Brand Influence League - Apr-08

When press citations may not be a good thing

Venture Corp's Wong Ngit Liong leapt to the top of the charts in February with a 900% (10 mentions) increase locally and 1000% (11) from the usual scratching at the scoreboard at one count for press citations. Its total figure clocked for 2007 was 15.

The 65 year old businessman made headlines last month when an SIA flight attendant brought his wife, 61, to court for defamation, emotional and mental distress when the matriarch allegedly slapped the 25-year-old cabin crew during a flight bound for Tokyo.

Although the matter was eventually settled out of court between the two ladies, the state intends to press charges and her case will be mentioned in early April. This will mean Venture's "rise to fame" is likely to continue for a few months.

Singapore Airlines' Chew Choon Seng clocked a high of 50 global press mentions for the month, likely to be due to the failed take over bid on China Eastern Airlines, SIA's involvement in the Singapore Airshow in late February and also its announcement of the launch of its A380 London route in March.

With regards to global press mentions, telcos saw a table shift this month with StarHub's Terry Clontz increasing his percentage noise to 900%, moving from zero to nine press mentions this month; as compared to M1's Neil Montefiore 22%, rising from nine to 11; and SingTel dropping 17% from six to five mentions in February.

CDL's Kwek Leng Beng however scored the greatest percentage increase for global citations at 1600% from a low of one last month to a phenomenal 17 press counts this month - the highest he has recorded over the past year.