FH Ireland’s Head of Creative Strategy Brian Melarkey joined P&G’s Global Head of Communications Damon Jones on a panel discussion at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity
July 26, 2022
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FH Ireland’s Head of Creative Strategy Brian Melarkey joined P&G’s Global Head of Communications Damon Jones on a panel discussion at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Find out what they discussed in this article from PRovoke Media – click here
How can banks communicate authentically through the cost-of-living crisis?
July 25, 2022
By Emily Rushgrove
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Emily Rushgrove, Associate Director Good communication is vital – but in times of crisis, its importance rises still further. That’s true now amid the cost-of-living crisis and many banks have already begun announcing measures to help their customers, be they retail or commercial. Banks must make sure that they communicate with authenticity and demonstrate to […]
FleishmanHillard’s Dhawal Parvatikar Named to Reputation Today’s 40 Young Turks – Class of 2022 List
July 22, 2022
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ST. LOUIS, July 22, 2022 – FleishmanHillard India’s Dhawal Parvatikar, CFO, has been named to this year’s Reputation Today 40 Young Turks list. The program recognizes emerging leaders in the public relations and communications industry who have made a tremendous impact in the field.
Reputation Today is India’s only print magazine for public relations and corporate communications professionals. Reputation Today selects innovative professionals to be recognized on the list each year for their contributions to the industry.
What can I do about declining social media numbers? And why are you no longer performing so well? Our Vice President Digital Strategy, Stefanie Soehnchen has answers to these questions – summarized – in the video above: In her opinion, the key to success lies in what she calls “user-centric communication”. There are various aspects […]
No time to lie: Gen-Z’s perspective on corporate greenwashing
July 15, 2022
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TJ Jordan, Creative and Caitlin Whyte, Account Manager Authentic Action With the increase in demand for global brands to be more sustainable, how many brands are actually living up to their claims of committing to green practice? In recent times, the term ‘greenwashing’ has been used to describe companies that purport to be environmentally conscious […]
New Market Connect Schemes Between Mainland China and Hong Kong Unlock Further Opportunities for Overseas Asset Managers: But Are You Ready?
July 14, 2022
By Patrick Yu
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The continuous liberalization of the capital market in mainland China provides many opportunities for international institutional investors. The long-awaited exchange-traded fund (ETF) connect scheme between Hong Kong and mainland China began July 4, 2022, with aggregate debut trading volume amounting to RMB28.5 billion (US$4.25 billion). In addition, a new initiative, “Swap Connect,” was announced to allow mutual access between Hong Kong and mainland China’s interest rate swap markets. These two initiatives mark a major milestone in the ongoing market opening of the mainland China capital market and for the participation of overseas investors in local ETFs and derivatives, on top of the existing access to equities and bonds.
In our recent white paper “The Future of Asset Management in Asia,” investors in mainland China and Hong Kong showed a preference for a more risk-aversive approach, as well as an interest in ETFs (42% for mainland China and 52% for Hong Kong) in the next 12 months. With increasing global volatility driven by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, most investors in mainland China and Hong Kong are moving investments into lower risk options as well.
With the ongoing market volatility and uncertainty, how should overseas asset managers tap into the Greater China region?
Credibility and performance
Most global asset managers can capitalize on their international experience in different investment strategies, including ETFs and derivatives, to enable investors to explore untapped and forward-thinking opportunities. Building a strong narrative through targeted communications can help differentiate from other peers and help investors achieve risk-adjusted returns.
No surprises for investors
Transparency in communications is key, and our report showed that it is an important trait for overseas asset managers. In addition to communicating transparently on fees and performance, managers also need to elevate their communications strategy to articulate their corporate vision, mission and purpose, as well as their long-term commitment to serving investors in the region. The ‘good old days’ of wooing Asian investors with a parachute tour by star fund managers are long gone. Investors want more regular and meaningful communications, be it through their relationship managers or via social and digital communications.
Invest well and do well
Recent greenwashing scandals have led to investors asking questions about the credentials of asset managers’ responsible and sustainable investment strategies. Putting ESG at the center of day-to-day operations will help overseas asset managers show that they “walk the talk”. They need to take bold decisions about whether to divest from, refrain from investing in or engaging constructively with companies that show poor ESG scores. A commitment to decarbonization and net zero emissions will become an even more important element of communications as firms seek to align with the mainland Chinese government’s double carbon objectives. Overseas asset managers need to double down on their efforts on responsible investment, demonstrating the impact they have on society and the environment.
The asset management industry in Greater China is unique, and every asset manager needs to have its own game plan to navigate the complexity and nuances of this market. Market entry communications and narrative building are critical for turbocharging overseas asset managers’ growth in the region.
