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Be digital sharp, not just savvy

 

By B N KUMAR

(This article first appeared on Reputation Today)

The days of physical distribution of Press Releases and Invites, which my generation of PR professionals used to do, were over long ago.  After frequent visitors from PR departments and agencies, media offices have started experiencing flood of mails from PR agencies and departments. Then came the tsunami of mails with PR agencies discovering mass mailers. That’s how media started distancing themselves from Press Release ATMs of certain PR agencies, much before the current distancing came into being.

One has to be digital savvy to survive in this era. But being savvy is not just enough. As I mentioned in one of my previous columns, the journalist at the receiving end enjoys select-all-delete option.

For details: http://imageinfluencer.in/Single?bid=63

What an Idea Sir Ji!

POSTED BY: BN KUMAR APRIL 25, 2019

Gone are the days when PR could function with a straight Press Release or announcement and the corporates would remain happy. Today, media has developed fatigue to Press Releases. PR consultants face increasing challenges in getting media clippings. Anything and everything goes out in Press Releases and the tendency is to expect coverage in big newspapers. Everybody wants (coverage in) Times of India and ET. Clients often ask consultants and PR firms: “why are we paying you (so much!), if you can’t get my press release published.” A PR firm’s or consultant’s job, therefore, is to make their clients understand what makes news. Man bites dog is no more the news. Man bites snake and snake dies is also old.

The definition of the NEWS used to be akin to the weathercock. It became part of the history before the World War-I ended. I keep telling my clients during media familiarisation sessions that what is new makes The News or plural of new is news (with apologies to Wren & Martin)!

So, my dear fellow consultants and corporate communication professionals, we have to keep finding something new when we approach media friends.

During my campaign to protect mangroves in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), a TV journalist doing her fifth story told me: This should be the last story, I guess…unless you discover something new. It’s not difficult to understand what is new and what makes the news.

Sample this simple example: If I tell you, the face of the new government will be known on May 23, you will ask me what’s new about it. Right? So ask yourself what’s new before you gun for media coverage. And sit with your clients and bosses to understand a new aspect. Else, your press release would end up as an FYI note with no information in it!

During my initial days of PR, we could see the size of wastepaper baskets increasing from plastic buckets to huge bathroom drums (which we would otherwise use to store water as concept of loft tanks did not exist). Today, in paperless communication era, you have the option of select-all –> delete.

The same principle could be applied to any media announcement – even through a press conference or one-on-one meets. For journalists, their newspaper, magazine or TV news bulletin is their product and their readers or viewers are their consumers. Hence, as a reader or viewer, you always looks for something new, interesting and not a promo, even if it is a political story. You as a media consumer do not like to be bombarded with promo material, right? You exercise the right to use your remote.

Once you and your clients/bosses understand this, you would not like to bombard the media with irrelevant content. Now you know what’s new and what makes the media take a look at your content. Would you like to read or hear about an XYZ company getting an ISO certification or winning an award? So why expect your announcement on similar developments to be covered by the media!

Awards do not make news anymore as every media house has its own sets of awards. And there is no cross coverage. Simply put, The Indian Express does not cover Filmfare Awards; The Times of India does not report about Screen Awards. So, only an exemplary or unusual award gets covered in media – not necessarily across the board.

During the recent 13th Global Communication organised by PRCI at Jaipur, the theme was: PR – What’s the big idea; and the conclusion at the end of two days of deliberations was: PR is a big idea!

What an idea, sir ji, is applicable to even social media since your tweets or FB posts have to be new to get eyeballs and shares. I had the privilege of starting my PR career under Dhirubhai Ambani and his words still echo in my ears:

Think big, think fast, think ahead. Ideas are nobody’s monopoly.

 (First Published by Reputation Today)

The views expressed here are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of Reputation Today.

