Orchan Consulting | Asia Sdn Bhd

September 2012 marked another milestone for Orchan Consulting Asia, as we clinched the Business-to-Business (B2B) Campaign of the Year award at the Malaysia Public Relations Awards (MPRA), organised by the Public Relations Consultants’ Association of Malaysia (PRCA Malaysia). The winning entry: Chocolate Box PR . Launched by Orchan’s Managing Director, Craig J. Selby, Chocolate Box PR was designed to introduce start-ups and SMEs to the value of public relations. Many of these businesses had compelling stories to tell but lacked awareness of how PR could elevate their profile. Chocolate Box provided an accessible, cost-effective entry point - helping first-time users of PR services prepare, pitch, and gain exposure for their products and services. The package worked as a simple, three-step model: preparing and educating entrepreneurs, developing narratives, and creating media visibility. By doing so, it not only generated recognition for clients but also encouraged a shift in mindset...

When I was younger, technology mesmerised me. OK, younger being the 90’s – as I was emerging into my first career, and noticing, and certainly appreciating, the contribution technology at the time was making to my chosen professions. Today, things are a little different – not so mesmerised, but almost exhausted by the rate of change we can observe in technology, and more so, in the rules that technology apply to our use of it. PR practitioners the world over have started embracing technology, and technology-related apparatus, in order to ensure a wide-reaching, yet focused, campaign for their clients, and to ensure that they are reaching that all-important younger generation (call them what you want) who embrace social media as the “source of all truth / knowledge” and almost- actively shun traditional print and broadcast media. Whilst this is simply a fundamental shift of avenue – the skills required remain largely the same – we are all experiencing a rapid shift in the “rules of...

I have to say thank you to BFM for the following discussion on modern internships and interns. I feel that it is a timely discussion, and something that Universities, Colleges, Employers and Industry need to engage further in. Orchan proudly hosts interns, and it’s great to see open discussion about this all-important right of passage. Your browser does not support native audio, but you can download this MP3 to listen on your device. The guest, Rupa, hits the nail on the head – interns are generally not equipped by their educational institute to handle an internship. This is not their fault – but that of the institution. Interns need supervision, guidance, and to have their people skills and general soft skills development – but then again, this is part of the internship experience, and in Orchan’s case, what has taken some individuals from being an intern to being a permanent staff member. Of the points made by Rupa, a few resonated with me and my own experience of ho...

Bodytone Wellness Studio was the exclusive and first Power Plate Authorised Centre in Malaysia. First opened in 2008 in Island Plaza, Penang to an overwhelming response, its second studio in Bangsar village opened shortly after for KL-ites to reap the benefits of their amazing technology and programmes.                        Holding firm to its brand name, ‘’Bodytone Wellness Studio’’ believes in providing clients with a total wellness solution through state-of-the-art equipment and patented technology. Backed by global scientific research, they offer save and proven results. Bodytone Wellness studio uses only certified trainers, who are with their clients every step of the way; helping them to reach their goal/s, through customised exercise programmes. Professionally trained consultants evaluate and understand clients’ body type and fitness level, and advise the best path...

More often than not, we prepare for ‘crisis management’ involving external causes – service breakdown, a fire took place, etc. Why? Because, we don’t often see our own employees causing anything close to a crisis, especially to their very own employers. But, as a recent case of a former Yelp employee, Talia – who wrote an open letter to her CEO (Jeremy Stoppelman) – would suggest, we have to consider that there are in fact internal factors, such as company employees, that can potentially put the company in a predicament. If you haven’t read her open letter, you can check it out here . In this day and age, information spreads rapidly; out now and spread like wildfire within hours if not minutes. A day after publishing her open letter, one of the most popular opinion pieces in response to it – which was thereafter picked up by several prominent media houses – was published. In fact, Talia got fired in less than two hours of publishing her open letter ( source ). When Stoppelman ...

