### The shift to citizen journalism Right about the same time, the social media and mobile phenomena cemented yet another radical transformation in the media industry – empowering the consumers with the ability to create their own content, and propagating the content to their friends, families, and peers (and sometimes farther beyond). News was no longer the stranglehold of traditional mainstream media like newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, but became the domain of just about anyone with a desktop, laptop, and progressively tablets and smartphones. Today, if you have a smartphone with a camera, you can readily and easily record an audio podcast, a short video stream, or short textual and image content, and upload them real-time to various social media platforms such as [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/), [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/), and so on. Consumers have many platforms to upload and propagate their content, and depending on the virality of their content, can organically build up their audiences to be way beyond friends and families. So where does that leave the PR practitioners in the agency and the client-side? ### Integrative public relations, not media relations If you have not noticed, public relations is not just media relations, but stakeholder relations reaching any stakeholder of a company. Such stakeholders include the media, but also vendors, clients, governments, institutions, and so on. Everyone with a potential stake in the company in some way, will be included in the holistic communication of an integrative public relations program. Therefore, a PR practitioner must be able to provide useful and timely content to every stakeholder when needed, using any technological means (and traditional ones) to streamline the communication process. These technological means can be email, EDM, RSS feeds, social media, and mobile apps. There are ways to create content in a unified content management system (such as [WordPress](http://www.wordpress.org/)) and then automatically target to every social and mobile platform intended. For example, if you have an updated blog within your corporate website, the blog content can be automatically shared with your various social media accounts. This is one method, although it may not be the most effective. It is however a good starting point for resource-strapped companies. But for more effective content outreach, customized and even personalized content may need to be prepared for each intended social or mobile platform, to cater to how each consumer of such content would prefer it. For example, a platform like Twitter is best used for short form content, and so the textual copy should be catchy and straightforward, with a call-to-action URL link and preferably an image as well. Conversely, for a platform like Medium, textual content can be written without restrictions and at length, where you can articulate ideas, concepts, and philosophies as much as you like. This approach is also better for SEO (search engine optimization) as each customized content bears little resemblance to each other, and so would be seen by the likes of Google as original content, rather than replicants (which can carry SEO penalties). Public relations used to be very much a form of unicasting, where content is streamed one way to the media and in turned articulated to the consumers. Now, public relations is interactive and relational. The consumer of such content provides as much feedback as the content creator, and some form of relationship is formed between content consumers and creators. As much as content creators relay information to consumers, consumers can and will also relay information to content creators. And because consumers can share insights with each other as well, “word-of-mouth” becomes a powerful double-edged sword. ### The new PR practitioner So where does that leave the practitioner in the 21st century? A decade or more before, a PR practitioner tends to use the telephone often, calling up journalists to pitch stories and then hope to garner media coverage. Now, the new PR practitioner will likely use digital means such as email or personalized mail or even instant messaging on smartphones, to reach out to journalists. The practitioner is also more likely to engage audiences directly on social media platforms, and to move from a pure “earned media” focus, to a hybrid one of earned media, owned media, communal media (social media, forums, portals), and paid media. ### Barcelona 3.0 And beyond using storytelling to pitch to media and to audiences directly, using textual, image, animation and video content, the practitioner is also becoming more data-conscious