TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of IN.FOM, a communications agency based in Singapore.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd?

We handle a lot of regional work for our clients. Often, we are required by clients to help them with communications activities in other countries outside of Singapore, so we hired TQPR for PR support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We work closely with their team in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam for a few of our clients for public relations needs. 

We go to them with clearly defined deliverables. For example, we’ve needed to set up interviews for a client’s media relations or needed to send out a couple of press releases.

Depending on the requirements, the work could be as simple as distributing a press release all the way to pitching for interviews and stories. Occasionally, they provide counsel on issue management for the client, too.

What is the team composition?

There are two people from their team we work with. 

How did you come to work with TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd?

I’ve known them for a very long time. A couple of years ago, we joined an organization that is a network of agencies around the world. TQPR was a member and that’s how we got to know each other.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $60,000–$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2018 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

So far, the quality of their PR support has been good — they’ve gone above our expectations.

How did TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd perform from a project management standpoint?

We always give them clearly defined sets of deliverables. They’ve delivered on everything that’s been given to them on time. The managing partner is very hands-on and he gets involved quite actively. The manager is on the ball, as well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team, especially the managing director, is always ready for me when I need them. Given the nature of the assignments that I’ve given them so far, they’ve done very well. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’ve done well. They have great ideas but often we can’t use them because we have limitations to what the client wants to do in a market.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Provide a very clear brief as to what your expectations are and what you hope to achieve. They know what needs to be done and they over-deliver on expectations. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a mobile analytics company that specializes in measuring and analyzing mobile network experiences across 80 countries. I’m the company's global PR manager, overseeing content strategies and peer activities in all countries where we have a presence.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd?

We were unknown in Malaysia and started our activity there in 2018. TQPR helped us build brand awareness among key press figures in the country.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TQPR has organized roundtables and seminars to pitch our reports and insights. They’ve also become a strategic partner to us. They plan our content pipeline with us, utilizing their market knowledge there.

They know the right press, coming up with ideas to leverage the data we have for insights and reports.

What is the team composition?

We’re working with Niall (Principal Consultant & Director) and Anita (PR Consultant).

How did you come to work with TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd?

Someone in our PR network referred them to us.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with TQPR started in January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We use a monitoring system to overview all the press coverage coming in due to their work. We also have a business generation leads tracker. TQPR has achieved 100% of the press and interview KPIs we set for them.

The quality of their work is fantastic. They’re always available. They always give us timely input, and we’ve gotten good business leads due to their work. We’ve gotten attention from key operators in the country.

We intend to drive conversations with key operators in the countries we’re present in, and TQPR helped us with that. We’ve received interesting calls with C-level executives of incumbent operators in the country.

How did TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re quite effective. We contacted them for just one project initially, and we kept them on because they did an amazing job.

TQPR has truly become a partner for us. I’m the sole person in charge of all countries, and I literally couldn’t have done it without TQPR.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team knows how to play the right angles with the press at the right times. We have a good personal fit, and they’re available, professional, and fast.

Whenever we ask them to write press releases, we get fast turnarounds. TQPR clearly knows the industry and the right journalists.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re using them just for media relations, and I have no comments outside of that. TQPR has a vast experience in that field.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’m simply happy with TQPR.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Head of Marketing and Communications, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, and what were your goals?

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) hired TQPR Malaysia in 2005 to plan and assist with implementation of an ongoing comprehensive Public Relations retainer in support of the Centre’s communications objectives to promote the Centre as THE Convention and Exhibition Centre for Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, and assist with addressing any ad hoc reputational issues.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

TQPR Malaysia has been working with the Centre since opening in 2005, so I was not part of the initial selection process. However, since I joined in 2019, we have renewed our Public Relations (PR) Contract with TQPR annually due our great working relationship and their success in delivering the PR activities agreed in our scope-of-work.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

TQPR Malaysia provides on-going public relations support to the Centre to implement, maintain and improve the promotion and awareness of the venue both locally and internationally. Key areas of focus include delivering compelling relevant content for use across all channels/platforms (internal and external stakeholder communications and publicly), including the setting up of media interviews, assistance with setting up of media engagements, copywriting and editing, media monitoring of the Malaysian media and regional trade media both print and digital, assistance with media visits on an ad hoc basis, assistance with support for the Centres’ appointed international agencies, etc.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Three team members from TQPR Malaysia work directly with us. They are Charles Chaplin, Senior Consultant; Niall Dologhan, Principal Counsellor and Director; and Christine Vincent, Office Manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Over the years, TQPR Malaysia has provided the Centre with excellent quality work across the board which has resulted in us renewing our contract with them year-on-year for almost 18 years. We have worked closely to successfully implement a variety of PR activities which has generated news features creating enormous value to the Centre’s positive reputation locally and internationally. Our consistent PR activities and achievements have helped us maintain and sustain the Centre’s reputation and share of voice within the Malaysian business events market (approximately 40% in 2021) despite the arrival of new competition. It has also contributed to the numerous awards and accolades won by the venue, including an award specifically recognising our PR and Marketing efforts.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We are in regular communication (almost in daily communication) with the TQPR team about work either via email or phone. We also have a monthly (WIP) meeting to update, discuss and brainstorm PR activities/support, as well as ad hoc meetings when required.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We always find TQPR Malaysia very flexible, adaptable, and responsive whenever we need them. Having worked for the Centre for 18 years, they understand the business, the industry and the associated media extremely well, and as such, their advice is always appreciated. This also means that even when we have last-minute requests their experience means that they are able to respond quickly and deliver good results for us. We have developed a great working relationship and through this partnership we have been able to create engaging content and relevant stories that maximise reach and build stronger connections with our target audiences.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

In the past, I have had worked with other PR agencies. By far, TQPR Malaysia is the best. My team and I can always rely on them to deliver on our request to the highest standard and in a timely manner. The breadth of the work that my team and I undertake for the Centre covers a wide range, from promoting the country, the city, the precinct, the venue and our value propositions to an international audience, to advocating for the industry and pivoting to the latest demand of sustainability that is a necessity and a rite of passage in our industry. TQPR is always ahead of the curve ball in helping us to craft our messaging for communication. Therefore, there is no improvement that I could think of as TQPR Malaysia is an agency that always reinvents itself to stay relevant and remain ahead of the rest.