Disrupt #18: Professional PR help, do you need it?

There comes a point for every startup, where engaging an in-house communications practitioner or public relations (PR) firm to manage the chaos is no longer a luxury but more of a necessity.

But how do you know when it’s time to call in the professionals?

The professionals will tell you that PR can’t overcome a mediocre product or flawed business plan and that PR doesn’t stand for press release. So what value does the practice of PR bring to budding companies?

And more importantly, how much would it cost and can you really afford it?

Titled “Professional PR help, do you need it?” the 18th edition of the DNA Disrupt panel discussion series will aim to give determined entrepreneurs and the curious, insights to exactly that.

Moderated by DNA editor Gabey Goh, on the panel we have Justin Then, currently the managing director of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Malaysia.

He boasts more than 20 years of experience in journalism and communications, having started his career as a journalist in 1992 for Computerworld Malaysia. In his career, he has advised major brands such as Alcatel-Lucent, Dell, Hitachi Data Systems, Microsoft, and Symantec among others.

We also have Raymond Siva, managing director of Edelman Kuala Lumpur who brings with him 17 years of experience in journalism and communications.

He leads one of the largest PR firms in Malaysia with over 45 staff, providing counsel to clients such as MRT Corp, Felda Global Ventures, Tune Insurance, Pemandu ETP, Pavilion KL, Petronas, BP Castrol, ESPN, Emery Oleochemicals, Unilever and Sarawak Energy.

Joining them will be Hazel Hassan, vice president of Marketing & Strategic Partnership at Cradle Fund to share her insights.

Hazel brings more than 20 years of experience from both corporate and consultancy worlds with exposure in IT and Telco industries, having served with Avira, REDtone International and F-Secure Corporation in the course of her career.

So join us for what will be a very enlightening discussion!

Full venue address: Training Room, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Suite 4.8.1, Level 4, PNB Darby Park, 10 Jalan Binjai, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.