The Best Agencies, Campaigns, Influencers & Innovators of 2016 “Proving and improving the value of public relations” - Paul Holmes

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The Holmes Group was founded in 2000 by Paul Holmes, publisher and CEO, who has more than two decades of experience writing about and evaluating the public relations EXVLQHVVDQGFRQVXOWLQJZLWKERWKSXEOLFUHODWLRQVȴUPVDQGWKHLUFOLHQWV(YHU\\HDUWKH Holmes Report’s delivers — not only the most sophisticated reporting and analysis on PR trends and issues — but also the industry’s most sought-after awards and events around the world.

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The Holmes Report 2016 book was designed by Studio 22 and Logo Logo. Foreword by Paul Holmes

but at the same time there are individuals, companies, agencies, questions about who should and campaigns that demonstrate be responsible for reputation. how public relations can remain modern marketers are coming relevant—can in fact take on an to realize that they can’t do expanded and more critical role— their jobs properly without in this changing environment. making sure that employees understand brand positioning, over the course of the year, without a crisis plan, without an The Holmes report hands out understanding of the regulatory a host of awards: our sabres, The pace of change in the public landscape, with a Csr strategy. of course, recognizing superior relations has never been faster employee communications, crisis achievement in branding, than it is today. and it’s a safe bet management, public affairs, CSR— reputation and engagement; that it will never be this slow again. all these are now critical functions agency of the year honors in a of marketing, so it is no surprise variety of categories; best agency That’s true if you are in the that Cmos are increasingly to Work For honors; the Influence agency world, where the treading on CCo toes. 100 list of the most powerful competitive set is changing as in-house communications distinct disciplines converge, This is largely a problem of executives and in Innovation 25 as advertising agencies come to the industry’s own making. For lists of people shaping the future recognize the power of earned years, public relations people of our profession. media, as digital agencies deliver allowed themselves to be vast quantities of content, as restricted, focusing on earned and we do it globally, in the management consultants offer media (when paid, shared and , in the emea region, in advice on branding, positioning owned channels are equally the Asia-Pacific. an reputation. effective in managing stakeholder relationships), defining their For that reason, this book It’s equally true if you work within role in terms of communication provides a unique snapshot of a major corporation or any other when it is actually policy—how public relations world in 2016. significant institution. There is an organization behaves rather by highlighting what is best, a growing C-suite recognition than what it says—that defines it provides a benchmark for that corporate reputation is its relationships. professionals and the companies mission critical, that stakeholder they work for. Compiling it is relationships can reduce the but this publication does not a fascinating and rewarding friction of doing business—or exist to provide a critique of the experience. We hope you find it a halt commercial progress dead in industry’s past shortcomings. valuable resource. its tracks. rather, it is a celebration of those 1 PR HAS EVOLVED.

AND SO HAVE WE.

Since Spectrum was founded 20 years ago, technology has transformed the way we create game-changing conversations on behalf of our clients. Yet shining the spotlight on innovation through storytelling remains the foundation of our success. As Spectrum celebrates the past we build for the future, to meet the evolving needs of Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence top health science and technology brands. in Communications spectrumscience.com / 202.955.6222 / A GLOBALHealthPR Partner

2 Table oF ConTenTs

Foreword by Paul Holmes ...... 1 THe 2016 agencies oF THe year Global Finalists ...... 4 agencies of the year - north america ...... 7 best agencies To work For - north america ...... 37 agencies of the year - emea ...... 40 best agencies To work For - emea ...... 84 Agencies of the year - Asia-Pacific...... 87 Best Agencies To Work For - Asia-Pacific ...... 111

THe 2016 sabre award + innovaTion sabre award winners The sabre awards north america ...... 112 The In2 Innnovation sabre awards north america ...... 117 The sabre awards emea ...... 122 The In2 Innnovation sabre awards emea ...... 128 The SABRE Awards Asia-Pacific...... 132 The In2 Innnovation SABRE Awards Asia-Pacific ...... 136 The sabre awards south asia...... 138 The Global sabre awards ...... 142 THe global creaTive index 2016 ...... 144 THe inFluencers The Influence 100...... 147 The Influence 100 Insights ...... 168 The Crossover stars ...... 175 THe innovaTors The Innovator 25 - north america ...... 176 The Innovator 25 - emea ...... 178 The Innovator 25 - Asia-Pacific ...... 184 global ToP 250 Pr Firms ...... 187

3 THe 2016 aGenCIes oF THe year Global Finalists

Global aGenCy oF CorPoraTe aGenCy THe year FInalIsTs oF THe year FInalIsTs coHn & wolFe adFacTors Full profile on page 7 Full profile on page 94 edelman allison + ParTners Full profile on page 29 Full profile on page 10 KeTcHum Hering scHuPPener Full profile on page 8 Full profile on page 69

Pr Joele FranK Full profile on page 59 Full profile on page 28 weber sHandwicK PePPercomm Full profile on page 55 Full profile on page 21

Consumer aGenCy oF CreaTIve aGenCy oF THe year FInalIsTs THe year FInalIsTs aKa asia eleven Full profile on page 100 Full profile on page 90 FrencH wesT vaugHan Prime Full profile on page 19 Full profile on page 61 golin Trigger Full profile on page 8 Full profile on page 73 HoPe & glory uniTy Full profile on page 67 Full profile on page 72 m booTH Zeno Full profile on page 12 Full profile on page 73 4 dIGITal aGenCy oF PublIC aFFaIrs aGenCy new aGenCy oF THe THe year FInalIsTs oF THe year FInalIsTs year FInalIsTs edelman aPco day one Full profile on page 29 Full profile on page 52 Full profile on page 16 norTH sTraTegic global maTriocHKa Full profile on page 82 Full profile on page 17 sTraTegy grouP Full profile on page 34 Precision w communicaTions Full profile on page 26 Hanover asia Full profile on page 78 Full profile on page 109 w2o Full profile on page 9 inTerel Full profile on page 46 weber sHandwicK Full profile on page 55 sKdKnicKerbocKer Full profile on page 33

HealTHCare aGenCy TeCHnoloGy aGenCy oF THe year FInalIsTs oF THe year FInalIsTs FleisHmanHillard Full profile on page 34 brands2liFe Full profile on page 65 Togo run Full profile on page 32 Harvard Full profile on page 80 Pegasus Full profile on page 76 in.Fom Full profile on page 107 reviveHealTH Full profile on page 14 meTHod Full profile on page 35 sPecTrum Full profile on page 30 sling & sTone Full profile on page 108

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THe 2016 aGenCIes oF THe year north ameriCa

The 2016 North America larGe Pr aGenCy oF the year PR Agencies of the Year Cohn & WolFe (WPP) are the result of an exhaustive research That’s even more impressive process involving more when you consider the extent to than 150 submissions which it has outperformed most other big agencies—and its wPP and 50 face-to-face sister companies in particular. meetings with the best and when you consider that PR firms across the US less than a decade ago, C&w and . was viewed by many observers as living on borrowed time after years of decline. or when you Winners were unveiled at It’s doubtful whether Cohn & consider that it has grown in the 2016 North American wolfe has ever, in its illustrious part by beating its mostly larger SABRE Awards on May 3 45-year history, enjoyed a run peers (including the other firms of success comparable to its on this shortlist) for new clients at Cipriani New York. performance over the past like Hyatt’s lifestyle and luxury couple of years. under the brands, 20th Century Fox, newell leadership of global Ceo donna rubbermaid, dick’s sporting Imperato and president of the Goods, and Galderma’s excipial. Americas Jim Joseph, the firm has grown by 45% over the past There have been additions to the couple of years, 25% organically— talent pool as well, including a and was up 16.3% in north new executive creative director america last year. for the us business. emanate 7 north ameriCa

veteran scott Cocchiere; by about 10%; the firm has hired (diabetes care), adobe, astellas, corporate practice leader laura more than 400 creatives and Cancer Treatment Centers of ryan; and new mds in atlanta and planners for its multi-channel america, Carnival Cruises, Clif austin. and having established content creation operation; and bars (corporate and consumer, itself over the past couple of the firm now manages more with a nutrition focus), Conagra, years as an employer of choice— than 900 social media GsK (Flonase), Hyatt (corporate it was our best large agency to communities for clients from work, expanded to included work For—its internal initiatives olive Garden to disney. the main hotel brands), l’oreal continue to impress, including (social purpose as well as beauty its new knowledge sharing and new business came from global brands), and sprint. collaboration platform. clients like samsung and in the us from Cracker barrel, The firm is enjoying success edelman Citrus, KFC, and Ticketmaster, and in its traditional consumer (dJe holdinGs) new hires included Kathryn beiser space (introducing the all-day Finalist from Hilton to head the global menu at mcdonald’s), corporate practice, bob Knott in healthcare (where the It’s a testament to the high bar from FTI to lead social purpose; virgoHealth brand has expanded edelman has set—for itself and and Tom Potts from lowe Porfero its medical education credentials), for other global agencies— to lead paid media. in corporate (crisis and issues and that its 2015 growth of 7.2% corporate purpose), and perhaps disappointed some observers, Golin most notably in content, where despite bettering all but one of (interPubliC GrouP) the acquisition of highly-regarded its 10 largest rivals. Its north Finalist creative shop brothers american business—still the has the potential to be a real largest and most mature part ever since the restructuring of game changer. of its business—was up by 8.5% its business around the “g4” to $523 million, with strong model (communities of explorers, KetChum contributions from the creators, connectors, and (omniCom GrouP) office and the corporate and catalysts replacing the traditional Finalist financial categories (the firm practice structure) five years figured in the top 10 on the ago, Golin has been on a tear. It with growth in the mid-single mergermarket listing of m&a has committed to its “Go all In” digits, Ketchum’s financial advisors and has been doing Ceo positioning, and introduced a performance has not kept positioning work for the likes of new proposition focusing on pace with its most impressive united airlines and ). brand relevance, and it has competitors, but the firm doubled down on digital and continues to innovate—a new but while other large agencies content creation. approach to influencer marketing struggle to adapt to the new that draws on sophisticated digital and social environment, so have many others, of course, analytics and the trademarked it’s the “non-traditional” part but relatively few of them are storyworks storytelling of edelman’s business that seeing the kind of growth that methodology, for example— continues to drive much Golin has enjoyed over the and to produce award-worthy of its success: the united past few years (up 8% in 2015). work at a rate few of its peers entertainment Group business The firm had arguably the best (only edelman received more it acquired in october 2014 new business performance of sabre nominations this year) doubled in size last year, and any top tier agency last year, can emulate. pure digital revenues were up with new work from abbott

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The quality work ranges from It’s not just the new and diverse midsize Pr aGenCy CSR (like Michelin’s efforts talent—svP of digital and to promote tire safety or strategic planning scott davis oF the year ConAgra’s efforts to combat from Phenomenon; creative in W2o GrouP hunger) to content creation residence matt Horton from (Gillette’s partnership with “stark morsekode; md of corporate (indePendent) Industries,” wendy’s “baconator” content brett Pulley, former dean campaign) to a surprising depth of scripps Howard school of of crisis counseling (drawing on Journalism & Communications; recent expertise in data security executive editor-in-residence and college scandals). It was a vivian schiller, formerly of strong new business year too, and nbC news—it’s the with wins like dun & bradstreet, strong and stable leadership etihad, General mills, Janssen, team, including global Ceo andy lenovo, samsung mobile, and Polansky and president Gail usda, and additional work Heimann, and north american Fifteen years into its founding, from seven-figure clients such president sara Gavin. the w2o Group has followed an as Chase, Johnson & Johnson, astonishing growth trajectory H&R Block, Pfizer and IBM. And It’s not just the award-winning that’s fueled by its ability to of course Ketchum continues creative work—from Csr for leverage precise, custom analytics to emphasize employee Pedigree to b2b marketing for to inform strategy and creative recruitment and engagement, ricoh to consumer brand- for clients. with its blend of gamifying its approach to finding building budweiser and mattel proprietary algorithms, platforms new employees (particularly to issues management for Florida and approaches, the w2o Group those from non-traditional Hospital association—it’s the stands out amongst its peers — backgrounds) and expanding its engagement approach (analytics, larger and smaller — for making “race to make It real” initiative. creative, strategy, production, analytics a core part of integrated media execution) that its business. Weber shandWiCK underpins it. (interPubliC GrouP) w2o has demonstrated clients and it’s not just the core weber Finalist are willing to pay for analytics shandwick business, it’s the as the holding group bounds “ecosystem” that includes It’s not just the growth—though towards the $100m threshold. public affairs brand Powell Tate, with fee income up by 11% Global revenue is up 15% to multicultural marketing specialist last year, weber shandwick $95m with profitability nearing axis, KrC research, multichannel continues to outperform its 20%, while headcount is around content agency Creation. all of peers and is now close to a tie 425. The tenure of its top 20 that makes weber shandwick for the world number one—but clients is notable with many with arguably the world’s most the well thought-out “employee relationships exceeding seven complete public relations firm. experience” that drives it. It’s not years. US offices include Austin, just the new business success— , Chicago, , assignments from the american minneapolis, napa, new york, san Cancer society, mapquest, Francisco (HQ) and . merck, nasdaQ, new york life, Nielsen—it’s the 96% retention of Prior to last year, the analytics top 50 clients. offerings was somewhat disparate across the firm. But under the 9 north ameriCa

leadership of Ceo Jim weiss allison + Partners adecco, deloitte digital, Flowserv and president bob Pearson, (mdC Partners) and materne. meanwhile, the w2o’s analytics was centralized Finalist firm is also making notable to equalize access across its strides in healthcare by doing In2 agency brands — wCG, Twist, and allison + Partners continues sabre award-winning work on brewlife. The agency brands have to impress with another dignity Health’s Great Kindness each carved its own niche across year of remarkable business Challenge. last year, its consumer w2o’s practice areas (mostly performance, continued global practice changed hands to Corey healthcare and technology with scale while also growing its martin while adding big-name ambitions to grow further beyond service offerings. CEO Scott clients such as nike, Pinterest, this). Twist surpassed wCG as Allison has built the firm — now Tiffany and Seventh Generation. the largest operating company in its 15th year — around a within the group ($48m) with a commitment to operating under last year, allison also unveiled focus on healthcare, pharma and a single P&l. its formalized research, biotech. wCG closed the year at content, creative, digital and $39m with its clients split almost revenues were up more than measurement division called all evenly across health and tech, 30% to $48.8m and headcount Told that now represents about meanwhile brewlife is around is now 300 across operations $5m in revenues. led by Cathy $10m focused on emerging in the us (which accounts for Planchard, all Told recently added brands in the healthcare space. 91% of revenue and 225 of its video production specialists, employees), europe and asia. animators, illustrators and yet, w2o’s most distinct market The firm’s 13 US offices are San producers in the us and . differentiator remains its analytics Francisco, silicon valley, new allison has also launched its offering that includes MDigitalLife york, los angeles, washington first annual Influence Impact that maps the footprint of more dC, Chicago, dallas, Phoenix, san Report that revealed influence than 700,000 health ecosystem diego, seattle, boston, Portland only begins when consumers profiles; the “SocialGraphics” and atlanta. make a decision to move toward analytics operating system that purchase, among other insights. pulls data from a host of sources Driving this growth was significant for statistical analyses; the digital client wins including Fox Home Finn Partners Health Influencer Index which entertainment, Polycom, Focus (indePendent) is a proprietary database; and brands restaurant Group (moe’s Finalist Inception, an analytics-driven southwest Grill, schlotzsky’s and crisis tool. mcCalister’s deli), and energy since it gained its independence upgrade , while also from Ruder Finn five years ago, Notable work includes Sanofi growing longstanding clients like Finn Partners has been growing “Flu + you” to raise awareness Toyota, sony and samsung. in equal parts through acquisition around the importance of flu and organically, a pattern that vaccines, Tejava Tea “nothing is while allison is mostly known continued in 2015. The firm Perfect” for influencer targeting for its consumer and technology ended the year with fee income and laP-band “It Fits” a brand expertise, increasingly the of $71 million, up 35 percent, revitalization effort. MDC-owned firm is gaining enough to rank as the number six momentum as a corporate independent in the us. player. Corporate work now represents 27% of its overall That growth included the revenue and 80% growth since expansion of its tech capabilities 2014 with clients that include —long the firm’s largest practice,

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now supplemented by the past four or five years, so it’s no additional of new digital strategy acquisition of - surprise that one of the jewels hires edwin endlich (formerly based specialist Horn Group— in the omnicom crown is marina of Comedy Central and Grey and its healthcare capabilities, maher Communications, with advertising) and mike rosich with the appointment of revenues believed to be in the (formerly Razorfish) and the Hill+Knowlton and makovsky $40-45 million range a fraction of formalization of its rIse (real veteran Gil bashe to add pharma the size of the holding company’s Time, Insight based, strategic expertise and lead the practice. global players. engagement) approach. It also broadened its geographic reach, acquiring and merging a longtime leader in the mWWPr (indePendent) nashville-based communications consumer category, mmC has Finalist firms DVL Public Relations & more recently established itself as advertising and seigenthaler a significant player in healthcare since buying itself back from Public relations. (under its own and the rx mosaic Interpublic five years ago, MWW brand). The firm’s status in the has recovered the swagger that Highlights of the firm’s work former category was underlined made it one of the nation’s top range from public education work in 2015 when it led omnicom’s independents prior to its IPG on behalf of the us Consumer MMK+ offering (which adds deal. with fees now north of $50 Products safety Commission international reach from Ketchum million, the firm is among the to free trade awareness for and others to marina maher’s us top 10 independents in the us, the south Korean embassy, expertise) to significant gains in with eight offices (and a boutique from a celebration of marriage the P&G agency consolidation: operation in the UK) and a staff of equality for the Greater Fort mmK now represents the more than 240. lauderdale Convention & visitors consumer products giant globally bureau to a campaign against on its olympics program, fabric It has core strength in corporate domestic violence for nomore. care brands (Tide/ariel, Gain, communications (including org (a coalition including avon, downy-lenor), Herbal essences robust executive communications Kaiser Permanente, mary Kay and Head & shoulders. and crisis management and several NGOs). The firm also operations), public affairs (in continues to focus on creating a The firm also partners with the nation’s capital as well as its winning workplace—it was ranked sister agencies in the healthcare native and California), among our best midsize agencies arena on Johnson & Johnson’s and consumer (with a focus on to work For last year—and acuvue brand, bayer, merck, challenger brands), with thought leadership ranging from Celgene (Abraxane), and Pfizer research and insights and an examination of the changing (Pristiq). additional new business digital and social expertise that healthcare ecosystem to an came form Johnson & Johnson cuts across practices. exploration of the factors that corporate, reckitt benckiser inspire employee loyalty. (the Ky and durex brands) but it has also been developing and Galderma (aesthetics and some market-leading niche marina maher correctives) and on the rx side capabilities, via the acquisition CommuniCations with Pfizer, Roche Diagnostics, two years ago of lGbT+ specialist (omniCom GrouP) and Teva Pharmaceuticals. macias media Group and this Finalist year the addition of bret werner, Just as impressive, however, is co-founder and former managing As a general rule, midsize firms the firm’s effort to stay ahead on director of Catalyst, who has have been outperforming their the curve in areas such as data joined mwwPr as Chief Client larger competitors over the and analytics, digital and social, Officer and Executive Vice- and content creation, with the President. brett is responsible 11 north ameriCa

for leading strategy, growth and 2009 and so some wondered Coyne (indePendent) deepening client relationships whether founder margi booth Finalist across all practice groups and would stick around after her offices. Other key additions earn-out, while others asked with seven campaigns shortlisted including don mcIver, returning whether dale bornstein, brought in this year’s sabre awards, as chief people officer, and in from Ketchum as Ceo in 2013, Coyne continues to demonstrate michelle Gordon from Horizon would settle in a smaller, more remarkable consistency when media as senior vP, research and entrepreneurial environment. it comes to driving results while insights, but the core leadership also delivering standout work — team—Ceo michael Kempner Consider those questions testament to the firm’s belief in and executive vPs Carreen answered: booth continues to the seemingly simple — but too winters, alissa blate, bill murray, play a significant role in her own often overlooked — idea that and rich Tauberman—have been firm, while taking on an expanded the best people will bring the together seemingly forever. role with the parent company, best clients. and under bornstein’s leadership similarly, the client list is a mix of the firm grew by 39% last year now in its 25th year, Coyne the long-tenured (nikon, 1800 to $26 million (no larger firm has grown to 190 employees, Flowers, Tyson, Connectone grew faster) while expanding its revenues up 19% in 2015 to more bank and deloitte have all been footprint (it is now active in eight than $28 million in fee income. there for more than a decade) us markets) and being named Indeed, managing growth has and new work for the likes of our best midsize agency to work become a welcome challenge for , red lobster, For in 2015. Coyne, which the firm responded Frito-lay, TomTom, and to last year by adding 45 staff and software. Interesting work ranges now in its 30th year, m booth expanding both its new Jersey HQ from Csr for subaru to health added new business from weight and New York office. programming for walgreens, watchers, Carnival, autodesk, from public affairs support for Pier 1, JCPenney, Twitter, leica Ceo and founder Tom Coyne the dominican republic (around Cameras, House, Foods, Patron, and president rich lukis lead immigration issues) to lGbT and vega, while growing clients the firm’s impressive portfolio community outreach for doritos. such as american express, of clients that include: The walt , mercedes-benz, Godiva, disney Company, Hard rock small Pr aGenCy , and Campari usa. There International, red robin oF the year have been significant investments Gourmet burgers, Chrysler, in content creation and data and Goodyear Tire & rubber analytics, bringing in adrianna Company, shell lubricants, bevilaqua from devries as Columbia business school and chief creative officer, Ketchum Pfizer. Within the past year Coyne veteran mark malinowski as also expanded its client roster director of creative and strategic to include Timberland, mohegan brand partnerships, and matt sun, accuweather, younique Koppelman as senior strategic Products, robitussin, advil Pm analytics manager. The quality and owens Corning. m booth (next15) of the creative work, meanwhile, has never been better, with Coyne has broad strength across Two years ago, competitors sabre nominations for its consumer, but is particularly might have raised questions work with Campari’s negroni for its credentials in automotive, about M Booth’s future. The firm brand, chocolatier Godiva, Ge healthcare and food, beverage was acquired by next Fifteen in appliances, and sex toy we vibe. and nutrition. last year, the 12 north ameriCa

