e27 has been nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Contributor Programme offers a platform for sharing unique insights.
As part of our ‘Contributor Spotlight’ series, we shine a spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.
In this episode, we feature Ivy Nhi Chau, CEO and Founder of Ivy+Partners, a culture-focused PR firm in Vietnam. With nearly a decade of experience, she leads a team delivering integrated communication campaigns for local and international brands.
Thoughts, goals, and journey
Before founding Ivy+Partners, Chau held leadership roles in PR at leading media publications in Vietnam, including YAN, Vietcetera, and other regional PR firms, where she gained extensive experience in media engagement and partnerships. During this time, she noticed a recurring challenge among Vietnamese startups and foreign businesses: the need for accessible, affordable, and tailored PR solutions for market entry and expansion, which inspired her to establish Ivy+Partners.
“My professional goal is to position Ivy+Partners as the go-to PR partner for a diverse range of clients, from established corporations to emerging startups, from business leaders to creative artists,” she said. “We aim to make PR more accessible, offer customised packages, and, most importantly, dispel common misconceptions that PR is complex, expensive, and manipulative. Our goal is to help brands create real impact in their community and business through the power of PR.”
“On a personal level, I’m driven to change how the traditional PR landscape works by fostering a deeper understanding of communication’s power. My vision is to support as many people in need of PR as possible, creating shared value for all stakeholders involved,” she added.
Chau’s expertise lies in Communications. In recent years, she has observed a rapidly growing ecosystem of startups in Southeast Asia, along with an increasing demand for effective communication strategies. Traditionally, many believe that PR is only necessary at specific stages of business growth—such as launching a business, entering a new market, or reaching maturity. However, Chau emphasises that startups need PR at every stage, as communication is a continuous and evolving process.
She remarked, “The field of Communications has become incredibly diverse, encompassing online and offline strategies, social campaigns, PR initiatives, influencer marketing, video production, personal branding, and many more. With the rise of tools like AI or virtual events, the industry is constantly evolving, requiring professionals to continually update their skills and adapt to the new landscape.”
The driving force
“My passion for reading and writing runs deep,” she said. “You might be surprised to know that one of my first jobs was as a Content Writer at a media company and an Editor Intern at a fashion magazine. Over time, I’ve become more connected to the tech startup community, and I understand the critical need for accessible and practical industry news and information. By contributing to e27, I aim to connect with like-minded individuals to share, learn, and spread valuable insights to the community.”
Advice for budding thought leaders
Chau advises thought leaders to embrace the classic call to action: “Start today!” She emphasises that the key is to “start with something simple.”
Her recommendation is to begin by selecting a sustainable platform, creating short, meaningful content, leveraging AI tools, and learning from others. She reminds aspiring leaders that communication is a two-way street—by offering value to others, they can steadily build their personal brand and work toward achieving larger goals.
Juggling too many things?
Chau believes that balancing requires reflecting, breaking down, and rewarding:
- Focus on working smarter, not harder. Identify areas for improvement.
- When faced with a huge goal or a demanding plan, break it down into manageable pieces.
- Spend 30 minutes at the beginning of the day to organise your to-do list; it will save you hours of struggle later. She usually breaks it into: urgent tasks, tasks that need focus-time work by herself, teamwork tasks, new ideas… And once the plan is set, try to stick to it without delay or compromise.
- Give yourself small rewards to stay motivated.
Staying in the loop
“As a communicator, staying informed about my industry is essential to my daily routine,” Chau said. “I regularly follow relevant media outlets, social media channels, and key opinion leaders to keep my knowledge current. It’s crucial to view issues from multiple perspectives and listen to other audiences and the community. In today’s world, anyone can be a valuable source of information and inspiration.”
For staying informed, she recommends:
- PRWeek: Offers comprehensive coverage of PR trends, campaigns, and best practices.
- The Drum: Provides news, opinion pieces, and case studies on PR, digital marketing, and brand strategy.
- Marketing Interactive: Focuses on news and insights in marketing, including PR, within the Asia-Pacific region.
- For additional industry insights, she suggests checking reports by DecisionLab.
“Everything is content, and everyone can be a content creator!” Chau concluded. “We’re living in a golden age of content creation where every experience or idea has the potential to engage others. You don’t need to be a professional to create meaningful content; your unique perspective is valuable. With the tools and platforms available, don’t be afraid to share your voice and connect with others—you never know who you might inspire.”
Take a look at her articles here for more information and perspectives on her expertise.
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The post Ivy Nhi Chau: The CEO making PR accessible and impactful in Vietnam and beyond appeared first on e27.