Page 64 - IBT August 2021 Issue

PR & Communication Mind of a PR
Powerhouse

festivals for kids in different foreign cultural and educational on the number of viewers and contributed to the success entrepreneurs and industries should have one-to-one sessions
centers around Dhaka city and ran two successful campaigns of the campaign. I noticed the correlation between the with the governing bodies to be able to understand each other
for kids. After two projects, we received funding from UNICEF printing content and rising TRP that motivated me to better and find a win-win situation for both.
for upcoming events. We invited the Prime Minister for our use my networks and run my own PR. This made me
next event in 2009, and to my wonder, she accepted the realize the role of PR in the corporate sector and You have successfully set up the Share Biz, and you are
invitation and graced the event. From there, a different journey mainstream business. I was eager to find different on another new venture. How can you best identify a
potential investor?
of mine began in 2010. purposes of PR and imply my strategies and their
possibilities. Also, working with CIDA and DANIDA Everybody wants respect and recognition for the valued work
As much we know later you started your own PR firm inspired me to enter hardcore PR and make new and success of their lives, and the media helps them do that.
and started working with different government networks. There are still a lot of renowned entrepreneurs and
projects. Tell us more about that part of the journey. corporations who do not know the benefits of PR solutions,
I approached different government projects for PR service and You started your journey in 2001 and came across and I want to reach out to them and use media to initiate
campaigning. The board was satisfied with the PR solutions I various dynamic phases. Help me compare the growth, create networks and earn recognition and success. In
offered and started handing me over different projects under two times and map the evolving opportunities. the past 10 years, media coverage has been prominently
government. It became clear to me that to communicate with What were the main difficulties faced then and beneficial to major industries of Bangladesh. A potential
the government, a facilitator has to have certain skills. how has the PR business emerged over time? investor can be from any business that needs a facilitator to
Finally, in 2016, I had the opportunity to take over a I always notice that it’s most difficult to understand bridge the gap and ensure an effective outreach. At the
newspaper agency. I wanted to take over a company that was people and make them understand your point of moment, the media itself is a huge industry. It doesn’t pay well
Please tell us about your journey. You had a close to bankruptcy and try to salvage its relics into a renewed communication, too, that includes both parties in this to be a part of it yet, but it has many useful aspects that
humble beginning. When you started, did you corporation. I approached the Destiny but due to some issues scenario, the journalists and the government parties. induce growth in business. So when my visions align with the
have a particular goal in mind? the takeover didn’t take place and the company went to Those who are service holders, barely understand the investors, I am confident to work with them.
I started my first job as a junior news reporter in a bankruptcy. Then, I approached the Share Biz and offered risks of the business and the effort that it requires for it
private radio channel in 2001. I got recognized in the them a deal that they weren’t willing to accept. Their demand to succeed. It’s is a common misconception that How're the investors meet in New York panning out?
journalism industry through that. Unfortunately, the was beyond my financial capacity and I gave up, but I didn’t corporate industries are unfair and corrupted, and are I have come here to watch and learn how we can attract
radio channel was shut down in 2 years, so I joined the leave hope at that front. Later, after 9 months, due to the fall stealing taxes and misleading employees. Sometimes, international investors and industries and make them take
Prothom Alo in 2003 as a feature writer at Naksha and in their shares in the business, they agreed to offer a price I the problem is to even address what needs to be interest in our ventures. I went to Dubai for a roadshow couple
got introduced to fashion items and accessories’ could afford and I took the chance as soon as I got it. I always explained and recognized in the different stages of of months ago and now I am visiting this meet. I want to see
promotions and public relations. This was two decades wanted to create a platform for reporters where sponsors and hierarchy. A facilitator can raise the rate of successful how our representatives and entrepreneurs are showcasing
ago when opportunities were thriving in this sector. So board members could not influence or exercise authority and communication between parties and that is where my themselves at the international market and what that brings
I contacted a fashion house and discussed the the news is unbiased and objective. We started with this expertise comes in. in the upcoming years. I feel Bangladesh needs more advanced
long-term strategies of advertising and PR. I helped the vision, and by the end of that year, we got updated from PR strategies. I want to identify the lacking in our PR. By
brand create feature articles and used my journalism tabloid to broadsheet which was great initial progress for us. It is very interesting to know how Share Biz connecting in a better way with the international market in
