The 4th ASEAN Public Relations Conference & The 4th ASEAN Public Relations Excellence Awards In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY, September 9th – The 4th ASEAN Public Relations Conference hosted by the ASEAN PR Network (APRN), in collaboration with the Vietnam Public Relations Network (VNPR) and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism successfully concluded on September 8th, 2023 at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. It is part of the International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2023).
The event welcomed many renowned experts and representatives from agencies, associations and networks in the PR industry and tourism industry in ASEAN member countries, especially the host country – Vietnam.
Nine keynote speeches divided into two sessions: “Destination Marketing” and “Viable Public Relations: Trustworthy and purposefulness to create values” have brought intuitive perspectives on today’s most prominent issues in the Public Relations & Communications and Tourism industries. Session 1 brought multidimensional perspectives about the interrelationship between PR and tourism, along with successful application to the Vietnamese market. Specific examples from the representative of Thailand, a pioneer country in using “soft power” to promote domestic and foreign tourism, or the show “The River Tells Story” from Ho Chi Minh City were among case studies that captured the attention.
Session 2 discussed many challenges and opportunities of communications in the context of rapid technology advancement and digitalization. Many innovative solutions to improve human resource quality, build trust in digital relationships and implement sustainable public relations have been proposed by leading industry experts.
On the same day, the 4th ASEAN Public Relations Excellence Awards Ceremony and ITE x APRN Awards Ceremony were hosted, with 16 categories and 46 winners in total announced.
The 4th ASEAN Public Relations Excellence Awards was hosted by APRN to honor and recognize achievements in the PR industry in ASEAN member countries. 12 categories with Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond awards for each showcased the diversity of campaigns and programmes done by government and non – government organizations, individuals and enterprises in the region. Indonesia winners include:
- Outstanding PR Project – Students
- Bronze Awards – Cozy Village, Indonesia
- Silver Awards – Mangharcana – Batik Cibuluh, Indonesia
- Outstanding University / Institution In Public Relations
- Diamond Awards – LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Indonesia
- ASEAN Young Practitioner of The Year 2023
- Silver Awards – Amelinda Fidella, Indonesia
- Gold Awards – Khrisma Fitriasari, Indonesia
- Best PR Programme
- Bronze Awards – ASTRA Infra, Indonesia
- Best PR Campaign
- Bronze Awards – DBS Indonesia, Indonesia
- Best PR Agencies
- Gold Awards – Image Dynamics, Indonesia
- Best PR Practitioner
- Diamond Awards – Boy Kelana Soebroto, Indonesia
- Best Government PR
- Diamond Awards – Bank BRI Campaign Title: UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIAN PRENEUR 2020, Indonesia
- Best Communication Use of Digital Platform
- Bronze Awards – Indosat Ooredoo Hutchinson, Indonesia
- Gold Awards – ASTRA Life, Indonesia
- Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Diamond Awards – Jahja Setiaatmadja, President Director Bank BCA Tbk, Indonesia
ITE x APRN Awards were the results of the collaboration between APRN and the ITE, given to organizations and individuals with outstanding contributions to destination promotion and bringing beautiful images of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City to the world. Winners include:
- International Media Agency: CNN International
- Vietnamese Local Media Agency: Pencil Group
- Travel Influencer: Quy Coc Tu/ Ngo Tran Hai An
- Travel Publication: Wanderlust Tips
The series of events were the chance for communicators in the region to meet and exchange, share experiences and knowledge about the industry in a new and innovative way and open up international cooperation for the future.
As one of the PR Leaders and Professionals, Dr. (H.C) Prita Kemal Gani, MBA, MCIPR, APR, FIPR expressed that “it was indeed a great honor that the esteemed organizers of Vietnam PR Network extended their invitation to collaborate with ASEAN PR Network in hosting The 4th ASEAN PR Conference and The 4th ASEAN PR Excellence Awards in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. During this distinguished event, we had the privilege of serving as speakers, addressing the crucial topic of Public Relations (PR) and its role in bolstering the growth of the tourism sector. We deliberated on strategies to advance tourism and enhance the collective image of ASEAN countries as a unified brand and we had the privilege of presenting awards to outstanding PR practitioners, both individuals and organizations, as well as commendable campaigns from diverse ASEAN countries during The 4th ASEAN PR Excellence Awards. We are delighted to have forged strong bonds of friendship with Vietnam as the gracious host, as well as with fellow nations represented at the event. These interactions have facilitated the establishment of valuable international connections.”
Global Alliance Chair For Asia-Pacific and President of Institute PR Malaysia, Mr. Jaffri Amin Osman said, “This ASEAN PR Conference managed by APRN and VNPR again showcased some of the best ASEAN-centric and culturally relevant presentations. The presentations, as presented also by the APRN Chair Ibu Prita Kemal Gani, also stressed how ASEAN should stand together and become a PR force to be reckoned with. Also, the networking opportunity at this ASEAN PR Conference makes it one of the most important and unique conferences in this region. Kudos APRN!”
