Cognito is a Jakarta-based, award-winning strategic communications and public relations consultancy, serving Fortune 500 companies, Indonesian businesses, NGOs, and multilateral donors since 2000. With over 20 consultants, we set the industry standard for clear thinking, sound advice, and impeccable execution - all tailored to help clients engage effectively within Southeast Asia’s largest economy and beyond. As a member of the exclusive Worldcom Public Relations Group, we leverage the expertise of over 85 global agency partners across 105 cities, covering Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the U.S., Latin America, and Canada – to create results-driven solutions that build brands, strengthen reputations and deliver business success.
The way Cognito works is based on three imperatives.
All three provide a seamless progression that ensures effective communications strategies that deliver results:
We begin with CLEAR THINKING to understand our clients' crucial issues and communications needs.
This provides a foundation of clarity and insights upon which SOUND ADVICE is applied to shape impactful strategies and campaigns.
We bring these strategies to life through IMPECCABLE EXECUTION, transforming innovative ideas into memorable and inspiring moments.
We firmly believe values must guide the way we work. Values instill trust, consistency, and purpose, ensuring professional and ethical behaviours that foster lasting, impactful client relationships. These are our guiding values:
We think big, take calculated risks, embrace innovation, and create standout campaigns with confidence and are not afraid to take full responsibility of the consequences.
We are clear in our goals, what we need to do to achieve these and bring the same clarity of thought in how we counsel clients.
We are consistent in thought, speech, and behavior by upholding our values in order to deliver our promises reliably and efficiently.
We celebrate innovative problem-solving and strive for out-of-the-box thinking and exploring new possibilities.
We demand critical thinking and unique perspectives from our people, while respecting the opinions and ideas of others.
We believe respect must be earned. We treat everyone equally and expect the same in return, recognizing each person's contribution as vital to our collective success. This fosters a respectful and collaborative partnership.
We believe in prioritizing the team’s interests and fostering collaboration, synergy, and shared goals. These define what successful teamwork looks like, whether we're working with colleagues or clients.
Our people are diverse across different dimensions - business and industry experience is blended with deep domain and professional expertise in all aspects of communications, change management, public relations and public affairs.
Yanti is a much sought-after senior executive coach and communications trainer. She also provides strategic counsel in corporate and financial communications, crisis and issues management. She has held senior roles with international companies in packaging and hospitality as well as with a top global communications agency.
Sri has consulted with clients across many sectors including GE, Shell, Motorola, McDonald’s, Unilever, Danone Aqua, GE Money, Goodyear, GM, BP, Medco, World Bank, ADB, and The Asia Foundation. She previously worked with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as a communications manager and as a media relations specialist at an international PR agency. Sri started her career as a journalist and rose to be a senior investigative journalist at the Jakarta-Jakarta newsmagazine covering current affairs and social and political issues.
Hock is a 40-year veteran in the communications business and is engaged in providing strategic counsel to clients across a broad range of corporate challenges and industries. Before starting Cognito Communications in 2000, he was with a leading international communications agency and has worked in Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
Eric has three decades of local, regional, and international business and consulting experience across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining Cognito in 2014, he led communications and public affairs in the Asia-Pacific for Unilever, InterContinental Hotels Group, and GE’s financial services business. Prior to his corporate roles, Eric was with an international communications agency handling corporate and financial communications.
Meilinawaty’s extensive experience in communications is essential in the development and implementation of client strategies and programs. She oversees the planning and execution of client campaigns, including the development of strategic direction and execution for communications outreach. She also works on issues management, media handling skills training, and crisis simulation training. Her career includes 15 years of working with clients spanning multiple sectors, including airlines, industry, healthcare, oil & gas, mining, and hospitality.
Robert has more than 25 years of experience in communications, journalism, and marketing. He has been involved in media relations campaigns, customer events, sponsorships, exhibitions, image branding, crisis management, and communications training for national/multinational clients engaged in consumer products, hospitality, business services, and information technology. Robert has also held in-house communications roles in global transnational companies.
Akbar has almost two decades of experience in research, intelligence, and advisory business. He is the head of the firm's media & market intelligence business unit and oversees media analysis & monitoring as well as market intelligence services for clients across different industries - including international players in oil & gas, mining, heavy equipment, investment management, FMCG, and beauty industries.