Which Politician Speaks Your Language? Decision Makers Invited to Identify Asia’s Gold Standard Political Communicator

HONG KONG -

Business leaders, NGO heads, politicians and members of the media are being urged to identify Asia’s leading political communicator as part of a new awards programme launched across the region.

As the relationships between governments and business come under increased focus, business figures and corporate communicators are being asked to nominate a political or campaigning figure who has achieved the “Gold Standard” in Political Communications.

The award is part of the Gold Standard Awards 2009: which are operated by PublicAffairsAsia, the leading magazine and online network for corporate and governmental communicators.

Today’s announcement comes as former Indian minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, a widely respected an accomplished diplomat and political communicator, becomes the latest confirmed member of the PublicAffairsAsia Gold Standard Awards judging panel.

The groundbreaking programme is supported by a wide range of organisations including Edelman public relations, Fleishman-Hillard, Henry Hale Maguire, AsiaNet, Am-Cham China, The Global Alliance for Public Relations, the Hong Kong Council for Public Relations Firms and the PRCA bodies in London and Kuala Lumpur.

The Gold Standard in Political Communications Award also underlines the importance of communications and stakeholder engagement to the success of political figures and campaigners. The winning candidate will be selected by a wide range of judges representing a diverse body of agencies, NGOs and corporations - and will be invited to address an audience of professional communicators.

Commenting on the award, PublicAffairsAsia’s executive director Craig Hoy said: “From the Middle East, to Thailand, Malaysia and China clear and open communications are now an increasingly vital aspect of the political process. We are seeing politicians using increasingly sophisticated techniques to reach out domestically and internationally.

“This particular award invites business leaders, professional corporate communicators, politicians and public affairs practitioners to identify Asia’s leading political communicator.”

Nominations from across Asia, and globally, are being invited via the website www.publicaffairsasia.com/goldstandard or by following the link at www.publicaffairsasia.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Mark O’Brien, Vice President, PublicAffairsAsia +852-258-83407 +66-801-458-697 markobrien@publicaffairsasia.com

About the Award:

THE GOLD STANDARD IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS

This open nomination award- recognises the Gold standard in communications with business and stakeholder groups. It is open to anyone to nominate an individual political campaigner, journalist or political figure who has engaged in direct communications over the last 18 months. Nominations can be made by members of the public, governments, agencies, NGOs or corporations.

Source: PublicAffairsAsia Gold Standard Awards

Mark O’Brien, Vice President, PublicAffairsAsia, +852-258-83407, or +66-801-458-697, markobrien at publicaffairsasia.com