This year, 2023, the special award of the 4th ASEAN PR Excellence Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award is also given to honor the most outstanding ASEAN Practitioners for his contribution and achievement in ASEAN to Mr. Jahja Setiaatmadja as the President Director of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk. Mr. Jahja Setiaatmadja, delivered his short speech “Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, specially to Dr. (H.C.) Prita, President of ASEAN PR Network, Mr. My, Mr. Hoa the Deputy Director from Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, and to all winners accepting their awards. It is a great honor for me to receive a big appreciation from APRN, and this is the first time for me to get this award. When I think about how can I receive this special award, it’s all because of the support from all BCA employees, and all stakeholders. Looking back from 2011, when I was appointed as the President Director and CEO of Bank Central Asia, our market cap was ‘only’ 22 billion dollars. Today, our market cap has increased more than 3 times, to 74 billion dollars. Currently, we hold the biggest market cap in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, also ranked number 10 in Asia. How did we achieve this? Is there any correlation between our PR and our achievement? I’m fully agree with what Dr. Prita mentioned, that PR means performance and reputation. We can do well because we can maintain our good reputation, specially through PR. Beside promoting our product and services, we actively promote our ESG, maintaining our CSR, and how we prioritize our customers’ safety. We educate our customers about the importance of securing their transactions while doing transactions digitally, as today, the majority of our transactions come from the digital channels.
I also remember what Mr. Mamby mentioned about empathy, that is very crucial. Empathy is a basic foundation of human interaction, and it is indeed important to all customers, and our environment. As ESG is a rising topic lately, today, environmental aspects and social values play a greater role in the Bank’s business and operations. We consistently organize CSR programs, which include education, health, cultural preservation, and community development and empowerment. Last but not least, we also help to promote a greener Indonesia, by providing green financing and operating green buildings in Indonesia. About PR as a teller or builder, we have to continuously tell our customer about our plan to always innovate to cater for their needs. Another important part is building (taking our plans into actions), fulfilling their needs. This is a never-ending work, as our world evolves, and digitalization speeds up changes. By doing this, we are putting the empathy to our customers and become what we are today. Lastly, allow me once again to say thank you for the appreciation from APRN.”
In addition to that, Mr. Boy Kelana Soebroto, Head of Corporate Communications Astra, Chairman of Perhumas and Board Member of Global Alliance for PR & Communication Management, the Diamond Awardee for the Best PR Practitioners Category stated that “It is a great honour for me to receive this Diamond Award and I am humbly thankful to the ASEAN PR Network and the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards judges and committee. With this award I will continue doing my utmost in contributing for the advancement of the Public Relations and Communications industry in the future.”
Mr. Nguyen Khoa My – Chairman of Vietnam Public Relations Network (VNPR) shared: “As the host country of the event, this is a memorable milestone for us to connect and create sustainable value, celebrating the region’s brilliant Public Relations achievements. Public relations is not just work, but also an important mission to promote understanding, cooperation and peace in the ASEAN region. May these outstanding achievements serve as inspiration for all of us to continue working for the bright future of Southeast Asia.”
Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa – Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism shared: “The Vietnamese and global tourism industry is gradually warming up since the Covid19 pandemic. To truly stand out and effectively build the image of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general requires the participation of many parties and especially professional destination communications strategies. It is also why Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and ASEAN Public Relations Network – APRN joined hands in this series of special events.”
ENDS
ASEAN PR NETWORK (APRN)
ASEAN Public Relations Network (APRN) is an organization that serves as a platform to
facilitate connectivity among PR leaders, PR practitioners, PR educators, PR institutions in
the ASEAN region. APRN was established in June 2014.
APRN has attained its global recognition when it becomes a member of the Global Alliance
for Public Relations and Communication Management—the confederation of the world’s
major PR and communication management associations and institutions, representing
320.000 practitioners and academics around the world. It has launched the Global Alliance
Regional Office for Asia Pacific at the ASEAN PR Network Secretariat Office located in
LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Jakarta, Indonesia in 2019.
VIETNAM PUBLIC RELATIONS NETWORK (VNPR)
Vietnam Public Relations Network was established in June 2019, aiming for the long-term goal of building a prestigious professional social organization. With this organization, the Public Relations industry will be developed more strongly, recognized and honored for the true meaning and core values that this profession brings, responding to changes in the Public Relations model. Public relations in the new period, contributing more actively to economic and social development.
HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism (short name: HCMC DOT) is the official specialized agency for tourism, under the direction of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, which is responsible for tourism administration, research & development, tourism and hospitality management, marketing & promotion for HCMC as a tourist destination.
Contact :
Ms. Meviola Grachiella
M: +62 877 8556 1717
T: (021) 57943802
Email : secretariat@aseanprnetwork.org
Website : aseanprnetwork.org
