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McDonald's has selected GolinHarris to strategically lead, manage and drive its PR component and to help establish itself as the most trusted brand in Singapore. The Golden Arches is one of the most recognizable brand icons in the world today. There are over 30,000 McDonald's restaurants in more than 120 countries serving 52 million customers every year. In Singapore, over one million customers walk through McDonald’s doors every week. In the United States, the McDonald's and GolinHarris relationship reaches back more than 50 years. GH was selected among three other PR agencies who were invited for the pitch for McDonald's retainer business in Singapore. “Everyone here is exhilarated about this win. It is an honor to be able to support the McDonald’s brand in Singapore, especially in light of GH’s historic relationship with McDonald’s in the U.S.” said Cheang. The GH team in Singapore has already kicked off major programs for McDonald’s, including its new Grab-N-Go breakfast sandwich, McGriddles, as well as McDonald’s University Accreditation Program and McDonald’s Champion Kids.
GolinHarris and Cotton Council International’s “Life Journeys” 2008 fashion calendar has won the Publications category of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) 2008 Golden World Awards. The annual Golden World Awards are organized by IPRA, a leading global network for public relations professionals. This year, IPRA judges chose 28 category winners from 117 finalists out of 404 entries from 52 countries. The “Life Journeys” 2008 fashion calendar features celebrities and models ranging in age from 0-95, photographed in visually stunning settings and wearing the latest fashions from COTTON USA licensee brands. Calendar sale proceeds benefit Care for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to orphaned or abandoned children in China. “Life Journeys” is the second calendar to come out of GolinHarris’ partnership with Cotton Council International; the first, “Evolutions,” won a Bronze SABRE award in 2007. Cotton Council International China Director Karin Malmstrom said, “It is gratifying to see that our concept to creatively highlight our COTTON USA licensees could not only help needy children in China but also successfully compete in an international arena.” “Winning this award is a huge honor. We’re very proud to have helped Cotton Council International produce ‘Life Journeys,’ the second calendar in a row to garner global recognition,” said John Morgan, GolinHarris regional managing director of Greater China.
Double Dragons in Beijing: Bo-ning Yang and Nikki Lin
Unity in diversity is more than a philosophical principle at the Beijing office of GolinHarris. Office co-leaders Bo-ning Yang and Nikki Lin have recently used their unique strengths to help raise the agency’s profile in mainland China. Lin, always in the know when it comes to the latest fashion trends, was featured in the March 2008 issue of Rayli magazine to promote fashion client Cimarron, and two months later she appeared in Cosmo magazine. While Lin graced glossy pages, Bo-ning Yang took the microphone. An expert in corporate communications, he was featured on Shanghai TV International Channel and on China National Radio Network in March to discuss his perspectives on the PR industry. Recently, Yang was also a key speaker during a panel discussion for China’s PR professionals on corporate responsibility in Shanghai.
Practice leaders and office directors from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei offices recently came together to discuss enhanced strategies to build upon the agency’s momentum in Greater China. In Shanghai, the leaders were joined by GolinHarris CEO Fred Cook, who shared winning tips behind GH’s unprecedented 50-year history of success. The group also analyzed principles from management guru Jim Collins’s highly respected book, Good to Great. Cook presented "The Tao of GolinHarris—or East Meets Midwest," an interesting and unique interpretation comparing GH's leadership values to Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching," one of China's best-loved books of wisdom. “We’re not the world’s biggest agency … and we don’t want to be. We just want to be the best—for our clients and for ourselves,” Greater China Regional Managing Director John Morgan told leaders. “We want to be the best in the critical areas that make the most sense and offer the greatest business benefit for our clients.” Following a comprehensive and thoughtful look at GH’s values and strengths across the region, the leaders spent an entire day in focused, intensive breakout groups to brainstorm a series of new initiatives. The team adopted a “Good to Great in 2008” manifesto, which aims to further enhance collaboration around the agency’s key specialties in the region. Participants also found time to celebrate GH’s growth in Greater China, toasting to the agency’s continued success at the glamorous M on the Bund restaurant, overlooking Shanghai’s glittering skyline.
On the morning of April 24 nearly a dozen senior representatives from GH client companies in Hong Kong gathered for a breakfast meeting with Bo-ning Yang, vice-president of the Beijing office and an expert on issues management and media relations. The inspiration was clear. With China in the news every day, and with 1.2 billion consumers and potential advocates at stake, good media relations in China are more critical than ever for business and communications success. What works? What do reporters and editors value? What are the most important laws governing the press today? With nearly 20 years of experience working with both Chinese and foreign media in mainland China, Yang was able to provide rich insights into the trends and realities of the Chinese scene. They included how much the growing independence of media is tempered by the traditional role of the state and the importance of developing personal relationships with journalists. The Hong Kong office periodically hosts seminars on issues affecting client businesses—past topics have covered internal communications, the impact of competition law and business in the post-SARS era.
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