Reaching out to people through blogs

Nearly 100 bloggers get together for a meet-up.

ISLAMABAD:

Nearly 100 bloggers and media persons got together at a local restaurant on Friday for a meet-up. The agenda for the meeting, set up by Telenor, was how to utilise electric media to bridge the gap between advertising, corporate social responsibility and the impact of telecommunication in people’s lives.

“We consider blogging as an accessible medium for people to connect with our corporation so we can engage them. It allows free dialogue between consumers and producers,” said Telenor’s Assistant Communications Manager Sohaib Mustafa.

He added, however, that the company’s efforts to form a healthy relationship with bloggers were not just for advertising, but also for raising awareness and broadcasting the company’s corporate social responsibility practices.

Telenor Corporate Manager Irfan Haider, while speaking on social responsibility, said telecommunications can play an active role in disaster mitigation. “If a flood is expected, we can inform people through SMS in advance or provide information on relief activities if a disaster has already occurred,” he explained.

Hamd, a 32-year-old blogger, said he has been blogging for 10 years and believes corporate blogs are essential for a blogger’s survival as they guarantee a substantial income.

“Blogging for a corporation is beneficial for both parties, but one should agree with the company’s policies, while companies should be responsible in what they do. They should give back to the society and treat their employees well,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2012.