In light of 2019's National Giving Week, Lars highlights how practising charity and philanthropy must not take a back seat in times of economic uncertainty.
Lars Voedisch, Founder and Managing Director of PRecious Communications was featured in Business Times’ “Views from the Top” section on November 25, 2019, titled Commitment and Conviction. The question was – What opportunities and challenges are there in incorporating giving in your business?
Here is Lars’ comment as featured in The Business Times’ Views from the Top
“We believe that giving should not be viewed as a transactional exercise but be incorporated within the very fabric of the business. Giving helps businesses broaden your horizon and creates opportunities to support a particular segment of society, working towards the betterment of both parties.
At PRecious, we balance our resources to work with organisations whose values resonate with our own across multiple initiatives. For example, we supported Relay Majulah pro bono in their efforts to bring together runners that, collectively, form a melting pot of culture, language, religion and experiences in support of the President’s Challenge. At the same time, our International Students Exchange programme has helped more than ten students from across the world to experience working in Singapore and bringing fresh perspectives to our team. Also, we have partnered with several education partners and startup communities to strengthen their respective communities and guide them to better their communications and marketing skills.”
In light of 2019’s National Giving Week, Lars highlights how practising charity and philanthropy must not take a back seat in times of economic uncertainty.
Why Are We Talking About Corporate Giving?
National giving movement Giving Week 2019 is returning for its fifth year on December 1-7.
Part of a global movement that kicks off the year-end festive season, the initiative celebrates the spirit of giving, by rallying individuals, businesses and non-profits to share their “time, talent, treasure and voice”. In Singapore, the Week extends the International Day of Giving, #GivingTuesday, which in the US is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Giving Week is helmed by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).
To an extent, giving has become embedded in Singapore’s culture, and many companies recognise the value in giving, embracing it as part of corporate responsibility. According to a survey by NVPC, more than half of businesses here engage in corporate giving, though only 24% of them do so on a regular basis. For many, particularly in times of economic uncertainty, practising charity and philanthropy may take a back seat. On the other hand, some firms have integrated giving — in its various forms — in their business.
PRecious bekerja dengan ONE Championship, organisasi seni bela diri terbesar di dunia, untuk menghadirkan publisitas dan ketertarikan terhadap acara yang diselenggarakan di Indonesia. Untuk mencapai tujuan ini, PRecious berhasil menciptakan kehebohan di kawasan dengan menghadirkan sebuah “buzz video”, yang menampilkan para influencer Indonesia seperti Stefer Rahardian, Ramdani Lestaluhu dan Hesti Purwadinata. Video tersebut akan ditayangkan di akun Facebook dan Instagram para influencer tersebut.
PRecious membantu PT Campina Ice Cream Industry meluncurkan LuVe, es krim vegan rendah kalori dibuat dari susu kedelai, di Yogyakarta. PRecious menggunakan gabungan PR tradisional dan pelibatan influencer untuk memperkenalkan penawaran terbaru dari Campina. Kampanye ini mendapatkan perhatian dari media lokal, nasional dan media sosial Instagram.
BASF Indonesia, produsen produk kimia terbesar di dunia, menunjuk PRecious untuk mengatur strategi komunikasi di acara “We Create Chemistry” dalam rangka merayakan ulang tahun ke-40 perusahaan mereka di Negara ini. Pada acara ini, BSAF bermaksud mengumumkan inovasi-inovasi baru di bidang produksi kimia. Dengan menyelenggarakan dan melaksanakan diskusi media roundtables dengan Presiden Direktur BASF, PRecious membantu menempatkan BASF di media utama Indonesia, termasuk CNN Indonesia. Langkah ini secara efektif memposisikan mereka sebagai pakar utama di industri mereka.
Mimpi adalah perusahaan yang menawarkan matras tidur mewah dengan harga terjangkau bagi masyarakat Indonesia. PRecious membantu Mimpi menciptakan kesadaran terhadap merek dan teknologi yang mereka gunakan dengan merangkul influencer lokal sehingga dapat menjangkau beragam saluran media. Selain merangkul para influencer lokal, peluncuran pers juga diatur untuk mendukung tujuan Mimpi di Indonesia. Hasilnya, merek ini semakin dikenal, teknologi matras tidurnya semakin dipahami dan menerima banyak perhatian jika dilihat dari jumlah like dan follower di media sosial.
PRecious worked with ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organisation, to generate hype and interest around an event that took place in Indonesia. To achieve this, PRecious successfully created excitement in the region through the creation of a “buzz video”, featuring Indonesian influencers such as Stefer Rahardian, Ramdani Lestaluhu and Hesti Purwadinata. The video was circulated on the influencers’ Facebook and Instagram.
PRecious helped PT Campina Ice Cream Industry launch LuVe, a low calorie, vegan ice cream made using soy milk, in Yogyakarta. PRecious employed a combination of traditional public relations and influencer engagement to spread awareness of the new offering from Campina. The campaign received attention in local media, national media and on Instagram.
BASF Indonesia, the largest chemical producer in the world, appointed PRecious to drive communications around the “We Create Chemistry” event to celebrate their 40th anniversary in the country. At the event, BSAF intended to announce new innovations in chemical production. By organising and executing media roundtables with BASF’s President Director, PRecious helped place BASF in key Indonesian media, including CNN Indonesia. This effectively positioned them as thought leaders in their industry.
Mimpi is a company that aims to offer luxurious and affordable mattresses to everyone in Indonesia. PRecious helped Mimpi to create awareness for the brand and the technology that they use through localised influencer engagements, resulting coverage in various media outlets. In addition to these engagements, a press launch was also organised to support Mimpi’s goal in Indonesia. As a result, the brand received increased awareness, a better understanding of the technology behind the mattresses and higher engagement, in terms of likes and followers, on social media.