Episode #23: China's 2 Food Delivery Giants Face the Same PR Crisis Differently, Who COVID-19 Hurts Most, Fleeing to Taiwan, and White Parents

Talking Shop Podcast

It's not widely known outside of China, but the country's food delivery services are already light years ahead of everyone else. The food delivery market - estimated at US$45 billion per year, or double the size of the U.S. market - has grown by cutting costs to the bone and promising shorter and shorter delivery times. Then a magazine's expose looked at the safety shortcuts drivers were taking, pushing the issue into the forefront of news coverage and online discussion. Both Meituan and Ele.me found themselves in the midst of a PR crisis, but they handled it completely differently. We look at what worked -- and what didn't.

COVID-19 has obviously taken a huge toll, forcing millions of people out of work and giving national economies a massive body blow. As bleak as it's been, some people are suffering a lot more than others. We look at what's wrong and how to fix it.

Also: 12 Hongkongers flee to Taiwan but are nabbed by China's coast guard before they reach their destination, Ewan recommends a new podcast from Serial and the New York Times, and much more.

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Links and Show Notes

• Beijing labels 12 Hongkongers caught at sea as separatists, as Shenzhen Police confirm group under criminal detention - South China Morning Post
• When it comes to the pandemic economy, we are not all in this together - Globe and Mail (paywall)
• Why China's food delivery is better than yours - Radii China
• "A painful read": New report on the dangers facing China's Delivery Drivers Goes Viral - Radii China

Check This Out

• Nice White Parents - Apple Podcasts
• Once Upon a Time... in the Valley - Apple Podcasts
• Why are conservatives obsessed with pedophilia right now? - David M. Schell

Hosts

Ewan Christie is an employment lawyer and partner at Duntrune LLP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cam MacMurchy is a corporate communications executive with a multinational technology company listed in Hong Kong and curator of the Digital Bits PR and Communications newsletter. He also contributes to Apple news website 9to5Mac and shares his thoughts on PR, media, travel, and technology on his website.

Hosts

Ewan Christie is an employment lawyer and partner at Duntrune LLP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cam MacMurchy is a corporate communications executive with a multinational technology company listed in Hong Kong and curator of the Digital Bits PR and Communications newsletter.