Staff Reporters
Feb 22, 2010

VIDEO: Asia's leading PR voices

Alan vanderMolen, president of Edelman Asia-Pacific, the newly appointed Bob Pickard, president of Burson-Marsteller Asia-Pacific, and Steve Dahllof, regional CEO of Ogilvy PR, share their thoughts on the public relations industry in the wake of Media's annual PR Report Card.

Alan vanderMolen

Alan vanderMolen, president of Edelman Asia-Pacific, has been with the company in Hong Kong for over 10 years. Having worked in the USA and Europe, VanderMolen reckons the pace of development and change in Asia is never ending which puts much more pressure on firms in this region to innovate.

He goes on to say that one of the most common mistakes made by firms breaking into Asia today is learning a little bit and thinking they know a lot; being over confident without studying the market enough.

Here is what he had to say about social media best practice.




Edelman scored 8/10 on this year’s PR Report Card. Click here for the full results.

Bob Pickard

Former Edelman president of North-Asia, Bob Pickard, took up his role as president of Burson-Marsteller Asia-Pacific in February this year. He took over from Simon Pangrazio who departed after just two years in charge.

During his interview Pickard said he is excited about digital and how the science of PR, and not just the artistic elements, have really come to the fore. He goes on to say that traditionally PR people have been writers but now they have to think with a different set of mental skills, like a story creator.

Here is what he says is shocking about PR programmes in Asia and around the world.




Bursson-Marstellar scored 8/10 on this year’s PR Report Card. Click here for the full results.

Steve Dahllof

Another new appointment, Steve Dahllof talks to Media just one month after assuming his role as regional CEO of Ogilvy PR. During his interview, Dahllof said the agency will focus on strengthening its strategic practices in the coming year, as well as playing on the momentum it has gained in China.

Dahllof, who has held positions at Ogilvy PR in both Asia and Europe, says Ogilvy Health and Ogilvy Earth are among his priorities as the practices cover two burgeoning industries and are helping to establish the course of these sectors across Asia.




Ogilvy PR scored 9/10 on this year’s Report Card. Click here for the full results.

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