BN Kumar - Executive Director at Concept PR
B N Kumar (BNK24x7 to his friends) has almost 40 years of experience as a media professional. He started his career with Free Press Journal in late 1970s, worked with United News of India and wrote for The Daily, Times of India, Mid-Day and Indian Express. He also ran a county paper called Newsbank New Bombay catering to the needs of Navi Mumbai before returning to mainstream by joining Business India. He started his PR career with the legendary Dhirubhai Ambani's Reliance Industries and was part of the team that set up O&M PR - the first PR arm of an Ad agency - 30 years ago.
He is also the Chairman, Governing Council - Public Relations Council of India (PRCI).

#PotholesRforever - over to Maha Human Rights Commission now. Will Govt act?

PRapport View:
Hope the government will act now. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has forwarded our complaint to the Urban Development Department. - BNK

#IamMangroveIamDying - CM acts on plea to check debris mafia in MMR

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has acted swiftly on the plea made to him to check mangrove killer debris mafia and save Mumbai.

Fadnavis has referred one appeal to the Urban Development dept and another to Home Ministry.

Hopefully, we shall see some action soon.

Please check this interview to Navi Mumbai Awaaz:

And here is the text of the communiqué sent to the Chief Minister:

Hon’ble Mukhya Mantri ji:

We as a society have been systematically destroying mangroves in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Be it in the island city, the western and eastern suburbs or for that matter Navi Mumbai – mangroves have been the target of destruction for several years now.

Debris is the inevitable by-product of construction. Debris mafia has been recklessly and rampantly killing mangroves by dumping the construction waste along the creeks and the sea.

Now, an astonishing fact has come to light. The government infrastructure projects neglecting mangroves and wetlands.

In Uran area, we found massive destruction of mangroves and the Regional Forest Officer himself has confirmed the killing of as many as 4,500 plants in 4.5 hectares. Local residents have named JNPT SEZ for the rampant killing of mangroves.

Even a school student having EVS as a subject would tell us the importance f mangroves for the protection the City’s environment, the coastline and for maintenance of bio-diversity.

Yet, none cares. Sad. Very Sad.

Have we forgotten the Chowpatty and Mithi floods?

Do we have to wait for another tragedy to realize and then plan steps to protect the mangroves?

The various officials will tell you that the mangrove re-plantation is nothing but a sham. Mangroves cannot be grown on rocky areas. They need natural surroundings.

Through this petition, we request you to look into the issue of ecological destruction and come out with a clear cut policy to protect environment – be it mangroves, rivers, wet lands or even the hills. Parsik Hill, as we have pointed out earlier, has been the victim of reckless quarrying for four decades.

Thank you.

With regards.

B N KUMAR – Editor, www.thenatureconnect.com

RAF to protect mangroves? CM acts on greens suggestion to protect Mumbai coast

Watch NMTV special with BNK

MUMBAI: Swiftly acting on a suggestion from environment activists to deply a Rapid Action Force (RAF) along the Sion-Panvel highway to check mangrove killing debris mafia, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the Home Department to look into it.

“We received a mail acknowledging our suggestion and appeal to preserve mangroves and check the rampant dumping of debris on mangroves,” said social communication activist B N Kumar, whi si also the governing council chairman of PRCI. The CM’s mail said the Home Department has been asked to take further action, he said and appreciated Mr Fadnavis for his prompt action.

Environment focused website thenatureconnect.com headed by Kumar and NGO Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP) have sent a joint mail six days ago along with a photograph of debris dumped on mangroves on the creek at Vashi, in a stone’s throw from the toll Naka, to the Chief Minister six days ago.

“This was in continuation of our campaign against the systematic and reckless destruction of life-saving sea plants by debris mafia in Mumbai Metropolitan region (MMR)” said Nandkumar Pawar of SEP.

Debris is an inevitable by-product of construction. But what is a matter of serious concern is that debris mafia has been rampantly killing mangroves by dumping the construction waste along the creeks and the sea. The government could plan to set up a Rapid Action Force to check debris mafia and take stringent action against the culprits, the mail to the Chief Minister said.

