How is the PR industry faring in Singapore and Hong Kong? I am on secondment from Hong Kong to Singapore. Sars is affecting the industry in both places. People will soon learn to adjust and carry on with their lives and businesses.
What do you enjoy about your work environment? People here have a positive attitude.
What, or who, has influenced your career? I have been fortunate to have had good mentors. One of our healthcare VPs, who is now with Ruder Finn in the UK, introduced me to the concept that good healthcare PR for a client helps build better health for a community. That is always an important underpinning to all my healthcare work.
What would be the one piece of advice you would give someone trying to break into PR? Only join if you have a passion for PR.
What has been your biggest mistake? Pursuing a campaign without a strong news hook. We ended up working very, very, very hard in order to get media coverage. We got it in the end!
What has been your biggest achievement? When doctors told me that patients came to see them carrying our media stories, and when doctors said that our work helped educate would-be patients. Such moments made me forget all the hassles of the campaigns.
Where do you see yourself in the next two years? I will still be in healthcare PR, have my own team, have extended my experience in more therapeutic areas, and have more clients.