firm also bolstered its thought Foundation, unitedHealth’s including helping clients enhance leadership credentials by new Harken Health brand their company culture by injecting launching Coyne Caffeine – and two dC-based trade purpose into their mission and an analytics system that aims associations, including Peanut go-to-market counsel. to provide a view on the broader and Tree Processors. trends that can impact an inKhouse organization and its competitors. under the leadership of Tom (indePendent) That kind of thinking ensures lindell, exponent has sustained Finalist Coyne’s work remains a notch a remarkable client retention above most of its peers, with two-thirds of its clients InkHouse’s staggering growth evidenced by some smart having been with the agency trajectory is somewhat surprising campaigns for red robin, for three years or longer — for a boston-based agency that bimbo bakeries, usa swimming and many of its largest clients started with early-stage startups. Foundation, Goodyear exceeding a decade. since its founding in 2007, Ceo and Humana. beth monaghan has steered the digital/social work now accounts firm to become one of the fastest exPonent for 48% of agency income, which growing in the us with revenues (mdC Partners) includes web development, social reaching nearly $13m across its Finalist media engagement, community Boston and San Francisco offices. management and shareable longstanding clients include last year’s boutique winner has content creation. To this end, Raytheon, GE, Converse, OfferUp, graduated to the small agency John doyle recently joined in Toyota, Fiverr, City of boston, category climbing to revenues the newly-created position of Equity Office, University around $12m in 2015. This 19% executive director of brand and Grid, meanwhile uptick comes on the back of 11 experience and Tricia Cornell new additions like logmeIn, consecutive years of growth and also assumed an expanded Orchard, Zillion and Pathfinder a solid profit margin. role leading brand publishing. International fueled growth. meanwhile from a practice exponent’s 2015 growth was standpoint, food and nutrition is navigating aggressive growth hard fought after the minneapolis the fastest growing, representing cycles while staying focused on firm faced tighter budgets from approximately 40% of revenue the bigger picture has been a five of its largest clients: Caribou and includes Kozy shack, key strength for InkHouse, Coffee, DuPont, General Mills, International olive Council and resulting in a strong culture that land o’lakes and nestle Purina. Chili’s at Home, among some of is known for championing work- The firm’s notable transformation the other clients already listed life balance and gender equality. from an agribusiness agency to here. The agribusiness and rural monaghan was appointed by an integrated marketing shop living practice is another 40% of massachusetts Governor deval made it easier to rebound with revenue and health & wellness Patrick to serve on its women in organic growth from existing makes up around 20%. the workplace Task Force and clients such as duluth Trading sits on the board of directors Company, medtronic, ruiz Foods, The work continues to catch for Xconomy, The alliance for st. louis university and Cenex the eye of industry peers — business leadership and the Convenience stores — while also its campaigns with Farm massachusetts women’s Forum. helping to close wins like Florida’s Credit mid-america, land natural juice brand, two silicon o’lakes and Kozy shack all The firm remains focused on valley-based companies including received nominations in sabre technology across a range Granular, the General mills competitions this year. exponent of sectors: cloud computing, is exploring unique offerings, 13 north ameriCa

defense, IT security, mobile, work and sherwin-williams: this publication’s best agency to sustainability, healthcare, national Painting week. The work For title and a good match real-estate and manufacturing. firm’s bedrockcontinues to be for its new parent company’s own Their work for Hired garnered a home, food & nutrition with empowered workplace. wall street Journal case study, expertise across brand marketing, meanwhile their effortson corporate reputation, crisis & The acquisition came at the skanska usa’s blog caught issues and Csr. end of another impressive year the attention of sabre for reviveHealth, during which awards judges. From a culture standpoint, spong revenues grew by 14% and the has prioritized diversity through firm expanded its client list, which sPonG (iPG) its diversity Inclusion action is split evenly between providers Finalist league and blaze that functions and technology/services to grow and retain women at the companies, including big names It’s a pivotal year for spong as firm. People of color within the such as arcadia Healthcare president/founder doug spong agency has increased 28% year- solutions, athenahealth, stepped down after 26 years over-year, making up 10% of the Cleveland Clinic, Hospital and agency veteran Julie batliner agency and women are 55% of its Corporation of america, Trinity ascends to run the IPG-owned overall workforce. Health, Connecture, vanderbilt shop. The changes come on university medical Center, and the heels of a brand refresh Tenet Health. The firm also that simplified the firm’s identify boutique Pr aGenCy expanded its digital capabilities: from Carmichael lynch spong to oF the year 30 percent of its revenues now simply spong. so far, the compass derive from web design, uX, video continues to point north for the production, advertising, and other firm as it enjoys another year of digital services, up from zero a double-digit growth. couple of years ago.

Its commitment to cutting- C+C (indePendent) edge creative comes through Finalist in investments like the spong Content lab, which true to its Founded 10 years ago by Julie name is deemed a “place where Colehour and bryan Cohen, C+C we can test and learn” and revivehealth (iPG) distinguishes itself by focusing “turn ideas into entertaining only on social issues that The fact that weber shandwick and informative stories.” while positively impact communities. made ReviveHealth its first agencies housing content labs It is a feelgood approach that us acquisition in 15 years is isn’t necessarily unique, spong’s has also brough strong business a testament to several things: lab has yielded remarkable results for a 49-person firm the firm’s unique positioning as results. In this year’s sabre headquartered in seattle, with a leader in health technology, competition, spong’s work shows additional offices in Portland, health systems and health up as a finalist in four categories boston and washington dC. services, at a time when for clients Jennie-o Turkey, by cultivating deep expertise in healthcare practices are bJ’s restaurant and brewhouse, such issues as smart commuting, diversifying beyond pharma; the arla Foods and H&r block. green building, financial firm’s impressive growth, from other notable work includes responsibility, energy efficiency, zero to $10 million in six short Genuine Thermos brand’s water conservation and climate years; and the firm’s strong Overnight Coffee Challenge, change, C+C has helped to culture—a multiple winner of us bank’s Power of Possible developed a number of innovative 14 north ameriCa

sustainability efforts at a local, The rapidly growing firm now max borGes aGenCy regional and national level. boasts offices across San (indePendent) Francisco, Chicago and new Finalist like many boutique players, C+C york (which grew from three has a strong employee culture, people to 12 in the course of a For the first 10 years after highlighted by a commitment to year) — with a footprint in los founding his own agency in 2002, transparency across the firm. Angeles and Seattle. The firm’s max borges was focused more Last year, the firm also ushered growth trajectory continues to be or less exclusively on providing in a cross-functional structure, remarkable: 34% uptick to media relations support to deploying content, creative and nearly $11m. consumer technology clients from multicultural teams to work his base in south Florida. borges alongside the account functions. Highwire has rapidly grown is not a Pr man by trade—he all of this appears to be paying its consumer, enterprise and had been director of marketing off: C+C recorded another year of security practices over the last for a chain of musical instrument double-digit growth in 2015, up year. Key consumer clients stores and executive director 23% to $6.5m in revenue. include virtual reality company of the Florida chapter of the altspacevr, edyn a gardening recording academy—and he Colehour and Cohen bring app changing the way food grows, saw no need to over-complicate considerable experience in social and cloud security system Piper. things, an approach that led to issues work, wih the former Its enterprise team won business a focus on getting the basics of responsible for supporting ePa’s from major brands such as aol, customer service and product energy star program since its Ibm & Insidesales.com, and the publicity right. national launch 20 years ago. last security team now includes a year, the firm also added Cindy dozen+ companies including but over the past three or four Jolicoeur as Gm in charge of a veracode and Zscaler, which years, max borges agency has new office in Boston. are considered forerunners in expanded its capabilities— their industry. particularly in digital strategy (for In 2015, C+C’s work showcased its the likes of aT&T’s Cricket) and ability to alter behaviour for social along with growing practice content creation and curation— good, thanks to such assignments areas, Highwire also extended as well as its geographic footprint, as a sustainability program for its list of offerings to include opening offices in San Francisco smart Catch; continued work content and digital/social and most recently new york. for ePa’s energy star label; services like ghostwriting for That expansion has been about and, establishing Privateer as Ceos, drafting ebooks and talent as much as anything, and a professionalizing force in the whitepapers and designing the firm’s New York operation budding cannabis industry. infographics and slideshares. brought in Frank mantero— The firm also touts a strong formerly of Ge—as senior vice multicultural capability. notable work includes launching president, account services, and Primetime for blue Jeans Text 100 and edelman digital hiGhWire network, a video event service veteran Peter dibart as senior (indePendent) allowing 3,000+ people to attend vice president, creative director. Finalist a virtual event and enables new business in 2015 came audience members to raise a from Cricket, Polar, Jarden, 3d like many of its silicon valley virtual hand and interact live and Robotics and more, joining Griffin counterparts, Highwire has in real-time with the hosts. Technology, ogio, aoC, Philips built an agency around and voxx International and entrepreneurial values that are contributing to growth of 10% reflected in its client portfolio. 15 north ameriCa

and fee income of around the agency or client on their first on ameX’s multi-business $11 million. day, then again on their 30-day loyalty program Plenti; built a anniversary. Kwittken maintains a campaign to enthuse youTube’s KWittKen healthy 20% profit margin. top content creators; crafted (mdC Partners) a narrative around starwood’s Finalist For the first time, the firm added new Tribute Portfolio brand; a managing director in its new empowered u nder armour’s fans Celebrating its 10th anniversary York office with Shanee Goss to deliver their own messages this year, Kwittken has from FleishmanHillard. she joins to groundbreaking ballet dancer methodically transformed from a sam bowen, managing director misty Copeland. boutique — mostly b2b agency of , and betsy Cooper — into a fascinating firm that who oversees Canada and hudson Cutler leads with “design thinking.” while delivered clients like aCe bakery, & ComPany the term may seem vague when bank of montreal, Theory (indePendent) applied to Pr, co-founders aaron Fitness and unilever, among Finalist Kwittken and Jason schlossberg others already. describe it as a fusion of Pr, Former weber shandwick and creative advertising, influencer neW Pr aGenCy FleishmanHillard exec robert engagement and social/content dowling launched Hudson Cutler marketing. The results of this oF the year & Company as an integrated approach shows in work like marketing company that puts the “Pantone Color of the year technology (meaning software, 2016” — which the sabre judges apps, devices, etc) at the center nominated this year. of its campaigns. Having only launched in november, already This firm has also dropped Coca-Cola, , amC networks practices areas to do more and visa have signed on as clients interdisciplinary work for clients for the firm’s redefining approach like amway (new), american to marketing. The firm is up to express, Zicam (new), bmw, day one (indePendent) eight employees in new york Homeaway, better Home and who are focused on audience Gardens, sharp, windstream, day one was founded when behavior, amplification and deloitte (new), Pantone, one three senior leaders from m engagement programs and fully medical and wyndham booth’s digital team broke away in measuring campaign outcomes. worldwide (new). 2013 to build an “efficient agency model designed for paid, earned, rsquared Global revenues were just over owned and shared strategies.” (indePendent) $10m across offices in New now three years in, day one Finalist york, london and Toronto, with has produced remarkable work us revenues accounting for for a client portfolio that even rsquared (named for the initials around 75% of that. In the us, established agencies would of founder rebecca reeve) was growth was 15% — with the envy. among these, day one established in 2013 around a majority of that came from new launched american express then-emerging startup slack wins. The firm continues to Checkout to merchants, creating that has grown into one of invest in its culture with unique a unified digital brand across all silicon valley’s hottest unicorns. on-boarding initiatives in which of ameX’s owned channels; rolled rsquared’s role in taking slack new employees are required to out a phased communications from launch to ‘company of the make a “critical” contribution to approach to educate the market 16 north ameriCa

year’ is shortlisted in the sabre and los angeles and a team of awards. but reeve’s 8-person 14 employees. Canadian Pr aGenCy shop (with offices in San Francisco oF the year and vancouver) is more than just vested (indePendent) one client — over the past 12 Finalist months the firm has worked with Trello, mailChimp, digit, Zendesk, billed as a ‘new communications Zendrive, eventbase, and shopify, agency for a new financial driving 35-50% growth each year industry’, vested was founded since launch. last year by Ceo dan simon and president binna Kim, who as evident from its client portfolio, previously led the US offices of rsquared looks to tell stories Cognito. During its first year of north strateGiC aligned with the future of ‘X’ — operation, the duo were joined (indePendent) in slack’s case, the future of work. by other ex-Cognito alumni, while most agencies are rapidly including Coo Ishviene arora and Founded in 2011, north strategic adding services, reeve prefers chief creative officer Ali Wells. The is not only one of Canada’s to do one thing very well. In this leadership team is rounded out fastest-growing national PR firms, case, that’s “high-touch” work by Kevin Trowbridge, a software having grown to 65 people in primarily on influencer and consultant who serves as vested’s less than five years, but has also media outreach. chief technology officer. forged an impressive reputation for creativity and digital expertise Kovert Creative based in , under the leadership of co- (Wme-imG) vested as already grown to founders mia Pearson and Justin Finalist dozen employees and more Creally. One year ago, the firm than 20 clients, including consolidated its early gains by Former PmK*bnC execs Joseph bloomberg, Citadel, Tabb Group, winning our Canadian agency assad and lewis Kay have Investopedia, backstop solutions, of the year honours, and its started a new firm — Kovert betterment, broadridge, Carbon progress in 2015 proved that Creative — that is designed Trade xChange, Codestreet, and the award was hardly a flash in to complement wme-ImG’s museum of american Finance. the pan. main business areas: talent And like any new firm, Vested representation, content makes much of its model, which revenues grew by an additional development and distribution. involves employee ownership, an 36% last year to more than $10m, already, Kovert has been called unlimited vacation policy and a across its offices in Toronto, in as the new global Pr agency fresh perspective on an industry montreal and Calgary. much for Cadillac. Kovert will be that is much-maligned. all of this of this was again powered by developing and executing is underpinned by the senior the firm’s focus on redefining overall brand, product and team’s deep experience of the Pr beyond media relations to corporate communications financial services industry, along encompass a broader range of strategies for Cadillac over the with a boutique approach that influencer and digital activity three year contract. The firm also it believes will attract millennials — with its sister company has a strong client roster of at a time of unprecedented notch video, an online video talent including amy Poehler, convergence between finance marketplace, growing by almost Jimmy Kimmel, Jack black, will and technology. 50% in 2015, providing clients arnett, bill simmons, sarah with a realistic alternative to the silverman and rebecca romijn. traditional advertising model for The firm has offices in New York content creation. 17 north ameriCa

It is an approach that has hill+KnoWlton and public engagement firm to clearly struck a chord in the strateGies (WPP) H+K in 2012 and offers expertise market, helping north strategic Finalist in digital content; and corporate net significant new business practice leader Jane shapiro, a from amex Canada, avignon, with more than 200 people in leading expert in crisis and issues enercare, Goodlife Fitness, PwC, nine offices across the country, communications. Td Financial and Canadian Tire, Hill+Knowlton strategies is a who join a client roster that market leader in Canada, not strateGiC amPersand already features Twitter, airbnb, only in terms of its size and (indePendent) samsung, Canada Goose, diageo geographic reach but also in Finalist and Ubisoft. The firm’s senior terms of its ability to operate team also grew in tandem with at the intersection of business, Founded 25 years ago, strategic its operational expansion, with politics and society, handling ampersand retains a distinct Paula worthington arriving last some of the market’s most focus on the technology year to lead its Calgary office; high-profile issues, from work sector, an approach that has alice Choe joining as a senior with National Offshore proved increasingly relevant as advisor on digital and social; oil Corporation (CnooC) in its technology takes centre-stage and, wendie Godbout hired to $15-billion acquisition of Canada’s across a myriad of industries and oversee montreal. nexen to its support for the practice areas. miles Pollock and government’s Healthy Canadians Gayle robin, who together own north’s creativity continues public health initiative to a host 100% of the firm, continue to to catch the eye — last year it of environment and natural operate one of Canada’s smartest launched a strategic partnership resources issues. public relations firms, which with Ten Thousand Coffees that long ago adopted an integrated resulted in north navigate, a The firm further expanded mindset and eschewed billable conversation platform designed its capabilities in 2015 with hours in a bid to demonstrate to bridge the gap between the acquisition of acertys, a that long-term retainers and marketers and millennials. The leading montreal-based public employees matter more. firm also rolled out an influencer engagement company that adds marketing practice — and both French-language expertise; the revenues for 2015 exceeded of these initiatives helped it launch of H+K eastwest, a new Cdn$2.5m, with new clients such produce some innovative work consultancy offer in Ottawa that as Godaddy, nulogy and rogers for Cadillac Fairview, shomi, supports Chinese companies’ joining a roster that includes Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons. investment in Canada; and with lengthy partnerships with such each of the campaigns was the formal launch of content companies as Cisco, blackberry notable for an ability to blend marketing specialist Group sJr Cdw, Intel security, nikon, innovative storytelling with digital in Canada. schneider electric and vmware. platform expertise. strategic ampersand’s senior with longtime market leader team also reflects this focus on Pearson and Creally are michael Coates recently elevated long-term relationships — vP both veterans of High road to president and Ceo of the of Pr anita wong has been with Communications, which Pearson americas region, the leadership the firm for 17 years, while PR co-founded in 1996, before selling team north of the border now director Cindy watson counts a to to FleishmanHillard in 2001. includes president and public decade of service. The duo departed omnicom to affairs practice chief Goldy Hyder, launch north strategic in 2011, a 14-year veteran of the firm; last year’s campaign highlights and it seems that their chief strategy officer Joseph included openTable’s ‘100 best approach is paying off. Peters, who sold his social media restaurants in Canada’ initiative; 18 north ameriCa

BlackBerry’s significant Priv year’s sabre awards competition. spanning licensing, multimedia launch; Godaddy’s small business other clients include subway, content creation, and last year survey; and, Cisco’s Canadian Canadian broadcasting entertainment and Hispanic Innovation Centre launch. now Corporation, General mills marketing. The result is the Fwv numbering almost 20 people in and best buy Canada. has evolved into a $21 million Toronto, strategic ampersand public relations agency (fees were is proof that a 25 year-old This year, veritas is piloting its up 13% last year) that can provide independent agency can continue rowe (results-oriented work a full-service integrated marketing to prosper by focusing on its environment) concept that gives capability to national clients such clients and staff. every team member permission as wrangler (a client since the to come and go as they please, day the firm opened its doors), veritas (mdC Partners) set hours and working style that abb, bassett Furniture, German Finalist works for them — as long as it coffee purveyor Melitta, and also works with team members berkshire Hathaway-owned Justin Originally established in 1993 as and clients. To facilitate this, boots, while providing highly- a healthcare communications everyone will be using client specialized services, most notably specialist, Veritas has diversified ’s file-sharing and Skype. in the sports and western lifestyle over the years and today “It means everyone will be able categories, to clients including focuses on “influencing the to see each other’s progress in a athletes and sporting bodies. influencers,” drawing on a supportive way to ensure rapid “custom convergence” model that course correction for out of A terrific example of what this brings together cross-functional whack hours and over-service.” means to clients is the firm’s teams and multichannel solutions 2015 work for wrangler: faced to ensure the appropriate with mainstream media lack of interest in professional rodeo, solution for a range of complex Consumer aGenCy Fwv helped principal sponsor challenges. based in Toronto, oF the year veritas has built its reputation on wrangler create its own media staying ahead of the increasingly platform, the wrangler network, complex and changing media which has attracted 2.5 million universe. To this end, veritas unique viewers to the sport, and launched its Growth & Innovation even attracted ad support. new lab as “the cerebral cortex” of business, meanwhile, came from the agency and, last summer, Trailways, the national bus transit a newsroom equipped with 14 system; Paralyzed veterans of screens that pull content from america; Concord Hospitality, across multiple media and social the nation’s largest independent channels in real time. FrenCh/West/vauGhan hotel management company; (indePendent) athletic shoe retailer Fleet Feet; The 23-year-old firm has a team and ea sports; for its need for of more than 70 people across some of the things cutting edge speed and FIFa 16 video games. offices in Toronto, Montreal, firms of today are doing—the vancouver and new york with expansion into paid media, 360 Pr (indePendent) specialists in , lifestyle and for example—French/west/ Finalist business, media relations, digital vaughan was doing 15 years ago, and creative thinkers. Its work when the then-richard French The calibre of work that laura with microsoft Canada, Kimberly- & associates acquired local Tomasetti’s boutique produces Clark and labatt breweries of creative shop French & vaughan, reinforces the creative potential Canada is shortlisted in this a deal followed by acquisitions that can be unlocked when 19 north ameriCa

