If you intend to launch an app as part of your communication plan, and you know the app will be faulty, make the difficult decision to abandon it halfway. This beats launching a half-baked product.
This, and other insights and strategic tips were picked up at the “COMMotion” created by SMU Master of Science in Communication Management Alumni Group (MCM-AG) at the SMU University Lounge on 14 March 2016.
“COMMotion”, or “Communication in Motion”, is a speaker series developed and executed by the MCM-AG, with the support of the SMU Office of Alumni Relations (SMU OAR), SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA) and Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) Master of Science in Communication Management programme office
This series is designed to provide back-stage access to communication campaigns in the private, public and non-profit sectors. Each instalment will feature up to three panelists revealing answers to five hard-hitting questions, followed by a moderated dialogue session and networking. We were honoured to have three Paris Dauphine Alumni joining us that evening and more than 50 SMU alumni and students turned up for the event held at the University Lounge. SMU's Office of Alumni Relations, together with MCM programme office are proud to support this initiative.
| Director, Strategies & Operations, Fund-raising and Engagement Group, National Council of Social Service Bruce Liew sharing on Community Chest's Care & Share movement. | Participants actively engaging in dialogue with the speakers during the Q&A segment. |
| Left to Right: Douglas Goh, Terence Quek, Paris Dauphine Alumni Nicholas Bargas, Majorie Beaugad, and Emmanuel Prado, with Bruce Liew, Col Joseph Tan and Adeline Bek | |
Speakers at the inaugural instalment include:- Bruce Liew, Director, Strategies & Operations, Fund-raising and Engagement Group, National Council of Social Service, who shared on Community Chest's Care & Share movement;- COL Joseph Tan, Director Nexus, Ministry of Defence who spoken about the refreshed 1984 Total Defence Song campaign;- Douglas Goh, Creative Group Head, TBWA\ Singapore who worked on SIA’s Premium Economy Class campaign
Within the four walls of the university lounge, a 'safe haven' was created for an exchange of hard-hitting questions and candid remarks between the three speakers and the audience. Terence Quek (MCM, Class of 2013), President of the MCM Alumni Group, moderated the session. Attendees were made up of current and past MCM students, alumni, and industry guests.
| First instalment of COMMotion Series held at the SMU University Lounge | MCM Alumni Group President Terence Quek presenting a token of appreciation to speaker Douglas Goh |
| MCM Alumni Group President Terence Quek moderating the dialogue session | MCM Alumni Group Exco Members Jason Tan (left) and Samuel Tan (right) |
Other key insights and takeaways from the evening include:
- There is no science to making something go viral on the internet. It is a carefully cultivated art which is also reliant on many external factors which may not be in your control.
- The success of a campaign depends very much on teamwork. So pay attention to building a team, and if you are the leader, empower and trust them. You can’t do it alone.
If you would like to be part of the COMMotion and find out what else we have in store for you, join us for the second instalment of COMMotion on 19 May 2016, where we will have new and exciting speakers lined up to share their insights from the inside. Mark your calendars! You won’t want to miss this COMMotion.
For more photos from the event, click here.
For more information on the MCM Alumni Group and its activities, please contact Terence Quek, President of the MCM Alumni Group.