Do We Believe in Ourselves?

In a recent interaction with the district public relations officer of a state government, during a training programme for them, it was surprising to know that despite their being in the department for over two decades, majority of them were not very happy with their jobs.
The reason was obvious; right from their immediate superiors to their bosses in the political circles were not interested either in making a policy changes for the good of the people, but just to see their mug-shots and statements into the press. The bigger the photo, the happier they are.
There is lack of opportunity for showing their creative abilities, and their opinion does not hold any value for their superiors.
It is time that all the politicians, MLAs, and senior bureaucrats are sensitised about the importance of doing good, and then getting themselves written about rather than the other way round.

Seminar on Community Radio

Seminar on
Community Radio for Social Empowerment
Chandigarh . October 6-7, 2007

Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI) is organising a two-day seminar on Community Radio in Chandigarh.

All those engaged in the field of community radio, government, academia, corporate sector, representatives of various voluntary bodies, producers, equipment suppliers, etc., are invited to join in.

There is no registration fee for participating in this seminar. However, every participant must confirm in writing and register with the secretariat on or before 1st of October 2007.

Each participant must make his/her own travel and stay arrangements.

The seminar is being organised in the wake of the Government's policy of allowing NGOs to set up their own community radio stations. The forum will therefore explore ways to overcome the challenges through collaboration, information shsaring, and mutual learning, while working out the modalities of operationlising the opportunities that it offers now to the NGOs.

Register Now:
Please fax/email/mail your confirmation of participation with your complete contact details, including name, address, organization, telephone, mobile, fax, and email id, to:
Ms Navjot Gill
Media Information & Communication Centre of India c/o Core Communications Pvt Ltd
3366, FF, Sector 32D, Chandigarh 160 031
Phones: 0172-2613190, 5001581
Email: info@corepr.com

National Headquarter:
Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI)
94 B, Second Floor, DDA Flats, Shahpur Jat
New Delhi: 110049
Phone: 011-26492191
E-mail: miccind@gmail.com,
Web Site: www.micci.in

Dr. Kalam's Podcast

Have you heard Dr. Abdul Kamal on "Top 10 Challenges and Role of Youth" on the 60th anniversary of our independence? Click here for an exclusive podcast produced by Mr. K. Srinivasan of PR Point. Our heartiest congratulations for giving an opportunity to everyone to listen to the great philosopher of our times, Dr. Kalam.

Chandigarh Tourism on the move

Chandigarh Tourism deserves kudos for excellent move to popularise the city as a perfect destination for business and leisure. Every day there is an addition to some of the other activity that is involving more and more people. The Director Public Relations and Tourism, Mr. Vivek Atray, is the man with the vision, and vitality who is definitely making things happen. More

Remembering Dilgir

Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI organised a special function on the birth anniversary of late Prof H.S. Dilgir on 18th August.
On the occasion Prof Dilgir's book, "Scattered Thoughts", a collection of poems, was released by Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Member of Parliament and State Minister for Finance, Govt of India.
Prof Dilgir was the founder chairman of the Chandigarh Chapter.

International PR Conference in Tehran

Kargozar Public Relations Institute (KPRI) will hold Iran 4th International Conference on Public Relations in Tehran on 15-16 November 2007.
The conference is aimed at exchanging Public Relations knowledge in an international level and promoting the profession in Iran by holding some expertise seminars and workshops on public relations different fields. Some expertise exhibition will be also set up during the conference.
For further information, and registration details, please click here.

Good Design is Good Business

This nugget of wisdom came from Thomas Watson Jr, former IBM CEO, while addressing the Wharton School of Business in 1973. The Indian companies with the opening up of the economy have also started realising the importance of good design, whether it is product, services, or communication. A well executed design brings in lot of respect, brand identity and loyalty, and trust, especially when it precisely communicates corporate philosophy and is consumer friendly.
The Indian designers therefore are much in demand across the globe for their aesthetics and ergonomics which they are capable of creatively deploy in the products.
It is worth reading the latest 'Outlook Business' for a comprehensive overview of the emerging communication scenario and how the design, or the visual imagery, is being used not as a mere support function but as a part of the corporate strategy.

Corporate Image Monitor

There is another interesting study on corporate image of top 20 Indian companies, a study conducted periodically by AC Nielson ORG-MARG.

Chandigarh is the Cleanest City

Chandigarh has been declared as the cleanest city in India, by a survey conducted by A.C. Nielsen ORG MARG, covering 18 state capitals, including the metros, on the basis of the opinion of citizens on cleanliness in their cities.
Chandigarh city emerged the best city with a score of 144, followed by Chennai with a score of 118 and Kolkata, with a score of 108. Others in that order are Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, and Trivandrum. Delhi ranked 9th with a score of (99), which is below the all-city average of 100.
The city cleanliness survey was commissioned by Lifebuoy.

PR Events

On 2-3 August 2007:
Marcus Evans, Malaysia is organising a seminar on corporate communication at Mumbai. (There is special discount for PRSI members). Further details can be obtained from Mr. VAvinesh Nadarajan, Phone: +603 27236600, avineshn@marcousevanskl.com.

13-15 December 2007:
29th All India PR Conference is being held in Chennai, India. Further information can be obtained from Mr. R.K.Dharan, PRSI Vice President South, rkdharan@yahoo.com

PR at a cross-road!

Last week, while conducting a training programme for the senior officers of the PR department of a state Government, I came across some interesting queries as we discussed the subject of ethical practices in PR :

One, "what would you say since most of the news and the special sections for the state government's news that the media provides in their editorial columns is squarely dependent upon the government's advertising released to them? The state government has massive advertising budget running into crores that is dangled before the newspapers to receive 'positive' coverage. Isn't it 'news for money' policy?"

Two, "media relationship is a 'hate-hate' relationship. They abuse the government PR department and we also do not give a damn to them since we know that they would report what we want so long as the ads are released to them."

Three, "are the editors of the newspapers truly the journalists or the marketing men?" The last question cropped in contest with the recent cash prize of Rs.25,000 given to the editor of a vernacular daily by its management for bringing in more advertising revenue to the newspaper in the previous year.

Valid questions. Need to be mulled over.

CJ Singh
http://prsichd.blogspot.com/