Most journalists engage in public relations when they retire or take a break from the tense and tedious newspaper work. But a leading PR expert today who pioneered a stakeholders relations firm is a not a journalist but a diplomat.

Junie del Mundo, managing director of EON, served the department of Foreign Affairs hobnobbing with the world’s heads of states and dignitaries for 13 years before he finally found his place in the Philippines’ public relations industry. He was posted at the Philippine Embassy in Paris, France with concurrent accreditation to Portugal and UNESCO. “I needed a landing place after my diplomatic stint. I decided to do things on my own and put up EON in 1998,” del Mundo says.

At the time, EON, which stood for Events Organizer Network, handled events for corporations with only 5 employees and initial capital of P1million. But after 11 years in the business , EON today has evolved and grown into a leading public relations firm with 50 people offering a wide range of services-stakeholders relations, media relations, issue risk management, community relations, advocacy, online communication campaign, and interactive digital communications. EON is also the Philippine affiliate of Edelman PR, the largest global independent PR network.

Indeed, being a former diplomat has served Junie del Mundo well in public relations. He is always well groomed in crisp long sleeve shirt, tailored trousers, and appropriate tie. He knows many people in society-government, business, and media. He speaks communication is a powerful tool in creating positive changes in society. But he distinguishes his PR firm from the rest of the pack by helping its clients build mutually beneficial trust-based relationships with their stakeholders.

Del Mundo says: “ We’re selling ideas. We have the creativity and ingenuity to lead the market.”

With multinational corporations as main clients-8 out of 10 of EON’s clients are multinationals-and 50 accounts, EON’s reported revenues of P48million in 2008. “This year our goal is to reach P53million in revenues, as we continue to serve the needs of the market,” del Mundo says. “We have kept growing steadily. We haven’t felt the impact of the crisis.” Among its clients are the Asian Development Bank, DHL, Shell and Exxon Mobil.

EON’s clients have kept coming mainly because the PR firm creates communication services for the specific needs of clients. Moreover, it plans to put up specialized units within the company next year such as pharmaceuticals, mining, energy exploration, and logistics in order to customize its offerings to these industries.

Del Mundo believes as EON grows, it must focus on three areas-finance, marketing and business development, and human resources. These areas, he says, are the pillars of the company’s growth. He says, ”I believe a company will succeed if it has a strong and stable finance, aggressive marketing and business development, and excellent human resources. That’s cash flow, clients and brain power.”

Today, he is actively sharing his insights on the role of corporate social responsibility in building reputation and promoting sustainable relationships with stakeholders in business organizations such as the Management Association of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club. He is also vice president of hands On Manila, where he advocates the power of sharing one’s personal time to do volunteer work in bringing about change in the community.

Ambition is a good thing, especially when it is aligned with the desire to improve not only one’s lot but the community as well. EON wants to promote a “more progressive future” for the country, through one of its various advocacies, “Branding the Philippines.” This advocacy is “rooted firmly in the belief that the country’s greatest asset and most effective brand ambassador to the rest of the world is its people. It promotes the belief that the Filipinos can be summed up in 4 C’s: colorful, caring, creative and collaborative,” EON’s website says.

Through articles, speaking engagements and other forums that the PR firm participates in, it consciously reiterates the values of the Filipino people, “in hope that the sooner Filipinos live and breathe this advocacy, the sooner the world will follow.”

Lifted from : Entrepreneur December 2009 Issue

Article by: Jimbo Owen B Gulli with Marie Anne Fajardo, Kendrick S. Go, Mishell M. Malabaguio, Tino Pamintuan

Photos by: At Makulangan