brands are willing to genuinely longstanding expertise in “like a Girl” campaign—it’s no embrace an integrated mindset. entertainment marketing, surprise that the client, Procter In this year’s sabre awards, the H&m secured latino superstar & Gamble, selected msl as one $7.5m shop was recognized as Pitbull to champion the movie, of the winners in the review and a finalist several times for its resulting in an unprecedented consolidation of its Pr business. work with , Kaufmann latino turnout. remarkable work Indeed, msl also produced mercantile and balance bar. like this earned H&m its debut award-winning work for the oral appearance on our consumer b, dawn and bounty brands last The 50-person team operates agency shortlist. year, and under the leadership across its boston headquarters, of new client lead rema vasan new york, washington dC and President/Ceo etienne (who joined early this year from san Francisco working on new Hernandez-medina has built Pfizer) the firm is working more and longstanding clients, such as H&m as an agency for collaboratively with other Publicis liberty mutual Insurance, stride entertainment, media, sports, agencies on a number of brands. rite, Jelly belly, Juicy Juice, Peapod, consumer, and telecom brands shortbread, Hasbro, looking to reach the fast-growing but P&G is only the most PBS, Stonyfield, illy, Tommee latino market with campaigns prominent client in a consumer Tippee, among many other that span the communications practice that now accounts for household names. and marketing spectrum. The 50% of msl’s north american firm’s co-headquarters exist in revenues and employs 400 digital and branding are los angeles and new york with consultants. The firm continues increasingly central to 360’s supporting offices in Miami, to produce stellar work for work, yielding creative and Chicago and Houston. , both in the US and results-oriented campaigns that globally (coordinating a launch stand-out in a highly-competitive last year, the contraction in 130 countries on a single day), environment. This has compelled of one of its larger clients and helping similac bridge the the firm to further modernize compelled the firm to quickly breast-feeding divide with the its model by doing things like diversify its portfolio which it “sisterhood of motherhood” offering more project-based did by formalizing studio 2042 campaign. Food remains a options for digital work and which now represents 25% of particular area of strength, with investing more resources into its overall billings. by the year’s the seattle-based test kitchen data mining. 360’s top specialty end, H&m added more than still going strong, and impressive areas are food & beverage (with a dozen new clients including work with clients such as Hass a focus on naturals and organics), Paramount Pictures, lionsgate avocado board and the united parenting & kids, home goods Home entertainment, Fox Home soybean board. doubling down & services, entertainment & entertainment, ringling bros on integration—msl is the only electronics, adult beverages and & barnum and bailey, Penguin Pr agency in the Publicis Groupe fashion & beauty. Publishing, among others.The and is partnering more closely firm’s revenues exceed $3m with with leo burnett, Fallon and other h&m CommuniCations more than 35% growth. sister companies—is already (indePendent) having a commercial impact. Finalist mslGrouP (PubliCis GrouPe) rbb CommuniCations This 13-year-old boutique was Finalist (indePendent) called in to boost Hispanic Finalist audience turnout for last Having produced the most year’s hit movie straight outta award-winning public relations rbb calls itself as “the champion Compton. drawing upon its effort of 2015—the Always of breakout brands” — defining 20 north ameriCa

breakouts as those that value Checkler, previously of the wall putting the consumer first and CorPorate aGenCy street Journal and digital md build relationships that ultimately oF the year mike Friedin, a former head of lead to sales. This strategy has accenture’s digital group. led to notable consumer work like that for Hilton’s largest brand last year also saw Peppercomm Hampton that caught the eye of step up its ability to help financial sabre award judges earning a services clients overcome spot on this year’s shortlist. regulatory hurdles, by persuading companies from a relatively The boutique is now up to cautious sector to increase $7.6m — 19% growth from their visibility on industry topics. 2014, with digital marketing PePPerComm The firm remains a leader in and creative services up 29% (indePendent) the financial services and B2B from the previous year. In sectors, and often takes a addition to Hilton, this growth Peppercomm’s restlessness is counter-intuitive approach to was fueled by clients including reflected in its evolution over the space, last year producing ’s virgin Cruises, the past 20 years into a full research that demonstrated why Thomson reuters, simon malls’ service strategic communications marketers should use joy and sawgrass mills, PCs wireless firm with a broad range of humour to drive success. and vitas Healthcare. These new expertise, particularly in financial clients join an existing roster services, consumer, professional Indeed, Peppercomm’s thought that includes bank of america, services and industrial/b2b, leadership activity remains a mrs. butterworth’s , dHl across offices in New York, notch above many of its rivals. express, disney on Ice, ringling san Francisco and london. In addition to Cody’s repman bros. & barnum & bailey Circus, blog and repChatter podcast, among others. The firm’s revenues in 2015 the firm last year launched an reached almost $21m, an interesting partnership with the The firm’s 48 full-time staff impressive 10% uptick on the economist Group to survey b2b partake in a culture that year before, generated by 106 marketers and their audiences fosters retention (average employees. new business regarding brand content strategy tenure is 8 years) through a included darden specialty and perceptions. That focus on transparent environment that restaurants, nestle shield, levl, insight has helped Peppercomm’s encourages employees to take Genpact, white lodgings, bristol work stand out. It’s Hedge Fund risks and ask questions. Ceo meyers squibb, mariner Holdings, social media study was covered Christine barney has led the mitsubishi Capital and Harry & extensively across industry media, firm to be a formidable player david, joining a client list that while its campaign activity for across travel & leisure, higher features ey, , oppenheimer, sourceamerica and steelcase education and healthcare, saint-Gobain, steelcase, vonage, also caught the eye. among areas. Thought leadership wilbur-ellis and wilmington Trust. like “Here’s what Consumers burson-marsteller really want” demonstrate the The firm remains led by co- (WPP) firm’s capacity to continue to founders steve Cody and ed Finalist deepen its understanding of the moed, supported by partner modern consumer. and president Ted birkhahn. Key While specialist firms continue staff additions in 2015 included to generate most of the buzz in media and content specialist Joe the corporate space, burson-

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marsteller stands out among Fti ConsultinG ldWW (indePendent) the giant global agencies for Finalist Finalist the breadth and depth of its senior-level counseling talent, FTI Consulting climbed the Founded in early 2013 by weber from chief executive don baer mergermarket ranking of shandwick and Hill+Knowlton and worldwide vice chairs Pat us advisors to mergers and strategies veterans Ken luce and Ford and Karen Hughes to global acquisitions last year (up Jody venturoni, ldwwgroup hit media practice lead Gary Koops two places to fifth, handling the ground running, thanks its and US chief operating officer 68 transactions) under the founders deep roots and strong nicole Cornish to newer additions leadership of practice leader relationships in the Texas public like worldwide evP Chris Foster David Rhody, but the firm’s relations community. Partner (from booz allen), strategic most dynamic growth came in mike Flanagan—another weber advisor Christine Heenan (a its broader corporate advisory and H+K alum—leads the firm’s Clinton white House veteran who and advocacy business and in its St Petersburg office and its also worked in public affairs at energy sector. Carnival Corporation business. Harvard) and senior strategist The firm promises clients—its Heidi sinclar (returning to bm The firm’s public affairs practice, focus on challenger brands—an after roles with weber shandwick which began life providing integrated approach, greater and the Gates Foundation). anti-trust support to the m&a senior management involvement, work, now generates plenty of and a more responsive working Those individuals, and others, standalone business under the relationship, and is one of the have worked on high-profile leadership of Jackson dunn (a few startups capable of assignments ranging from veteran of the Clinton white combining marketing and Intel’s celebration of the 50th House), while the firm has added corporate communications with anniversary of moore’s law to the assignments in oil and gas, coal public affairs and senior-level crisis at the FIFa, and with clients sectors, and from utilities, under strategic counsel. all of this also such as bank of america, Fedex the leadership of brian Kennedy includes a decidedly multinational and Ford on major corporate (a former aide to John boehner). bent — the firm’s work has reputation initiatives. The firm included assignments in the us, is also producing some top- The firm also continues to China, the dominican republic, notch thought leadership, from handle its share of high-profile europe and yemen. its analysis of the ramifications corporate reputation work, of the on-demand economy crisis and litigation—all of which In just three years, ldww has to its Corporate Perception continue to benefit from closer grown to almost $6.5 million in Indicator, while investing integration with the parent fee income, up 40% last year. heavily in broadening its crisis company’s broader management Interesting work has included communications and corporate consulting business—and to some sensitive cross-border crisis purpose credentials. The latest expand its digital and creative counsel, which saw the firm win initiative is the formation of a services offering, which is a silver anvil, and best in show, new “advantage women” group increasingly integrated into the for its crisis recovery work on that will offer advice on closing FTI’s core businesses. Interesting behalf of cruise line Carnival. the gender gap in organizational assignments ranged from helping The firm has also handled issues leadership and communicating Haier overcome national security management for bell Helicopter, corporate performance on concerns regarding its us along with the 2015 Transoceanic gender gap issues. expansion to helping mastercard crisis in yemen, and picked up with its global corporate work. sabre award nominations for its Carnival work; for its “boycott black Thursday” campaign for 22 north ameriCa

retailer Gamestop; and for its year included supporting elliott expansion of the 17-year-old wellness campaign on behalf of management, the most active firm into a genuine global force, omni Hotels. activist investor of 2015, and in reporting north american the m&a arena lightyear Capital’s revenue of $36.5m in 2015, up much of ldww’s success must acquisition of aIG’s broker dealer 24% over 2014. come down to a senior team of business and Huntington’s partners that are based in dallas, acquisition of First merrit. The That kind of performance marks new york, Kansas City and firm also works with New York Zeno out as one of the country’s Tampa — in addition to luce, life, Cablevision, athenahealth, top mid-size players, but it is not venturoni, and Flanagan are Tivo and walgreens, with just the numbers that impress. Chris Cradduck and Ken new additions in 2015 The shadow of its bigger sibling maxwell. Key clients now include including sachem Head asset might loom large, but Zeno bell Helicopter select, big 12 management, the Turf Coalition, has successfully carved out its athletic Conference, Carnival and CUNA Mutual. The firm has own positioning — the ‘Green Corp, earth day Texas, Fathom, also been preparing the next machine’ — prioritising Gamestop, meadows mental generation of leadership to take a collaborative, fearless culture Health Institute, omni Hotels, the reins, with managing directors that features a single P&l and and united way of metropolitan Darren Brandt (leading the firm’s the kind of integrated mindset dallas. and ldww’s boutique healthcare business), whit Clay that reflects the agency’s agility approach ensures that it is (head of the media/entertainment and creativity nature. genuinely media-neutral, practice), dan Zacchei (activism/ producing content that ranges restructuring lead) John Hartz and while Zeno promotes its from Tv ads to online and (financial services), and Josh story as well as any ambitious digital platforms. Hochberg (investor relations) agency can be expected to, its providing plenty of depth. burgeoning client roster backs sloane & ComPany up its claims. new clients in (mdC Partners) 2015 included the minnesota Creative aGenCy Finalist vikings, Philips diagnostic oF the year Imaging, Intel, TGI Fridays, Capital with a team of about 20, sloane & one, the Canadian Tourism Company is considerably smaller Commission, GoFundme, scotts than most of the established miracle-Gro, Pilot Corporation, competitors in the high-stakes and leTv, joining a roster that corporate and financial space, already includes sears Holdings, but with fees in excess of $12 merck & Co, anheuser-busch million, the firm’s revenue- Inbev, , astraZeneca, per-head compares favorably Pepsico, Kia motors, worthington to any of those with which it Industries and Netflix. competes, and its expertise in zeno GrouP investor activism (representing (dJe holdinGs) It is no coincidence, perhaps, both activists and their that Zeno’s thought leadership corporate targets) and financial anyone who still views Zeno credentials have also expanded restructurings (representing the as Edelman’s smaller conflict considerably in recent years, led creditors involved in the Puerto agency will get short shrift from by the Human Project — a multi- rico bankruptcy following its Ceo barby siegel, and with good generational study to uncover involvement with detroit creditors reason. since siegel took over the how brands and organizations two years ago) is unparalleled. firm in 2010, the former Ogilvy PR can make a deep connection Other high-profile work last head has overseen a remarkable with the people they want to 23 24 north ameriCa

reach. along with this research KaPloW (indePendent) of the classroom for skype’s conducted in partnership with Finalist Csr initiative; and creating the Iconoculture, Zeno introduced oscars of the beauty industry for the brand Humanizer, a tool over the past two or three years, Cosmetic executive women. designed to help clients articulate Kaplow has expanded its brand the core values of a specific storytelling capabilities to include mullen loWe target and the core values of a a depth of expertise in influencer (interPubliC GrouP) brand to determine where they marketing, content creation Finalist converge and diverge. In 2016, and distribution, social media meanwhile, the firm committed to community management, graphic a “global creative boutique” research global youth and young design, and measurement and launched in may of 2015 by millennials across six countries. analytics, and in 2015 it went a the merger of two Interpublic step beyond with the unveiling agencies, are on a mission “to That kind of insight led to of its new “digital emotional work with the world’s most some eye-catching creative quotient” methodology, based innovative marketers.” That’s a work for anheuser-busch, via on original research showing challenge that ought to come an unbranded campaign that that the most successful brands naturally to the agency’s social celebrated the sociability of combine authenticity, timeliness influence and public relations beer. There were also some and strategy in their high-touch unit, the boston-based business smart campaigns for bausch engagement with consumers. formerly known as mullen, which & Lomb, Netflix and Intel all of has been establishing itself over which showcase Zeno’s ability to The firm is now applying that the past couple of years as one of drive social conversation and approach to clients across the hottest creative shops in the creatively engage influencers, industry sectors: beauty and Pr sector. helping it score four finalist fashion, health and wellness, nominations at this year’s north food and beverage, home under the leadership of american sabre awards. and lifestyle, and consumer managing partner sheila leyne technology. It’s the kind of and executive director of siegel oversees a leadership team forward-thinking that has digital media and innovation that made one of its highest- helped Kaplow build long-term sean Corcoran (formerly with profile additions in 2015, when relationships with clients Forrester research) the unit Frank eliason arrived from Citi like Cosmetic executive women offers capabilities from traditional to become head of us digital (22 years), Target (16 years), Pr strategies and tactics to social and customer experience. The shiseido (14 years), skype and conversation strategy, content firmalso hired a number of Cvs/Pharmacy (both 11 years) development, community specialists for its revamped and pick up new assignments building, blogging, integrated earned media operation, which from Alouette, Bluefly, The analytics and search engine features food and lifestyle Children’s Place, Franciacorta, optimization. It picked expert mia mcwilliams; Kamal l’occitane, luminess, and The up two sabre awards last bosamia, who focuses on retail shoppe. year, for its work celebrating and regional media strategy; the “world’s Toughest Job” and former CnbC silicon valley Highlights last year included (motherhood) for american bureau chief Jim Goldman. The creating an interactive look— Greetings and the “Happiest senior team is rounded out by part toy store, part larger-than- Travel day” for Zappos.com Zeno’s longest-tenured employee, life holiday playground—at and Jetblue airways. This year’s Grant deady, who runs its largest the future of retail for Target; creative highlights included office in Chicago and is chief iinspired educators across the placing book kiosks in urban culture officer. globe to break down the walls communities for Jetblue, to 25 north ameriCa

a campaign supporting lGbT work Terminix created a pitch- growth for the fourth consecutive families for massmutual, to perfect “sharknado” parody year closing the year 16.5% up the american Greeetings’ “mosquitonado” just in time for to fall between $55m to $65m. “Thanklist” initiative. peak bug season, a blue moon eighty-percent of growth is from anniversary program reinforced existing clients. among PmK’s olson enGaGe the brand’s heritage through key clients: samsung mobile, (iCF international) crowdsourced package design american express, Pepsi, audi, Finalist and social-media gamification, activision, T-mobile, matthew its client belize joined Tinder, mcConaughey, sandra bullock, olson engage has won more and oscar mayer created a fake Jessica alba, Cameron diaz and Innovation sabre awards than fitness class that ended up Jimmy Kimmel Live. The firm any other firm — including in Time. signed more than 100 new clients racking up 18 finalist nods in 2015, including Converse, this year. beyond the sabres, Key clients include millerCoors mattel, Cole Haan, Coach, The olson engage has been gaining since 2004 and wrigley since saG awards, lena dunham and recognition in the Cannes lions, 2005, PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, sean “diddy” Combs. the Effies, Shortys and even reynolds Consumer Products, winning an american Graphic P.F. Chang’s China bistro, Jim other notable work includes an design award. These accolades beam (new), disney Consumer editorial partnership to create reinforce what we’ve been Products (new), skinny Pop (new), the first Newsweek special edition seeing from olson engage — among many others. for a brand, destiny; supporting spectacularly creative work. activision’s Call of duty: black PmK*bnC ops 3, with marshawn lynch as The firm was founded on the (interPubliC GrouP) the first pro athlete to become challenger mentality (its first Finalist a character in a Cod game and assignment for client miller secured the first eSports cover for was to pick a fight with PmK*bnC won a Cannes lions esPn magazine. michael nyman, anheuser-busch). These days for the “barely legal Pawn” video Cindi berger and Chris robichaud that mentality is increasingly it produced for audi (as well as remain at the helm as co-Ceos. applied to challenging industry best In show from the In2 sabre conventions. In late 2014, it was awards). The video embodies the diGital aGenCy acquired by ICF International creative firepower that has made oF the year making last year a transition. PmK*bnC such a successful after two years of solid, double- entity — building bridges digit growth, momentum slowed between pop culture with brands. as the $20m firm made 2015 a also last year, the IPG-owned year for setting the groundwork firm created and distributed for its future. digital short, “Kermit Gets set up” driving awareness for audi’s The calibre of the work, however, emmy’s sponsorship, developed/ remained unchanged. For programmed samsung studios in instance, marshawn lynch’s los angeles and new york, and skittles Press Conference drove the launch of the Galaxy s6 PreCision won best in show at the In2 and note 5, helping samsung gain (indePendent) sabre awards (the second incredible market share. time olson engage has taken The creative work has been very when was re- home a best In show there), good for business. In 2015, the elected as President in 2012, its “exterminating pop culture” firm experience double-digit much of the credit for his 26 north ameriCa

victory went to his campaign’s matthew mcGregor — described associates at companies like best sophisticated use of digital and as ’obama’s digital attack dog’ by buy and walmart learn more data analytics — an effort that — has only added about Google products. beyond resonated widely in a corporate more heft to Precision’s offering. launched a full version of Train world that sometimes struggles to up online and through Google innovate. so it stands to reason In particular, three of Precision’s Play, available to retailers across that the architects of President campaigns catch the eye. the us. beyond also refreshed obama’s re-election campaign For the Coalition of Public Google’s doubleClick web have achieved considerable safety, Precision helped make experience. meanwhile, beyond’s success with Precision, the firm meaningful progress on the redesign of virgin.com centred they launched in mid-2013. issue of criminal justice reform, around the brand’s updated despite a gridlocked Congress. target audience and content Founded by former deputy For the John F. Kennedy library, strategy — aimed at targeting campaign managers stephanie meanwhile, Precision drove a younger, entrepreneurially Cutter and Jen o’malley dillon, unprecedented results for the minded audience. The strategy along with Teddy Goff, who Profile in Courage Award. And, focussed on delivering compelling served as digital director for perhaps most high-profile of all, content to this audience, through obama’s re-election drive, Precision crafted and executed an immersive content platform. Precision’s growth since it a field and messaging strategy launched has been eye-catching for for the liberal Party of beyond has more than 75 people — it now numbers 50 people Canada’s election campaign, in north america and revenues across washington dC, new helping elevate Justin Trudeau grew by 60% compared to the york and los angeles, and has to Prime minister. previous year. more than 25 clients — including companies such as the bank beyond (next15) GrouP sJr of America, Pfizer, GE, Fusion, Finalist (h+K strateGies/WPP) under armour, Humana and Finalist the sacramento Kings, along In its early days, beyond did a with organizations and causes little bit of everything that falls not only has Group sJr doubled like the democratic senatorial under the digital umbrella. since in size since its acquisition two Campaign Committee, the liberal Ceo nick rappolt took over, years ago, to about 100 people, Party of Canada/Justin Trudeau, the Next 15 shop has refined but founder alex Jutkowitz has americans for responsible its positioning to web design taken on a broader role within solutions, the dnC, the aClu, and experience. Hill+Knowlton (as chief global and Hillary for america. strategist) and wPP (as Ceo of its last year, rappolt oversaw new Truffle Pig content marketing across all of this week, Precision the implementation of applied venture) but sJr members are demonstrates an ability to drive Creativity — a process that uses now integrated into more than earned, digital and paid media by data to uncover needs and pain half of H+K’s top 50 clients deploying a rigorous approach points across the entire user (or and routinely called in on new to data and analytics, enabled in customer) journey. The results business presentations. large part by the vast expansion of this can be seen in beyond’s of digital media and platforms. work for Google, for instance. Much of that is down to the firm’s In this, Precision approximates a To help provide consumers with cutting-edge approach to digital next-generation communications a better retail experience on content, which once prompted agency, even if its work focuses Google offerings, Google’s Retail Fast Company to call sJr ‘the squarely on the public affairs team asked beyond to create biggest publishing company sector. The last year of a platform to help retail sales you’ve never heard of. 27 north ameriCa

