SportSG hands PR remit to Mutant Communications

Sport Singapore (SportSG) has handed its public relations remit to Mutant Communications, according to GeBiz documents seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.The contract will be valid for a year from the start date. 

Mutant Communications will be required to develop communications plans for 'business-as-usual' projects undertaken by SportSG which have been revealed to Mutant Communications upon appointment, according to tender documents.

The agency will help to conceptualise, develop, co-ordinate and implement suitable and effective communications plans to fulfill the communications objectives of the various groups, it said. 

It will also have to support SportSG Strategic Communications and Public Relations (SCPR) Division in the execution of its communications plans and together with SCPR, help to develop communications strategies for SportSG projects, events and initiatives for the stipulated period.

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Additionally, Mutant Communications will have to manage media relations and publicity for SportSG. It will have to engage the media to develop a regular and consistent series of positive stories and generate awareness of SportSG events such as GetActive!SG and  key initiatives such as COS-related announcements and programmes during the time period stated.

The agency will also be tasked to develop key messages, develop a programme-specific communications strategy and to furnish a key message framework for its programmes.  It will also be required to pitch stories to relevant print and broadcast media, draft press materials, identify and manage potential issues and develop talking points or speeches. 

It will also be required to prepare fact sheets of speakers or panelists, collate and prepare press kits, craft photo briefs and organise and manage press conferences and other media events when required.

SportSG is currently targeting all local media including TV and radio channels, newspapers, magazines, alternative media, online and other regional or international media where appropriate.

It will focus on children, youth, families, inclusive sport, sport volunteering, national athletes, industry partnerships, the Sport Green plan, sport heritage and active health.

When SportSG first called for the pitch in June this year, it said that it was looking to have consultants assigned who have over eight years of public relations experience, who are familiar with sport and fitness and who have an established network within the local media.

The news comes shortly after SportSG issued an apology after it mixed up the names of two footballers on a banner that was meant to drum up support for Singapore's national athletes who were competing in at the ongoing SEA games. 

The names of Young Lions Ajay Robson and Muhammad Ryaan Sanizal were swapped in the banner, a mistake which was first noticed by Facebook netizen Aishwariyah Shanmuganathan. In her post, Shanmuganathan noted that the error was "unacceptable".

"These young Singaporean sportsmen have worked so hard to get to where they are, and the minimum we should do is give them the respect and recognition they deserve," she wrote on Facebook. 

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