Calling for responsible disposal of debris, Kumar said the various landfill sites could be chosen for dumping debris, not certainly the mangroves

The missive to the CM also drew the government’s attention to the massive destruction of mangroves in Uran area and pointed out that the Regional Forest Officer himself has confirmed the killing of as many as 4,500 plants in 4.5 hectares. Local residents have named JNPT SEZ for the rampant killing of mangroves.

Asking whether we have forgotten the Chowpatty and Mithi floods, the activists asked:  “Do we have to wait for another tragedy to realize and then plan steps to protect the mangroves?”

#SaveParsikHills gets a boost

The Times of India 07-07-2018

Happy to see Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation restoring greenery on quarry-ravaged Parsik Hills. Its a big boost to our campaign -  #SaveParsikHills

Save Parsik HiIl Campaign wins international recognition

MUMBAI:  Concept PR has earned the Gold under PR Agency Achievement of the Year category in the prestigious US-based 7th Annual PR World Awards for its social communication campaign #Save Parsik Hill, executed on behalf of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI).

This is the second consecutive PR World award for PRCI and Concept PR as their campaign, #Mission Mumbai Local, has won Gold under PR Milestone of the Year at the 6th edition of the awards last year. Concept PR is the lone Indian agency to figure in the awardees list.

 Save Parsik Hill campaign focused on the need to stop check plundering of the hills under the guise of quarrying and protects the bio-diversity of the area. The hills have been the major source of stones for the construction industry in Mumbai Metropolitan Region for over four decades and they have ravaged by blasting and exploiting much beyond the officially allotted areas.

“The PR World Award is recognition of a novel Social Communication Campaign initiated by Concept PR to focus on issues of community interest,” said Ashish Jalan, CEO and director of Concept PR. “It also stands testimony to the consultancy’s professional commitment, dedication and team work. We are happy to have executed the Parsik Hill campaign on behalf of not-for-profit PRCI,” he said.

“We launched a well orchestrated social communication campaign on the Environment Day in association with the Mumbai Press Club last year,” said B N Kumar, executive director – Concept PR. The basic idea was to bring into sharp focus the environmental damage being done by unchecked quarrying. The campaign involved twitter, facebook posts and an online petition to the Chief Minister to stop further quarrying of the Hills, he said.

Four NGOs – Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP), Awaaz Foundation, Vanashakti and Watchdog Foundation have backed the drive. Later, SEAP continuously supported the campaign by writing to various authorities such as the Thane district collector, Konkan Divisional Commissioner, the forest and pollution control board officials pointing out that many hills have begun to disappear and whatever is left needs to be saved..

As the massive public opinion gained momentum, various stake holders and government agencies have veered round to the fact that Parsik Hill quarrying needs to be stopped now. Even the Maharashtra’s Directorate of Geology and Mining has said Parsik Hills have come under danger zone.

“We are happy to have been associated with the PRCI campaign Save Parsik Hill. The consistent campaign has been able to raise awareness levels among various stakeholders,” said Nandakumar Pawar, forunder director of Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP). “But the battle is not yet over. We have to ensure Parsik Hill is protected from quarrying altogether. SEAP, along with PRCI, will continue the campaign through various tools of communication,” he added..

M B Jayaram, Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus of PRCI, said: “We are glad that the joint efforts are paying dividends. It has been great experience working with Concept PR on our campaigns and win international recognition for the second consecutive year.”

The coveted annual SVUS PR World Awards programme encompasses the world’s best in recognizing public relations, marketing, corporate communications, investor relations, and business development professionals, teams, departments, and achievements from every major industry in the world. Organizations from all over the world including public and private, for-profit and non-profit, largest to smallest and new start-ups, have submitted their nominations.

More than 80 judges from a broad spectrum of industry voices from around the world participated and their average scores determined the 2018 award winners, the organizers said.

Why should I read newspapers?