Creative highlights include a wide- surveying techniques and other channels and mobile platforms reaching content “ecosystem” aspects of marketing technology. in an effort to create more for Ge, covering everything from This was rolled out last year personalized connections in a e-commerce to social media, across the firm’s 150 employees fragmented media landscape, executive thought leadership across offices in Boston, San and designing new storytelling to influencer campaigns, and Francisco, new york and austin. approaches that cover a variety providing support for levi of formats, such as film and Strauss as it released the findings Now in its 14th year, the firm video, virtual reality, comics, of its “lifecycle assessment” reported $20m in revenues — print, mobile, web content, urging consumers to wash their up 10% from last year. Growth music, games and location-based jeans less often as part of the was fueled by clients like marketing. The firm also brought company’s Csr initiative. visitors and Convention in Katja schroeder—formerly bureau, webroot, mcdonalds, of burson-marsteller and her but it’s not just at the creative mcKesson orchard supply own agency expedition—to end of the spectrum where sJr Hardware (division of lowes), rsa lead the transmedia storytelling stands out. The firm has launched Conference, HImss Conference, brand’s technology work. From a new digital analytics offering whole Foods, The Guardian, bitly, using virtual reality in employee called singlescore to provide Sierra Nevada (new), Pacific Gas communications (helping GsK a single metric of social media & electric (new), Foxwoods (new), “sell” its new us headquarters value. That approach is now Citrix (new), Godaddy (new), location) to the analytics embedded into H+K’s overall whole Foods 365 (new) and Trip surrounding its influencer methodology, and indicates how advisor (new). engagement, the work is sJr continues to innovate in the increasingly impressive. digital marketing arena. ruder Finn (indePendent) shiFt CommuniCations Finalist FinanCial aGenCy (indePendent) oF the year Finalist Since the spinoff of Finn Partners five years ago, Ruder Finn has since its inception Ceo Todd embraced “transformation” as defren has pushed shift to the its watchword, deepening its forefront of all things digital. last digital expertise and integrating year, Shift was the first PR firm it into every practice. led to become a Google analytics by chief digital officer Scott Certified Partner. This means schneider and rFI studios it has the capacity to tap into president maryann watson, the Google’s web-measurement firm is producing a vast array planning, advanced feature of content—from infographics Joele FranK implementations, media analysis to video to virtual reality—while (indePendent) and consulting, and website its rFI labs operation serves as optimization. and to further an incubator for new ideas in “we help our clients take control,” ensure shift remained on the mobile marketing, geo-targeting, is the Joele Frank promise. In the frontlines of digital, the leadership ambient intelligence and crowd- context of the world in which developed a training program sourced storytelling. the firm operates—mergers and that encompassed advanced acquisitions, proxy battles, activist analytics, social advertising More recently, the firm launched attacks and other high-stakes and measurement, seo basics, “incubator agency” bloom, which special situations—that’s a big is testing new technologies, social promise, and one on which the 28 north ameriCa

firm has been delivering for 15 brunsWiCK (formerly senior executive editor years. Over that time, the firm has (indePendent) of bloomberg news) and Kevin grown to 100 people—including Finalist bailey (former chief legal counsel 19 partners—and expanded for communications and external to the west coast, with a new brunswick Group provided affairs at BP). San Francisco office in 2015, communications support for supplementing its crisis work more — edelman with some broad retainer-based more than 200—than any other (dJe holdinGs) investor relations and corporate public relations firm in 2015, Finalist communications work (two-thirds according to the latest data from of its special situations turn industry authority mergermarket, when edelman hired lex suvanto into retainer assignments) for and while its us operation was from abernathy macGregor in clients such as alcoa, american slightly less active (108 deals) it the summer of 2013 to build a airlines, duPont, martin marietta, still finished number one in terms financial transactions capability, merck, monsanto, Procter & of the value of deals worked, there was some understandable Gamble, salesforce.com, sears clearly benefiting from the firm’s skepticism. For the most part, Holdings and more—as well as unique international reach—23 full service agencies are no new additions ab electrolux, offices around the world—and longer a factor in an m&a world avon Products, Humana, Teva ability to handle even the biggest dominated by specialist firms, Pharmaceutical and yum! brands. cross-border transaction. and several efforts to reverse that trend have failed. but after a In the us, Joele Frank led the but of course, brunswick today year in which edelman forced its mergermarket rankings last year is much more than just a deal way into the top 10 deal advisors in terms of deal volume (132) shop: it has expertise that spans according to the league table and came in second by value capital markets communications, compiled by industry authority of deals worked, with highlights corporate responsibility, mergermarket, the addition of including work for duPont in its crisis management, employee suvanto is looking more and proxy contest against Trian Fund engagement, litigation, and public more like a smart move. management and subsequent affairs. Indeed, the appointment Edelman finished sixth in the merger with The dow Chemical; of maria Figueroa Kupcu to lead value of deals worked ($299 Ge with the announcement of its the New York office indicates billion) last year and seventh in plan to sell most of its Ge Capital the breadth of the firm’s work: volume (84) working on significant assets; The williams Companies in nine years with the firm, she transactions including willis’ in its sale to energy Transfer has focused on social purpose, acquisition of Gras savoye; the equity; Teva Pharmaceutical supporting campaigns including dTZ merger with Cushman & in its unsolicited proposal to PepsiCo’s “Performance with Wakefield; FujiFIlm’s acquisition acquire mylan and its acquisition Purpose” and anheuser-busch of Cellular dynamics; Journal of allergan’s generics business; Inbev’s “better world.” steve media Group’s sale to Gannett; and Humana in its sale to lipin, who joined from The and PayPal’s acquisition of Aetna. The firm also assisted wall street Journal in 2001 and Xoom. The firm has also added on 72 management changes has spearheaded the firm’s US talent in the us, nadia damouni, in 2015, and handled several growth, continues as senior previously m&a team leader at restructurings in the energy and partner, while veteran republican reuters; brett Philbin, previously commodities markets. strategist ed Gillespie returned banking reporter at wall street to the firm as senior counselor in Journal; deb wasser, an Ir washington, dC, and other new industry veteran with more than additions included laurie Hays 25 years of experience most recently with veeco Industries; 29 north ameriCa

and Ted mcHugh, previously profile work from the Toyota relations support in mergers head of Ir at a real estate and volkswagen crises the Ceo and acquisitions, bankruptcies, investment trust. now suvanto transition at the iconic retailer corporate governance crises, has a global role, presiding over ralph lauren to duke energy’s leadership transitions, litigation, a financial communications settlement with the department and more—has handled the capability bolstered by the of Justice. new business came transition smoothly, with Jeremy acquisitions of Smithfield from sabmiller, royal dutch shell, Fielding taking the helm as Kekst’s Consultants in london and ergo barclays, Google, ernst & young, president and Ceo in 2014 and in and edelman can bank of China and more, joining agency veteran Jim Fingeroth expect to be a player in cross- the likes of verizon, starbucks, appointed as executive chairman. border transactions for some ahold, and deutsche bank and time to come. contributing to double digit The firm employs about 70 senior growth in 2015 (global fee income consultants, and continues to Finsbury (WPP) is north of $80 million). rank among the leaders in the us Finalist m&a arena, handling 116 deals There was new talent too, with in 2015 (third in both volume While many of the firms in Peter land, former global CCo and value of deals worked, its space have been forced at aol, joining as partner and according to mergermarket) to diversify beyond financial former wall street Journal including dell’s acquisition of transactions to add more retainer journalist deborah solomon, emC, while continuing to see corporate reputation work, bloomberg news legal writer growth in shareholder activism, Finsbury—at least in the us— sherri Toub, and mF Global and crisis communications (it handled has been facing the opposite Fitch ratings veteran lisa Kampf volkswagen’s issues in the us), challenge. an established leader all joining as principals, working leadership transitions, and in the high-stakes corporate alongside us chief executive bankruptcies and restructurings realm since its robinson lerer michael Gross and partner Kal (radio shack, among others). & Montgomery days, the firm Goldberg, who has been building has been expanding its financial the m&a practice. and m&a capabilities to take healthCare aGenCy advantage of the cross-border KeKst and ComPany oF the year potential presented by its uK (PubliCis GrouPe) operation, a perennial leader Finalist in the m&a rankings there. and there is certainly evidence that Having enjoyed the benefits of Finsbury’s us operations are a strong and stable leadership making progress, ranking in team for many years under the top eight by both value and Gershon Kekst and larry rand, volume, representing sabmiller the passing of the generational in the $107 billion anheuser- torch at Kekst and Company— busch Inbev deal; royal dutch along with the firm’s acquisition shell’s $70 billion acquisition of by Publicis—gave competitors sPeCtrum bG Group; the walgreens boots hope that the most storied of (indePendent) alliance/rite aid merger; and the new york-based corporate unitedHealth Group’s acquisition and financial communications spectrum has remarkably of Catamaran. specialists might be vulnerable. navigated a series of changes but Kekst—a pioneer in initiated in 2014 — a Meanwhile, the firm has providing investor and public restructuring from a cross- continued to handle high- functional model to one with 30 north ameriCa

distinct practice areas and a has built an agency that focuses team as visionary resources in leadership change as founder exclusively on healthcare and the healthcare industry. That John seng began a transition to health IT, with 18 staff based campaign owned much to the being emeritus, meanwhile across a national network that company’s content development while Jonathan wilson ascended also includes a presence in approach, also illustrated by the as president. Chicago; san Francisco; salt firm’s knowledge centre — which lake City; austin; south dakota; has become a useful industry Even so, the 20-year-old firm michigan; and, north Carolina. resource for many healthcare emerged with revenues up specialists, and is followed by a 56% to nearly $15m in 2015 In particular, amendola’s significant number of healthcare with 65 employees across its approach to healthcare content journalists who use it for offices in Washington DC, New has helped the firm distinguish background information and york (opened in 2015) and itself from the traditional media story ideas. atlanta (opened in 2015). new relations model. That mentality clients abbvie, Tesaro, Zafgen has seen the firm revamp its accordingly, amendola is and Genocea join an existing operational model, towards a deploying knowledge centre roster with astellas, Covidien/ more specialist-oriented offering, programs for several clients who medtronic, roche diagnostics, bringing in content and media want to make their website a go- st. Jude Children’s research relations talent to support an to resource within their market Hospital, Pharmaceuticals, account manager who focuses niche. For Phytel, for example, among others. solely on the client relationship. amendola positioned the Growth of 51% last year suggests company as the industry leader in The firm points to its “One that amendola’s approach is population health management, spectrum” ideology for its bearing fruit, with new clients delivering more than 50 pieces enduring success. For instance, including aprima, Collibrium, HGs, of high-value content — helping Spectrum operates as one firm sCIo Health analytics, sunquest, Phytel build a strong reputation across all offices, sharing teams wanda, and Zipongo joining in the market, which ultimately and resources, with a single P&l. a roster that already features led to the company’s acquisition It also looks to have expertise aptus Health, bernoulli, availity, by Ibm. a similar thought across the divergent worlds of Cleardata, Health Catalyst, leadership approach was utilised trendy, consumer brands and sentrian, skygen usa, recondo for Physicians Interactive’s launch high science pharmaceutical and west Healthcare. of the omnio mHealth clinical products, bringing a unique information application for mix of scientific rigor and The senior team remains lead by healthcare professionals. contemporary smarts to its work. Jodi amendola, who is supported by strategist Jan schulman, Chandler ChiCCo amendola vP Todd stein and md Tim aGenCy CommuniCations boivin. There were also notable (inventiv health) (indePendent) hires last year in the content Finalist Finalist and media relations space, reflecting the firm’s move to a Chandler Chicco celebrated cross-functional model. and the launched in 2004 in scottsdale, its 20th anniversary in 2015, work bears out this approach, aZ, amendola is proof of an opportunity to reflect on particularly amendola’s work for the continuing demand for an impressive two decades of Health Catalyst’s late-binding boutique-sized firms that are leadership in healthcare Pr— enterprise data warehouse and fully immersed in the healthcare the firm grew from five to 300 analytics platform, which involved sector. In this case, Jodi amendola people before its acquisition by positioning the client’s leadership inventiv Health—and to lay the 31 north ameriCa

foundations to compete in a GCi health (WPP/Cohn president Kristin Cahill, president more challenging and complex & WolFe GrouP) of scientific communication Jill future. an “employer Finalist dosik—has been together for of choice” before the term six years now and is building a became fashionable, CCa rolled one of the tangible culture that challenges employees out a number of employee consequences of GCI’s decision to think differently about initiatives last year—Passion to put the “patient at the center” healthcare communications Grants, a new sabbatical of everything it does is an while providing a nurturing, policy, an expanded inter- inexorable expansion of its work collegial environment. office exchange policy—while into venues where consumers encouraging greater creativity are actually looking for healthcare toGorun (omniCom/ within the agency through a information, which means Fleishmanhillard) program called Fresh Ideas greater use of digital and social Finalist (Ideation development, external channels, using paid, owned Inspiration, actively sharing). and shared alongside more since its launch in 2012— traditional earned media. working emerging from the ashes of CPr with the healthcare to raise awareness of Tecfidera worldwide, previously acquired communications landscape (from biogen) as a treatment by FleishmanHillard—omnicom’s shifting beyond pharmaceutical option for relapsing multiple Togorun has quietly and marketing, the firm also sclerosis, GCI Health partnered confidently emerged as one of expanded its capabilities in areas with self magazine, style expert the best of a new generation of such as advocacy (publishing and talk show host Jeannie mal, healthcare specialist firms. With research into what patient groups and select bloggers to drive two major clients at start-up—lilly want from pharma companies), engagement and web traffic. and Philips—Ceo Janata change management, science using targeted media outreach, quickly recognized the need communications (embedding grassroots efforts, culturally- to diversify, and over the past scientific experts into every relevant spokespeople and three years the firm has added program), and patient patient resources, meanwhile, the about 30 clients: 2015 saw the engagement. The payoff was firm helped Merck reach black addition of accumen (a blood apparent in the second half of and Hispanic communities at a management consulting agency), the year, when CCa picked up higher risk for type 2 diabetes CareCentrix (paid and earned $7 million in new business over and raise awareness of america’s media), the digestive Health a six-month period from a client diabetes Challenge. Physicians association, Flexion list that includes mylan, novartis, (executive visibility, positioning nvs-Genentech, biomarin, while many client assignments and influencer outreach), the Celgene and biogen. remain confidential, GCI now Italian Trade Commission works for eight of the nation’s top (introducing healthcare startups award-winning work includes 10 pharmaceutical companies, to the us market), lexicon the CIu & you unbranded while also broadening its Pharmaceuticals, merck (Csr), the awareness campaign on behalf client base to include biotech, national Hemophilia Foundation of Genentech and novartis, medical devices, payer/provider, and the obesity society. supporting the needs of people association and health technology with chronic idiopathic urticarial clients, growing by an impressive Those clients join a roster and a program marking 10 years 23 percent. that includes the original of naglazyme, biomarin’s enzyme two, allergan, bayer, novo replacement therapy for one of The leadership team—Ceo nordisk, valeant and more, and the rarest conditions in the world, wendy lund, north american showcase the broadening of the mucopolysaccharidosis type vI. 32 north ameriCa

firm’s capabilities—corporate sister firm Code & Theory) and it aPCo (indePendent) reputation, Csr, executive has continued to strengthen its Finalist leadership, as well as public work in three key areas. affairs through an expanding The only truly global firm Washington, DC, office. They also The first is in the M&A arena, specializing in the public affairs helped the firm to 16% growth where sKdK has built on its sector, aPCo gets plenty of credit in 2015, ending the year with fee impressive work on the us for its policy expertise, but not income of around $14 million. airways-american airlines enough recognition for its role Meanwhile the firm—named for merger of a couple of years as an innovator. The firm has the 1925 Nome Serum Run, when ago to become the go-to firm been producing groundbreaking a dog called Togo helped head off for m&a activity in washington, research in the corporate a diphtheria epidemic—continues dC, working with clients such as reputation space (its return to focus on its work environment Anthem, GE Captial, and Pfizer on reputation methodology and talent, with impressive inter- (often in partnership with new does a s much to quantify the office cooperation and a culture York financial communications impact of enhanced reputation of volunteerism. specialist Joele Frank). The as any industry instrument we second is providing support have seen) and has also been for some of the big progressive pioneering the use of digital PubliC aFFairs causes before the supreme in public affairs—community aGenCy oF the year Court, typically working for management and content broad-based coalitions on issues creation, of course, but also such as abortion, immigration a data-driven social listening reform, obamacare and union approach that has helped clients voting rights. and the third is the such as a major car company opening up of Cuba, an issue in and the better medicare alliance which the firm was involved from target specific messages at the outset (it won a sabre for its specific influences to engage work helping to free imprisoned them more efficiently. government contractor alan Gross and change us policy) In many respects, 2015 was sKdKniCKerboCKer and is now helping clients with a year of transition—growth (staGWell GrouP) market entry. was modest, in the low single digits—as brad staples took over The big news at progressive The firm also opened a west coast the global leadership role and public affairs firm office last year, hiring former Clinton administration veteran sKdKnickerbocker last year was Obama administration official Bill lisa osborne-ross took the reins the acquisition in october by burton as managing director and of the flagship DC operation, but ’s investment group working with west coast clients the firm brought in new business stagwell Group. so far, the impact such as disney and the university from bechtel, Kellogg, diageo, has been minimal—principals of California; continuing to work in nespresso and more (joining bill Knapp, and Hilary the aviation sector with a coalition the likes of microsoft, mars, rosen remain in place and the of us carriers and their unions lenovo, IKea and the Clinton firm continues to work on a wide concerned about the growth of Global Initiative) and new talent range of corporate, advocacy Gulf airlines; and managing three including John Stauffer from and political campaign clients. senate, 10 Congressional and a social@ogilvy and Gadi dechter sKdK’s digital capabilities have Governor’s race. from the obama white House (as continued to expand (and it now well as a host of millennials with has access to the resources of solid digital and social chops), 33 north ameriCa

while also strengthening its High-profile work in 2015 controversial pharmaceutical international advisory council. ranged from helping the us company valeant on its regulatory department of defense reduce issues, Con edison on digital Fleishmanhillard the rate of binge drinking and social media and energy (omniCom GrouP) among junior service members conservation initiatives, and “gig Finalist to communicating samsung economy” companies such as electronics’ corporate social uber and airbnb as they begin to with close to 500 people in responsibility efforts on veteran encounter regulatory resistance washington, dC, working across and military family outreach to their rapid growth. five brands—including GMMB, initiatives to working with the voX Global, Togo run and ddC electronic Payments Coalition to But the firm also does some advocacy— FleishmanHillard overturn price caps contained interesting work outside of the has probably the most in the dodd-Frank wall street corporate realm, supporting comprehensive public affairs reform legislation. the aClu on issues related to capability of any of the full- the Patriot act, regional soccer service agencies, and despite Global strateGy governing body ConCaCaF some. Its expertise in the market GrouP (indePendent) on the fallout from corruption includes a host of government Finalist investigations, and the FealGood work, for agencies ranging from Foundation on the renewal of the the Fsa and Fema to usda and because of the amount of 9/11 health bill. Head of research Homeland security; the ability political campaign work it nick Gourevitch was promoted to handle global, federal and undertakes, Global strategy to partner last year, and the firm state legislative and regulatory Group tends to grow in even- added senior vice presidents issues, in areas that include food numbered years and retrench matt Canter (in dC from the policy, healthcare, cybersecurity, in the odd—a pattern it broke democratic senatorial Campaign homeland security, aviation, for the first time in 2013—and Committee) and in new york Glen federal appropriations, energy while revenues were flat in Caplin (former communications and natural resources, the 2015, it was the firm’s best director to us senator Kirsten environment and technology; a non-campaign year. GsG is now Gillibrand) and dana yeganian Csr practice focused on social generating about $30 million (from Capstrat). purpose and shared value. a year (split evenly between research revenues and public sinGer assoCiates The vox brand, meanwhile, affairs and communications) and (indePendent) has a team of 60 offering now has about 100 people, Finalist digital advocacy, social media, about 75 of them in its new grassroots and stakeholder york headquarters. when it comes to high-stakes outreach, event support and public battles in northern more; ddC, acquired two The firm does most of its work California, Sam Singer’s firm is years ago, is a leader in data- in highly-regulated industries— very likely to be involved on one driven advocacy campaigns; energy and financial services side of the aisle. The firm has Togo run focuses on the and healthcare are all areas of racked up numerous victories healthcare sector; and Gmmb strength—and is working on for clients across real estate, is an advertising and political more and more high-profile environmental issues, litigation, consulting firm currently at the issues. among the corporate labor disputes, transportation, center of the Clinton campaign, highlights in 2015, GsG worked among many other critical issues. among other critical efforts. with Comcast on its oft- The san Francisco Chronicle has criticized corporate reputation, called singer “san Francisco’s master of crisis communications.” 34 north ameriCa

singer’s built a strong business In the span of just six years, bateman GrouP on that reputation over 15 years. method averaged 70% year- (indePendent) revenues are $4.7m, up 7% with over-year growth to nearly $10m Finalist 18 people working on clients with 65 employees across salt that include Chevron, stanford lake City, san Francisco and los amid the crowded — and university, economic Angeles. The firm’s client portfolio ever-growing — field of Silicon Trade Office, Charles Schwab, reflects its leadership in fintech valley boutiques, the bateman airbnb, City of san bruno, mission and edtech — for instance, Group has steadily evolved bay alliance and the napa personal finance platform and expanded over a decade. valley wine Train, among many Credit Karma has more than 50 revenue is up 33% to $8.3m others. among its notable work, million members; bluevine and with 48 staff across offices in singer was hired by a group of robinhood have been recognized san Francisco and brooklyn. concerned Catholic parents, among Fast Company’s most Key long-term clients include teachers, students and donors Innovative Companies. In edtech, adroll, Google, lightspeed, Ping to battle the archbishop on a method represents Instructure, with new wins blue state digital, “loyalty oath” that played out on a which went public in 2015, and CloudPassage, Intuit Quickbase, national stage. Pluralsight, an e-learning platform linkedIn, l’oreal and others. The with a valuation exceeding $1 new clients wins are indicative of billion, and up-and-comers like a strategy the firm put forth last teChnoloGy aGenCy Clever and GoGuardian. year to diversify the portfolio to oF the year include new sectors like digital Its work on vivint smart Home media/marketing, digital health featured the company’s Ceo and wellness, consumer, and on the Cbs show “undercover research and innovation. boss” — and amplifying that with more media to help the company bateman also expanded its standout in a market crowded owned content work and is now with titans like Google, apple managing blogs (from ideation and adT. Client domo wanted to editorial calendar to writing) brand awareness and leadership for multiple clients. The firm’s while keeping the details of method data storytelling offers primary its technology stealth, so the and third-party research from CommuniCations method laid the groundwork ideation through designing a (indePendent) with customer case studies and narrative around the results and contributed articles until the media placement. notable work method seems to be the company was ready for a full- includes securing a new york technology firm that blindsided blown media tour. Times business section cover silicon valley by arriving into story for Hackerone — a piece the market already inching Co-founder david Parkinson that was strategically designed towards $10m. The salt lake recently relocated to san to spark broad interest in the City-based agency started Francisco, meanwhile co-founder company leading up to its series when the co-founders, who Jacob moon remains in salt lake b funding event. handled communications for City. Heather england, hired from the billionaire sorenson family’s outCast, is among the leaders in Inspired by the 1-1-1 movement business empire, spun method its san Francisco operation. created by salesforce, bateman’s off as an independent entity E3THOS pledges 2% of profits, in 2010. 2% of time and 2% of partner