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Forget taxes, the Tories need to tell us their plans on international trade
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Tim Harding, Associate Director, International Affairs As the Conservative leadership election heats up, candidates are vying for pole position on who can lower taxes the most. But amidst a steep drop in UK exports, continued uncertainty over the trade relationship with the EU, and global supply chain difficulties, we need to hear much more from […]
FleishmanHillard Hong Kong wins GOLD in the Best Idea: Corporate Social Responsibility category at MARKies Hong Kong 2022
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July 14, 2022 – FleishmanHillard Hong Kong received GOLD in the Best Idea: Corporate Social Responsibility category at MARKies Hong Kong 2022, the third win following the Marketing Excellence Awards and the PRWeek Asia Awards earlier. Kudos to the team!
FleishmanHillard Report Highlights Filipino Millennials’ and Gen Zs’ Growing Social Media Participation in Shaping Social Outcomes Post-2022 National Elections
July 13, 2022
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MANILA, JULY 13, 2022 – FleishmanHillard in Manila, together with TRUE Global Intelligence, the agency’s research and analytics practice, recently released its “2022 Philippine Presidential Elections” report revealing that youth 18-24 years old were the main conversation drivers for this election. This finding reflects the growing influence of Filipino millennials and Gen Zs in shaping social media discussions.
The published report revealed that much of the demographic users driving social media conversations across different platforms are women (60%) and netizens 18-24 years old (59%). The report highlights young female voters’ growing influence and participation in political discourse on social media.
“Women and the youth are the main actors in influencing discourse online,” said Anna Patricia Malay, senior vice president, partner and general manager of FleishmanHillard in Manila. “The data showed us that these demographics were the most vocal in expressing concerns about fake news and deliberate disinformation on social media.”
Additionally, the report showed that Filipinos were more active and engaged in voicing out their opinions during the 2022 national elections.
The report noted that these trends will continue and may translate to increased consumer expectations for brands and businesses to be part of the solution, not just discussion, when it comes to societal impact.
“What we saw before, during and after the Philippine elections mirrors what we see, globally, in our Authenticity Gap research: youth have high expectations and are vocal about expectations related to social outcomes,” said Michael Rinaman, managing director of TRUE Global Intelligence, APAC. “Social media conversations highlight this voice, with the Authenticity Gap showing how this can impact brands, as 32% of reputation is shaped by social outcomes, including care of the environment, impact on communities and care of employees.”
FleishmanHillard highlighted three recommendations for businesses and brands to consider post-election and beyond: importance of advocacy and purpose, safeguarding against misinformation and prioritizing authenticity in the aftermath of the 2022 national elections.
“In an age where there is a conflict between facts and misinformation, organizations need to have a fundamental alignment of what their brand claims to be and what they really are. Authenticity will be the linchpin for businesses to address the expectations and concerns of an active and engaged audience,” Malay added.
The research was conducted by FleishmanHillard in Manila and TRUE Global Intelligence, FleishmanHillard’s in-house research and analytics practice, utilizing social listening data from Twitter, YouTube, forums and blogs to gather around insights from Filipino netizens based in the Philippines from April 12 – May 15, 2022. The full report can be accessed at the FleishmanHillard website.
About FleishmanHillard FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, reputation management, public affairs, brand marketing, digital strategy, social engagement and content strategy. FleishmanHillard was named 2021 PRovoke Global Agency of the Year, 2021 ICCO Network of the Year, 2021 Campaign Global PR Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek U.S. Agency of the Year and Outstanding Extra-Large Agency of the Year; 2021 PRovoke APAC Consultancy of the Year; 2021 PRWeek UK Large Consultancy of the Year; Human Rights Campaign Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality 2018-2021; and to Seramount’s (formerly Working Mother Media) “Top Companies for Executive Women” list 2010-2021. FleishmanHillard is part of Omnicom Public Relations Group, and has nearly 80 offices in more than 30 countries, plus affiliates in 45 countries.
About Omnicom Public Relations Group Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, language strategy, global health strategy and change management. As the largest group of communications professionals in the world, our employees provide expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group delivers for clients through a relentless focus on talent, continuous pursuit of innovation and a culture steeped in collaboration. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the Communications Consultancy Network, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).
About Omnicom Group Inc. Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Through the Lens of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective Ambassadors
By Adrianne Smith
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While the South of France is known for its expansive sandy beaches lining the French Riviera and celebrity visits during the Cannes Film Festival, it’s also the site of one the largest gatherings for the advertising and creative communications industries: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Every year through the Lion Awards, Cannes Lions explores the value of creativity in branded communication, from product and service development to creative strategy, execution and impact. Work that wins represents the year’s most exceptional campaigns and standard-setting benchmarks for businesses, while celebrating ideas that are shaping the next wave of creativity.
