Samsung PR chief named ‘PR person of the year’

Samsung Group’s communications chief Rhee In-yong was picked as the “public relations person of the year” by the Korea PR Association this week.

As the executive vice president of Samsung’s communications team, Rhee has enhanced the group’s image through transparent communication efforts, said the association.

He is also noted for strengthening the role of social media within the group, offering various communication channels, according to the association.

The association has been awarding the “Korean Public Relations Award” since 1993 as a way to develop the public relations industry.

Rhee, 54, joined Samsung Electronics in 2005 as a manager of public relations after serving as a former reporter for public broadcasting network MBC. He was tapped to lead the Samsung Group’s communications team later in 2009.

Since he took charge of the group’s PR arm, he has worked to widen the communications channels for the country’s largest conglomerate, focusing on overseas media outlets. The group also uses diverse SNS communication tools such as Twitter and Facebook to make their activities public.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Seoul on Nov. 22.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)