Rock stars of communication

Fourteen leaders from different government, corporate, and academic institutions were feted with the 2015 CEO EXCEL Award, the highest recognition given to top-level executives in the Philippines for their effective and exemplary use of communication in t

During their concert last September 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, it’s no wonder why the members of Maroon 5 are such big rock stars these days. Aside from the undoubtedly catchy beats and tunes they’ve popularized such as “This Love”, “She Will Be Loved”, “Moves Like Jagger”, “Payphone” and “Animals”, the band also has an effective public relations strategy.

Lead singer Adam Levine alone appears as one of the coaches of the talent search The Voice, giving him the persona of a kind- hearted yet rigorous voice coach. And the band seems to handle success pretty well, without so much as attracting controversy unlike other rock stars.

Since the band was propelled to fame in 2002, they’ve become a household name for epitomizing what a sexy yet relatively wholesome rock band is. Their songs made a mark on the consciousness of a millenial generation and defined the music of the decade that was the 2000s.

Speaking of other rock stars, we’ve heard of one-hit wonders, who, after a chart-topping track or two, have faded to obscurity, unless that star (or stars) figure in a squabble or scandal of some sort.

But the term ‘ rock star’ doesn’t just apply to head- banging or charttopping musicians and performers, said International Association of Business Communicators ( IABC) Philippines president Kane Errol Choa. According to him, it also applies to people who effectively and efficiently used communication as a tool to motivate and mobilize organizations, groups, companies, and institutions into action that inspires change.

“The term ‘rock star’ is also used to describe someone who is influential, has won the admiration of many, contributed much in his or her field, and will be remembered by generations. To be one, you have to embrace change, champion excellence, and value your people,” he explained.

It is these ‘rock stars of communication’ Choa is referring to, that were awarded in the recently concluded 2015 CEO ( Communication Excellence in Organizations) EXCEL Awards, held at the Hotel Inter-Continental in Makati City.

The award, conferred by IABC Philippines since 2005, is awarded to toplevel executives, CEOs, and organization leaders in the country for their effective and efficient use of communication in their respective organizations.

This year ’ s CEO EXCEL Awards Organizing Committee, headed by its chairperson, Meralco AVP and Public Information Office head Joe Zaldarriaga, feted 14 leaders from different government, corporate, and academic institutions with the prestigious recognition.

“Tonight, we are all bound by one call to leadership and communication, two inseparable elements that make our 14 awardees a cut above the rest. ‘Nation Building through Communication,’ this year’s theme, speaks of the noble aspiration of mission. A collective purpose to mean something in the truest sense to move our country forward,” said IABC Philippines chairperson and IABC International executive board director Ritzi Villarico Ronquillo.

The 14 leaders were noted, not just for their strategic corporate leadership both in crisis and fair weather, but also for their exemplary approach to communicating with people within their organizations, for their far- reaching and practical vision, and their commitment to affecting positive change to communities and individuals served by their organizations.

Read on to the next pages to learn more about this year’s CEO EXCEL awardees.