| Child's Play for China Team in Latest Account Win |
|
Toys “R” Us, Inc., the world’s number one specialty toy retailer, has selected GolinHarris as its public relations agency in China. The account is being led out of the Shanghai office, and the scope of work includes strategic counsel, domestic media relations and driving visibility for the first Toys “R” Us store opening in China, scheduled for early December of this year.
China is one of the fastest-growing markets for toys, baby products and children’s apparel. "As the leader in specialty toy retail, Toys “R” Us needed a world-class media relations partner with a keen understanding of our reach and needs in China,” said Lily Yang, marketing manager of Toys “R” Us China. “GolinHarris has the solid consumer experience to reach parents and children alike. We are thrilled to be working with the team.”
| A Spectacular Night at the PR Awards |
 |
Champagne flowed as GolinHarris celebrated a number of outstanding achievements at the Asia Pacific PR Awards on November 16.
|
|
GolinHarris colleagues at the awards ceremony.
|
Most notably, the agency was named runner-up in the Mid-Sized Network of the Year category with the judges commenting that GH’s " … impressive scope and client list often places it firmly in the company of agencies that are considerably bigger in the region.… The agency has also demonstrated a propensity for award-winning work.”
In the client awards, GH took home two wins, one certificate of excellence and two honorable mentions. “GH scored the third-highest tally of awards, which given the size of the agency relative to some of the competition was a tremendous achievement,” said Andrew Pirie, regional managing director for GH in Asia Pacific. “All in all a sensational night for all of us, and one in which everyone across GH can feel very proud.”
| Award |
Category |
Office |
Campaign |
Client |
| Runner up |
Mid-Sized Network of the year |
Asia Pacific |
|
|
| Winner |
Product & Promotion Healthcare: Ethical |
China - Shanghai |
Breaking a Thousand-Year Chinese Myth |
Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Winner |
Specialist And Technique - Promotional Avticity |
Taiwan |
1122 National Singles Day Campaign |
Yahoo! Taiwan |
| Cert of Excellence |
Product & Promotion Healthcare: Ethical |
Singapore |
Prevenar - Saving Children's Lives Through Education & Vaccination |
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals |
| Honourable Mention |
Specialist And Technique - Broadcast |
Taiwan |
LUX: Making the Celebrity Work |
Unilever Taiwan |
| Honourable Mention |
Product & Promotion - Marketing - Communications: Business |
Taiwan |
Taiwan Industry New Service(T.I.N.S.) |
Taiwan External Trade Development Council |
|
| Founder Al Golin, CEO Fred Cook Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Asia Offices |
|
GolinHarris was founded by Al Golin in 1956 in Chicago and has since grown to become one of the world’s leading public relations firms. This year he and CEO Fred Cook visited GH offices around the world to celebrate a half-century of PR excellence … and to inspire quality work and creative thinking over the next 50 years.
Breakthrough followed Al and Fred as they conducted a two-week whistlestop tour of Asia in early October…
| |
| |
Fred Cook made the first stop at the GH office in Taipei. There he discussed industry trends with the team, introduced new practices being developed by GH and provided insight into the firm’s global direction over the next several years. The focus then turned to Taiwan and how to maintain GH’s leading position in a highly competitive communications market.
Following a one-on-one interview between Fred and Taiwan’s largest business newspaper, The Commercial Times, everyone then went out for Japanese BBQ. The choice of cuisine was appropriate; the next morning, Fred was to travel to Tokyo following his introduction of the “Next 50 Years” to clients, business partners and industry representatives.
|
|
 |
| |
| |
| |
Fred kicked off his visit to Japan by giving a couple of exclusive interviews about the future of the firm and the PR industry in general—both from Japanese and global perspectives—to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) and Weekly Advertimes, a leading media industry paper. Following the interviews, Fred visited senior management from several key clients including Jaguar, DHL and Yamaha Motor before concluding his visit with a cocktail reception attended by GH staff and clients.
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Fred was joined by the firm’s founder, Al Golin, for the visit to GH’s first office in Asia, Hong Kong. There, both men put on a considerable display of versatility…and stamina! The visit was chock-full of activities: Day One alone included a session with GH consultants titled “Reflections with the Founders,” a cocktail celebration at the historic China Club, and a speaking engagement at Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The “Reflections” session was especially rewarding for the consultants, who were able to pick the brains of three of the industry’s most renowned veterans: Al, Fred and Anne Forrest, the founder of what would become the first GH office in Hong Kong in 1993. GH consultants “interviewed” Al and Anne in a forum setting, and Fred spoke on the future of GH and PR. Later that day everyone jumped into taxis and headed to the China Club for a gala cocktail reception with 70 clients and VIPs.
From the reception, it was on to Chinese University of Hong Kong, where Al and Fred delivered speeches on “The Next 50 Years in Communications.” Subjects included global trends such as globalization and digitization, the huge potential of the aging market created by the affluent "baby boomer" generation, and the challenges and opportunities presented by NGO activism. The talk was attended by over 60 students and alumni, academics, and PR and business executives. |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Following a day of internal meetings in Hong Kong, Al and Fred were off to Singapore for another jam-packed two-day visit. On tap were an office introduction and lunch with the Singapore team, as well as client appointments and media interviews.One of the highlights of the visit was the 50th Anniversary party at the très cool New Asia Bar, on the 70th floor of one of Singapore’s poshest hotels. More than 60 guests reveled with the team, including senior journalists and editors of national and regional media as well as GH clients DHL, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Wyeth. Kudos goes to Fred, who stayed out late but still managed to look fresh for an 8am breakfast meeting the next morning! |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
While Al boarded a plane to get back to business in the US, the GH team in Beijing was ensuring an auspicious arrival for Fred on October 13 by timing his visit with the formal opening of the new office and the Chinese Moon Festival—a special time of year in China when families reunite. As it was Fred’s first visit to Beijing, GH consultant Brad Burgess showed him the sights, and even demonstrated how to bargain like a local!