Recently, we (at PRCI) had an opportunity for interns in journalism for working on editorial supplements for a Mumbai newspaper. While we received few entries to our invitation to write essays on some current topics, one of the candidates bowled a bouncer! We asked him as to which are the newspapers that he reads. He shot back: “Why should I read any newspaper and know about what has already happened?” The panel of interviewers did not know where to look! And this reminded me of a question that a journalism student at Andheri (Mumbai) asked me: who is Rajdeep Sardesai! 
(This article first appeared on Reputation Today)

For the detailed comment, please check:
http://reputationtoday.in/views/i-read-newspapers/

Urban chaos – the need for constant communication #vrplayingwithfire

Please check my column in Reputation Today:

http://reputationtoday.in/views/urban-chaos-the-need-for-constant-communication/

Communication in Death

Communication does not end with death. My dad – Honorary Capt. BSRV Subba Rao (89) – who died in Hyderabad on September 25, 2017, donated his body to a private medical college through an NGO to serve the purpose of education. His cornea was taken by Vasan Eye Bank. Two persons are expected to get vision.

PS: There was another element of communication in death. In a matter of seconds, Daddy became body. Nobody referred to him as ‘He’.  All of sudden, he became it! Such is the truth of life, I guess!

For detailed piece, check: 
http://reputationtoday.in/views/communication-in-death/

News comes with an immediate expiry date

News is no more about North-East-West-South. Man bites dog is no more the news. Man bites snake and kills it makes the news.

It has to be of relevance to the reader. News is also the most perishable commodity. The moment you see a flash on your television set or get alert through your news app on your smart phone, the novelty of the news is over. For instance if someone tells you about that particular development even after a minute, you say: Yeah, I already know it!

Like any other product that you buy in the market, news also has an expiry date. It is immediate!

Details:

http://reputationtoday.in/views/news-comes-with-an-immediate-expiry-date/

Meet Deadlines to Hit Deadlines

From Reputation Today

For Details:
http://reputationtoday.in/views/meet-deadlines-to-hit-headlines/

Communicating for a Cause: Reputation Today

We can use our skills and, more importantly, our presence of mind to focus attention on issues of community interest. It could be the overcrowding of local trains and city buses, issues in aircraft, destruction of environment, child labour at restaurants and tyre repair shops, spitting in public places, long queues for utility bill payments or an NGO doing some good work – we can click pictures and shoot videos and post on the alternative media. We can even form groups for various causes.

A case in point is PRCI which has taken a cue from Prime Minister’s latest Mann Ki Baat message to observe the World Environment Day on June 5 and spread the message – Connecting Nature To People.PRCI has taken up the cause of plundering of Parsik Hills in the name of quarrying. The once picturesque hill range today presents a pathetic site with huge destruction and damage done to the nature.

For details:

http://reputationtoday.in/views/communicating-for-a-cause/

Concept PR bags America’s PR World Gold for PRCI Campaign

• Agency’s ‘Mission Mumbai Local’ campaign wins PR Milestone Award

• Campaign on behalf of PRCI to focus on City suburban commuter issues

• PR World to honour PR Superstars at San Francisco on June 26

Absolute India Clipping

SAN FRANCISCO/MUMBAI: In a major international recognition, Concept Public Relations India Limited has been chosen for Gold award under the ‘PR Milestone of the Year’ category at the prestigious 7th Annual PR World Awards instituted by Silicon Valley Communications llc, USA.
The ‘SVUS PR World Awards’ are the world’s premier public relations awards programme, created to honour and generate industry-wide and peer recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of Public Relation agencies, organizations and individuals from all over the world.
“The Oscars are given annually for excellence in cinematic achievements. But at the PR World Awards it is you who will be recognized as superstars at a black-tie world event - complete with the red carpet, paparazzis, and live video interviews for every small and big thing that you and your team did in the past 18 months to make your clients successful,” says PR World. The gold plated trophies at the PR World Awards have been designed and made by the same company that makes the actual Oscar® and Emmy® statuette.

In the current season of the PR World awards, Concept PR’s Mission Mumbai Local campaign, a social communication drive conducted on behalf of the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI), has been adjudged for Gold under the PR Milestone of the Year category.
“We are pleased to inform you that Concept Public Relations India Limited is in the list of winners of 2017 PR World Awards,” said an email from the organizers listing the winners under various categories. Winners will be honored at the 2017 SVUS Red Carpet Awards Ceremony Dinner in San Francisco on Monday, June 26, 2017.