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equity to support local nonprofit expectations and challenge Their approach is the digital programs in san Francisco and outdated industry conventions ecosystem (an integrated model new york. — but not for its own sake. that incorporates earned, owned, The point is “to stay out of Pr paid strategies) that has pushed The bulleit Group (Independent) commodity hell” by figuring out the firm to make investments in Founded in 2012, the bulleit ways to remedy poor organic Google Analytics certifications, Group takes the view that media seo results for clients (especially visual storytelling, copywriters attention is the byproduct of a those who are spending and video storytellers. great narrative — an axiom money on the paid side of that’s often overlooked in the this) or creating a storytelling The work includes helping publicity frenzy of tech Pr. Co- methodology that eschews the dotcom distribution, an founders Kyle arteaga and alex noise pollution trap. Hoffman’s e-commerce fulfillment and third- Hunter stripped away many also pushes the industry to party logistics provider, evolve its traditional firm practices to seriously consider its approach lead generation program from streamline administration and to media relations by applying referrals and telemarketing to overhead — and to operate in a supply-and-demand economics a content-driven approach that style that reflects the agility and theory to media relations. leverages Pr, social and search pace of its clients. tactics. The strategy triggered an revenues are $4.5m with fueled 85% increase in web traffic, grew revenues are above $2m, up by wins like High Definition Audio dotcom’s monthly web leads 39% from the prior year (with that hired the firm for content tenfold, and contributed to more projections to grow 60% in marketing on the strength of its than $3 million in new business. 2016) with 16 people across san storytelling methodology and meanwhile, when CompTIa, a Francisco, nashville, washington seo expertise and avast, joining nonprofit IT association, looked dC, new york and london. The existing clients nautilus, City to launch a new cybersecurity client portfolio is a careful balance of Fremont, stamps.com and training program, walker sands between larger and smaller nokia. sabre judges gave nods launched a social experiment. 200 companies, and consumer and to the firm’s use of LinkedIn for unmarked usbs were dropped in enterprise. This includes working ZixCorp, alignment of organic cities across the us to see how on seven division of Google, eero, and paid seo for endicia (as well many people would plug them in. Halo neuroscience, itbit, Flexport as its work refining the content The resulting research was used and Gigster. of its blog) and the lean-thinking to create a report, infographic used to build a Fitness IQ survey and video series which yielded when providing examples of for nautilus. more than 100 placements, 53 its work, furthermore, bulleit million impressions and almost manages to circle the outcome WalKer sands 400 new leads for their program. back to an actual business (indePendent) other clients include , objectives like stock price, Finalist G2 Crowd, accenture Interactive business and partnership leads and others. generated and sales goals. The dark horse in the technology category, walker sands has been Mike Santoro has been the firm’s the hoFFman aGenCy around for 15 years growing president since 2008. (indePendent) 177% just in the last three years. Finalist In 2015, the firm grew 52% from $4.6 million to $7 million and CEO Lou Hoffman persistently brought on 28 new employees pushes his agency to exceed across its offices in Chicago and san Francisco. 36 north ameriCa

THe 2016 besT aGenCIes To worK For north ameriCa

The Holmes Report’s best larGe aGenCy Best Agencies to Work to WorK For For are determined by a comprehensive survey edelman of agency employees, at around 50 agencies edelman’s employer brand has throughout North America. come a long way since the days when the firm was known for a ruthless, winner-takes-all culture The process solicits that prized new business success employee views on a wide above collegiality, collaboration range of issues ranging and client services. The firm’s from the integrity of success—it has outpaced senior management to most of its multinational peers the quality of professional in recent years—is clearly a development, from contributing factor, as is the firm’s empowerment and risk- independence, but edelman taking to compensation. has also recognized the need to attract talent from non-traditional Being selected as a Best areas (data and digital, analytics Agency to Work For by the and advertising) and so it has Holmes Report is considered put in the work to create a truly special work environment. the ultimate benchmark of PR firm culture and some non-traditional professional workplace performance, in development opportunities an industry whose primary include a “mini mba” program asset remains its people. that sends future leaders for The four winners received a two-week immersion at the their awards at the SABRE university of Chicago booth Awards dinner on May 3 at school of business and a contest Cipriani New York. offering emerging creative

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talent a ticket to Cannes. on the Honorable mentions: talent, summed up in its mission: work-life balance front, the firm weber shandwick, “not to be the best agency in rewards 30 employees each year Cohn & wolfe, aPCo worldwide, america, but the best one to work with $1,500 and an additional Hill+Knowlton strategies for. If we are the best place to week of vacation each to be work, we will get the best people. used to either “live a dream” If we have the best people, we will by pursing a personal goal or best midsize aGenCy get the best clients. If we have the interest or “Give a dream” by to WorK For best people and clients, how can giving back to the community. we not be the best agency new moms can take advantage Coyne Pr in america?” of a “gradual return to work program” and there’s a “pick Coyne Pr’s positioning, “where Benefits include zero co-pays your perk” benefit for west you want to be,” is a pithy and for doctor visits, a generous coast employees to invest in direct statement of the firm’s holiday schedule along with Paid personal wellness. longtime ambition to become a Time Off, unlimited sick time and destination for both clients and birthdays off, in addition to two

2016 NORTH AMERICA CREATIVE AGENCY OF THE YEAR FINALIST

LOS ANGELES | NEW YORK | LONDON

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volunteer days per year. There’s professional development plans, but there’s also an a formal management training and an onboarding process that acknowledgement that program, plenty of opportunity provides a mentor for everyone, employees have lives outside for mid-level employees to there’s an emphasis on fun, the office and an understanding share ideas with the leadership from staff retreats to impromptu that treating them like adults team, and internal and external parties. “you are given the will be rewarded, so GFmers can classes focusing on management opportunity to grow however far work at anytime from anywhere, training, presentation skills and you can go,” says one respondent. and expectations in terms of more. “Trust, truth and integrity “There’s lots of leeway to be billability are markedly different are the cornerstone of this successful; it’s a great agency if from industry averages (closer agency,” says one respondent you want to make your own way.” to 60% than 80%). “Our benefits to our survey. adds another: adds another: “I love that our are pretty unbelievable,” says “we really believe that values in agency really empowers people one respondent. “we recently business still matter. we live to do to ‘own it’ and grow in their time rolled out unlimited vacation and the right thing.” here at revive. management is it is the greatest thing ever. The always open to ideas for how we flexibility we are allowed is unreal. Honorable mentions: can be better.” People are constantly amazed at m booth, Finn Partners, the level of freedom.” no wonder Text 100, GCI Health Honorable mentions: davies the firm has been named one Public Affairs, Powermarketing, of the top five places to work in Pan Communications, rbb the us by outside magazine and best small aGenCy boasts an employee retention to WorK For rate of around 95%. revivehealth best boutique aGenCy to WorK For Honorable mentions: Group Gordon, walker sands, reviveHealth’s values—“our GroundFloor Zapwater Communications, employees are inspired to always allidura Consumer be better and have fun in a media work environment facilitated by diversity, respect, transparency, denver-based GroundFloor and authenticity,” the firm says— Media is distinguished first and were created by the entire staff foremost by a commitment to in 2009 and updated in 2014. community services that dates employees are review based back to its founding—it gives the on these values, and the firm equivalent of approximately 15% twice yearly anonymous surveys of its annual revenues back to for the staff to rate themselves, the community and employees their peers, their manager, the can receive up to four hours of executive group, and individual paid time off each month for members of the leadership team volunteer work through the firm’s on the same criteria, ensuring Get Grounded program —and that “culture isn¹t just a thing has been expanded in the past we talk about, it¹s something we 12 months to include a new actively measure and manage.” primary charitable giving arm in 2015 called The Get Grounded beyond basic things like career Foundation that provides ladders and individualized community grants. 39 emea

THe 2016 aGenCIes oF THe year emea

Our 2016 EMEA PR Pan-emea ConsultanCy oF the year Consultancies of the hill+KnoWlton strateGies (WPP) Year are the result of an exhaustive research all of that was enough for process involving more healthy single-digit growth and than 200 submissions improved profitability across the 43 operations that make up H+K’s and face-to-face meetings emea network, accounting for with the best PR firms more than $160m in revenue. across Europe, the Middle major new business included East and Africa. , arla, norad, norwegian Central bank, Hurtigruten and now back on a considerably the G20 meeting in Turkey, while more even keel, Hill+Knowlton Winners were revealed at the firm’s top clients grew their strategies submitted its best revenues by 30%. In terms of the EMEA SABRE Awards emea performance for the better capabilities, H+K continues to in on 25 May. part of a decade, ensuring that retain one of the strongest energy one of the biggest Pr networks in teams in the business ( with 60 the region functioned as more of people in the region working on a benefit than a burden. A strong blue-chip brands such as shell financial performance included and statoil), and also possesses revenue expansion in a majority a broad portfolio of clients of markets, led by double- across FmCG, technology and digit growth in the uK, , healthcare, reflecting its status Germany, Italy, russia, the middle as perhaps the region’s biggest east and . Pr network. 40 emea

In addition to a UK office that evolve the firm’s culture and tourism industry after a series of now numbers 300 people, H+K skills — its London office plays a security scares. retains a strong presence across global lead role in this initiative, russia and middle east/africa thanks to such executives as The work is backed up with some — all of which saw standout millar, global creative head industry-best thought leadership, performances in 2015 — along simon shaw, publishing/content from the arab youth survey with substantial operations in lead vikki Chowney, and global produced by asdaa bm (now in Germany, the mediterranean, business development head sam its eighth year) to the Twiplomacy France, the benelux and the lythgoe. That commitment has study focused on the use of nordics. The last of these is the also led to a noticeable uplift in social media by politicians and home region of emea chairman/ campaign work, demonstrated by statesmen around the world. new Ceo lars erik Grønntun, who has campaigns for io, Injaz al-arab, talent reflects the balance BM is overseen a visible improvement the Qatar olympic Commission striking, from new senior advisor in H+K’s regional cohesion since and alibaba in russia. Geoff McDonald (previously he took charge in 2014. The firm’s overseeing change management performance in its traditional burson-marsteller at unilever) to managing director powerhouse uK market, led by of public affairs Andrew Cecil (WPP) richard millar, amounted to its (formerly with ’s eu public Finalist best since the 2012 olympics affairs operation). The results are year, with double-digit growth impressive: growth in the high burson-marsteller faces an led by strong energy and single digits across the region interesting challenge. It needs to technology practices, along with (with africa, the middle east, convince clients—and potential the bisqit content arm that now the nordics, France and the uK employees—that it is capable of numbers 50 people. Key clients among the standout performers) leading the charge on innovation include P&G, Intel, Ford and Tata and new business from oracle in the brand-building arena, Communications, along with and samsung in the tech space, but it doesn’t want to lose its new business for shire, Huawei, bayer and GsK in healthcare, reputation for providing a unique Chivas, HsbC and novartis. lavazza and the Jamaica Tourist breadth and depth of senior board in consumer, and easy Jet, counsel on critical issues in the much of H+K’s regional growth, Coca-Cola and raytheon in reputation space. It’s a challenge meanwhile, is being driven by public affairs. that the firm is handling pretty the shift to a more creative, well in the emea region, where content-led approach, led a global it has quietly been producing edelman creative hub in london, as the some cool, cutting-edge work in (indePendent) firm attempts to build the blend social responsibility (its swedish Finalist of generalist and specialist skills campaign to reduce usage that are required of the modern of the inexplicably popular Despite high-profile pullouts PR firm. This is exemplified snus smokeless tobacco) and from russia, Turkey and Poland by the firm’s partnership with integrated marketing (it still — leaving the firm without a Hyper Island, its development does grand-scale pan-european branded presence in Central and of a behavioural insights campaigns like promoting the eastern europe — edelman, our practice, its deployment of more european week of sport better reigning Pan-emea Consultancy sophisticated analytics tools, and than pretty much anyone). at the of the year, continued its a major expansion in its learning same time, the firm handled crisis impressive growth in the region, and development programmes response after the Germanwings with acquisitions (more on across the region. all of it, crash and has been working that later) fuelling double-digit furthermore, is underpinned with egypt to revive the country’s expansion to around $180m by a genuine commitment to 41 emea

across europe, the middle east and picked up impressive new market leader in south africa and africa. The pullouts remain business from PayPal, m&s, and Ireland), even as it seeks a key pillar in european Ceo l’occitane, easyjet and better growth in Germany, , michael stewart’s plan to focus . There was plenty of the Czech republic, brussels resources on bigger european new thinking too, via a new and . unsurprisingly, markets such as the uK, Germany public affairs global campaign given its ambition of growing and France. In all three of tool called The edge; from the emea to $140m by 2020, those, the firm has expanded edelman Intelligence research ogilvy Pr is eyeing further its capabilities considerably via and analytics business; and from geographic expansion, into acquisition, of Smithfield in the a more defined focus on CMO more african markets, as well uK (where edelman reported budgets. all of which led to some as places like Italy, Hungary, around $80m in fee income), fine work, with Edelman netting Israel and the netherlands. market leader elan in France 8 sabre nominations on behalf (where it now numbers more of such clients as ryanair, , It is making those moves from than 160 people), and ergo in PayPal and unicef. a position of relative strength, Germany (which gives it 300 thanks to the continued excellent people and $37m in revenue). In oGilvy Pr (WPP) performance of its uK operation, smaller markets like spain and Finalist now led by marshall manson. Italy, edelman has focused on like many of its network peers, profitability, while its Swedish Two years after winning win the uK has taken a leading role presence retains a demonstrable Pan-emea Consultancy of in retooling and reshaping ogilvy flair for creativity, thanks to the the year honours, ogilvy Pr PR’s capabilities to good effect addition of boutique creative continues to grow in stature and — ogilvy can credibly claim to firm Deportivo. scope across the region, with a be small and nimble enough for relatively leadership those changes to be adopted in edelman’s middle eastern transition seeing michael Frohlich a more seamless fashion across presence, meanwhile, is now take over emea leadership its network than more unwieldy one of the largest in that region, from global Ceo stuart smith. rivals. which has helped its overall with its operation regional scale remains a priority business growth too: ogilvy Pr’s complemented by the acquisition for the smallest of ogilvy Pr’s top 30 clients grew by 30% and of powerhouse dabo & global regions, now weighing its top 20 clients now account for Co, giving it 150 people across at around $70m in fee income, 35% of revenue, with 90% shared the two markets. a smaller south with approximately 700 people across more than one office. african presence continues spread across 25 offices in EMEA. much of that comes down to to grow, with regional head The firm’s regional profile, now ogilvy Pr’s ability to play well in rob Holdheim reorganising features strong operations in an increasingly integrated management across the overall numerous markets, notably in landscape. The social@ogilvy sub-region to better balance mature countries like the uK unit remains one of the best in the firm’s corporate and and France and, notably, in the business, and the network’s consumer capabilities. mena — where memac ogilvy’s creativity is apparent in some network gives the agency 14 standout work — particularly The firm continues to work for offices, generating an estimated from the uK, middle east and some of the region’s biggest $10m in revenue after another south africa — for such clients brand names, including year of double-digit growth and as Coca-Cola and KFC. astraZeneca, HP, Johnson & impressive client work. Indeed, There was plenty of significant Johnson, microsoft, novartis, ogilvy possesses an edge on new business too in 2015, from roche, shell, Tata, mubadala, many of its rivals in so-called such companies as TK maxx, dubai Tourism and unilever, emerging markets (it is also a merck, the suez Canal, Huawei 42 emea

and Ikea, joining a client roster was double-digit growth in 2015, even as growth proved that already features Google, key markets such as brussels elusive thanks to broader Ford, Puma, nestle, Ibm, amex, and Germany and—more economic conditions. Ceo Pfizer and LG. surprisingly—in spain. new vincent magwenya oversees business, meanwhile, came from an approach that is heavy Weber shandWiCK ab Inbev, british Gas, mcdonald’s, on new thinking and new (interPubliC GrouP) novartis, ocado, Purina, roche, products, including a particularly Finalist sealed air and more, while focus on opportunities in the existing clients contributed too: broader african region, along with more than 1,000 employees WS retained 92 percent of its with a separate ‘media house’ across 74 offices—the most top 40 clients, which increased service that focuses on content recent being an african hub in their spending by a combined production, and a range of Johannesburg—weber shandwick 32 percent last year. And finally, higher-margin reputation has one of the strongest weber shandwick is making an management services such as networks in emea, and with 14 impressive investment in learning policy and regulatory advocacy. percent growth in 2015 (half of and development, ranging it organic, half of it coming from from classroom instruction to new business in 2015 included 2014’s acquisition of swedish webinars, self-directed learning Land Bank, Redefine, Allan giant Prime) the firm appears to and external programmes; in Gray, blue diamond Growers be firing on all cylinders. It’s easy diversity and inclusion; and Incobrands, and waih to identify some of the important in an overall employee value management services, helping growth drivers. digital, for one, proposition that is one reason magna Carta navigate budget now contributes 30 percent of the firm was names a top 100 cuts by one its biggest clients, weber shandwick’s revenues employer by the sunday Times eskom. other key accounts across the region and grew by 25 yet again last year. include standard bank, deloitte percent last year, with a host of & Touche, emirates, engen, new hires in data and analytics datsun, Clicks, adidas, rhodes aFriCa Pr and content creation (executive Food Group and shangai Zendai. creative director James nester ConsultanCy Campaign highlights included from we are social, emea head oF the year: the launch of the western Cape of content al berry from bacardi), Funding Fair with deloitte and and expansion of the firm’s the department of economic Studio offering. The work ranges development of Tourism; a from superb content creation (the commemorative stamp for don’t drink and dive campaign oxford university Press’ 100th for swedish insurer Trygg-Hansa) year in southern africa; the to innovative new media use (the living africa blog for standard #washedaway billboard campaign bank Group; and helping eskom’s for charity action aid) to creative efforts to discourage the illegal crisis management (“save the use of electricity. much of the squirrell” for nestle in Greece) to maGna Carta work is driven by an approach health education (astraZeneca’s (omniCom GrouP) to content and influencer anti-diabetes efforts in Spain). marketing that is among the There’s greater consistency After a difficult period that best in the market. across the region too: london, sparked a restructuring of with close to 250 people, is its senior team, one of south still a powerhouse, but there africa’s largest Pr consultancies appeared back to its best in 43 emea

atmosPhere an aptitude for highly creative, There has also been innovation (KinG James GrouP) compelling work, on behalf of in its products, particularly Finalist such clients as sanlam, santam, the atmosphere media Index, Capitec bank, windhoek beer, which aims to bring higher Atmosphere is one of the firms unilever, Pepsico, burger King level of sophistication to media at the vanguard of south africa’s and swift. In 2015, furthermore, measurement through a progression into a sophisticated there was new business from customised scoring system. also public relations market. The 14- boschendal wines, Commercial worth noting is atmosphere’s year old firm now employs 40 bank of mauritius, Taj Hotel, P&G, staff culture, which it describes consultants and blends strategic Hasbro, Cottonon, medtronic as flat and consensus-driven insight and creative savvy to and brita. and includes a strong focus on exceptional effect at times, training and development. bolstering its reputation as one Ceo nicola nel is supported by of the country’s more innovative directors lauren volmink and burson-marsteller PR firms. In common with many Megann Outram, oversees a firm (WPP) of its rivals, growth was difficult that continues to develop some Finalist amid tough market conditions groundbreaking campaigns, in 2015. The firm now reports such as a major effort to build burson-marsteller has been a around $1.7m in fee income, awareness for ’s free finalist in all six years that the and continues to showcase drug rehabilitation programme. african Consultancy of the year

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award has been presented (and islands—won a Gold sabre for its Hoteleira angolana hospitality a winner twice) and this is not ebola fund raising campaign on academy. beyond angola, there is the year for that streak to come behalf of client abaX. business from Tomé International to an end. The focal point of the and uniqua Consulting, along firm’s African network is of course dJembe with new business from niFund the arcay burson-marsteller CommuniCations in nigeria and morocco’s ministry operation in south africa, led (indePendent) of Communications. djembe’s by chairman robyn de villiers, Finalist approach is further underpinned but the firm has a network of by some excellent thought 350 professionals in 53 nations named after the west african leadership, a new research across the continent (more than drum, djembe is one of the best platform that aims to analyse 30 of them now bearing the of the new generation of african africa’s socio-economic growth, burson-marsteller brand) and PR firms, combining high-level and roundtable events on job several of them are industry strategic consultancy with a creation across sub-saharan leaders in their own right: desiree rigourous understanding of africa. also worth noting is Gomes of engage burson- local market conditions across the firm’s commitment to its marsteller in Kenya, recipient of the continent. dubai-based communities, demonstrated by the PrsK lifetime achievement managing director mitchell the my dream initiative to help Golden Honours: yomi badejo- Prather previously led Grayling’s angolan children broaden their okusanya of CmC Connect and Golin’s operations in the arts education. burson-marsteller in nigeria and region and also worked as a secretary general of aPra; and senior manager at mubadala mslGrouP alain amoussoukpevi of Prime development Company, giving (PubliCis GrouPe) media burson-marsteller in benin. him plenty of experience of the Finalist region’s key markets. Prather is The firm has been handled supported by regional director mslGroup made a dramatic public relations for Turner nicole anwer, and together the entry into the african market broadcasting and its Cnn, TCm, duo oversee a firm that has in February of last year when Cartoon network and boomerang grown to 45 people in just over it acquired south africa’s epic channels, with a focus on south three years, already reporting Communications—at the time africa, nigeria and Kenya; helping $6m in fee income across The Holmes report’s reigning the Carlson-rezidor Hotel Group dubai, luanda, lagos, london, african Consultancy oif the year. differentiate its brands across maputo, rabat, accra, new york, epic, with 50 consultants across south africa and several sub- washington dC and Zurich. its Johannesburg and Cape Town saharan markets; partnering offices—enough to rank among with ses, the luxembourg-based djembe’s positioning, which the top five in the market—and satellite company, to roll out focuses on reputation more than 40 retainer clients services and engage with key management and local insight, including samsung, nedbank, stakeholders; providing top- has proved popular, particularly dHl, Cipla and old mutual, tier media relations support to with angolan government offered traditional media and Huawei as it launched its P8 vehicles that require a more investor relations, reputation smartphone; and delivering pro sophisticated public relations management, activations, bono support for the Project approach. Key clients include the e-Pr and digital expertise. everyone campaign, raising country’s sovereign wealth Fund; The firm was founded and awareness of sustainable its Fund; the led by elian wiener, a former development goals. meanwhile, country’s first investment bank; FleishmanHillard executive, and Blast Communications—the firm’s the Porto de Caio port project; was already beginning to eye affiliate for the Indian Ocean and the academia de Gestão 45 emea

