JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – In the conversation, he shared that the pandemic had given IndiHome its own wisdom. Moreover, it is undeniable that IndiHome is one of the service products from Telkom that has received the most attention during the pandemic. Its existence is increasingly needed when all humans in the country are forced to do more activities from home. On the other hand, customer demands and expectations for IndiHome are also getting bigger.  Afifudin is not the least bit awkward in facing new and unexpected challenges and dynamics during the pandemic. In fact, he does not have an educational background in Communication Studies. However, since receiving the mandate from IndiHome's Head of Marketing Communication in charge of marketing and communication, he admitted that he immediately fell in love. The reason is that these two sciences are broad. Meanwhile, the digital world continues to grow. He is challenged to keep learning. To Ratna Kartika from PR INDONESIA, Afifudin shared his story.  What impact did IndiHome have on operations and business during the pandemic?  The pandemic has changed all the habits of society. Home is now the center of all activity. The need for broadband internet access is certainly increasing. This condition has an impact on IndiHome.   Based on April 2021 data, when compared to before the work from home (WFH) and learn from home (LFH) activities, there was a significant increase. Namely, e-commerce usage rose to 156 percent, game access grew 78 percent, communication use such as chat and video conferencing increased 73 percent, while education rose 32.4 percent.  IndiHome as Indonesia's internet continues to strive to meet the digital needs of Indonesian people from urban to remote areas. Due to the huge need for the internet, by the end of 2020, IndiHome subscribers were recorded to reach 8.02 million with an increase of 14.5% YoY. Or, there were 1.01 million new subscribers during the pandemic.   

Imelda Alini Pohan , Corporate Secretary of PTPN III (Persero) Nusantara Plantation Holding  JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – The woman who has been working for 17 years as a PR in a private corporation in the ICT, mining, and holding industries, took a long time to accept a proposal from a state-owned company. She was determined to transfer because she wanted to work for Indonesia and be a part of the transformation.  Who would have thought, this year is Imelda’s fourth year to be part of an SOE. In fact, she already has the experience, not in just one but two state-owned companies. First, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), and second at Holding Perkebunan Nusantara PTPN III (Persero)—where she currently works—as Corporate Secretary. To Ratna Kartika, Imelda told her story.  What are your educational background and career journey like?  Since high school, I have migrated from Rantauprapat, North Sumatra to Jogja. To get the best education, my father sent each of his children who were going to be in high school to study at the best high school in the city, namely SMA Negeri 1 Teladan Jogja, which was also my father’s alma mater. I am the third of seven children. So, before me, my brothers had already attended school in Jogja.   

JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – For two hours, Basuki talked about his eight-year experience as the captain of the Corporate Communications Department. Together with his team, he built this department until finally the SOE which has 4,000 outlets and more than 30 thousand employees has a Corporate Communication Guidelines. Since his first time working as a public relations officer at Pegadaian, he was determined to take the public relations profession to the next level.  According to him, public relations is not just a photographer, spokesman, firefighter, let alone a problematic employee dumping ground as many people perceive. Moreover, public relations acts as a communication bridge between the company and stakeholders both internally and externally. He is also an expert of hearing, seeing, feeling, and analyzing which function is to mitigate issues, prevent risks and crises that can harm the company's reputation and business sustainability. In fact, he plays a strategic role in determining management policies. To Ratna Kartika from PR INDONESIA, Basuki shared his story.  Congratulations on Pegadaian's achievement at the PRIA 2021 event. What does this achievement mean for you and your team?    It is very meaningful. We believe that when we run as fast as we can, if we are alone, we will never be champions. Even at work. There are times when we feel we have done our best, although not necessarily the best.  This competition is our attempt to learn and measure the extent of our capacity through an objective assessment. At the same time, it's an opportunity for self-improvement. Furthermore, from here we can map the strengths and weaknesses and evaluate the things that still need to be improved.   

JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – On this occasion, Fajriyah shared about the dynamics and experiences of managing Pertamina’s communications during the pandemic. According to her, the pandemic has become a momentum for Pertamina's Corporate Communication Division to carry out many transformations and innovations in communication.  Apart from managing communication during the pandemic, Fajriyah's career journey is no less interesting to follow. Prior to becoming the captain of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajriyah was the President Director of PT Elnusa Trans Samudera, a subsidiary of PT Elnusa Tbk. She also has experience as Head of Investor Relations and VP of Corporate Secretary of PT Elnusa Tbk. However, if we look back, her experience as an English teacher is no less important in building self-confidence and honing her competence in public speaking. To Ratna Kartika and Aisyah Salsabila from PR INDONESIA, she told her story.    How are you? How is your health?  I’m healthy, alhamdulillah [thank God].  The pandemic has been going on for a year. To what extent has this pandemic impacted Pertamina?  The pandemic has certainly had a significant impact, not only on Pertamina, the energy sector, but also all industries in Indonesia, as well as the world. In fact, throughout the 2020 pandemic, the oil and gas sector experienced a triple shock. First, there has been an extraordinary decline in demand, especially since the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) were implemented, where almost everyone is working from home. In big cities, the decline could reach 50 percent. On average, the demand for the energy sector has decreased by around 25 percent in a year.   Second, fluctuations in world oil prices which once reached their lowest point in April and May 2020. This condition certainly has an impact on all global energy companies, especially the oil and gas sector. Third, the exchange rate of the rupiah against the dollar had depreciated. This condition is very influential for Pertamina, remembering most of the expenditures/costs are Pertamina in dollars, but earnings in rupiah. This causes a gap. 

JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – Interestingly, Pujo who was met virtually by PR INDONESIA on Saturday (6/2/2021) is known for his marketing communication knowledge. He is known as a figure who often combines or collaborates marketing communications theories and principles in PR practice. One of them is integrated marketing communication which in communication activities becomes an integrated media campaign.  There are many breakthroughs, messages, and expectations that he shared for the next generation of PR. To Ratna Kartika, Pujo told his story.  How are you?  I’m good, alhamdulillah [thank God]. May we all always be happy and in good condition.  We must. Because happiness is good for our immune system. You are currently carrying out the mandate from the company as the VP of Corporate Communication of Telkom. What was your concern when you received this mandate?  Thank you (for the question). Actually, communication is nothing new for me. Because I have been in the world of public relations for more than ten years. Apart from managing PR at Telkom for eight years, I have also managed marketing communications and PR in Telkom’s subsidiaries for approximately three years. However, being VP Corporate Communications of Telkom is a big responsibility.  As we know, Telkom is a state-owned telecommunications company, it’s publicly traded, and also the largest telecommunication company in Southeast Asia. As a public company, there are many things that we must pay attention to and maintain. One of them is investor psychology and our suitability in communication and providing information to them. Because, the key to business is to ensure that investors and stakeholders are happy with the performance, image, and reputation of the company.  Therefore, the management decided to make improvements to the organizational structure, especially in the body of public communication. Corporate Communication, which was previously under the Corporate Secretary, is now separated into Corporate Communication and Investor Relations, directly under the President Director.  

JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – Friday (15/1/2021), PR INDONESIA had the opportunity to get to know her more deeply. It turns out that, behind her calm figure, the woman who pursued her master's degree in Corporate Communication from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia is known to be active and tends to be able to multitask.  She is also a person who has sincerity, perseverance and has a strong will. The proof is that Sari who originally aspired to follow in the footsteps of her late father to become a doctor chose to take the courageous decision, together with her partner, to establish ID COMM. The goal was not just to take advantage of potential niches to provide strategic support, communication, and public relations programs, but also to be a part of real change through communication. To Ratna Kartika from PR INDONESIA, Sari told her story.     The COVID-19 pandemic has also had an impact on the activities of PR consultants. What are the dynamics of ID COMM and local PR agencies in general at this time? What was the biggest challenge you felt?  As is the case all over the world, and as evidenced by the various studies I presented recently at the PR INDONESIA Outlook 2021 forum, communication and public relations practitioners, especially consultants in Indonesia, are currently working in a very flexible fashion and pattern.  We are one of the professional groups that can survive and continue to work effectively and productively even in the midst of social restrictions. For almost one year or so, we hardly ever go to the office and work remotely with the whole team and clients. This proves that we can work with a plug-and-play style. 

JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – Early February 2020, Ayu, as Agustini is known, carried a new mandate as the Head of the Communication Bureau replacing Guntur Sakti. For her, the world of communication or public relations (PR) is nothing new. She holds a master's degree in Communication Science from the University of Indonesia (UI) in 2004.  However, many do not know that Ayu was previously an engineer. She chose to change the direction of studying Communication Science with the belief that this knowledge will make her much more developed both personally and career-wise.   Sure enough, during her 20 years career as a state servant at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, she has changed positions 15 times. Ayu is the most sought-after figure when her agency needs a state civil apparatus with a background in Communication Studies. Hence, she became rich with experience. She is involved in many activities. Starting from marketing communication to Indonesia's tourism branding strategy.  In the midst of her incredibly busy schedule, to Ratna Kartika, Rizka Vardya, and Rukmi Hapsari from PR INDONESIA, she told her story—exactly one hour before entering another virtual meeting agenda. Here is the excerpt. 

Indra Ardiyanto, Head of Integration and Communication GGF    JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO – At that time, besides bringing home the trophy to the company where he worked, we also awarded Indra as Insan PR INDONESIA at the 2019 JAMPIRO event in Bali.  Last Monday, November 16, we had the opportunity to get to know him better by a video call. There are many stories that have brought Indra, the “engineer", to becoming a "communicator" — a world that never crossed his radar when he was still in school. Maybe Indra is the only PR in the country who has ever built a building.  Even so, Indra who pursued his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Malang has already gained experience as a PR in many cross-sectors. Starting from telecommunications, pulp, and paper, to the most recent one, the food, agriculture, and livestock sectors.  At the end of last year, Indra moved from PT RAPP to Great Giant Food (GGF). He was appointed as Head of Integration and Communications GGF. He took the offer due to several factors, including new challenges, being able to be together more with his family in Jakarta, and have more time to complete his doctoral program. Understandably, previously he often is placed at the regional office. To Ratna Kartika from PR INDONESIA, Indra tells his story. 

JAKARTA, PRINDONESIA.CO –  Even though he has been serving as Director of the BI Communication Department for only 1.3 years, the man who recently won the Gold award for the Insan PR INDONESIA in the JAMPIRO# 6 event did not feel the least bit awkward. According to him, even though he is still new in the world of communication, communication has become an essential part of his daily life.  To Ratna Kartika from PR INDONESIA, the man who has a bachelor degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Lampung and a master degree in Public Communication Policy from the University of Indonesia conveyed the dynamics, strategies and innovations of the BI Communication Department during the pandemic, including tips on building relationships with Ministries/Agencies and the parliament. Here’s the excerpt.  What kind of communication strategy was carried out by the BI Communication Department during the pandemic?  At Bank Indonesia, particularly the Communication Department, there are four instruments needed to shape and direct public expectations and achieve effective communication that is in accordance with the direction of the BI Governor, such as the main message, communication targets, communication media, and the frequency of intense communication.  These four things are important and become our main concern at the BI Communication Department.