Founders
Gerard Ong, Managing Director
In his capacity as the Managing Director of Foreword Communications, Gerard’s primary role is to counsel clients on PR strategies and implement communications programmes for better brand recall and awareness of client capabilities, products and solutions in the marketplace.
Gerard has spearheaded and directed PR programmes for local and international companies and global brand names. They include Epson, Haworth Inc., Hewitt Associates, InBev, GES International, Linear Technology, Novell, Molex, Pfizer Inc, Palm Resort Golf and Country Club, Prima, Northwest Airline, RSA Security, Singapore Furniture Industries Council, The Law Society, Tuas Power Supply, Unitor and Wellcome.
He is the company’s lead trainer on media-related issues, crisis management and crisis communications. He has lectured or conducted workshops for senior management from Cadence Design Systems, Digiland, Hewitt Associates, Honda Diracc, Menlo Worldwide, Novell Inc, Nike, Pfizer, Singapore Furniture Industries Council and Tuas Power Supply on crisis management, reputation management and crisis communications.
Gerard has also played the lead in the management of crisis issues for clients.
Prior to setting up Foreword Communications, he served in various command and staff appointments in the Singapore Armed Forces where he was responsible for major restructuring projects and policies. A graduate of the Singapore Command and Staff College, Gerard is a retired Lieutenant Colonel.
Cecilia Tan, Executive Director
Prior to setting up Foreword Communications in 1991, Cecilia worked with YWA-Edelman, before moving over to Edelman PR Worldwide when the company established its Singapore office in 1989.
Cecilia spearheaded major PR campaigns for pharmaceutical companies such as Wellcome for Zovirax and Pfizer for the launch of the blockbuster drug, Viagra. Her astute knowledge of health and pharmaceutical issues, familiarity with macro health matters and medical campaign tactics greatly enhanced the visibility and profile of both drugs among doctors and potential patients.
Since 1997, Cecilia has also directed and managed numerous PR-related events for international and local companies on the petrochemical hub of Jurong Island. Her clients include Air Products, BASELL Eastern, Croda Singapore, Lonza Singapore, Mitsui Bisphenol Singapore, Mitsui Elastomers Singapore, Mitsui Phenol Singapore, Poval Asia, Oiltanking Singapore, Rotary Engineering, Singapore Syngas and Teijin Polycarbonate Singapore. Her organisational ability and close working ties with the Singapore Economic Development Board and JTC Corporation ensured the success of the projects on the island.
She was also responsible for directing the publicity programmes for Business Trends, Novell, Schering-Plough and Ty Asia. Cecilia was in the PR team, which was largely responsible for GES’ successful IPO on the Singapore Exchange. Her strategies and tactics for GES’ corporate branding exercise in the lead-up to its listing greatly enhanced the company’s positioning in the market.
A creative PR strategist with a keen eye for minute details, Cecilia has always succeeded in formulating clever and innovative initiatives and programmes to achieve maximum media mileage. Cecilia currently directs and supervises major accounts and projects in the Company.