a more regional approach. so affairs and Belgian PR specialists 3m, anbang, the european it was no surprise a year later in the market, only Interel Copper Institute and when msl parent Publicis Groupe operates successfully in both General mills. acquired a “significant minority markets. The belgian business— stake” in nigeria’s Troyka Group, led by managing partner bex*CommuniCatie which includes PR firm The baudouin velge—has been (indePendent) Quadrant Company—our african challenging in recent years—the Finalist Pr Consultancy of the year in country is home to relatively few 2012. The firm, led by managing corporate headquarters, and when a dutch clinic discovered director bolaji okusaga and the local market is small and last year that more than 300 with a team of 40, is now known economically depressed, but cancer patients had received as Quadrant mslGroup. It has Interel has 24 people focused lower than necessary doses of strong corporate communications on the local market, generating radiation over the last decade— capabilities as well as digital and fees of around €3 million (up potentially increasing the risk social media capabilities that 17% last year) and serving of their cancer recurring— include Quidig, a proprietary clients such as beiersdorf, InG, bex*communicatie was on social listening tool. The two bridgestone, morgan stanley, air hand to advise a proactive highly-regarded acquisitions Liquide, Sanofi, Gilead, Google communications strategy that give msl instant credibility in and aXa, with new business from combined expressions of apology what many observers expect to banque du luxembourg, Total, and regret from the clinic’s be two of the world’s fastest- d’Ieteren (the exclusive importer management team combined growing Pr markets. of volkswagen in belgium). with an authoritative independent third-party assessment of the underscoring its expertise in situation—an approach that benelux Pr crisis, the firm issued a white maintained patient numbers, ConsultanCy paper and video on “recalls avoided lawsuits, and exemplified oF the year: in the digital age,” while the the makes bex such a strong firm also continues to grow its partner for so many leading corporate reputation and public dutch companies. now in its affairs work. The EU business, 30th year, Noud Bex’s firm has meanwhile, has expanded from enough experience in the crisis traditional public affairs to arena—the firm estimates it incorporate a more integrated handles 75 crises a year—to approach—traditional Pr, handle the most delicate issues corporate storytelling, digital with confidence and candor while and social work, content its own crisis handbook ensures creation—a decision that fueled interel (indePendent) a structured approach. beyond healthy 14 percent growth in the crisis realm, the firm has 2015, which ended with the firm expertise in change management Interel is unique among brussels- reporting €13.5 million in fees. (led by chairman monique based agencies for a couple of Key clients include the Project Hendriks), corporate reputation reasons: first, while there are management Institute, astellas, management, executive training, many multinational firms with IsPo (the International society and corporate storytelling. The offices in the European capital, of Prosthetics & orthotics), Ieee firm works for a host of leading Interel may be the only brussels- (the Institute of electrical and companies in the dutch market, based firm to have built its own electronic engineers), expedia, including royal dsm, abbvie, international presence; and Coca Cola and beiersdorf, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, second, while there are public new additions including ecolab, 46 emea

aCe europe, asml, unilever, Fleishmanhillard to the client roster last year are exxon mobil, Glassdoor, Philips (omniCom GrouP) sandoz in healthcare, Centrica in International, and allen & overy, Finalist the energy sector, and technology generating fee income last year of clients the european Tech €3.1 million. Celebrating its 25th anniversary alliance and dropbox. a highlight in the brussels market this year, in 2015 was FleishmanHillard’s CooPr (indePendent) FleishmanHillard is one of the ongoing energy industry Finalist strongest multinationals in the campaign Gasnaturally, which european capital, with more the team took to CoP 21 in , It was only five years ago that than 70 people and revenues drawing on the firm’s pioneering Jody Koehler and Jos Govaart of around €12 million. one True IQ social real-time social spun Coopr (which was previously key differentiator is the firm’s media visualisation platform. an online Pr shop part of a leadership team. regional larger dutch agency) into an director Caroline wunnerlich lvt GrouP independent entity. since then, has been with the firm since its (indePendent) the Rotterdam-based firm has second year (when it was still Finalist grown from two people to 23 GPC) and provides a wealth of with a wide-ranging roster experience in advocacy, issues Like many firms, LVT Group is of clients that include Netflix management and public affairs. looking to make paid, owned (new), linkedIn, Heinz (new), Dan Baxter leads the firm’s work and earned integral to its bmw, , siemens, mTv, in the manufacturing sector and overall business model. The warsteiner, wwe, albert Heijn has been with FH for 18 years firm’s unique structure involves (new) and Jbl. in offices on three continents; specialist groups that each donald ricketts has 16 years grow autonomously. 70% of its In 2015, the team expanded from of experience with the firm consultants are now Google 11 to 21 people with revenues and leads its financial services certified to be savvier on the up 105%, despite facing a series practice; James stevens joined digital side. This model has led of challenegs related to the in 2002 and has a background to 20% growth and a jump from availability of talent. Fee income in energy and environmental 43 to 69 people across offices in is just shy of €2m — up from policy. new additions in 2015 , bunnik and brussels €963K in 2014. While the firm included brett Kobie, head of in 2015. lvT Group closed last has established expertise in digital, creative and social, who year with €7.2m in turnover and is consumer and digital Pr, in 2015 joined from medTech europe; on the trajectory towards another new clients came in from finance, matt Hinde, who joined as senior 25% growth this year. The growth tech and health. also, last year vP from the uK department was driven by clients that include Coopr acquired a creative agency of energy & Climate Change; several multinational brands that that now functions as its in-house and ray Pinto, who joined from are household names, but have content hub Coopr studio and microsoft to head the tech team. requested not to be named. it launched a digital marketing Tech continues to be its leading division. notable work includes The firm has particular strength sector. Ceo Charly lammers van a stunt-based campaign for in financial services, from banking Toorenburg with mds Karolien Coolblue, interactive videos for (barclays, Credit suisse, HsbC, Hessels, stella Jansen, marielle ledereeneHbo, a sandwich pop- JP morgan, morgan stanley), van der Zouwen and simone up for de ruijter and a massive the investment community Jansen also in management. digital glasses built for ZjeZuid. (blackrock, Pimco), to credit rating agencies (standard & Poor’s) and insurance (aviva). new

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stints at Jung von matt/365, clients such as mercedes-benz daCh Pr fischerAppelt and DDB Tribal—as and deutsche bahn. ConsultanCy chief creative officer. The payoff oF the year: from all of this investment was The firm handled major apparent in 2015, as achtung! content marketing projects for grew by 18%, breaking through clients such as toolmaker Hilti the €10 million barrier for the and Telekom’s b2b provider first time and ranking eighth T-systems, including website, in the German market, with logo design, and Pr activities, and a team of close to 150. new supported the studio relaunch business came from acer, airbnb, of Tagesschau, Germanys most bonduelle, outdoorchef and Tom prestigious news program. and Tailor, and award-winning work for the Techniker Krankenkasse, aChtunG! included the “angry Germans” one of Germany’s largest litigation awareness campaign for health insurance companies, (Germany/indePendent) advocard legal insurance, and the fischerAppelt developed award- sabre-nominated “attentive eyes” winning social media and In Germany, as in other marketing initiative for content strategy. new talent developed markets, the disruptive swiss airlines. included marketing expert potential of social media and matthias wesselmann, founder the newfound interest in of marketing intelligence agency engaging consumers rather FisCheraPPelt enGn, and former marketing than bombarding them with (Germany/indePendent) director of swiss furniture advertising has created an Finalist manufacturer vitra, and dirk opportunity for public relations Benninghoff, who joined as firms to expand their role. But in Germany’s leading full-service editor-in-chief after working as Germany, as in other markets, independent, fischerAppelt got managing editor for the online many marketing executives don’t that way in part by anticipating edition of bild, Germany’s believe Pr agencies are fully some of the changes that largest newspaper. fischerAppelt equipped to take advantage of have transformed the Pr has also been expanding its that opportunity. over the past industry in recent years. It is international capabilities, two years, achtung! has been now five years since brothers launching a global campaign for actively working to persuade andreas and bernhard Fischer- Germany technology company them that it can, undergoing Appelt—who founded the firm siemens, leading work for Qatar a transformation of its own in 1986—reconfigured a once Foundation from its Doha office, that include the establishment mainstream Pr agency to create and opening in new york. of an offer it calls The Lab, a “Federation of Ideas” that brining together art directors, included advertising, design, copywriters, editors, community events, video production, and Farner ConsultinG managers, video specialists, seo even management consultancy (/ managers, content marketers, under a single roof. In addition indePendent) and others to supplement more to being the third largest PR firm Finalist traditional Pr resources. in Germany according to the authoritative Pfeffers ranking, Farner Consulting has been the Founder mirko Kaminski has fischerAppelt is now among the swiss market leader for so long— been bringing in new talent, leading creative agencies in the more than 60 years in fact—that including Hans albers—whose market, boosted in 2015 by its its dominance in corporate and diverse background includes acquisition of film production financial communications is taken agency atkon and its work for for granted and its expertise in 48 emea

public affairs no longer surprises mslGrouP Highlights of the firm’s recent anyone. but the fact that the (Germany/PubliCis GrouPe) work include positioning Procter firm has quietly developed Finalist & Gamble’s oral-b brand as a one of the continent’s most technology leader; supporting impressive digital operations while msl has been active in astraZeneca in raising awareness might raise a few eyebrows. but the German market for more of influenza risk in Germany; under the leadership of former than three decades, it is only raising the profile of automotive burson-marsteller executive over the past five years or supplier ZF Friedrichshafen by roman Geiser, who took the so—since the merger of the offering a motor sports “dream helm in 2012, the firm has local market msl and Publicis- job”; and helping bundesverband been investing in innovation, branded operations—that it der deutschen Industrie from research and analytics to has emerged as a significant overcome skepticism about the visual storytelling and real-time force in the market, climbing to trans-atlantic trade agreement marketing. Some of the firm’s 16th in the Pfeffers PR rankings TTIP. msl is an emerging best (and sabre nominated) with fee income of €8.8 million powerhouse in the German work of the past 12 months after 11% growth last year, and market even without factoring showcases these new capabilities, developed a genuinely full-service in its CnC operation there, from the campaign to introduce capability. a balanced business a specialist in corporate and the new top level domain .swiss portfolio is one of the firm’s financial communications that on behalf of the Federal Office strengths in the market: msl ranked fourth in the Germany for Communications to a digital has strong consumer, corporate m&a league tables last year and public affairs campaign on and public affairs offers, with a is working increasingly closely behalf of the swiss society for growing healthcare practice, all with its msl sister agencies. reproductive medicine to real- underpinned by impressive digital time political communication for and social capabilities. It also has sChWartz PubliC the arena on public insurance. a good geographic reach, with relations its headquarters in berlin and (Germany/indePendent) over the past three years, Farner additional offers in Frankfurt, Finalist has grown from 65 to more than , and , and a 100 employees, with fee income strong leadership team, including With offices across Germany, up from CHF 13.2 to nearly CHF chairman axel wallrabenstein (a austria and switzerland, schwartz 20 million (growth was 8% last former political spokesman who has been going strong for more year, aided by the integration of co-founded the Publicis operation than 20 years. Founded by ex- change management boutique in Germany in 2001 and has burson marsteller Pr veteran, enzaim). new business came from worked with msl clients such as Christoph schwartz, the agency abb, biogen, sulzer, brainforum, Google and Sanofi); CEO Wigan has 20 employees and with valora, Inventx, repower, salazar (who previously worked at more than 40 clients worldwide. Johnson&Johnson, siroop, the German bundestag, at the uK amid this growth, schwartz has virtually live, among others, while Foreign & Commonwealth Office); prioritized maintaining a familial the firm continues to work with and chief strategy officer German culture that has earned the firm swisselectric, mobiliar, rheinmetal bundestag, at the uK Foreign and a spot on the top-three best air defense, roche, basF, Commonwealth Office); and chief Consultancies to work in swisscard, swissport, Hapimag, strategy officer Martin Dohmen Central europe. Interpharma, Holcim-lafarge, (who founded the German and numerous regional and digital practice). Headquarters are based in government agencies. Munich with additional offices in Hamburg and berlin. schwartz is also a member of the global Pr 49 emea

network eurocom worldwide of markets); astra (six markets); and which founder schwartz is deputy eastern euroPe Pr diageo, Google, HP enterprise, chairman. last year, total revenue ConsultanCy uK Trade & Investment and grew around 20% to €3m with oF the year: Visa (five markets each)—as 20 people. Clients include HTC well as connecting clients such (new), steelcase (new), sharp as Croatia, dHl, , and (new), weebly (new), Fujitsu, axis, lego across both western and exact software, denon / marantz, eastern european markets. messe Frankfurt and Prezi. apart Public affairs has been a major from the owner and managing growth driver—the firm has director schwartz, Julia Kaiser, been working with visa to lead Jörg stelzer and sven Kersten- discussion around the “shadow reichherzer are part of the economy” in the Czech republic, agency’s management. GraylinG and with Poker stars to reduce (huntsWorth GrouP) taxes on gambling—but other The firm’s expertise cuts across highlights range from employer IT, consumer electronics, gaming, The former mmd was a pioneer branding for novo nordisk apps, online-communities, in the eastern european public to destination marketing for e-commerce/web-business, relations market, establishing Croatia, to promoting british , mobile, a network of offices across the expertise in energy, healthcare new media, (renewable) energy, region at a time when most and infrastructure across the logistics, facility management, of its competitors were small region for uKTI. new business, industrial and processing local players, and focusing on meanwhile, came from the technologies and medtech. high-value corporate, financial, european Gaming & betting meanwhile schwartz has and public affairs assignments association and PGe in Poland, increased its focus on the travel at a time when the field was saP in Croatia, Foxconn in the and tourism sector. notable work primarily about publicity. now Czech republic, and TowerCom in includes raising awareness of the operating as part of Huntsworth’s slovakia, among others. trade fair IsH which is organized global Grayling brand under the by client messe Frankfurt and leadership of 20-year agency 404 its campaign for exoskeleton veteran Jan Simunek, the firm (Croatia/indePendent) provider rewalk. maintains an impressive footprint, Finalist with 160 full-time people in 10 offices generating fee income of The Croatia-based 404 is active around €9 million despite market not only in Croatia but in all the conditions (troubled political former yugoslavia countries times from Hungary to ukraine, (serbia, slovenia, bosnia and a reduction in the number of Herzegovina, macedonia and multimarket assignments, a Montenegro). The firm was limited talent pool) that have founded in 2014 when the forced some competitors to scale agency the founders previously back in the region. worked for went bankrupt. The timing, of course, was far from Grayling continues to handle ideal. The Croatian market was in some of the most interesting bad shape and many were losing regional assignments for clients hope in any recovery. such as british airways (seven

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even so, founders nikola vrdoljak award. so it’s not surprising that Dăescu Borțun Olteanu quickly and Martina Pintarić marched growth is up 52% with profits at began to stand out—even in a onwards with the belief that 94%. The firm now has 70 people. romanian market that punches the modern corporation holds Ceo a. dourchev created all considerably above its weight communications central to its Channels in 2001 when he was in terms of creativity. The firm core. 404 launched in Zagreb as just 24-years-old. now its client won its first EMEA region SABRE an integrated communications portfolio includes Raiffeisenbank, award in 2014 for a small but and digital agency. when hiring, Philips, avon, eKo Hellenic perfectly executed campaign the firm looked for senior Petroleum, lG, discovery, relaunching Cafeneaua veche, talent who sought to broaden mobiltel, Zagorka brewery, the oldest café in . It their expertise into digital. The Coca-Cola, Fanta, european took home its second Gold sabre combination of senior talent with Commission in — in award last year for its work with emerging services has yielded addition to new wins european mediagalaxy, and this year earned growth from €686,934 in 2014 to Parliament, amstel, basF, four nominations—more than any nearly €2m in 2015 (headcount bfashion, dHl, Fox International, other firm from Eastern Europe. more than doubled to 33.) and reckitt benckiser. The work ranged from its “Zero Key clients include Croatian notable campaigns includes redness” campaign for Gillette Telecom (T-mobile), Franck, work to increase sales for and the launch of the Fusion Istra d.m.C., Croatian national Philips headphones by creating ProGlide Flexball razor to “The Television, rochester Institute a soundtrack of the sounds of City Changes with us” campaign of Technology, spar, wrigley, urban life. The result included for bucharest’s mega mall. but schneider electric, lavazza, 30% increase in sales. For avon, while consumer Pr is clearly the including new wins Coca –Cola aCCG created a campaign firm’s greatest strength, it also HbC, Coca-Cola services, related to domestic violence offers considerable expertise Crodux, uber International — including the launch of a in Csr and cause marketing—it Holding b.v., british american product developed to cover launched UNICEF’s first online Tobacco (baT), belje, ledo, domestic violence bruises. fund in romania, a raising Philipps romania and bmw. The firm also launched a few awareness campaign in order notable work includes change internal programs: all Channels to offer support for families in management communications Xcelerator, an internal startup need and their children—and in for Croatian Telecom, as well as program designed to foster the creative industries, which has applying its mindset to native creative and entrepreneurial been a particular focus over the advertising, measurement and endeavors among employees and past 12 months. That has seen editorial initiatives. the Golden Headlamp to enhance the firm pick up business such relationships with its current as romanian design week; Ideo all Channels clients, among others. Ideis, a major theatre festival; and CommuniCations Cockaigne, a fashion and related GrouP (bulGaria/ Dăescu Borțun arts magazine that the agency is indePendent) olteanu editing. another emphasis has been gaming, with new business Finalist (indePendent) Finalist from amber studio, the biggest romanian independent gaming Fourteen years after being studio; Carbon, an incubator for established in bulgaria, aCCG has Formed by the 2014 merger independent game developers garnered a number of awards — of Borțun Olteanu PR and the in the region; esl arena, which including being the first Bulgarian digital Consulting & People organises gaming events; and agency to win a Global sabre Public relationships agency, Philips Tv. They join more 51 emea

mainstream clients including The firm is also developing new good run of form began under Gillette, old spice, adidas, capabilities: brand Heart is a new Claire boussagol (now running logitech, marina yachting, aoC, digital newsroom offer; People’s the Brussels office) and has Philips mmd, King, CanPack, lab is an online research tool continued under nicolas and subway. that monitors social channels; bouvier, who serves as diverCity brings together experts chairman of europe as well mslGrouP in everything from neuroscience as managing director in Paris, (PubliCis GrouPe) to IT to provide specialized client where he leads a team of more Finalist counsel. The work reflects that than 30 including new additions diversity of thinking and emphasis victor Cohen (who joined from last year’s eastern european on creativity, from helping Hill+Knowlton strategies last Consultancy of the year winner, discovery networks celebrate year) and Floriane delandre msl has only grown stronger a 30th anniversary by allowing (from Publicis Consultants). in the region over the past 12 viewers to become programme months as the disparate parts creators to helping Philips Clients include bayer, ebay, of its network have started to recruit brand ambassadors for KFC, Ferrero Coca-Cola and work more closely together. That its Tvs in bulgaria, to supporting uber, with new business in means improved integration mcdonald’s with stakeholder 2015 from Kingfisher and Akon. between the market-leading outreach in romania to educating Campaign highlights included a Polish operation (the former people about hepatitis b for bms. successful effort to modernise Ciszewski Public relations), the legal status of animals, along the creative hub in romania FrenCh Pr with securing a historic debt (the former Practice), and the ConsultanCy restructuring deal for ukraine. bulgarian operation (the former oF the year: marC), as well as the creation edelman-elan of a network that includes (dJe holdinGs) Publicis Groupe owned offices Finalist in 11 additional markets, all under the leadership of newly- The september 2014 merger appointed Cee chief executive between edelman and sebastian Hejnowski. He leads agence elan created a French a team that includes romanian powerhouse, one of the largest creative; managing director, western-style public relations Poland, Sebastian Stępak; Sofia- firms in a market dominated by based head of research maya aPCo WorldWide locally-based agencies built on marashlian; and new additions (indePendent) a distinctly French model. including bartekJanik, head of marion darrieutort, who left digital in Poland. as a result, aPCo is not as large as most of edelman in 2008 to launch elan, msl is working on more multi- its multinational peers in Paris had built a very modern firm that market business for clients such (or anywhere else in europe challenged the conventions of as bristol myers-squibb (nine for that matter) but it does the market, blending expertise markets), P&G (six markets), have a unique offer built in corporate and marketing siemens, Honeywell, and reckitt around public affairs and communications, supplemented benckiser (four markets) and broader strategic counsel, and by research and planning and is sharing more business (GsK, it also has momentum, having expertise in influencer outreach samsung, renault, omv) with its doubled in size over the past and social media. Publicis Groupe sister agencies. five years to around 4m euros in fee income. The firm’s current 52 emea

by the time of the merger, elan The firm now numbers 40 2015, along with gross margin had overtaken the local edelman consultants, reporting more of €3.7m, from a client roster office and had fees in excess than €2m in fee income. and that covers entertainment (Parc of €8 million. more important, Kingcom’s claim that it is an astérix); consumer (Puma, from the acquirer’s point of view, agency which can cover such bigben); corporate (scania); Darrieutort’s firm had done a disparate areas as sardines, alcohol (Carlsberg, Jack daniels); great job of attracting French premature ejacultation and agriculture and agro-food multinationals—its client list judicial mediation is well founded, (ministry of agriculture, French included Danone, L’Oreal, Sofitel thanks to a client list that includes refreshing beverage association, and suez—that often eschew the French Food Federation, barilla); and healthcare the us-based companies in the andros, seb Group, Fbd Group, (3m santé). market. Importantly, the elan Grandvision, e.leclerc, menarini management team remained laboratories, merisant Group Much of the firm’s work, in place post-integration with and 3m. Kingcom also plays a moreover, reflects an ability to darrieutort running the combined visible role in the market, via think beyond media relations, offer (which has fees of €14 the efforts of Wolf in Azria, and into such areas as corporate million and about 160 people) has developed some interesting and brand strategy for bigben; and her business partner nicolas thought leadership initiatives crisis communications for Parc narcisse taking on the role of around the food and beauty asterix; sustainability work for vice-president. There was new industries. last, but not least, a several companies and eco- business from m&s, l’occitane, the firm’s creative credentials are organisations; and sophisticated easyJet and renault nissan, along worth noting — resulting in some public affairs work — including with a 2016 sabre nominations eye-catching sustainability work preventing a ‘sugar tax’ by for campaign work on behalf of for Groupe seb; consumer activity successfully positioning French mission baleine bleu. for le syndicat du Petit dejeuner; refreshing beverage association and addressing the taboo members (including Coca-Cola, KinGCom around premature ejaculation for Pepsico, orangina suntory, (indePendent) menarini’s Priligy drug. danone eaux and nestle waters) Finalist as French companies with thomas marKo & French employees. Kingcom’s age (the firm launched assoCiés (indePendent) in 1990), belies a relatively Finalist WellCom youthful approach to its offering, (indePendent) thanks to a significant leadership Founded in 1987, Thomas Finalist reshuffle a few years ago that saw Marko’s eponymous PR firm Ceo/founder Isabelle wolf pivot has recently expanded beyond wellcom has already made big the agency to the more digitally its traditional capabilities to moves this year by joining forces minded aspirations of md Pascale better reflect shifts in the overall with la maison link — which Azria. Since then, the firm has communications landscape. expands its expertise into the expanded its scope and services, This means the the firm now lifestyle and consumer arena covering media relations, digital, possesses a growing public and addresses its overall mission events, public affairs and content affairscapability, to go with for creating brand preferences development, for a client base existing strength in media across its sectors. The firm that demonstrates specific relations, content, digital and enjoyed gross margins rising to strength in the food and experiential. now numbering €10m (from €9m in the previous beauty sectors. 36 consultants, the firm year) and employee count has reported turnover of €6m in grow from 95 to 110. But the