However, despite its title of “international,” those who’ve attended the event in previous years can attest to the fact that it is far less representative of diverse perspectives than it should be. Adrianne C. Smith, senior vice president, senior partner and chief diversity and inclusion officer, sought to change this and launched the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective (CC:DC) in 2017 to provide young people of color and underrepresented communities with access and opportunity to attend and participate at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
This year, the festival took place June 20-24 in Cannes, France, and Francesca “Fran” Weems, senior vice president, director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and global lead of the Race & Culture Media + Platforms team, and Mubashira Farooqi, senior consultant and True MOSAIC project manager at FleishmanHillard HighRoad, had the opportunity to join a group of over 20 diverse, young professionals from across the world to attend as ambassadors for the CC:DC. The cohort is heralded as the industry’s future leaders and the goal is that this team will bring back learnings to create a larger impact.
Smith created a spot that is welcoming with her activation at Cannes called “Inkwell Beach,” named as a historical tribute to the infamous beach in Martha’s Vineyard, which was a place of solace for Black people during segregation. CC:DC’s Inkwell Beach at Cannes is the first stand-alone activation specifically focused on elevating the conversation of DE&I in the history of the Cannes Lions Festival. As such, Smith ensured Inkwell Beach at Cannes is open to everyone requiring no badges for entry. She also made sure people felt the southern hospitality by providing a free soul food lunch prepared by Chef James Rose from Alabama to participants daily.
Throughout the week, Cannes Lions hosted a multitude of panel discussions and speeches on topics ranging from creativity and sustainability to talent-making and data technology. Weems and Farooqi had the opportunity to hear from industry leaders from tech, auto, consumer, sports/lifestyle and more. Some of the highest-impact sessions were held on Inkwell Beach and featured speakers including Hall of Fame CMO Bozoma Saint John, Founder of the Me Too movement Tarana Burke and Supermodel and Businesswoman Naomi Campbell. Farooqi also had the opportunity to speak about the black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) employee experience on a panel with fellow Omnicom colleagues, organized by Emily Graham, Omnicom’s chief equity and impact officer. Meanwhile Weems participated on a panel with Smith focused on how “Creativity Starts with Diversity.” You can watch it here.
Throughout Cannes Lions, the networking and learning opportunities were endless. Some key takeaways include:
The importance of talent-making vs. hiring
Creating moments of impact rather than just conversation
How leaders need to prioritize humanness, empathy and authenticity to be successful
How greater focus on innovation happens when we are making ourselves uncomfortable
In order to really provide sponsorship, we need to invest our time as much as our money into the success of others
This experience provided ambassadors with a first-hand understanding of the barriers that exist for people of color on these international stages, but it also inspired participants to be confident and work together to encourage and create more spaces, like Inkwell Beach, to shine and showcase their talents.
CC:DC ambassadorships are only possible with the support of sponsors, known as “The Collective.”
Below are a few more shots of our incredible experience at Cannes Lions.
(From left to right) Image 1: Gena Pemberton, chief DE&I officer, Omnicom Health Group; Ro Kalonaros, global director, content and culture, Omnicom Group; Tony Hobley, chief DE&I officer, Omnicom Precision Marketing Group; Mubashira Farooqi, senior consultant, True MOSAIC project manager, FleishmanHillard HighRoad; Lionel Carreon, executive director of global creative recruiting, TBWA Worldwide and Justin Thomas-Copeland, president and CEO, DDB North America Image 2: Brian Melarkey, director and head of creative strategy, FleishmanHillard; Bia Assevero, vice president, FleishmanHillard; Fran Weems, senior vice president, director of DE&I and global lead of the Race & Culture Media + Platforms team, FleishmanHillard; Paige Graham, account supervisor, FleishmanHillard; Adrianne C. Smith, senior vice president and senior partner, chief diversity and inclusion officer, FleishmanHillard and Mubashira Farooqi Image 3: Fran Weems, Adrianne C. Smith and Mubashira Farooqi Image 4: Fran Weems, Brian Melarkey, Jim Donaldson, CEO of UK and Middle East, FleishmanHillard, and Mubashira Farooqi Image 5: CC:DC Ambassadors
(From left to right) Image 1: Naomi Campbell and Fran Weems Image 2: Adrianne C. Smith and Fran Weems Image 3: Malala Yousafzai and Mubashira Farooqi Image 4: Fran Weems, Emily Graham, chief equity and impact officer, Omnicom, and Mubashira Farooqi Image 5: Fran Weems and Bozoma Saint John, Hall of Fame CMO
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