#GoogleCN, Ethics and PR

(Picture Source: http://www.chinasmack.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/china_without_google.png)

Public Relations professionals must understand far more than media relations in nowadays. They must understand ethics too because decisions at the higher levels of the organizational system almost invariably include an ethical component. This applies to the news about Google may withdraw from China as well.

I logged in my Twitter account yesterday expecting people share some interesting and relaxing news stories or blog posts, but found my Twittersphere full of “#googlecn.” Then I read “A new approach to China” on Google’s official blog and started getting some ideas:

“These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered–combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web–have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.”

Google also said in the post that it has evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

Under Google’s Code of Conduct, “Serve Our Users” section C is about privacy and freedom of Expression:

“Always remember that we are asking users to trust us with their personal information. Preserving that trust requires that each of us respect and protect the privacy of that information. Our security procedures strictly limit access to and use of users’ personal information. Know your responsibilities under these procedures, and access data only as authorized by them, our Privacy Policy and applicable local data protection laws.”

When Google couldn’t meet the code, it decided to withdraw from Chinese market. I think this move has its upside. Google will have some revenue loss for sure, but what’s more important than that is the fact that Google earned the support of both the White House, State Department and Chinese user’s trust.

A withdraw from China could be turned into a positive public relations move because of Google’s ethical decision.

 

Content Analysis of Times of India & Beijing Daily

I did this content analysis for my internship at Asian Media Information and Communication Center in Singapore.

The following slides are for my presentation. The full report will be uploaded later under my “Writing Samples.”

 

An Update on My Life in Singapore

I have been in Singapore for a full month now. This month is definitely important in my life. I know my decision to take a term off from the University of Oregon is right though it means I postpone my graduate date.

So what happened to me in the past month?

1. I start my three months internship in The Asian Media Information and Communication Center. Right now, I’m working on a project trying to find out why major Asian newspapers like to use news sources from western news agencies when reporting Asia’s regional news. First of all, my team need to do the research on 15 newspapers across Asia by taking out their Asia’s regional news between March 2009 to August 2009. Then, analysis all of them and write a report. Finally, publish a journal about the result we find.

Research work is a little bit dry after days of same work. However, I feel I’m indispensable in the team because I’m the only one in my team that can read Chinese. China is an important part of this project. This feeling always encourages me to work hard and efficient.

2. A lot of people have asked me before why do I want to do this internship since it’s not that related to my major PR. My answer is: networking. Yes, Twitter and LinkedIn are two good ways for networking, but if I can do it face-to-face, wouldn’t it be better? I want to work in a PR agency in Singapore after I graduate, so coming to Singapore to actually know something about the PR industry here is crucial.

I attended Spikes Asia Advertising Festival between September 16th to 18th and really learned a lot from it. Taking MRT everyday for 40 min from Pioneer station to City Hall station at 8 in the morning was an unforgettable experience. More  importantly, attending all kinds of seminars and workshops learning about media industry in Asia and the whole world was truly exciting.

I enjoyed listening Cheil Worldwide Creative Director Thomas Kim talking about how important is digital storytelling. I enjoyed listening David Elsworth from Coca-Cola Japan talking about the corporation between agency and clients. I also enjoyed listening the founder and creative chairman of Droga5 David Droga talking about “The Great Schlep” campaign for Obama…

On September 17th, I attended Ogilvy’s networking party. It’s the first time I attend networking party like this, besides, I don’t know anyone there. The lesson I learned there is: force yourself to talk to people. It worked. I got to meet two young PR account executive of Ogilvy. They shared their stories about how they got the job, what’s the work in Ogilvy PR like and also encouraged me to apply for internship in Ogilvy next year. Later I found out I’m following one of them on Twitter. What a small world!

Last Saturday is China’s Mid-Autumn Festival. I attended the networking party held by Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. There, I learned trading business between China and Singapore, and also met some interesting business people.

(News: I’m going to meet a senior account manager of MS&L personally soon. I just want to try my best to get the most I can during this three months.)

3. Of course, my past month is not just working and networking.

I go shopping, watch movies and do other activities with friends every weekend. I watched F1 from a high commercial building when it was in town. I also attended the 25th Singapore French Film Festival at Alliance Francaise Singapore.

I had a wonderful month in Singapore, and I’m sure my next two months here will be great and unforgettable as well. I do miss my family in China and friends around the world, but now it is the time to fight for the future. I know I have a long way, but luckily I’m on the right track.

 

Why Chicago Lost 2016 Olympics?

After awarding the 2016 Olympics to Rio, all media in United States was shocked that Chicago wasn’t selected, and it is actually the first out. Even President Obama’s personal pitch for the games didn’t make it work. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge, the decision was not made based on money — which would seemingly make it a first.

“If we had thought about how to make a lot of money we would have chosen Chicago,” Rogge said, ”Money is not what drives IOC members when it comes to choosing a host city.”

So, from the beginning, Chicago has no advantage.

Moreover, Chicago didn’t have people’s support.

When the big day approaches, different from other three cities, a Tribune/WGN poll showed that 45 percent of Chicago’s city residents oppose Mayor Richard Daley’s Olympic plans while only 47 percent of the residents are still in favor.

Chicago Tribune also quoted Dennis Howard of the University of Oregon in the article:

“When less than half of the folks polled indicate they’d be willing to support the Olympics, that’s certainly not an enthusiastic mandate for bringing the Games to Chicago,” said sports finance expert Dennis Howard of the University of Oregon. “I can’t speak for the IOC members who will be making the decision, but I’d be fairly certain this would not help the cause for Chicago.”

When we start wondering why a large number of people don’t want to bring the game to the city, we can’t avoid seeing the campaign was focused on “big figures.” Watching Chicago 2016 Olympic bid videos on YouTube, we can see President Obama, Michelle Obama, Michael Jordan, etc. However, we don’t see the people, the majority.

In China, there’s a saying that “As the water can float a boat, so can it capsize a boat.” People are like the water, and Chicago 2016 Committee are like the boat. Without people’s support, Chicago 2016 Committee can’t achieve anything.

That is the reason Chicago lost 2016 Olympics.

 

Melody of Life

This ads won the first Spikes Asia Advertising Festival TV/Cinema Grand Prix.

I was deeply touched, so I’m now sharing it with you all. David Droga said at Spikes Asia Awards Ceremony that if people don’t feel touched by this ads, people can’t be touched by anything.

MELODY OF LIFE

Advertiser	THAI LIFE INSURANCE CO.
Product	THAI LIFE INSURANCE
Entrant	OGILVY & MATHER Bangkok, THAILAND
Type of Entry:	TV/Cinema
Category:	Corporate Image
Title:	MELODY OF LIFE
Advertiser/Client:	THAI LIFE INSURANCE CO.
Product/Service:	THAI LIFE INSURANCE
Entrant Company:	OGILVY & MATHER Bangkok, THAILAND
Advertising Agency:	OGILVY & MATHER Bangkok, THAILAND

Enjoy!