through analytics and research. The antiquated days of counting number of media coverage and compiling news clippings for clients are over (and if not, you are way behind). Now, the practitioner has to move beyond the antiquated AVE (advertising value equivalence) to building mindshare through positive sentiment, enhanced reputation, social engagement, and ultimately, revenue and sales, and follow the media measurement model of Barcelona 3.0. Any campaign or program that does not add to the bottom line is progressively deemed as laggard or even useless. A PR program or campaign must account for the bottom line for the client, and to not just increase mindshare and engagement, but allow such mindshare and engagement to transform to raving fans and end-user evangelists who will not only share and shout about the client’s products and services, but consume them with dollars as well. --- # Briefly: FEO before SEO – Website optimization for profit Source: https://mcgallen.com/briefly-feo-before-seo-website-optimization-for-profit/ Every digital marketer will talk about SEO (search engine optimization). But having consulted since the start of the commercial Internet in 1996 till now, one of the worst problems and often neglected has been OPTIMIZATION, specifically FEO (front-end optimization). FEO essentialy means making your website fast, optimal, compressed, and lightweight to your users, so that (hopefully) they will not click away (known as “bounce”). This is especially important since the majority of users now browse websites on smartphones. While this [blog piece](https://blog.piio.co/web-performance/5-key-elements-of-front-end-optimization/) is CDN-centric by a CDN vendor, the premise is sound. You should: - #### Optimise your IMAGES (make them as light as possible!) - #### Compress your files (server-side, text and scripts) - #### Reduce CODE (or do away with redundant code) - #### Reduce HTTP requests (don’t sign up too many trackers) - #### Yes, get a CDN if needed If your business website is needing a technical overhaul to make your users happy (and not just pander to your visual whims), [let us know](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). --- # McGallen & Bolden wins International Bronze Stevie 2020 for PR Awards category Source: https://mcgallen.com/mcgallen-bolden-wins-international-bronze-stevie-2020-for-pr-awards-category/ Singapore, September 10, 2020 – McGallen & Bolden Group was named the winner of a Bronze Stevie® Award in the **PR Awards category “Public Relations Agency of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand”** in The 17th Annual International Business Awards® today. The International Business Awards are the world’s premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – are eligible to submit nominations. The 2020 IBAs received entries from organizations in 63 nations and territories. As the ongoing COVID-19 crisis will prevent winners from receiving their awards on stage during a traditional gala IBA banquet, winners will be celebrated instead during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, 1 December. More than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others. This year’s competition also featured a number of free-to-enter categories to recognize organizations’ and individuals’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. **McGallen & Bolden Group won in the PR Awards category “Public Relations Agency of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand” category.** > “When we submitted our entry, nobody would have imagined a changed world in 2020. Even before the COVID-19 crisis struck the world, we were always lean and agile to adapt to the rapid changes in the media landscape, client demands, and what the populace needs in terms of content. We continue to be very grateful for the judges who understood the unique offerings our firm has that benefit many of our multinational and local clients in holistic communication and business strategy, much more than a typical PR agency or digital marketing agency can. This stems from our real-world field experience garnered nearly 30 years in working closely with our clients in technology, healthcare, fashion, and other industries,” says Dr Seamus Phan, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Head of Content, McGallen & Bolden Group. “We are also extremely grateful to all our clients, some of which worked with us for decades since their inception, who trusted us to help them launch their brands, help them grow successfully in the markets, and gave us latitude to provide 360-degree marketing, communication, strategy, branding, training and crisis preparedness to ensure their growth in highly competitive arenas such as technology, healthcare, industrial technologies, and FMCG. And we never stop learning and growing our expertise, to ensure our clients always get the best insights and experience, and not just ‘run-of-the-mill’ media relations. Clients always get CXO-level actionable insights.” Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 250 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process from July through early September. > “Despite the unprecedented impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on organizations and working people worldwide, the number and quality of nominations we received in this year’s International Business Awards attests to the continued outstanding performance of many organizations. The commitment we’ve seen through these nominations to maintaining the success, health, and safety of employees, customers, and communities is truly impressive,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Gallagher. Details about The International Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners are available at [www.StevieAwards.com/IBA](https://www.stevieawards.com/IBA). #### About McGallen & Bolden Group Founded in 1991 in Singapore (first as a design consultancy), McGallen & Bolden Group is today one of the most established “boutique” full service business strategy, branding, digital marketing, public relations and B2B consultancies focused on Asia Pacific. It is the lead agency for the Aurea Terras collective of independent agencies (aureaterras.com). The firm has consulted for large multinational corporations, emerging technology enterprises, fast-moving consumer products companies, medical and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, etc. The small agency is an Internet technology pioneer since the inception of commercial Internet in the 1990s, and have kept pace with every facet of Internet and digital media development, with in-house expertise and managed infrastructure to serve clients’ needs. The firm is also an established corporate leadership, sales, media training and crisis communication provider since its inception. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/). #### About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at [www.StevieAwards.com](https://www.stevieawards.com/). ### --- # McGallen & Bolden wins Bronze Stevie® for 2020 Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year Source: https://mcgallen.com/mcgallen-bolden-wins-bronze-stevie-for-2020-most-innovative-pr-agency-of-the-year/ We have won another Bronze Stevie® in the Asia Pacific Stevie® Awards in 2020, for Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year. Please find our news release in English and Chinese below. ## Leading PR & Digital Marketing firm McGallen & Bolden Group Wins Bronze Stevie® Award in 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for “Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year” Singapore, July 14, 2020 – McGallen & Bolden Group ([https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/)) was named the winner of the Bronze Stevie® Award in the “Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year” category in the seventh annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards today. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific region.  The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programs such as The International Business Awards® for 18 years. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for “crowned,” the winners will be celebrated during a virtual (online) awards ceremony on Tuesday, 22 September.   More than 1,000 nominations from organizations across the Asia-Pacific region were considered this year in categories such as Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products & Services, Award for Innovative Management, and Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among many others.  McGallen & Bolden Group won in the “Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year” category. > “When we submitted our entry in 2019, nobody would have imagined a changed world in 2020. Even before the COVID-19 crisis struck the world, we were always lean and agile to adapt to the rapid changes in the media landscape, client demands, and what the populace needs in terms of content. We continue to be very grateful for the judges who understood the unique offerings our firm has that benefit many of our multinational and local clients in holistic communication and business strategy, much more than a typical PR agency or digital marketing agency can. This stems from our real-world field experience garnered nearly 30 years in working closely with our clients in technology, healthcare, fashion, and other industries,” says Dr Seamus Phan, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Head of Content, McGallen & Bolden Group. “We are also extremely grateful to all our clients, some of which worked with us for decades since their inception, who trusted us to help them grow successfully in the markets, and gave us latitude to provide 360-degree marketing, communication, strategy, branding and training to ensure their growth in highly competitive arenas such as technology and FMCG. And we never stop learning and growing our expertise, to ensure our clients always get the best insights and experience, and not just ‘run-of-the-mill’ media relations. Clients always get CXO-level actionable insights.” Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 100 executives around the world acting as judges in May and June. > “We are delighted that the seventh edition of the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards attracted so many impressive nominations,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Gallagher.  “This year’s winning nominations are testament to the resiliency and innovation of organizations in the region, many of which continue to succeed despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Although we are disappointed that we cannot stage the in-person awards banquet we had planned for Hanoi, Vietnam this year, we look forward to celebrating many of this year’s winners during our virtual awards ceremony on 22 September.” **About McGallen & Bolden Group** Founded in 1991 in Singapore (first as a design consultancy), McGallen & Bolden Group is today one of the most established “boutique” full service business strategy, branding, digital marketing, public relations and B2B consultancies focused on Asia Pacific. It is the lead agency for the Aurea Terras collective of independent agencies ([aureaterras.com](http://aureaterras.com/)). The firm has consulted for large multinational corporations, emerging technology enterprises, fast-moving consumer products companies, medical and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, etc. The small agency is an Internet technology pioneer since the inception of commercial Internet in the 1990s, and have kept pace with every facet of Internet and digital media development, with in-house expertise and managed infrastructure to serve clients’ needs. The firm is also an established corporate leadership, sales, media training and crisis communication provider since its inception. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/). **About the Stevie® Awards** Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at [http://www.StevieAwards.com](http://www.stevieawards.com/). Sponsors and partners of the 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards include Adobo Magazine, BRComm, PR Newswire Asia, and the Korea Business Communicators Association. ### ## 麥金倫顧問公司在2020年亞洲-太平洋史蒂夫® 獎中榮獲年度最創新公關公司銅獎 新加坡， 2020年 7月 14日 – 麥金倫顧問公司在第七屆亞洲-太平洋史蒂夫® 獎評選中榮獲最創新公關公司類別的史蒂夫® 獎的銅獎。 亞洲-太平洋史蒂夫® 獎是對亞太地區29國企業所取得的成就加以認可的唯一商業獎項。史蒂夫® 獎被廣泛認可爲世界上頂級的商業獎項，在十八年間表彰那些在工作中獲得非凡成就的人士，其中包括國際商務大獎®。 史蒂夫是希臘語“加冕”的意思，2020年亞太史蒂夫® 獎的頒獎典禮將於9月22日星期二通過線上舉辦。 今年有1000多名/家來自亞太地區的商業人士或企業在產品與服務革新獎、革新經營獎、企業網站革新獎等類別中接受審查。 麥金倫顧問公司在最創新公關公司類別評選中獲得優勝。 [關於獲獎提名者及其成就的段落，包括引用了您所在組織領導對提名者的賀詞。] > “在2019年呈上我們彈劾作品時，誰都沒想到2020年會大變天。在肺炎前的好多年，我們一貫保持敏捷，來應付媒體，社會和客戶永無止盡的變遷。我們很感激評委了解我們超越一般公關公司所提供的獨特顧問服務，和我們如何協助我們跨國和新起的客戶發展他們的資料通訊和商業策略。這多虧我們累積了近30年的實戰經驗。我們也感激和我們共進退的尊貴的客戶，讓我們在360度企業和數字營銷，品牌促銷，和培訓多方面沈穩地發展。我們會繼續謙卑學習和磨練，來確保顧客永遠享有首席執行長級可行的見解，”潘俊嘉博士，首席科技長和創意總監，麥金倫顧問公司。 史蒂夫金、銀、銅獎獲得者由來自全世界100多位管理人員評選，評選人員將於5月和6月通過審查選拔獲獎者。 > “我們很高興第七屆亞太史蒂夫獎吸引瞭如此多的令人印象深刻的作品參與，”史蒂夫獎主席兼創始人Maggie Gallagher說。“今年的獲獎作品證明了亞太地區組織的彈性和創新能力，儘管面臨新冠疫情大流行的挑戰，但許多組織仍在繼續取得成功。我們對今年無法在越南河內舉行頒獎晚宴感到可惜，但仍然非常期待在9月22日的線上頒獎典禮上看到今年的獲獎者們。” **關於麥金倫顧問公司** 屹立了近三十年的麥金倫顧問公司是個獲獎和高科技的數字營銷，公共關係和培訓公司。我們的高級客戶和創意總監各自擁有27至33年以上的經驗（市場管理，新興企業，新聞，媒體，人力培訓，行銷，公共關係），且精通英語和國語。隨著1990年代網際網路和數字媒體的啟動，我們已經齊步跟進，開發，研究及使用此等科技於客戶活動及培訓用途。無論您的商業計劃專注新加坡，東南亞或亞太地區市場，我們都有把握和樂意協助您大展鴻圖。我們的敏捷價值觀以人，合作，結果，和速應為本，以達到您最理想的要求。我們從不喧嘩取眾，而是以真實的知識和專長取勝。您可把我們想像成您有效且具備實戰經驗的特種部隊。我們永遠用行動證明一切。[https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/). **關於史蒂夫® 獎** 史蒂夫®獎共有八大獎項，包括亞洲-太平洋史蒂夫獎(Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards)、德國史蒂夫獎(German Stevie Awards)、美國商業獎(American Business Awards®)、國際商業獎(The International Business Awards®)、史蒂夫女性企業家獎(Stevie Awards for Women in Business)、史蒂夫優秀僱主獎(Stevie Awards for Great Employers) 、以及史蒂夫銷售與客戶服務獎(Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service)以及新設的中東史蒂夫獎（Middle East Stevie Awards）。史蒂夫獎每年從70多個國家的組織接收12000多項參展作品。 史蒂夫® 獎是爲所有類別和規模的組織及其僱員授予的榮譽，認可他們在世界範圍內作出的傑出工作成績。瞭解有關史蒂夫® 獎的更多信息，請訪問 www.StevieAwards.com。 2020年亞太史蒂夫獎的贊助商和合作夥伴包括Adobo Magazine、BRComm、PR Newswire Asia和Korea Business Communicators Association。 ### --- Generated from RankReady