News

‘Cheaper to apologise than pay a PR agency’ says social strategist after Zouk denies DJ set was cut short for Malaysia PM’s son

Zouk's post on Facebook

Zouk’s post on Facebook linking to ST article

Zouk, a popular nightclub brand in Singapore, is facing a credibility crisis after a long-serving DJ complained that he had his set time ended early to let the prime minister of Malaysia’s son have a spin on the decks.

Zouk, which is one of Southeast Asia’s most famous nightclubs, initially said that an angry outburst by DJ Fila on Saturday night – who claimed in video footage that he would never play at the club again after apparently being replaced prematurely by Najib Razak’s son – was the result of a “misunderstanding” in a Facebook post on Sunday.

After further outrage ensued in social media, the club followed up with another statement claiming that the DJ “was not at any point of time asked to end his set prematurely” and his set ended at the scheduled point of the night. Norashman Najib played at the club despite not being billed as part of the night’s line-up of DJ talent.

Zouk then posted a link to a story, without comment, by pro-establishment newspaper Straits Times headlined ‘Malaysian PM Najib Razak’s son did not cause premature end of guest DJ’s set: Zouk’ that carried the club’s statement.

Among the comments on Zouk’s Facebook page beneath this post was one from Oliver Woods, KL-based regional social media director at Leo Burnett, who suggested that a simple apology might remedy the situation for Zouk. He said: “Paying a PR agency to clear your name.. Probably cheaper to apologise tho.”

Another poster wrote:

We totally understand that you guys don’t want to get politically involved in this. We do.

But the main focus is not about the PM’s son..

The main focus is on how you rejected the extension of Aly & Fila’s set and let a political influenced guy take over instead.

Aly&Fila had played in zouk for so many years now and everytime fadi get his extension.

So zouk, What’s your point in sharing a ‘straits times’ news article? They weren’t there when this situation happened.

As conclusion, You guys care about the ‘zouk image’ more than caring the true art of dance music, the basic respect for guest djs and us, the fans of dance music.

Zouk, which was acquired by Genting HK last year, handles most of its PR inhouse.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella Asia newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing