December 2016

호프만에이전시, 아시아 진출 20주년 맞아

세계적인 테크놀로지 전문 PR회사 호프만에이전시는 2016년 11월, 아시아 진출 20주년을 맞이했다고 밝혔다. 호프만에이전시는 1994년 현대전자산업(현 SK하이닉스)의 아시아 프레스 투어를 계기로 1996년 11월 싱가포르에 첫 오피스를 열며 아시아 지역에 진출했다. 아시아, 유럽, 미국에 위치한 오피스에서 약 1천1백오십만 달러(한화 약 136억) 상당의 수익을 창출했으며, 2012년부터 매년 평균 9%의 성장률을 기록하고 있다. 특히, 총 [...]

July 2016

The Tale of Two Tucson Boys in Asia

Lou and I have history and a friendship that goes back to the 1970s. Lou, his brother Jerry and I wrestled in high school. Jerry and I were inseparable. Throughout wrestling season we were on strict diets. During the off-season when we could eat freely, chicken seemed to be the main [...]

May 2016

PR Agency Offsite, Japan Style

As in the U.S., company offsites are quite common in Japan. The history goes back to before the World War II when appreciation for everyone’s hard work was rewarded with a trip to a hot springs. Furthermore, there’s a tradition of what’s called the Graduate trip in most Japanese elementary schools, [...]

“Ignore that comment — follow your heart” … and I’m still here 16 years later

That’s what Michelle Herman told me not long after I was hired. According to Lou: “Lydia is so serious. You think she can fit in to our culture? At least smile for us?” This was how it began. Lou and Michelle had the privilege of witnessing me in a light blue dress [...]

“I Never Saw a Moor …”

It’s been quite the thrill for me to watch the activities of Hoffman’s Asia Pacific operation over the years. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a long string of dynamic players — from Lou himself, to Ray Shuster, Michelle Herman, Maureen Tseng, Lydia Lau, Jenny Chan, Shingo Nomura, Kaori Saito, [...]

April 2016

Intersection of East (Taiwan) and West (Silicon Valley) Transcends Business

I didn’t know it at the time, but the Hyundai Electronics press tour in 1994 saw the start of two special relationships in Asia. You’ve already heard from Young Sohn, founder of InComm and our partner in Korea for the early years. The second person was Olive Ting, whose firm Era [...]

A Startup in Asia Pacific No More

This stretch of Tanjong Pagar Road “showcases” our first office in Singapore. It turns out the very same shot appears in Wikipedia. Talk about a startup. In 1996 Hoffman Asia Pacific was a classic — roots spreading from San Jose to Singapore in one fell swoop, without proven leadership (me), little-to-no [...]

March 2016

One-year Assignment in Singapore Does Not Include Prized Alfa Romeo 164

We took Lou Hoffman’s word for it 20 years ago when he decided there was opportunity in Asia Pacific for a relatively small, independent, San Jose, California-based public relations consulting firm. Few of us working in the agency at the time had ever been to the region, let alone knew anything [...]

And I call it “Kismet”

Have you ever felt that some things in life were meant to happen exactly the way they had and that even if you had the power to change the past, you wouldn’t have done it any other way? I’ll bet that many would feel this way about a past love, a [...]

The Connection Between Hoffman Asia Pacific and the 1997 Economic Crisis in Korea

I met Young Sohn for the first time in 1994 during the “infamous” Hyundai Electronics press tour.  It’s hard to explain in words, but I felt an instant connection with this man. How can this be? Even today, I’m not quite sure. Here’s what I do know. What started off as [...]