Azlan: ‘Our core products are news and content. We believe that the print is here to stay and will still be relevant as a reliable source of information.’
It unveils new logo and marketing plans to promote the print newspaper industry
THE Malaysian Newspaper Publishers Association (MNPA), which has unveiled its new logo, is adamant to be more aggressive in its role as a well-respected platform of the industry in keeping abreast with the evolving landscape, engaging more young minds and as a united establishment for its players.
The new logo was created through a competition in collaboration with Inti International University and Colleges in line with one of the association’s key initiatives to attract more young readers.
The winner, Ong Rui Hong, a graphic design diploma student at Inti was presented an award trophy and a token of appreciation by MNPA earlier this week.
MNPA chairman Datuk Mohammad Azlan Abdullah says the new logo reflected the way forward for MNPA to be more progressive in the challenging media industry especially for print newspapers.
“Our core products are news and content. We believe that the print is here to stay and will still be relevant as a reliable source of information, albeit it is evolving to be a more premium platform.
“Going forward, we have to be more flexible to explore numerous digital platforms similar to other consumer products available online or in apps.
“Besides investment in technology, we also have to focus on content quality to suit the changing readers’ demand as well as the advertisers too,” he told the press after MNPA exco meeting followed by launching of the new logo and award presentation to the winner recently.
Azlan is also The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd chief executive officer.
Azlan says MNPA has started to get the ball rolling by undertaking a few initiatives that has not been done for quite some time.
“So far, we have conducted a couple of seminars in addressing some key issues affecting the industry supported by other related bodies such as Association of Accredited Advertising Agents of Malaysia (4As) and Advertisers Association (2As).
“We have also dedicated committee members to engage with other stakeholders such as related government bodies for the benefit of the industry. And we have lined up a few events going into next year,” he says.
Azlan points out that although MNPA existed since 1971, its establishment is still unknown to many.
“That’s why now we have our own branding and marketing sub-committee to carry out promotions initiatives. Many publishers especially in Sabah and Sarawak are still not members of MNPA and we now have sub-committee on membership drive as well.
“Last but not least, we have an array of initiatives in the pipeline to educate industry players on the latest trends and technology – we should be united and not operating in silos,” he says.
Inti Nilai Campus head of career services Rahula Weladavi lauds MNPA’s effort to include the education sector in their key initiative to strengthen the engagement of young minds in the newspaper industry.
“This is in line with our mission to be closer to the industry as well as innovative learning experience where through this collaboration, we are able to bring the industry to the classroom,” he says.
MNPA membership currently stands at 18 members with 36 publications. The other two MNPA key office bearers include honorary secretary and chairman of branding and promotions committee Calvin Kan King Seong who is also the group chief operating officer of Star Media Group Bhd
as well as MNPA honorary treasurer Liew Sam Ngan who is also the group chief executive officer and chief operating officer of The China Press Bhd.
The other council members are Eugene Wong from Sin Chew Media, Pattrik Ting Ching Dong from See Hua Daily and Steven Chan from Sabah Publishing House.