Acknowledging the award, Ashish Jalan, Director and CEO of Concept PR said: “Any form of recognition is both a testimonial of the abilities of the agency as well as a motivator for the agency to perform even better. A global award at that and the fact that we are the only Indian agency to figure in the list of winners is indeed a great honour. This recognition is a direct result of a team which has grown from strength to strengthand has a right balance of experience, expertise and enthusiasm. I would like to thank M B Jayaram for having faith in Team Concept to be their partner in this social communication campaign.”

B N Kumar, executive director of Concept PR who spearheaded the campaign said: “My team is extremely happy to get the good news. This latest win amply proves that teamwork plays a big role in achieving desired results in a communication campaign. We also thank all our media friends for highlighting the issues raised by us in the campaign – from the need to improve the frequency of suburban trains to new railway stations to meet increasing commuter pressure.”

“PRCI has launched the campaign to highlight the fact that over ten people die daily on Mumbai suburban tracks due to various reasons such as running across platforms and tracks and hanging by overcrowded trains. This has been admitted in an official report by the railways which we effectively used to design our messaging on the need to improve the suburban railway infrastructure,” said M B Jayaram, Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus of PRCI.

About the PR World Awards
PR World Awards® is the world’s premier public relations and corporate marketing awards programme created to honor and recognize industry-wide and peer achievements and best efforts of agencies and in-house public relations, marketing, corporate communications, investor relations, and business development professionals, teams, departments, and achievements. The Annual PR World Awards is part of the SVUS Awards® recognition program from Silicon Valley in the United States of America which also includes other programs such as CEO World Awards, Consumer World Awards, Customer Sales and Service World Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Globee Fastest Growing Private Companies Awards, Info Security PG’s Global Excellence Awards, Network Products Guide’s IT World Awards, Pillar World Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the PR World Awards at www.prworldawards.com

About Concept PR:
Concept Public Relations India Limited is part of India’s largest independent Communication network of Concept Group with ten of its own offices, scores of associates, with ability to conduct PR exercise across the 600 districts pan-India. With its motto  ‘Exceeding Expectations, Always’, the consultancy services clients across multiple verticals such as real estate and infrastructure, aviation, pharma and health care, IT & ITES,  large conglomerates, CSR, apart from handling crisis communication and media training. Concept PR has won more than ten awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance viz: Agency of the Year, Crisis Communication, Case Studies and its executive director B N Kumar has been inducted in the prestigious PR Hall of Fame.

No Quick-fix, PR is investment in future

(From Reputation Today)

I think it is time the communicators forget to think Uske Kapde Mere Kapdo Se Zyada Safed Kyun and start telling their bosses and clients to understand the importance of perception building as an early and long-term exercise. You may not be able to get the attention of big media instantaneously, but getting media acceptance is a slow and steady process. A particular newspaper may not enjoy huge circulation, but the editor of a big newspaper does read that so-called small publication for several reasons: to check for stories missed and look for rising stars for future recruitment. This is exactly why reporters often fight for bylines – to get visibility among those who matter – as I did as a cub reporter ages ago!

At the risk of revealing some business secrets, let me say that business houses should not look for instant solutions and not think of PR only as the last resort for using at times of crisis. Like diamonds, Public Relations is forever. The more we polish diamonds, the better they shine. And that is exactly how PR gives you a polished reputation in the long run.

For more, click:
http://reputationtoday.in/views/no-quick-fix-pr-is-investment-in-future/

Lessons from Rewari Girl Power - for Corpcom & Media

Call it the Bollywood blockbuster Dangal effect or the new awakening arising out of the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao slogan given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over 90 girls from Gothra Tappa Dahina village in Rewari district of Haryana had gone on a hunger strike and won their relentless battle for upgrading their school to senior secondary level.