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Paris-based agency (which keys to the firm’s recent success was last year’s winner in this iberian Pr is a significant investment in category) has faced tumult in ConsultanCy digital and social, which is at the last 12 months. For instance, oF the year: the heart of so much of the wellcom faced reduced budgets work. new business in 2015 compelling the firm to to take came from the likes of evian, in charge tasks like compiling Heineken, motorola, macallan reports and updating databases. and symantec, while spain is now acting as the hub for multimarket even so, its client portfolio clients such as laureate remains strong with new university and Porta ventura clients like ToTal, ea Games, (each served in six markets europacity, sony, Tarket, sml across the region). also of joining existing clients logitech, note, the office celebrated 50 mutualité Française, m.meuble, Weber shandWiCK years of work with longtime Intersport and Carglass, among (interPubliC GrouP) client the Hong Kong Trade & others. notable work includes development board. helping ultimate ears — a brand Following two years of impressive relatively unknown in France — double-digit growth in the atrevia (indePendent) become a must-have accessory challenging spanish market Finalist for music fans via an influencer under the leadership of country engagement and event campaign chair rose de la Pascua, weber some public relations agencies in France. Last year, the firm shandwick would be a solid ask “why”; others ask “why developed a social media contender for Iberian Consultancy not?” nothing embodies guide that showcased the of the year even without the atrevia’s embrace of the former best examples the firm’s work announcement earlier this year philosophy than the decision from the past 12 months. The of an affiliate agreement with taken by the former Inforpress chapters are arranged as though leading Portuguese independent to jettison a 25-year-old name you’re following the thought lift—itself a past winner of the and adopt the new brand last pathways required to develop award and a finalist this year. That year, and nothing illustrates its a successful digital strategy. will supplement the 55-person capabilities better than the way so far, the guide has garnered spanish operation with a team the change was communicated more 70 hits in the French media of 90 in neighboring Portugal, internally and externally and has been downloaded creating the strongest operation throughout the spanish-speaking more than 3,100 times. The of any of the multinationals with a business world via traditional and firm also strategic approach, presence on the peninsula. social media in a way that made called origami, is focused on the transition almost seamless. reconciling the company image The spanish operation includes with public perceptions. an unusually balanced portfolio Núria Vilanova’s firm remains the of business, deriving about 40 second largest headquartered in Founder Thierry Wellhoff percent of its revenues from spain—although its operations launched Wellcom in 1981 after corporate work (which grew by on the Iberian peninsula are working at agence France-Presse 20% last year), with the remainder as large as those of llorente & and eurocom. split between consumer (food Cuenca, which derives much of and travel are strong sectors) and its strength from — healthcare (diabetes education and one of the 100 largest in for astraZeneca was a particular the world. Atrevia has offices highlight) clients—but one of the in , , bilbao, 55 emea

, and and Porto is up 21% compared to 2014 network that now includes (as well as ecuador, brazil, from both growing existing offices in Madrid, Angolan capital , Peru, and Chile) with accounts and winning new luanda, london, sao Paulo and 300 people providing full-service clients in new sectors, mainly its home market of lisbon. corporate communications, F&b and healthcare. Fee income public affairs, and consumer is now €644,000 with 16 people despite continued economic marketing capabilities, with across its three offices working strife in the market, lift grew specific expertise in change key clients like lenovo, western revenues by an impressive 21% management and employee digital, rakuten, boston medical in 2015 to €8.8m, led by such communications, social media, Group, Cafe royal, among others. clients as Toshiba, microsoft, and content creation, and a new new wins in 2015 included nestle, nespresso, l’oreal, practice that focuses on providing Fujitsu, Prestahop, executive Garner, Fidelity, schroders, communications consultancy to mba Council, wonderbox, Credit agricole, bnP Paribas and family-owned businesses. lucas Fox, leef, Finanzerel, easyJet. Ceo salvador da Cunha’s Clinica liberty, al dobowi and deep experience includes Highlights of the past 12 easyrecrue. Founder deborah corporate communications, months included the “The Gray remains at the helm with financial communications and California walnuts Cocktail office directors Esther Presencio crisis management. beyond this, Collection” campaign to position (madrid), alba Calvet (barcelona) the firm’s expertise includes walnuts as a key ingredient and Catarina sanjuan (lisbon). consumer marketing across in the food industry; the various sectors, with former H+K #TwitterFashionweek initiative notable work includes growing head Teresa Figueira coming to elevate the social media site’s lenovo’s community aboard recently to bolster the profile in the fashion industry; from 1K to 100K in two years and senior leadership ranks. and road safety education work launching Cafe royal’s brand in for Goodyear dunlop Tires. the spanish market. In 2015 the llorente & CuenCa Growth on the year was 17%— firm undertook research into (indePendent/mbo proving that the name change the way digital media is affecting Partenaires) was no distraction—in local journalism in spain. The research Finalist currency terms. was launched at an event in barcelona and coverage of the while llorente & Cuenca Canela PubliC research was featured in 21 has avoided the worst of the relations media outlets. recession ravaging much of (indePendent) southern europe by aggressively Finalist liFt World expanding its latin american (indePendent) operations, its business in spain Celebrating its 10th anniversary Finalist and Portugal are still formidable, this year, Canela was launched especially after investment as an independent alternative to lift world’s rise started in from French private equity firm the local offices of international December 1993 with two people mbo Partenaires enabled its Pr networks in barcelona, madrid in the heart of lisbon. These days, acquisitions of digital innovation and Lisbon. The firm describes lift world is comprised of nine consultancy Cink and Impossible its offering as “artisanal rather integrated and multidisciplinary Tellers, a boutique offering advice than boutique” to emphasize its companies specializing in on communication and brand approach of customizing work key areas of marketing and strategy, transmedia storytelling for each client. This approach is communication services. This and change management (as proving to be popular. Turnover offering exists across a global well as additional deals in brazil 56 emea

and the us). The digital and role in the market. It is the firm’s content creation aspects of those mediterranean award-winng work, however, that acquisition indicate an area of Pr ConsultanCy probably stands out most, from focus for l&C, which remains best oF the year: the #4eversticky social media known for its work in corporate campaign on behalf of 3m’s Post- and financial communications It notes to its efforts on behalf (including m&a), despite of financial services company expanding its public affairs, Immobiliare.it — reflecting the consumer marketing, healthcare returns from an in-house creative and technology credentials in department that brings broad recent years. through-the-line expertise. l&C continues to work with mslGrouP italia local marker leaders and major myPr (italy/ (italy/PubliCis GrouPe) multinationals in spain and indePendent) Finalist Portugal: Coca-Cola, repsol, Gas natural Fenosa, embratur, In an Italian market that has With 70 people across offices Caixabank, Inditex, , always been difficult for public in milan and rome, mslGroup mercadona, bertelsmann, relations firms—and has been is the market leader among the sonae sierra, and banco bPI. more so since the economic multinational firms in Italy, with new additions over the past 12 crisis kicked in—my Pr possesses chief executive daniela Canegallo months include Indra, vilamoura a valuable skill: the ability to recognizing the changes that world, Telefonica, mcdonald´s, deliver impressive results for are embroiling the Pr industry Calidad Pascual, multiopticasm, relatively modest investments. earlier than most of her peers, Pernod ricard, and msC. Those Founded in Milan in 1997, the is and investing in the development wins made a further contribution probably best known for its work of data and analytics and to growth, with global fee income in brand marketing and, and as a digital and social expertise. The up by 25 percent to more than pioneer in digital and social—with development of new tools and €30 million—although the social listening capabilities, an techniques continued in 2015, majority of that now comes from influencer identification process, with the introduction of two new latin america. and an emphasis on authentic, proprietary products CaTCH creative storytelling. (Clear access to Conversations The quality of the work, (of) High Complexity) and soFa meanwhile, remains high, with with a team of around 20 and (social Forecasting analysis). five of the firm’s campaigns fees of around €1.83m, my Pr Colangelo has also built an nominated for emea region is certainly not the largest firm impressive senior management sabres, from a safe driving in the market, but it makes up team that includes head of initiative for Gonvarri steel for that with a track record of consumer Giusi viani, head services to a campaign to defying convention, eschewing of corporate and financial combat youth unemployment the “press office” model of many alessandro Chiarmasso, head of for the exit Foundation to local firms. That approach helped strategy Germano Calvi, and new insurance company DKV’s efforts myPr in three major pitches in addition sergio Imbonati, formerly to integrate the disabled into 2015 — Google, youTube and of ecomunicare, who will lead the workforce. LG. The firm also launched a corporate and crisis work. branded startup lab to serve the vicenza region, and continues to despite the challenging economic play a strong thought leadership environment and increased 57 emea

competition from everyone from seC now employs more than Weber shandWiCK ad agencies to management 150 people in Italy across seven (italy/GreeCe/ consulting firms, MSL has offices, accounting for around interPubliC GrouP) continued to grow over the past half of the group’s overall emea Finalist four years, winning 90% of its revenues of 26m euros, which pitches in 2015 including new was 36% in 2015. The agency weber shandwick has one of work for Netflix (helping the plans to list on london’s aIm the strongest Italian operations company with its launch in the markets and is eyeing further of any multinational agency, Italian market), Instagram, Costa acquisition, a rarity among Italy’s with a team of more than 60 Cruises, swisse (P&G), nesquik mostly conservative PR firms. in milan and rome under the (nestlé), Hyundai, audible.com, There is particular strength in leadership of chief executive and allianz—an impressive haul corporate and financial, but SEC’s Furio Garbagnati—a 40-year of new clients joining a roster that scale ensures it has a broader veteran of the Italian market includes nestlé, sanPellegrino, set of capabilities than most of who has worked with clients british airways, artsana, lockheed its peers, with a client list that including bank of america, edF martin, Kellogg’s and 3m. other features accor, auchan, Coca- edison, Hewlett-Packard, JP great work includes a couple of Cola, deutsche bank, lidl, nielsen morgan, lundbeck, nespresso, assignments in the automotive Research, Foreign Affairs Ministry, sabmiller, and the Italian sector, helping davia leverage its Italian Government, Terna, Institute of Technology and is sponsorship of serie a football The walt disney Company and a four-time chairman of the team udinese and working uniCredit Group. Key additions in Italian Pr association assorel. with Hyundai on an innovative over past 12 months, meanwhile, but weber shandwick is the partnership with spotify. included aIFm (associazione only major multinational to have Italiana di Fisica medica), maintained its own branded seC amplifon, bla bla Car, Frescobaldi, operation in Greece despite (italy/indePendent) Ikea, lvmH, moët Hennessy.louis the economic crisis, and under Finalist vuitton, medtronic, nestlè Italia, the leadership of managing shell, star, unichips and director dimitris michopoulos, One of Italy’s largest PR firms now san Carlo. who led communications for has increasingly international the organizing Committee for ambitions. seC, founded in The best of seC’s work, the mediterranean Games and 1989 by Fiorenzo Tagliabue, furthermore, demonstrates a advised the management of has acquired consultancies in sophisticated understanding of Greek gaming operator oPaP belgium (Cambre), spain and modern reputation management. before joining the agency in 2014. Germany in recent years, as The firm handled all media for part of a strategy to diversify the milan expo, including crisis The Greek office may be and grow beyond Italy’s difficult communication, for which it put small, but it is doing some economic conditions. That kind of together a diverse 57-strong extraordinarily creative work, thinking marks out Tagliabue as team, and has also worked on including two sabre-nominated something of a unique character sensitive assignments for shell, campaigns: one, a classic use of in Italy’s communications market, nestle and star. experiential techniques to help but he is supported by a deep athinaika Theatra draw attention leadership team that includes to its upcoming production of co-founder Paola ambrosino and scooby doo & the mystery of the new Ceo Cesare valli, who joined Pyramid; the other a light-hearted last year after a lengthy tenure crisis management campaign with H+K strategies. warning young Greeks that every 58 emea

time they spread false rumors much its positioning within the now in its eighth year challenging about nescafe—the victim of broader memac family, but western misconceptions about strange conspiracy theories—a Pr head saada Hammad now the region’s younger generation little would die. oversees leadership team that and generating headlines in also includes genuine strength publications from the FT to middle east Pr in public affairs (under Jeff the washington Post to ConsultanCy Chertack) and technology (under Huffington Post). oF the year: mark Jackson). It has struck a good balance between global The firm has wholly-owned and local clients, critical across offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, mena, and now ranks within the , Jeddah, doha, Kuwait City, top four in all of its markets. and, manama, muscat, Cairo, beirut, of course, there were plenty of and , and affiliates in eye-catching campaigns, resulting morocco, algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, in 28 award wins in 2015 and Palestine. Turkey, , and seven sabre nominations sudan, with expertise in public this year — led by Coca-Cola relations, public affairs, reputation (ramadan Iftar); aster medical and crisis management, digital memaC oGilvy (WPP) Centre (#sharehappyhearts); strategy, advertising and roche lebanon (breast Cancer subsidiaries including research Memac Ogilvy’s flair for creativity awareness); Grohe, amex and the firm PSB Middle East and digital is hardly a secret anymore, after a suez Canal. marketing business Proof number of years of sabre award Integrated Communications. winning efforts — for the likes asdaa Celebrating its 15th anniversary of Grohe, Coca-Cola and King burson-marsteller this year, it has 160 people in Khalid Foundation — that has (WPP) the region serving clients such marked the firm out as one best Finalist as emaar Properties, , campaign shops in the region. Ford, General electric, beiersdorf, but its regional footprint and over the past 12 months, the mcdonald’s and new additions overall business growth probably middle east has been the source aster dm Healthcare, dubai deserves just as much recognition of some of burson-marsteller’s Parks & resorts, Qatar airways, — it now has 130 people most important new business and msheireb Properties, which across 14 offices across MENA, wins (the saudi arabian contributed to healthy double- generating an estimated $10m Industrial Investments digit growth in 2015. in revenue after another year Company, the emirates of double-digit growth. Indeed diplomatic academy, Kuwait edelman growth over the past five years as Public authority for Housing (dJe holdinGs) seen the firm more than double welfare, and Gems education); Finalist in size, and there was another the site of some of the firm’s rich new business haul in 2015, most important and innovative once best-known for an abu led by such clients as the suez work (its crisis communications dhabi operation that handles Canal, Qatar Tourism, abu dhabi counsel to allay the security global work for mubadala, Tourism & Culture authority, concerns that threatened to edelman’s middle east presence Coca-Cola, Huawei, Ikea, muntajat cripple egypt’s tourism business); received a shot in the arm a and vw. and the source of one of its most couple of years ago when it important pieces of intellectual acquired one of dubai’s leading The firm’s ability to drive cutting- property (the arab youth survey, independent firms — Dabo & edge integrated work owes 59 emea

Co. That deal not only helped dubai, saudi arabia and Turkey, Pr business in the market—which edelman land the coveted dubai following a regional leadership is what TraCCs did 18 years ago. Tourism business, but also gave it reshuffle that saw new heads a deep understanding of the scale in the region — to the tune lucy Harvey promoted to regional social, economic, religious, and of 150 people across the two director, and new leadership psychological dimensions of the markets, reporting fee income named in abu dhabi, dubai region has been one key to the of more than $16m, making it and nairobi. firm’s emergence as the region’s perhaps the middle east’s largest leading independent, but just PR firm. There was regional new business as critical is its commitment to last year from Twitter, alcatel advancing professional standards Indeed two of the firm’s top and the british Council, along through its involvement in three clients across the broader with several new saudi clients regional events and its own aPaCmea region (mubadala and the economic development training efforts. The payoff is and dubai Tourism) now hail Conference in Egypt. The firm steady, consistent growth, to the from the middle east, helping also launched a specific financial point that TraCCs now has 275 regional chief robert Holdheim offering, to go with a client roster professionals serving more than implement a new structure that that features boursa Kuwait, Gulf 200 clients across 15 markets has split the firm into brand and International bank, old mutual (Jeddah, riyadh, dubai, Kuwait corporate units, each headed by and Ithmaar bank. Indeed there City, muscat, doha, Cairo, beirut, newly-appointed leadership in are few rival that can compete amman, damascus, manama are 2015. all of that is underpinned with the breadth and depth of wholly-owned offices) and ranking by investment into newer services H+K’s regional offering in the just outside the 100 largest Pr such as digital and creative, middle east, which also includes agencies in the world. helping drive new business from technology, sports/entertainment dubai design district, yas Island, and healthcare expertise, to new business in 2015 came l’occitane, Facebook, Xdubai, go with corporate and public from masterCard (agency of dubai Properties and Xylem. affairs capabilities. Consequently, record in mena), dubai Tourism Campaign highlights included the work deserves as much (extending and expanding a influencer marketing work for recognition — evidenced by 10-year relationship), mercedes windows 10; nike’s nTC Tour; the campaigns for Injaz al-arab and benz, the oman Government abu dhabi Festival; Jetman dubai; the Qatar olympic Commission Investment & development arm, and lululemon’s launch in dubai. — and a new reputation Index and the economic Cities authority that helpis to understand (saudi arabia). They join a roster hill+KnoWlton C-suite drivers of reputation that includes Four seasons Hotels strateGies (WPP) management in the middle east. & resorts, dubai mercantile Finalist exchange, Google (egypt), abbvie, traCCs (indePendent) Toyota, and samsung. There was at 30 years old, H+K is the Finalist a key addition to the team too, oldest international PR firm in with stephen marney joining as the middle east and remains It’s one thing to start a public vice president of strategy and one of the best, five years into relations firm in an emerging development to work alongside the leadership reign of sconaid market in the hope of building a president mohamed al ayed mcGeachin, who oversees more strong, successful, sustainable and his team. In addition to than 130 consultants across business; it’s another thing expanding government work (the eight middle eastern markets entirely to start a public relations ministry of labour, economic and five countries in Africa. Last firm with the ambition to change Cities authority, and the ministry year, there was specific growth in the perception of the profession, of Health in saudi arabia, and and ultimately the status of the the Hamdan bin mohammed 60 emea

Heritage Center in the uae), Affairs to spearhead its work nordic companies navigate the TraCCs is now working on in sweden). eu bureaucracy. under the three key regional initiatives leadership of founder Hans that support entrepreneurs: meanwhile, Prime has been able Geelmuyden, the firm has been Jeddah entrepreneurs meet, an to add some new capabilities, enjoying a renaissance over the annual competition for female most notably in public affairs— past five years, which have seen entrepreneurs backed by the stockholm is now one of three it expand beyond its roots— saudi government; Tamkeen in “centers of excellence” for very much in the corporate and bahrain; and riyada, an omani the practice across the emea public affairs realm—to develop based nGo. region, while continuing to consumer and digital capabilities produce the kind of amazing and the range of skills to offer creative work that attracted integrated solutions to its clients: nordiC Pr weber shandwick’s attention its creative department in oslo ConsultanCy in the first place—accounting now totals 30 people, making it oF the year: for five SABRE nominations this as big as many of the ad agencies year. Highlights include “don’t with whom it now competes. drink and dive,” a smart and funny piece of content created award-winning work includes for insurance company Trygg- the “Trail memories” campaign Hansa featuring the swedish for the norwegian Tourist board, synchronized swimming team; dnT; a disruptive initiative on “The House of Clicks,” which drew behalf of funeral industry leader on search data from sweden’s Fonus; and ongoing marketing most popular property portal to support for Betsafe. The firm is design the country’s dream home; 100 percent scandinavian-owned Prime (sWeden/Weber a mobile app to help swedes and has been ensuring its ability shandWiCK) deal with the replacement of to operate seamlessly across the old currency with new coins and region by moving senior people more than a year has passed notes; and a campaign against between offices: Janna Sundewall since weber shandwick acquired child abuse and human trafficking moved from sweden to become swedish powerhouse Prime, for the stockholm County Ceo in , while morten and while it can take longer than administrative board. H. Jørstad moved from denmark that to evaluate the merits of a to take over the norwegian merger, all the early indications Geelmuyden Kiese operations, while new partner are that the deal has been a (norWay/indePendent) svein roger selle joined from win-win. The global agency has Finalist national lottery norsk Tipping to benefited from Prime talent strengthen the regional business (particularly with the appointment our reigning nordic Consultancy model. Fee income has more of Tom beckman as chair of the of the year, Geelmuyden Kiese is than doubled size 2010 and was firm’s global creative collective), one of the largest independent up by 11 percent last year, with its expertise in analytics and public relations firms in Europe, new business from recycling evaluation (the two firms are with 150 employees, fee income Partner, Gn Hearing, GoPro, collaborating for clients such as of noK 167 million (€18 million), ubisoft, neC, the Professional ericsson, glass industry federation and offices in Oslo, Copenhagen association of veterinary Clinics, Feve, and nasdaQ; and its and stockholm—and most bosch small domestic appliances, capabilities in social impact recently brussels, where the ricoh, l’oreal, and the state (Hanna Hellquist joined from firm is committed to helping alcohol monopoly systembolaget. the swedish ministry for Foreign 61 emea

iteo ConsultinG JKl/mslGrouP e.on., Postnord, samsung, (norWay/indePendent) (sWeden/mslGrouP) lego, and the association of Finalist Finalist Private Care Providers, with new business from systembolaget, In just six years, Iteo has nowhere has the convergence volkswagen, scandic Hotels, and transitioned from a startup to an of corporate reputation omegaPharma. established oslo-based agency management and consumer — while also retooling its service marketing been more evident Highlights of the work include offering around the “more for than in the nordic region, where “The system man” campaign— less” digital mindset. surviving on traditional corporate and public combining JKl’s traditional issues traditional Pr in the norwegian affairs firms have either adopted and public affairs expertise market has become a huge by adding new digital and content with new creative tools to raise challenge, so Iteo has worked creation capabilities—like JKl— awareness of changes to the to carve its niche helping clients or stagnated. JKl was perhaps private welfare sector—crisis turn their employees into brand fortunate to have the consumer recovery support for volkswagen ambassadors. even this has (and healthcare) capabilities in sweden, and support for evolved as the agency matures. In of parent company mslGroup bravida’s top management the early days, Iteo was primarily to draw on, and for a while it and owner bain Capital on the producing content for clients, appeared that the two firms company’s IPo. now its teams are editing and would maintain separate and coaching subject matter experts. distinct brands in the region but narva ultimately the latter helps clients the past 12 months have seen (sWeden/indePendent) breakdown silos and ensures some blurring of the lines and Finalist that content is used throughout closer collaboration between the the organization. Iteo also offers two brands. narva — named after the marketing automation and other biggest victory for the swedish digital marketing services. There are 120 consultants in the army — has always embraced nordic region (the stockholm its positioning as a challenger Iteo now counts 15 staff divided office is still the largest, but there brand that is modernizing the into three teams (b2b, b2c and are additional operations in stodginess historically associated digital) with plans to reach 20 by oslo, and Copenhagen) with financial communications. mid-year. The firm grew 20% in and new hires that range now 15 years from its founding, 2015, driven by clients dell, neC, from creative director Calle the Stockholm-based firm has emirates, nTT, Panasonic, Intel, schulman, who joined through smartly expanded via acquisition, saP, , Philips (lighting the acquisition of his content buying smaller healthcare and and automotive), Tesla (new), boutique HardHat/TopHat and advertising firms to help expand visitestonia and visitFlorida. director of creative planning an offering the now encompasses managing director andreas Thue daniel Glasman, former creative life sciences, public health, is at the helm. Key work includes director of PHd worldwide, to sustainability and financial Emirates’ launch of direct flights more traditional JKl types like comms. under the leadership between oslo and dubai. ann sonne, who rejoined after of managing partners daniel holding positions with Inter bergsten and Johan molander, IKea Group and Ingka Group; the firm remains one of the and erik Zsiga, who had served fastest-growing in the swedish as Foreign minister Carl bildt’s market — up 28% to $6.7m in press secretary. major clients 2015, generated by 40 staffers include Procter & Gamble, working on such clients as Telia

