Corporate Communications

This course covers a range of topics related to how corporate decisions and strategies are communicated to stakeholders, including employees, business partners, investors, and news media. Additional emphasis is given to how to strategically approach issues and crisis communications; an increasingly important consideration in today’s world. The course is designed as a participative seminar, with substantial group work and weekly tasks progressing towards a project workbook. Participants will assess public relations problems and opportunities for corporations in dealing with the public and media organizations, learn the process to formulate, prioritize, and implement publicity and media relations goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics, and gain familiarity with how primary and secondary research tools can be used to prepare a persuasive or informational communication projects. The course is ideal for those interested in strategically planning and managing the public relations process; including Social Media/Digital Managers, Content Strategists, Copywriters, Marketing Managers, Publicists, Public Affairs Managers, PR Specialists, Program Coordinators.

No required textbook/ Handouts

Ed Thompson

As founder and director of Concept Design, Ed Thompson works with multinational clients in Asia-Pacific providing strategic services covering marketing, business and partnership development with a focus on emerging digital technology.

With more than 20 years in Japan, he has built solid experience handling the varied challenges leading multicultural, cross-functional teams at all levels of global organizations, to consistently deliver positive outcomes for corporate initiatives.

He continues to assist both domestic and multi-national corporations in increasing brand awareness through the planning of effective digital and marketing strategies, customer loyalty programs, lead generation campaigns and advertising promotions.