One after the other, the media has started taking interest but it remained mostly region centric. When India Today

TV and CNN NEWS 18 took up the cause at a later stage, the nation’s conscious was shaken. Nobody had to scream ‘the nation wants to know’. Haryana education minister Ram Bilas Sharma was forced to issue a notification to facilitate the higher secondary school for Gothra Thappa Dahina, which shot into limelight thanks to the girls’ agitation.

For detailed story, click:  http://reputationtoday.in/views/lessons-from-rewari-girl-power/

TRP War Heats Up as Arnab is Back

In Sakal Times, Today!

The Power of Creativity in PR

Friends, creativity comes into play right from the beginning when we start making our PR strategies. It all begins with media familiarisation for the spokespersons in accordance with the rapidly changing dynamics. Let us as PR practitioners, first of all understand ‘what makes the news’. It is no more the case of man biting dog; Today’s headline is: Man bites the snake and kills it! (did someone say yuck?!).

Now, let me present a case study scenario. Our spokespersons and we as PR pundits might feel very happy with a Press Release that we write using all the creativity at our command. But it may not find its way into print the next morning. Worse still, the press conference that we hold, using the ‘highly creative’ press release, turns out to be a damp squib. No one accepts any number of excuses.

At the Press Club, where I get to meet many media friends at leisure, I hear complaints after complaints about ‘you PR guys’. As an old friend from Hindu Business Line often complains: ‘Why can’t your guys write simple, straight stories and send is to us instead of using bombastic language and tables and graphs that may impress your bosses or clients?’ Another friend from ToI says: ‘I don’t even open some PR guys’ mails since I don’t want to waste my time’.

For details, please check my column in Reputation Today:

http://reputationtoday.in/views/the-power-of-creativity-in-public-relations/

After Dubai, PRCI-i spreading wings

Vinay Kumar

DUBAI:  In a move that will strengthen the bond among media and PR professionals across the world, India’s largest communicators body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) has initiated steps to form its international chapters.

After the launch of PRCI-i (International) at Dubai recently,  the organization has initiated steps to launch other global chapters.

“This is only a beginning and we will soon have PRCI-i Chapters in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, UK and USA,” said global wing Director T Vinay Kumar.

Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) is a premier non-political and not-for-profit organization of professionals in the fields of public relations, communication, advertising and many other allied services. It has been actively pursuing the spread and popularity of communication and Public Relation in India. It has close to 30 Chapters pan-India.

Recently, PRCI launched its global endeavour by initiating formation of its UAE Chapter and is working on setting up its wings in Australia, the US and Europe.

“PRCI today has emerged as one of the foremost platforms for PR and Communication professionals for global exchange of ideas in areas of public relations, corporate communication, advertising, brand management and academics,” said the organisation’s  Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus.

PRCI has successfully conducted ten global conferences and five international meets till date. It’s much vied annual prestigious awards: Chanakya Awards, PR Hall of Fame Awards & Corporate Collateral awards are like Oscars of PR & Communication world. Every year hundreds of achievers in the media & journalism, corporate communication & advertising, public & social services get recognized by PRCI in gala global conclaves in the major cities across India.

PRCI organises symposiums, seminars, conferences, knowledge forums and workshops regularly in all its active chapters, said PRCI Governing Council Chairman R T Kumar.

 “PRCI is also promoting knowledge forums on various business and media platforms,” said its national president B N Kumar. In its endeavor to promote skill development, PRCI has initiated training programmes for upcoming with the help of veteran communication professionals and senior journalists across India. In a first such move, PRCI has formed a Guest Faculty Pool with media and PR professionals to conduct practical training for mass communication students in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, Pune and Delhi, he said.

In 2013, PRCI launched its youth wing – Young Communicators Club (YCC) - across its chapters in the country. This platform gives an opportunity to the students of Journalism & Mass Communication and Business Management to learn the ropes of the industry and get industry ready after interacting with eminent media personalities through a series of workshops, seminars, contests and creative events and festivals, said YCC chairperson Geetha Shankar.