Riko
Graduate of Business Administration
Joined in 2015
Public Relations
Marketing PR Section
Brand Marketing Strategy Department
Marketing Strategy Division (RMI)
Marketing Division
Rakuten Mobile, Inc.
What are your current responsibilities?
As part of the PR Team for Rakuten Mobile, which boasts the most popular※low-cost SIM card on the market, I publicize the strengths of its services to as many people as possible. I am in charge of writing press releases, distributing information and news across various media, holding press conferences, and handling interviews and inquiries. I do feel nervous at times, since I need to be extra careful not to make any errors because the information I release serves as the official information published by Rakuten and will become available for use by those outside the company. However, I feel very rewarded when the information I developed in close cooperation with management is published in the form of news.
*The above information is from March 31, 2019
What career possibilities are available at Rakuten?
At Rakuten, we have an “approach that values numbers” and a culture of “getting things done.” As long as you can demonstrate these two values to everyone around you, Rakuten’s environment will encourage you to take on challenges regardless of your age or position, which is a major characteristic unique to Rakuten. Thanks to this culture, after I joined the company as a new graduate, I was assigned to a sales position where I handled a major client and smoothly achieved the monthly acquisition target. Later, I transferred to dealing with public relations, which is what I had always wanted to do. Now that I am a part of the public relations team, I am currently aiming to exhibit my contributions through numerical results, including for work not normally evaluated through numbers. For example, I would like to work on an aggressive PR strategy by setting a target that includes a clear numerical value, such as aiming to publish X% more articles than the previous year, which will help boost sales. I am very grateful to be working in an environment where I can take on such challenges and enjoy a fulfilling job.
What do you keep in mind in terms of your attitude toward daily work?
I am always conscious of putting myself in another person’s (a third party’s) shoes. As a public relations professional, I interact with many people both inside and outside the company, including agencies and media representatives. In those moments, to avoid one-sided communication, I try to think about what information the other party needs and devise a way to communicate it to be most effective for everyone involved.
Furthermore, if we can understand the needs of the media while publishing information, plan new opportunities to share information, and bridge the gap with management, we will be able to build a win-win relationship which, in turn, will enable us to deliver our intended messages to as many people as possible.
What does your typical work day look like?
After arriving at the office, I check my schedule and visualiz my day and tasks before starting work. Since I often have to collaborate with other internal teams as well as those outside the company, I check my emails and postings first things in the morning so that I can start my work smoothly. Since I tend to have a lot of meetings with specific people within the company, including within the Public Relations Division, lunch is a valuable chance for me to spend time and exchange information with my colleagues in other departments. It’s great to be able to have lunch with people from other departments in the company. Also, in my private life, I am addicted to dark boxing. After leaving the office, I can refresh myself by moving my body spontaneously, which is opposite to my work, so it is an indispensable habit.
SCHEDULE
- 08:30
- Arrive at the office. Check email and schedule. Report to teams and management as necessary.
- 10:00
- Team meetings. Share and discuss recent PR activities, gather information, and refine the content.
- 12:00
- Lunch in the cafeteria with colleagues. We share information about ongoing work in each other’s departments.
- 13:00
- Meeting to gather information for press releases. Listening sessions from service and product representatives about what they want to communicate.
- 14:00
- Create press releases. Write a press release based on the content from the listening session.
- 15:00
- Regular weekly meeting with management. I have been taught to put my heart and soul into writing press releases since I was first assigned to the company, and I always receive helpful advice.
- 16:00
- The team previews the location for the next press conference. The team inspects the venue while considering how the management team will need to act.
- 18:00
- Leave the office. I refresh myself with dark room boxing classes, which I’ve recently become addicted to. Since joining Rakuten, I’ve made it a habit to make sure I go home feeling refreshed.
*This article is based on information provided at the time of the interview.
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- Data Scientist / Researcher
- Security Engineer
- Information Security / Privacy Governance Specialist
- Technology Management
- Product Management
- Development Support（Q&A, etc.)