I arrived in Cannes for the 56th International Advertising Festival being held here from 21-27 June, 2009. (www.canneslions.com). I arrived a day before the beginning of the festival. An early arrival gave a good half day to get settled in to my hotel and check out the local sights and sounds. My hotel, a small boutique called 3.14 is just off the Marina and a 10 minute walk to the festival venue, Palais des festivals, on the Croisette, one of the prettiest Marinas that I have seen. This will certainly be a place to come for a vacation with the family.
I decided to walk to the venue and to register. Very smoothly done in 5 minutes and I got this bag full of goodies and promotional material of almost anybody who was somebody and holding a session in the festival. Most of it was ‘mark the date and time’ to ensure you didn’t get lost in the range of seminars, workshops, master classes, screenings, etc., etc. All very nicely done Click to Read More
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Since the last post on the subject of Racial Attacks on Indian Students a few weeks ago, I have read and watched several news reports across a range of newspapers and news channels (News reports from ibnlive, ndtv, ToI), quoting Australian politicos and officials make the ‘right noises’ on racial intolerance and protecting Indian students. Meanwhile, we kept getting more news on students being targeted, students forming vigilante squads and local Indian citizens forming support groups.
Somehow I failed to find a single report on apprehending the culprits and locking them away! Instead, I saw demonstrating Click to Read More
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Will tough talk be sufficient?
Friday evening, I saw in horror as a leading news channel (www.ibnlive.com) carry the story of racially motivated attacks against 4 Indian students in the last few days with 2 struggling for life. According to the news report, at least 70 students have been targets of racial attacks in the last 12 months alone!
Whilst, these actions do not reflect Australians in general and I have heard, seen and experienced their warmth, openness and friendship, actions of a few misguided individuals have to be condemned in the strongest possible manner. These bigots have to be apprehended, locked and the keys thrown away!
Sensing the public anguish, Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke to his Aussie counterpart besides summoning the Australian High Commissioner to the MEA to register our anguish. Stung by the tough talk, ‘racism intolerance’ motive was finally acknowledged by the Aussie Govt after being in denial. It has now assured strictest possible action against those Click to Read More
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When I asked Harold Burson, founding Chairman of Burson-Marsteller, “what according to him was good public relations?” He responded instantly, “letting your good work speak for itself”
I am reminded of his words as I digest the results of our just concluded election. People have overwhelmingly voted the Congress and the UPA to power.
The people of India - young, old, urban and rural have spoken and their message is loud and clear - Perform or Perish: good governance and development will be rewarded; the politics of positioning, caste, religion, etc. etc. will be rejected.
Obama’s “YES, WE CAN” promised a government that would work for its citizens - and the rest is history. It was the “Aam Aadmi” that brought Congress to power last time. Some state Chief Ministers have been rewarded with a second and third term. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out! People in India and around the world want their government to deliver to them instead of indulging in politics of hate and Click to Read More
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Public Relations now on a 70mm Screen
The famed Cannes International Advertising Festival in its 56th edition has introduced the first ever recognition of the work of the public relations industry by introducing the PR Lions. The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival claims to be the world’s only truly global meeting place for those passionate about creativity in communications. The festival will be held from June 21-27 normally brings together the best communication minds from across the globe. As the Cannes website say, “during seven days in June, Cannes will celebrate the best that the advertising industry has to offer the world, to review the year just gone, and to draw a roadmap for the future. More than 10,000 delegates from 85 countries come to enjoy over 50 seminars, 25 workshop and be inspired by the 28,000 pieces of work on display.”
With the introduction of the PR Lions, Public Relations makes a small but a significant journey as it Click to Read More
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