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Clarity

Roberto De Vido

Kanagawa, Japan

Communications consultant with over 20 years experience in Asia (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kyoto, Tokyo), founding and managing three independent market-leading communications agencies, specializing separately in high-tech/telecoms public relations, local language custom publishing (one of the first independent publishing agencies to obtain a license to do business in mainland China), and Asia-Pacific-focused public affairs.

Over the years have worked on a wide range of communications issues throughout the Asia-Pacific region for clients including Microsoft, adidas, Apple Computer, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Reuters, Sony Pictures, Toyota Motor Corporation, Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros.

Have broad experience developing and delivering communications on a wide range of platforms, integrating text and graphics to maximize impact; experience advising global organizations on communications and lobbying strategy; organizing events (e.g. film production workshops for heads of Chinese movie studios; community leaders forum focused on post-tsunami reconstruction in northern Japan); and developing graphical storytelling projects for relief/aid organizations (e.g. Medecins Sans Frontieres, Second Harvest Japan).

$1.67/min

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Business Development China Storytelling Negotiation Strategic Communications Intercultural Communication Asia Pacific Japanese market Visual Storytelling Strategic Public Relations Planning

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Multi-Lingual Custom Publishing in Asia-Pacific

In 1996, I founded a communications agency providing comprehensive local language (we published in around 10 languages) professional print and Web publishing services to organizations focused on the Greater China and Asia-Pacific markets.

My first clients were Microsoft (I published the Hong Kong edition of Microsoft Magazine) and Hongkong Telecom (now PCCW); other clients included ABN AMRO, American Express, Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Tourist Board, Marriott Group, Reuters and Walt Disney Company.

I eventually opened a Shanghai office, becoming the first company in the industry to have a mainland China office (and business license!), and during the first 12 months of operation there, landed 12 new clients in a market in which our company and our industry were unknown.

Asia/Pacific Public Relations/Public Affairs

For over 20 years I have lived and worked in Asia (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kyoto, Tokyo), founding and managing three independent market-leading communications agencies, specializing separately in high-tech/telecoms public relations, local language custom publishing (one of the first independent publishing agencies to obtain a license to do business in mainland China), and Asia-Pacific-focused public affairs.

I have broad experience developing and delivering communications on a wide range of platforms, integrating text and graphics to maximize impact; experience advising global organizations on communications and lobbying strategy; organizing events (e.g. film production workshops for heads of Chinese movie studios; community leaders forum focused on post-tsunami reconstruction in northern Japan); and developing graphical storytelling projects for relief/aid organizations (e.g. Medecins Sans Frontieres, Second Harvest Japan).

I have also worked as a television commentator broadcasting two Olympic Games, produced and directed videos about copyright in India and Japan, and managed research projects in China via the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Graphical Storytelling

Several years ago I started working with NPOs to help them better tell their stories (something many NPOs are not great at). Above is linked a book-length comic I created about the work of Medecins Sans Frontieres in the Congo, and I have created a series of comics for de facto national food bank Second Harvest Japan. I have lectured at Sophia University in Tokyo and at the Apple Store Ginza in Tokyo about this method of storytelling (which is quite a bit like movie storyboarding). Storytelling engages audiences, draws them in, makes them care. And can be used to prompt them to donate, buy, renew, understand, approve and cooperate.

http://hayatoofkabizo.blogspot.jp/

Intellectual Property Rights in Asia-Pacific

For several years I served as de facto Asia-Pacific regional public relations director for international operations of Motion Picture Association of America, representing Hollywood movie studios’ interests overseas, including market access lobbying and intellectual property rights enforcement and education.

• Developed and implemented communications strategy for key markets (Japan, China)
• Oversaw public relations activities in all markets (13 countries)
• Managed local agency relationships and projects
• Wrote speeches and managed media regionally for MPA CEO and COO
• Developed and implemented education initiatives in China, Japan, India, New Zealand

I also started to wonder what young Asian people really thought about copyright, i.e. what the problem was. The MPAA didn't seem to have any information on that, so I undertook to make a short video of interviews with Indian university students and film industry people, plus a law professor. Afterwards, I turned the video into a comic book, which was then distributed to tens of thousands of Indian university students. Later, on a much smaller scale, I recreated the same video project in Japan, interviewing Japanese university students.

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Reviews

Communicate was acquired by Appelberg Publishing Agency and I had the pleasure to work with Roberto first as an independent partner and later as president of an acquired subsidiary,. He is an excellent analyst, marketer, businessman and manager. In addition, he is an outstanding writer and publisher, who is always accurate in his reporting and always delivers in time. He is an unusually helpful person and it is fun to work with him.

Olle Appelberg Source: LinkedIn

I have worked with Roberto De Vido for many years and have been consistently impressed by his ability to get to the heart of something, no matter how complicated, think it through and communicate it in a way that is clear, concise and compelling. Roberto has many great qualities. I have seen him run his own businesses, consult for other businesses, teach, edit and write. I would work with him again without hesitation and I would recommend him without reservation for a host of business project types.

Jay Shaw Source: LinkedIn

Roberto is unique. His no-nonsense, direct communication style is confronting (in a good way). He challenges your assumptions, questions the status quo and provides innovative ways to gain exposure. He is extremely bright, worldly and genuine. I would be delighted to work with Roberto again and highly recommend his work.

Nick McNaughton Source: LinkedIn

Roberto's passion and creativity are two of his exceptional qualities. While we initially paid for his services last year, he continually gave back far more than I could have ever imagined. He made several trips to the disaster area and spent numerous hours with my staff in Tokyo to make sure he got the pictures he needed and his information was correct. His dedication to getting the story right and positive attitude was deeply appreciated even when it meant multiple revisions of minor points showed how professional he is.

Roberto continúes providing pro bono services to our organization and his input has greatly helped us get our story across in a new and creative way that speaks to our Japanese audience. While he has a wealth of professional experience to draw on, he is not afraid to hear new pitches and ideas from myself and staff. This openness to new ideas makes him easy to work with.

McJilton Charles Source: LinkedIn

Member since October 2013