On March 12, 2026, Truescope Singapore, in partnership with the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS), hosted an intimate, closed-door leadership session at the Social Bar & Bistro. The evening brought together over 70 senior leaders from the public sector and enterprise to discuss the evolving role of communications in a data-saturated world.
Recasting the Value of Public Relations (PR)
For decades, the communications profession has centered its core competencies on storytelling and "packaging the message". However, in a post-truth world increasingly defined by data analytics, the industry faces a pivotal opportunity to elevate its role. The discussion explored how PR can recast its value proposition around the governance of truth, utilising strategy and data to mitigate risks before they alienate stakeholders or impact the balance sheet.
Highlights from the Panel: Strategic Takeaways
Moderated by David Ko (Founder, Humantyze), the panel featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders exploring the intersection of data, reputation, and the boardroom.
- David Ko (Founder, Humantyze): David moderated the dialogue around the transition from reactive monitoring to proactive strategic influence. He emphasised the rising importance of "reputation capital" and the need for Chief Communications Officers to hold a permanent seat in senior decision-making bodies.
- Terence Quek (Former CEO, Singapore Institute of Directors): Speaking from a fiduciary perspective, Terence highlighted that boards focus on long-term "license to operate" and risk management. He advocated for communications as a strategic enabler, noting that boards increasingly seek data that supports informed debate on reputation and ethical conduct.
- Julie Yeo (Managing Director, UBS Southeast Asia): Julie grounded the conversation in in-house realities, illustrating how AI-driven data allows for targeted advice on building trust. She emphasised the importance of translating communications data into the language of business and risk to resonate with executive management.
- Kelvin Koh (Managing Director, Truescope Singapore): Kelvin addressed the evolution of measurement, urging a shift from tactical metrics like volume to higher-order indicators such as operational risk signals. He noted that while AI excels at "early detection," human expertise remains essential for interpreting complex narrative trends.
A Night of Strategic Exchange
Beyond the technical discussions, the event served as a high-level networking platform for CXOs and Directors to align communications, marketing, and corporate strategy teams. As noted during the session, "PR deserves a seat on the board, and data is the currency that keeps it there".
Truescope remains committed to the development of the profession and providing the essential intelligence that guides high-level decisions. We extend our gratitude to Ross Gan, Head of President of IPRS and our esteemed panelists for a fascinating evening of insights.
See how you can get more signals and insights from your media intelligence platform