networking to publish them in different newspapers We started featuring share market news highlights at the time showed an affirmative response to your offer upcoming years we can bolster the multilateral relations with
after 9 months and signed the deal. Indeed, you
and magazines. I realized the importance of public of the share market crisis which made an impact on the are good at the art of negotiation. What is your different countries.
relations and started working in different directions. I market and readers. But we could all slowly see the declining secret weapon?
contacted Sisimpur, the Bangladeshi version of the value of printed newspapers and the importance of online For negotiation, you need to know the product or content People seek validation through media presence and
children's television series Sesame Street and shared presence in the media. We realized it was our time to come out and the issues related to it. When you want to buy assertions. Is Bangladesh taking any step to
my interest in working for their PR. Subsequently, I of the limitation of printing news in Bangla, and make a something, you take different ways to go about it. We collaborate with the international media through
advertising?
went to an interview at Asiatic, where Sara Zaker global footprint through online media coverage. gather information and haggle our ways into acquiring No, Bangladesh is yet to show its mettle in that area. Many
suggested that I join Asiatic Mindshare and use my With that vision, we decided to launch an English online the particular information we seek from the seller that journalists who have written significant pieces and have been
networks in the journalism scene. So I contacted newspaper, Business Insider Bangladesh in 2020. However, would help you make your mind to invest in it. Vice published worldwide should actually have been here attending
Asiatic Mindshare and started working there. Through due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the launch got versa when you highlight the selling points of your this roadshow. This is something I think I will suggest as I
the exposure at Mindshare, I became more confident to postponed to 2021 and with the help of sponsors/financers, we product or content. I had to keep on negotiating with the share my feedback with the distinguished authorities when I
work on individual PR assignments and undertook a were able to launch Business Insider Bangladesh this year. Share Biz owner for over 9 months through consecutive go back.
significant government project named Violence Against Due to the second wave, again our plans got interrupted, but I meetings to convince him to take my offer. I think my
Women and handled their PR and campaigning projects am hopeful this will subside and things will be better for the selling point was in making him realize the realistic Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
successfully using my multiple media resources. As Business Insider Bangladesh soon. possibility of the company in the upcoming months as I believe in bridging the gap. The gap could be between people,
they were happy with the outcome, my contract with their staff journalists were leaving the organization. A agencies, or countries. My dream would be to connect
them kept on renewing after every 6 months, and I You started your career as a reporter, then worked as good negotiator is honest in getting the deal that the Bangladesh internationally to the globe and bridge the gap
ended up working there for 3 years. In these 3 years, I a feature writer, ran campaigns for kids, and then buyer needs and the investor wants, to find a win-win between countries around the world.
was able to accumulate different experiences to realize shifted more towards hardcore business PR. What for both.
further possibilities in the business. I came to great triggered our change of mindset? You have mostly been associated with the media for
working terms with the government, Canadian When I worked for CIDA, we created different kinds of As you mentioned, there is a gap between the most of your life? What other businesses do you intend
International Development Agency (CIDA), and worked documentary dramas on different issues regarding Violence mindset of the governing bodies and the to do in the future?
with Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Sara Zaker on different Against Women and broadcasted them on Channel i to spread corporations and industries. What is the reason I am a consultant for government and public relations. I have
projects. We organized exhibitions at the Shilpakala alternate awareness. Nevertheless, since it was not behind this mindset and what can we do to worked with many corporations, businesses, and banks, too. I
change it so that they can understand each other
Academy and Public Library Premises, Russian Centre broadcasted during peak hours, it didn’t reach a large number better? have worked as a consultant for several foreign embassies and
for Culture and Science, Alliance Française de Dhaka, of viewers. So we printed out the synopsis of the docudrama I feel the government should take initiatives to train helped them explore opportunities here in an effort to cement
and so on. Eventually, I left my previous job and I took along with pictures in 15 different newspapers every week, professionals of both government and private sector. The ties with Bangladesh. I enjoy all aspects of my work, and I
these opportunities to work further. I organized film before the day of the broadcast---this made a positive impact plan to keep on doing them as long as I can.

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