Public Relations and Publicity

The Information and Public Relations Section (IPRS) plays an instrumental role in the dissemination of information and the promotion of the Department's services, facilities and programmes. To boost media coverage and increase the transparency of the Department's work, the IPRS issued 2 229 press releases, arranged 102 press visits, and hosted 91 press conferences and media briefings during the 2009-10 year.

The IPRS plays a key role in disseminating information about the Department to the public and in promoting the Department's services, facilities and programmes.

To facilitate media coverage of Department events and activities, the IPRS issues press releases, hosts press visits, and arranges press conferences and briefings throughout the year.

The IPRS is also responsible for the planning and implementation of the Department's promotional campaigns, and serves as the executive agent and co-ordinator for the advertising of departmental events. The Section also provides creative and photographic service support for the production of publications and publicity materials, such as posters, outdoor displays, exhibitions, and television and radio announcements and commercials.

The major publications produced during the year include an e-version of the Department's Annual Report, which outlines its functions and development; a quarterly staff bulletin aimed at enhancing internal relations amongst the Department's 9 260 staff members; and a magazine designed to promote community sports participation and cultivate a sense of belonging amongst the Community Sports Clubs.

To reach out to the ever-increasing Internet population, the Department maintains an informative website that provides the public with firsthand information on its many services, facilities, and leisure and cultural programmes. Publications, application forms and tender notices are also available on the website. With a total of 352 245 161 page views in 2009-10, the Department's website ranks fifth amongst all government websites in Hong Kong. Weekly highlights of major activities in the form of an e-magazine are also emailed directly to subscribers, whose numbers had reached 175 660 by the end of the financial year.

The Hong Kong 2009 EAG, the first international multi-sport games ever held in Hong Kong, took place from December 5 to 13, 2009. Prior to the event, a series of promotional activities were held to raise the general public's awareness of Hong Kong as the EAG host city and to generate greater support for the games. Dynamic performances by cultural groups from around the region, organised under the theme of 'Cultural EAG' and taking place throughout the city, provided a spectacular backdrop to the Hong Kong 2009 EAG. The IPRS joined hands with colleagues from the LCSD and relevant government departments/organisations to promote and publicise these events and programmes with a view to encouraging mass community participation and enhancing regional cultural exchanges.

Advertising and publicity plans for the Department's major campaigns and events are co-ordinated and implemented by the IPRS.

In the event of such emergencies as typhoons, IPRS officers are deployed to operate the Emergency Information Centre and issue announcements to keep the public informed of the current status of LCSD programmes and activities.