[This is a sponsored article with Ariff Communications.]
For this boutique PR company, a query they usually get is, “Who’s Ariff?”
In spite of everything, plenty of companies, like Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, and Hill & Knowlton, are named after their founders.
However KL-based Ariff Communications wasn’t named after anybody on the staff, however somebody who deeply impressed them: the late Muhammad Ariff Ahmad, an instructional professor at College Malaya, and a literary and cultural icon recognized for championing the humanities and preserving heritage.
Very like the late professor whose verses have left an indelible mark on Malaysian tradition, Ariff Communications was based in July 2017 on the assumption that storytelling ought to be the soul of each technique.
And so, with a background in PR and advertising, Aisya Hashim launched the company to bridge the hole between creativity and communications.
Eight years in, the company companions with international and regional names, together with Crimson Bull (Product of Europe), Aesop, Twitter, Luno, BIMB Funding, Ninja Van and extra, to craft tales that resonate and transfer audiences, whereas delivering outcomes throughout industries.
Reducing by way of the noise
When Aisya first began Ariff Communications, the company was targeted on servicing manufacturers within the arts, tradition, and vogue house that was usually missed. However over time, the staff expanded, together with its capabilities.
Aizat Hazwan introduced technical depth from his background in tech and product; whereas Naif Shazili, who has a legislation background and beforehand labored at Leo Burnett Malaysia, introduced a robust skillset involving model constructing, enterprise communications, and dealing with company purchasers.
Collectively, the trio formed Ariff Communications right into a multidisciplinary staff fluent in each nuance and scale.
For instance, recognising that many purchasers favor a single company for each PR and social media, Ariff Communications now presents in-house social media companies to make sure seamless, constant communication throughout platforms.
Matching this enlargement of companies, the company has now grown to cater to firms from numerous industries as a response to each consumer calls for and its personal curiosity.
“We wished to discover completely different verticals and problem ourselves with new narratives.” stated the founder. “On the coronary heart of each model, whether or not it’s in tech, hospitality, finance and property, there’s a narrative to inform.”
Testifying to this, when Twitter wanted to localise its international content material insurance policies, Ariff Communications made advanced moderation tips clear and accessible for native media and stakeholders.
Additional, when Malaysians started utilizing the platform for real-time support coordination throughout the #KitaJagaKita motion, Ariff turned that natural motion into a robust narrative, incomes viral media traction and reinforcing Twitter’s function in community-driven influence.
With Aesop, Ariff Communications moved past typical product promotion by aligning the model with the native inventive group, curating media engagements and partnerships that highlighted its design philosophy, dedication to sensory rituals, and connection to the humanities.
This included inserting Aesop in editorial areas that explored design, tradition, and way of life, positioning the model as a part of broader conversations quite than simply these with the skincare label.
As for Crimson Bull, the company leaned into youth and expertise by securing protection for high-energy occasions just like the Neymar Jr’s 5 soccer event. There was additionally Crimson Bull’s Can You Make It, a continent-crossing journey the place contributors may commerce cans of Crimson Bull for transport and lodging throughout Europe.
The company has additionally gone on to work with BIMB Funding, constructing out a library of sensible, accessible private finance content material, encouraging lower-income Malaysians to discover unit belief investments by way of relatable tales and easy steering.
With a slew of different worldwide purchasers like Qualcomm, BYD, and Toshiba in its repertoire, Ariff Communications appears to have mastered the technique of adapting to cross-cultural expectations and telling international tales to an area viewers.
Giving again to the Malaysian SME group
Regardless of Ariff Communications’ expansive listing of world purchasers, the model nonetheless holds on to its mission of working with impartial native companies throughout the arts and tradition scene.
“Notably, our work with manufacturers like FERN Batik and The Straits Finery allowed us to highlight Malaysian craftsmanship and design on a bigger stage.”
Ariff Communications garnered a lot protection for FERN Batik and The Straits Finery, elevating the model to obtain the eye of assorted media organisations together with The Star, Astro Awani, BFM, Buro Malaysia, and Malaysia Tatler.
“The important thing distinction is intimacy. We’re usually nearer to the founder, the product, the imaginative and prescient. Meaning the stakes are private, and so is the work. Each media win is widely known, every bit of suggestions is taken critically. The sense of goal is palpable.”
Ariff Communications brings the identical professionalism and strategic considering as a result of to the staff, each model deserves to be taken critically no matter its measurement.
“Integrity, curiosity, and care”
Whether or not they’re localising massive, worldwide names or crafting rising manufacturers’ narratives, Ariff Communications has all the time been dedicated to the values that they’ve held on to since its early days as a small consultancy.
“Anybody can declare values. Ours are seen within the small issues, the fervour we put in for each model, the trustworthy suggestions, the additional thought put into each temporary and plan. That’s the place purchasers actually discover.”
Considered one of Ariff Communications’ newest undertakings is organising the 2024 Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Mobility Present (KLIMS), an instance of how the agency continues to diversify its efforts and broaden its capabilities.
Alongside that, the company additionally handles RIUH, a preferred arts and cultural competition underneath the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia. They’ve additionally lately been appointed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which serves as a testomony to its credibility and popularity in offering high-impact work at each nationwide and regional ranges.
“Whether or not it’s launching a product, managing popularity, or making advanced concepts extra relatable, we work carefully with our purchasers to ensure their tales land with the precise folks, in the precise means.”
“Should you’re in search of a staff that’s strategic, collaborative, and genuinely invested in your journey, we’d love to speak.”
“We’re not right here to churn out press releases, chase headlines, or blindly execute a advertising calendar—we’re right here to construct belief, form narratives, and assist manufacturers develop with intention.”
- Study extra about Ariff Communications right here.
- Learn articles we’ve written about different Malaysian companies right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Ariff Communications
