Orchan Consulting | Asia Sdn Bhd

Reinvention Revisited Regardless professional manager or entrepreneur, it is always good for us to take a step back to reframe ourselves and our business, and to experience what we do through a fresh lens. On my part, I regularly attend book launches, listen to interesting and inspirational speakers, and read up on the latest business dialogue through the many informative and relevant portals available. Not that recently, but certainly stuck in my memory, I had the good fortune to attend a book launch in Kuala Lumpur. The authors were not Malaysian, nor to be honest, was any of the content. But, it struck a chord – offering fresh insight into the interactions I have every day, and with respect to the advice we as a business give to our valued clients. What was enjoyable about the launch was not the content of the book per se, but the delight of the principal author in delivering her presentation. A seasoned pro, the author stepped it up a notch and de...

Let’s be honest: in Malaysia, HIV / AIDS still sits in the shadows of public conversation. Too many dismiss it as “not my problem” or box it off as something that only affects marginalised communities. Wrong. HIV doesn’t discriminate - and the silence around it only fuels stigma and misinformation. At Orchan, we’ve always believed communication can (and should) drive change. Every year, our Directors pick a cause close to the heart to champion pro-bono. Back in 2010, that cause was AIDS Aware . Partnering with three organisations in support of PT Foundation, we set out to spark honest conversation, fight stigma, and educate people on how to protect themselves. What began as a simple fundraising calendar with a handful of local celebrities turned into a movement. Be The Message snowballed into 42 well-known personalities lending their voices through images, videos, interviews, and education opportunities - amplified further by a full-scale media and advertising campaign. The best ...

BFTP | When Media Shames the Little Guy  (Commentary by Craig J Selby) The whole world has been against a few Irish tourists who caused a bit of a fracas in my country of origin recently. British publications, Australian publications, Asian publications condemning the tourists for their “bad behavior”, and put their names and faces for all to see. Oh, wow! If only the same attention to detail was put to every criminal in the world. The world might be a safer place, NOT. The issue here is not when something goes viral, but it when something viral is perpetuated by mainstream media, and the “public shaming” goes far beyond the extent of the initial action/s. Daily updates from the New Zealand Herald propagated story after story regarding the tourists – where they are now, the latest thing they ‘did’, and people’s reaction to them. OVERKILL! Did the tourists do wrong? Yes. Did they deserve to be called out for it? Yes. Did they dese...

Say you’re in PR. You’ll get nods. Say you run food reviews for F&B clients? Suddenly, you’re everyone’s new best friend. The questions always come hot and fast: “So… do you eat everything?” “Champagne on tap, right?” “Do you write the review yourself?” Spoiler: it’s not one giant buffet on our client’s tab. More Than Just a Free Meal Food reviews are about storytelling. Helping our clients stand out in a sea of cafés, bars, and bistros. We curate the menu, frame the experience, and serve up a narrative that makes diners hungry before they even book a table. The Not-So-Secret Sauce Challenges? Always. Colleagues, clients, critics - sometimes even all three at once. But here’s the deal: we plate it up, smile, and handle the mess. (Want the unfiltered stories? Coffee or wine; your pick. We’ll spill.) Why Pictures Matter Words can make you hungry. But photos? They seal the deal. Think steak hissing on the grill. Chicken skin crisping golden. Chocolate cake me...

Some openings are low-key. This was not one of them. On 29 June 2018 , Hong Kong jewellery giant Luk Fook decided to make Genting Highlands even shinier. The location? Sky Avenue Mall . The occasion? A grand opening with all the bells, drums, and sparkle you’d expect when 1,600+ stores strong decide to plant another flag. VIP invited guests participated in the ribbon cutting Ribbon, Scissors, VIPs (oh my) The ribbon-cutting wasn’t just snip-and-done. It was led by Mr Wong Wai Sheung (big boss man, Chairman & CEO) with a line-up of equally distinguished guests - think government reps, trade association heads, and business leaders. Cameras flashed, ribbon fell, and the store’s glow-up officially began. Mr. Wong Wai Sheung opening speech A Brand That Likes to Sparkle (literally) Mr Wong didn’t waste the mic. He doubled down on Luk Fook’s ambition: “Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World.” Genting, with its endless stream of tourists (and shoppers with altitu...

Heritage isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about identity. It’s about continuity. It’s about keeping stories alive in a world that’s moving (sometimes too fast) towards the new and shiny. That’s why conserving heritage buildings isn’t a luxury. It’s an absolute must. Beyond being landmarks, they fuel the economy, anchor tourism, and give communities a sense of pride. Melaka & George Town: Icons of the Straits Melaka and George Town stand as testaments to this. Both UNESCO-recognised heritage cities have carved out a place on the global stage - 12 years and counting. So when Orchan had the chance to work with Liu Men Hotel in Melaka, we knew we weren’t just promoting another boutique stay. We were helping amplify a story of heritage reborn. Liu Men: Where Past Meets Present Championed by Jason Pang, Liu Men sits on what used to be six shophouses along vibrant Jalan Tokong. The hotel’s design fuses colonial art deco flair with Peranakan touches, creating a space...

Shopaholic Heavens, by Design ARA Asset Management Ltd is a real estate colossus with decades of experience behind them in the broader Asian region; with a keen business interest in redeveloping retail malls. Their foray into Malaysia began with 1 Mont Kiara, expanding to include Citta Mall, AEON Melaka, Klang Parade and Ipoh Parade. Grace Chen from The Star looked at how mall redesigns and new malls are being crafted in a certain way to maximize benefits to the community   Malaysia was already replete with news of beautifully constructed, yet poorly managed shopping venues that do not meet the needs of the community they serve, thus explaining the lack of enthusiasm amongst prospective investors. ARA noticed this trend among lacklustre malls, where insufficient attention was given to context, with ARA subsequently making the wise choice in commissioning architects well known for their pragmatic approach. As part of Orchan’s strategy to highlight the credibili...

Ipoh Parade Goes Green 2 In continuing their effort from their first Go Green campaign, and to coincide with and Earth Hour, Ipoh Parade took the lead in the community to support a meaningful, charitable cause alongside the Lion’s Club of Ipoh (Mandarin), ULCC, and the Perak Education Department. With invitations extended to over 40 local kindergartens, primary and high schools, plus the participation of tenants and supporters alike, the event was an exciting array of activities, games, and competitions for everyone. Ipoh Parade’s Go Green campaign was held on the weekend of 19 - 20 April 2014. On the Saturday, the invited VIPs from the Perak Education Department, Tourism Board, were on hand to initiate and activate the launch; followed by dance performances from d’Artiz Street Dance Studio, and ended with a lively colouring contest that invited children to be as creative as possible, to stand a chance to win prizes sponsored by Faber Castell and other event partners. ...

When skincare meets makeup magic. Orchan was proud to play a part in introducing Jane Iredale - The Skincare Makeup® to Malaysia, marking the brand’s very first foray into the local beauty scene. What makes Jane Iredale different? Simple: it’s makeup that loves your skin back. Long before “clean beauty” became a buzzword, Jane Iredale was already ahead of the curve. Her products were created with micronised minerals, free from fillers, binders, dyes, and preservatives: a godsend for anyone conscious about what goes onto their skin. It’s this pioneering spirit that’s made the brand a trusted favourite among celebrities, physicians, and beauty aficionados worldwide. The woman behind the brand Jane Iredale didn’t start in a lab - she started in Hollywood. As a casting director working with the likes of Lauren Hutton, Jaclyn Smith, Cybill Shephard, Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, and Sarah Jessica Parker, she saw first-hand how much skin health impacted confidence and careers. Wat...