On Sunday, October 15, Fred, Greater China managing director John Morgan and Beijing office director Nikki Lin enjoyed dinner with the chairman of the China International Public Relations Association and former ambassador to the US and UN, Mr. Li Dao Yu. The Red Capital Club—a former residence of the “Tokyo Rose,” an American-Japanese woman convicted of treason in the US after World War II—provided the perfect setting for a lively discussion with Mr. Li that ranged from his experience with US politicians to PR issues that Chinese companies face as they expand abroad.
Nikki Lin commented on Mr. Li’s visit: "It was interesting to speak with someone with such extensive knowledge and insight into Sino-US relationships. It was also very encouraging to hear his positive views on how PR can help Chinese enterprises entering the international arena.”
Monday, October 16 kicked off with the official opening of the Beijing office. Then, to celebrate the firm’s 50-year anniversary, the team hosted a special cocktail event at the Grand Hyatt for clients, friends in the media and communications professionals. The festivities in Beijing finished with a meal at a show restaurant. |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Shanghai was the last stop for Fred during his two-week Asia tour. Reflecting GH’s commitment to increased collaboration in greater China, members from the Beijing and Guangzhou teams joined their Shanghai counterparts for a staff meeting where Fred shared his thoughts on the spirit and mission of GH. The meeting was followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
The next day started with two media interviews, followed by a forum co-sponsored by GH and the Shanghai PR Association. There Fred delivered a speech and entertained questions from an audience of more than 100 representatives from local and multinational companies as well as media and students.
Coincidentally, it was also the Shanghai PR Association’s 20th anniversary, so the GH team invited area PR pros to an exclusive forum where Fred shared insights on future market trends and how PR will shape perceptions in the future. The event was held at Jingjiang Hotel, and it included speeches by renowned PR pioneers including Mr. Mao Jing Quan and Mr. Pan Xiao Yu, chairman and deputy director respectively of the Shanghai Public Relations Association.
Finishing the Asia tour in the Mainland’s business capital was a fitting end for Fred, as GH has embarked upon an ambitious expansion plan in Greater China to boost agency resources for its many clients. The tour allowed Al and Fred to explore PR in the world’s fastest-growing region, and it gave GH consultants a golden opportunity to meet with senior leadership. |
|
|
| |
| Grape PR Affiliation in South Korea |
|
GolinHarris recently established an affiliate relationship with Grape PR & Consulting Co., Ltd. in South Korea. Grape PR will represent GH and provide public relations support to clients entering the Korean market. In turn, GH will provide global access across its 30 offices to Grape PR’s Korean clients.
 |
| John Kim |
“As the 10th-largest economy in the world, and with a reputation as one of the world's most technologically advanced and digitally connected countries, South Korea has become an increasingly important Asian market for our clients,” stated Fred Cook, president and chief executive officer of GolinHarris. “Our affiliation with Grape PR not only allows GolinHarris to have a presence in this growing market, but it also provides our clients with solid local public relations expertise.”
John Kim, Grape PR’s president and chief executive officer, said it aimed to be the premier full-service public relations agency in Korea, a market that has been experiencing significant growth. “The formation of this partnership will allow Grape PR access to the resources of one of the world’s most respected public relations firms. With our commitment to superior client service, we believe that Grape PR & Consulting will become an important addition to the GolinHarris affiliate network."
Grape PR & Consulting was formed by Kim in January 2006 and has since grown to more than 25 employees.
| Hong Kong Consultants Conduct Volunteer Day with Local Students |
|
|
| GolinHarris consultants accompanied primary school students to the new "Lamma Winds" wind power station. |
On October 27, a group of GolinHarris consultants accompanied 40 Chan Kwok Wai Primary School students, their principal and teachers to the new “Lamma Winds” wind power station on Hong Kong’s Lamma Island. The trip was part of an initiative by the Hong Kong office to donate time, a consultant’s most precious commodity, to a worthy cause. In this case it was educating local youths on energy and environmental awareness—and letting them practice their English in the meantime!
The day began at GH client Hongkong Electric’s (HEC) Operational Headquarters, where staff and students boarded a ferry that would take them to Lamma Power Station. Because it was decreed that the day would be “English only,” the students started off by introducing themselves one-by-one, after which they received goody bags filled with GH pencils and English-language novels.
The students then enjoyed a visit to the HEC control room, power station, turbine room and observatory. After that, all the participants walked up the hill to Lamma Winds to see Hong Kong’s first wind turbine in action and learn how it works. The day wrapped up with a typical Lamma lunch of fresh seafood. As many GH clients know, social responsibility is a crucial part of business success, and volunteering is something the Hong Kong office plans on doing more of in the future.
| Greater China MD Pens Series of Articles for Hong Kong Newspaper |
|
| |
 |
| |
One of John Morgan’s pieces which appeared in the Hong Kong Economic Times. |
Following the publication of GolinHarris’ “The Next 50 Years,” a booklet outlining the future of the PR industry as seen through the eyes of the firm’s consultants, Greater China managing director John Morgan contributed his own thoughts to one of Hong Kong’s leading business papers. The four-part series—with installments covering the marketing influences of aging, digitization, social activism and “authenticity,” or the human element—was published over four weeks in the Hong Kong Economic Times. It comes on the heels of the recent visit by GH founder Al Golin and CEO Fred Cook to Asia in celebration of the firm’s 50th anniversary … but the articles take a decidedly forward-thinking approach to PR in the world’s fastest-growing region.
|