Last June, I remember reading through an Adweek article which highlighted a list of movies / TV series recommended for PR practitioners to watch. After swooning over Leonardo DiCaprio’s recent Oscar win, I somehow ended on the part of internet with lists of movies to watch, and coincidentally came across Action Global Communications’ (AGC) “ Top 15Movies as PR Case Studies ”. While there were a number of overlaps to that of Adweek’s list, there were additional titles that I thought were interesting and may contribute to our perspectives as PR practitioners. Regardless of how the PR sector is portrayed in these movies (let’s admit it, we’ve watched movies / TV series where we are not represented in the best light), I believe the more important take away is the different strategies and outcomes. Here are the additional titles, as recommended by AGC, that you might want to check out! *           *     ...

Someone who is a successful master of his trades wouldn’t likely to keep his talent to himself. He would share it with the world, and make known to everyone interested that it only takes practice and dedication to become good at something one is passionate about. Chef Tommes, popular AFC television Chef (Chalk & Cheese) and owner of Penang’s That Little Wine Bar (TLWB) and Irrawaddy Fine Foods (IFF), is the man known for having diverse culinary skills which include but not limited to cooking great meals, baking cakes and pastries, knifing, poultry preparation as well as wine tasting. With the will to share his joy of cooking, Tommes conducted his popular Kitchen 101 series that were held at his restaurants. Tommes’ profound culinary skills combined with his quirky personality and talent in teaching made the series, which were usually held on the weekends, a popular teaching kitchen especially among the expats and professionals from Penang as well as from outside. Partici...

It was all about duck at Hartamas Shopping Centre in 2012 with restaurant Duck’n’Such. Duck n’Such was quality, Halal restaurant that served intercontinental cuisine with a local twist, with a huge focus on duck. Be it Duck Ku Teh, Peking Duck, Duck Satay, or anything else duck, Duck’n’Such had it on their menu – and all Halal too! Orchan was involved right from the beginning – involved with conceptualizing the business ethos, branding the restaurant, then launching and furthering the publicity for the restaurant via reviews and other activities. The launch was attended by more than 100 distinguished guest and family friends, who were treated to the restaurant’s signature dishes. Guest were also entertained by a jazz band performance by Indonesian singer Hardy Abi. This event was also officiated by Tunku Puteri Intan Shafinaz Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah. Co-founder, Sharifah Nur Diyana Syed Zulkifee: ‘’I always loved duck dishes when I was in United Kingdom and I woul...

An event which is held annually, every fourth day of the Chinese lunar calendar, marked a significant day for the Chia Clansmen Association in Crab Island (Pulau Ketam). 11 February 2016 was the day that students ranging from primary, secondary to tertiary had been looking forward to attending; the Scholarship Awards Ceremony. At the event, I was one of the five scholarship recipients who went on stage to receive RM 1,000 as a token of encouragement for our excellent study achievement (YAY…. J ). Not forgetting, I also participated as the English emcee along with my partner, who ran her duty as the Mandarin emcee. Standing on the stage presenting our emcee speech to a large crowd which had the event hall packed full gave me a sense of pride to be able to contribute to the association; while having my parents to witness my success at the event made me feel proud and grateful to be one of them. All my life, when my parents passed me the application form for the scholarship award...

Well, I was completely nervous at first when I saw the word, “Humans of Orchans Blogpost” in the mailbox. Having the next day being told by Christina that this is the culture that has been practiced for all the Orchan-ites, I accepted the writing challenge as part of my internship programme with Orchan. After all, as the saying goes, “Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.” So here I am, introducing myself as one of the interns for Orchan early in the year of 2016 – 22-year-old lady, eldest in the family, born in Klang. Being a Public Relations student, I only came to a realisation of how the real PR industry looks like when I started my internship a week ago. I couldn’t be more grateful to how the funky style and designs of Orchan website which have caught my attention to drop them a call to send in my curriculum vitae. Thankful enough, I received a reply right away for the interview. To recall of how Craig, Farrell and Christina interviewed me, that was the ...