Getting Blogged Down: Handling a PR Crisis in the New Media

11:30 AM-2 PM, Monday, September 25, Kerry Centre Hotel

A popular blog accuses the CEO of a multinational in China of corruption and several leading newspapers call his office for comment. Online forums rage with claims that a foreign-invested firm in Beijing is selling faulty products and has poor after-sales service. A "documentary" placed on a video-sharing site allegedly shows scenes of chemicals being dumped by a U.S.-owned factory in China's interior.

While companies have long dealt with PR crises arising from traditional media such as newspapers and television, they now face rapidly growing challenges from online forums, blogs and other "new media" in China. Join an AmCham-China panel on September 25 and learn about the scope of this phenomenon, case studies of foreign firms that have faced it, and advice on how a company might effectively handle such a crisis.

Panel participants
Sam Flemming, founder of CIC data, a Shanghai research firm that quantitatively tracks Chinese blogs and online forums, and creator of the "China Word of Mouth" blog.

Jeremy Goldkorn, partner with The Standards Group and publisher of danwei.org, which has the theme "Chinese media, advertising, and urban life" and has covered cases of new media PR crises affecting MNCs.

Michael Darragh, head of the "digital influence group" at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (China), which advises companies on dealing with controversy in the new media. 

Scott Kronick, president, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, China and media counsel for AmCham-China, who will moderate and provide additional comments on dealing with PR crises.

This event is sponsored by the Media and Entertainment Forum and the IT / Telecom Forum.

Note: This is one in a series of media-related events being held by AmCham in late September. On September 20, China Interactive Media Group CEO Hong Huang, who is also well-known as a radio and TV personality, TV producer, and blogger, will speak to members (11:30 AM-2 PM, The Capital Club), while on September 21, the Media and Entertainment Forum will host a panel on reality television in China (5-6:30 PM, Ritan Inn House).

Program:
11:30-12 PM Registration
12-1:30 PM Lunch / Panel Discussion
1:30-2 PM Q & A

Registration:
The event fee is 250RMB for AmCham cardholders, 300RMB for non-cardholding employees of AmCham member companies, and 350RMB for non-members. Please confirm your attendance via email (amchamevent@amcham-china.org.cn) or fax (8519-1910) by 12 PM on September 22.