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sonera, air France/Klm, boliden, through a major rebranding; over $19m with more than 150 barncancerfonden, ComHem it expanded its social media employees. Founded in 1995 and the swedish eHealth agency. capabilities and developed by russian economist sergey notable work includes brand a campaign for new social Zverev, Cros has evolved from development, with an emphasis networking client odnoklassniki. a firm that specializes in public on digital channels, for the ru (russia’s Classmates). affairs into a broad range of PR swedish eHealth agency and specialities, including digital, Cybercom, ensuring that narva The firm continued to deliver marketing, crisis, information & remains one of the more campaigns that gained analysis, as well as design and exciting agencies in an already recognition in russia and in video production. exciting market. international competition: supporting the red bull Trans- In 2015, the -based firm siberian extreme 2015, the partnered with Chinese giant blue russian Pr longest bicycle stage race in the Focus in an agreement to share ConsultanCy world; following up an award- best practices and work together oF the year: winning effort from 2014 with on winning new clients. The firm the Chekhov is alive series is also a member of several Pr of theatrical online readings networks including PrGn, IPra, for Google russia; and giving among others. The client roster western union russia a digital includes over 200 international makeover on Facebook. amid all and russian companies such as of that, the firm still found time Panasonic, microsoft, Johnson & to support the development of Johnson, rosneft, estee lauder, the russian Pr market, delivering danone, Coca-Cola Hellenic, a new “introduction to public mothercare and obI. new clients relations” course authored include lexus, Takeda, Gedeon KetChum maslov by client service director oleg richter, lilly, sun Inbev, national (omniCom GrouP) abdurashitov, and contributing to System of Payment Cards, 2019 the un sustainable development universiade in Krasnoyarsk, With difficult market conditions “Global Goals” campaign. the ministry of education and creating problems for most of science of russia. In 2015, Cros the multinational Pr agencies Cros (indePendent) launched CROSLabs – an analytics operating in russia, Ketchum Finalist center designed to handle maslov had to work overtime in complex research and develop 2015 to maintain its position as last year was a particularly new solutions and directions for one of the market leaders in the challenging year for the russian the communications industry in russian market. looking back business — consumer purchasing russia. now, it can be pretty pleased with power plummeted 40% amid the way the year played out: it a massive economic crisis and Fleishmanhillard successfully repitched the skoda government. so it’s unsuprisingly business and then picked up vanGuard that government spend on luxury automaker rolls-royce (omniCom GrouP) Pr contracted dramatically. and three brands from bmw Finalist In response, Cros quickly (including mInI and motorrad) to diversified its sector expertise maintain its leadership position in launched as a joint venture beyond government to pharma, the auto sector; it established a between FleishmanHillard and financial markets and automotive. change in management practice leading local PR firm Vanguard The quick thinking paid off. and helped retail chain Tehnosila in 2007, FH vanguard (in which Cros fee income grew 5.6% to 63 emea

the Omnicom firm now owns a Pbn h+K strateGies sPn CommuniCations majority) remains one of the best (WPP) (indePendent) PR firms in Russia. Unlike many Finalist Finalist of its international peers, it has navigated a crippling downturn san Francisco-based Pbn was sPn Communications counts to retain a double-digit growth invited by mikhail Gorbachev among its clients some of the rate across its moscow and Kiev to open an office in Moscow, largest government agencies offices, with 150 people now which it did in 1991. Over (the ministry of Industry & Trade, working under the leadership of the next decade, the firm the ministry of Public Health, general director elena Fadeeva, established offices in the capitals and the ministry of Culture); of ukraine, Kazakhstan, moldova some of the most prominent Fadeeva’s own industry and latvia, focusing on the russian companies (mobile leadership, as head of aKos strategic end of the business, operator MTS and financial (The russian Communications with particular expertise in services giant vTb Capital), Consultancies association) has public affairs and government and some of the leading also helped position FH vanguard relations, crisis and issues multinationals operating in as visible, progressive presence in management, and corporate the former soviet union (lG the market, particularly through and financial communications. electronics, Procter & Gamble, her efforts to establish a new and audi). what attracts them ethics code for country’s PR firms now marking its 25th anniversary to sPn is no great secret: the and in-house communications in russia, and owned by wPP firm has impressive local market operations in recent months. under H+K strategies, Pbn expertise, with offices in Russia, continues to flourish in a difficult ukraine and most recently The firm draws much of its client market, under a new leadership Kazakhstan, combined with the work from international and team led by Ceo myron wasylyk. sophistication and quality of an russian mnCs, including are Its corporate and public affairs international firm (SPN was the P&G, Pepsi, HP, msd, national expertise was again showcased local Ogilvy affiliate until 2013, Clearance Center, avaya, on high-level assignments and has won more international airlines, starwood, for Tetra Pak, arcelormittal, awards—more than a dozen GsK and Global energy. last westinghouse, the european sabres—than any other russian year’s new business highlights bank for reconstruction and firm). It also offers an extremely included samsung, KIa, nestle, development, eToro and integrated approach, with great KFC, bayer, viber, megafon, naftoGaz ukraine, alongside experience in large-scale events Carlsberg, rosatom, moscow successful expansion of the and a growing content creation Government. The firm’s senior firm’s capabilities into technology, capability, that makes it the ideal leadership team remains stable, healthcare and travel/leisure. firm for high-profile multifaceted, reflecting broad strength across The client roster also includes multichannel programming that consumer, corporate, healthcare, such brands as reaches into every part of a technology and public sector. (for which the firm developed a vast market. and its campaign work has always highly successful retail campaign); scored well, demonstrated by Instagram; Paramount and P&G. In a challenging environment last some persuasive campaigns for year, sPn grew by 35% in local Pepsi, nivea, the Global energy All of this helped the firm triple currency (a number deflated Partnership and megaton. its profit margin, while there was somewhat by exchange rates) also some excellent thought and ended the year with 230 leadership work and in-house employees generating close training activity. to $24 million. The growth was

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a result of impressive client bolstered by an an impressive This year alone there were retention and some big new digital capability and a staff In2 sabre awards for Qlik’s business wins, including the culture that remains one of the ‘How european are you’ brand ministry of Finance (a nationwide best in the country. digital platform, and for nikon financial literacy education europe’s ‘Project spotlight’, to go campaign); the national system launched in 2000, the with eye-catching aTl work for of Payment Cards (launching a independent firm’s continued Intuit; a full rebrand and website local alternative to masterCard relevance is testimony to the build for redtail Telematics; the and visa); norilsk nickel (a new restless, slightly paranoid launch of ’s ultrafast science festival to mark the leadership style that often broadband capability; global and company’s 80th anniversary); characterises the best Pr emea social media for linkedIn; KFC (sponsorship); Coca-Cola consultancies. In 2015, and excellent retail activity (internal communications in furthermore, founders Giles for John lewis.brands2life’s Kazakhstan); electrolux; HP; and Fraser and sarah scales oversaw commitment to workplace culture Ge Healthcare. what was probably brands2life’s and training also stands out — best year to date, growing 18% to there is an excellent graduate £11.5m, led by a broad swathe of internship programme, and uK Pr new business across technology, a partnership with ashridge ConsultanCy consumer and digital brands such Business School for senior staff. oF the year: as 888, budgens, virgin media, In addition to its digital growth, Zoopla, uswitch, Gatwick airport, meanwhile, the firm’s service Canary wharf and Thomson offering is robust, covering reuters. They join a client roster content marketing, influencer that remains underpinned by big analysis and some strong thought tech brands like emC, vmware leadership work. and Intuit, along with consumer- facing players such as nikon, Cohn & WolFe (WPP) linkedIn, Groupon and Pinterest. Finalist

30% of b2l’s business now when scott wilson took charge of brands2liFe comes from outside technology, Cohn & wolfe in 2010, the agency (indePendent) reflecting a diversification strategy was not exactly in the prime of its that has now only helped it grow, life, having shrunk to 43 people after three consecutive years as but also aided staff retention and after losing a number of key emea Technology Consultancy of development. more than half clients. since then, though, wilson the year, it seems a little unfair to of the firm’s work, furthermore has overseen a quiet revival, keep comparing the rest of the involves multiple markets, thanks with double-digit growth for five region’s technology PR firms with in large part to b2l’s ability to consecutive years leading up to a a 125-person agency that has develop integrated multi-channel 16% revenue increase in 2015. effectively defined that category. campaign work that is among more to the point, however, the best in the region, and an now numbering more than brands2life’s singular ability to impressive digital capability that 100 people, Cohn & wolfe’s evolve with the times means has grown rapidly in recent years uK operation possesses both that it comfortably ranks as one to 25 people, covering such areas breadth (across consumer, of the top PR firms in the UK, as as data analytics, community healthcare and corporate/ comfortable handing b2b tech management, customer service Pa) and depth, via its vastly Pr as it is with straight consumer support, social app development, improved digital, content and or C-suite corporate counsel, sem and social ad buying. integrated marketing capability. 65 emea

The consumer practice (up 24% nan williams—to establish itself international awareness for the last year under the leadership of as a leader in the uK market, a man booker Prize (including a md rebecca Grant) continues to full-service independent capable new visual identity and extensive catch the eye, winning impressive of competing with larger firms social media and content new business from a number for consumer and corporate work): an integrated a bilingual of clients including barclaycard, assignments, and more recently campaign to “beat Flu” in wales, IHG, danone and Kia motors, for a broad range of sponsorship, increasing vaccination rates to go with a roster that already content creation, digital and among infants; and work for the features Colgate and Twinings. social media work. The firm built FCo to encourage people to The healthcare practice works a national presence (offices in better protect their passports for such clients as Genzyme, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and when traveling around the world. Bayer and Pfizer, while Cohn & elsewhere) and later international wolfe’s corporate capabilities see reach, with a Gulf operation that Golin it handle lead strategic duties now has 35 people in in dubai (interPubliC GrouP) for such clients as barclays, and abu dhabi. Finalist lloyds and aPP, and produce the increasingly relevant authentic but growth has really accelerated Firmly established as one of this brands study. over the past year or so, after an era’s defining UK PR firms — after injection of capital from minority consecutive uK Consultancy of Technology also remains in strong investor business Growth Fund the year honours in 2013 and shape via axicom, which added helped with three acquisitions: 2014 — Golin’s continued stellar new business from lexmark, healthcare agency MSA; financial performance demonstrates the Juniper networks and Parallels services specialist broadgate virtues of momentum, after all of in 2015, taking its european fee mainland; and welsh integrated the work put in by matt neale and income up to almost £10m. and agency Fba. with a client portfolio Jon Hughes to turn around an there was plenty of impressive that includes The man booker operation that was once, believe campaign work from Cohn Prizes, etihad airways, emirates it or not, ailing. with neale now & wolfe in 2015 — for nokia nuclear energy Corporation, tasked with a bigger international lumia’s ‘mission 31’; bayer’s visit wales, The Crown estate, remit, a seamless leadership internal change programme; and london business school and transition has placed bibi Hilton for barclays and warburton’s major new additions such as in charge of Golin’s 145-strong corporate reputation efforts. american express, The Foreign team, which combines serious Despite a relatively low profile, & Commonwealth Office, the consumer and corporate heft Cohn & wolfe’s performance is scottish Government, england with some excellent digital and increasingly difficult to ignore rugby, Costa rica and bny social media capabilities. when assessing the best PR firms mellon, Four reported growth in the uK. of close to 60% and fee income Hilton has brought a new of £23 million in 2015—enough brand of leadership to Golin Four CommuniCations to rank among the top six uK, focusing in particular on on (indePendent) independents in the uK and top such areas as gender equality, Finalist 70 PR firms in the world—with shared parental leave and flexible 230 people, including former working — to the extent that Founded in 2001, it did not take Consolidated Pr managing the firm’s progressive internal long for Four Communications— director nick Clark and public culture now provides a distinct drawing on the experience of affairs chief Karen Alcock. competitive edge, something that founding partners led by former remains a rarity in the publicly- Charles barker and bsmG exec Highlights of the firm’s work in owned agency world. but it is not 2015 included driving greater 66 emea

just the soft stuff that impresses. money — the firm’s emergence Golin’s hard numbers are as also reflects its ability to deliver Consumer Pr good as you would expect from creative work that is as good as ConsultanCy an Interpublic PR firm, with UK anything on the market, including oF the year: revenues up around 8% to more some strong influencer marketing than £20m, once healthcare unit activity such as ‘end virgo is factored in too. There was neglect’; Pokerstars’ all-In Kitchen; new business from sainsbury’s, Campari’s ‘red night district; and, Honda, Great western railway rather aptly, the w Hotel launch and Kraft Heinz, joining a client in amsterdam. roster that already features unilever, Cadbury, siemens but…back to the numbers. In and Smirnoff. 2015, the firm continued its stellar new business record, while Golin’s business results making further inroads into hoPe & Glory have sometimes appeared to unilever, for which it now (uK/indePendent) outstrip its capacity to produce handles lynx, PG Tips, ben & standout creative work, Hilton Jerry’s and Cornetto. There were In just four years, Hope & has made creativity a priority, other big wins — Lidl, Belstaff, Glory has established itself as a goal that is supported by , Campari and ryvita a dominant force in london’s the firm’s blockbuster 2016 — joining a client roster that fiercely competitive consumer acquisition of creative agency includes marmite, Kopparberg, Pr market, with leadership duo brooklyn brothers. Campaign levi’s, Johnston Press, ysl and Jo Carr and James Gordon- highlights included npower’s evening standard. macintosh combining substance Fuel bank, Cadbury’s return of and style to notable effect. the milk Tray man and ’s The firm’s growth has meant that Indeed, the shop has emerged messy adventures, the later of Johnson can assemble a talented as something of a go-to player which included a sophisticated leadership team, which now for big consumer brands, adding digital component. london is a includes md richard Tompkins; adidas, airbnb, key element in Golin’s ambition strategy head adam leigh; head east Coast, PZ Cussons, b&Q, to be the agency of this decade; of media and corporate becky Heathrow, sega and opodo in the evidence suggests that the Charles; and brand head sophie 2015 to an eye-catching roster operation is firing on all cylinders. raine. and w continues to that already includes o2, Ikea, showcase a contrarian approach disney, , HTC, the W (indePendent) to much of its activity, particularly royal mint and Honda. Finalist when it comes to investing in its own ventures — there is a The agency also sustained its In a market that often appears BrandLab that asks staff to think remarkable pace of growth last to prize creativity above all else, like stakeholders, along with the year, growing 33% to £3.4m in former Freuds executive warren development of products and fee income, with profits up 60% Johnson has stolen a march on ventures in spirits and retail. to £900k, from its 47-person many of his consumer rivals by all of which has helped fuel a staff base. Both Carr and demonstrating the kind of hard- progressive staff culture that Gordon-macintosh continue nosed business acumen that has includes a strong learning and to manage the growth well, led his firm to £4.1m in seven cultural component. focusing on ‘fame, fortune and years, expanding 25% in 2015 fun’ in a bid to keep staff and alone. but it would be wrong to clients happy. unsurprisingly, suggest that w is just about the there has been expansion of its 67 emea

senior ranks, along with a smart malibu). That means Cirkle has itself as a topnotch addition to 50% investment in new digital impressive expertise in reaching europe’s consumer Pr market, consultancy oneFifty. the trade audience too, as in its growing global revenues to £7.1m work on behalf of absolut (using in 2015, thanks in large part to and, of course, Hope & Glory’s social media and video to a continued focus on matching work continues to wow award engage bartenders). people’s passions to projects. juries, leading to 49 campaign That might sound like a trite awards in 2015 alone. That but it’s the consumer work that concept, but has resulted in some performance might well be has truly helped Cirkle distinguish impressive work and assignments matched this year too, given itself from competitors: launching for Foot locker, ee, dixons, the evidence of another rich energizer’s ecoadvanced deezer, Peroni Carphone and crop of campaigns, including batteries (using thousands of . standout work for o2 (‘big up’ recycled batteries to create a and #wearTherose); Ikea (‘no scale model of Tower bridge and The agency has also expanded to Place like bed’); b&Q (‘Plant increasing market share by 3.4%). good effect beyond its traditional whisperers’); airbnb (‘Floating work like that contributed to powerhouse uK HQ, adding House’); and, virgin Trains (‘beard impressive 95% client retention in brand Pr specialist vanessa Caps’). Perhaps the best evidence 2015, which in turn helped Cirkle Kreumel to lead its German office. of Hope & Glory’s effectiveness notch impressive 23% growth while m&C saatchi Pr boasts comes from the grumbles it for its best year ever—new solid corporate and technology now elicits from rival agencies business success from winning credentials, it is the consumer — a sure sign that an agency is included Hovis, nestle waters practice that stands out — succeeding in london’s cut-throat (buxton, Perrier, san Pellegrino), underpinned by strong digital consumer scene. Cheestrings and The Happy egg and creative capabilities. It is an Co., beating or taking accounts approach that has resulted in CirKle away from some of the uK’s most market leading campaigns such (uK/indePendent) creative firms, didn’t hurt either. as The House of Peroni; building Finalist Finally, we would be remiss not a treehouse to launch virgin to mention the firm’s award- Holidays’ new wanderlist product; From its headquarters in bucolic winning culture. a particular and, putting a man on the arch Beaconsfield—about 20 minutes passion of founder Caroline of wembley football stadium to outside london—Cirkle has Kinsey, it manifests in a first-class launch ee’s action camera. spend the past 18 years building employee wellness programme, one of the best consumer an emphasis on work-life balance, misChieF boutiques in the uK. In reality, the flexible working initiatives, all of (uK/enGine GrouP) firm handles a broad spectrum which earned Cirkle our best uK Finalist of work for the consumer brands Consultancy to work For award it represents: a list that includes last year. when founder mitchell Kaye iconic brands from Premier departed mischief in 2013, few Foods (oxo, bisto, mr Kipling); m&C saatChi Pr expected the agency to sustain Kerry Foods (wall’s, , (uK/m&C saatChi GrouP) the eye-catching success that Cheestrings); energizer, Hipp Finalist had defined its growth since it organic, slendertone; mission launched in 2006. That it has is Foods, PepsiCo (Quaker, under the leadership of global as much down to Kaye’s legacy Tropicana, walkers), Ferrero Ceo molly aldridge, md Chris as it is to the Ceo he recruited (nutella, bueno) and Pernod Hides and eCd steve strickland, to succeed him, Frankie Cory. ricard (absolut, beefeater, m&C saatchi Pr has established supported by planning director

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Gemma moroney and creative red ConsultanCy head damon statt, Cory’s mischief CorPorate Pr (uK/huntsWorth) ConsultanCy might be a different agency to Finalist the one that characterised Kaye’s oF the year: heyday but is no less effective, after a couple of relatively quiet reporting fee income of £5.7m years, red returned to relevance in 2016 and continuing to in 2015, demonstrating the kind demonstrate a restlessness that of sharp consumer edge that has stood it in good stead amid helped it win uK Consultancy of the world’s most competitive the year honours in 2012 and, consumer Pr market. indeed, once reflected its status last year, there was new business as consumer hotshop in the 90s. from vodafone, southampton The agency grew its consumer FC, , TransPennine Pr income by 10.2% in 2015 herinG sChuPPener express, , , akzonobel to £8.3m, and led some of the (Germany/WPP) Global, alton Towers and odeon uK’s key launches of the year: Cinemas, joining a client roster mcdonald’s signature Collection; In march, when a Germanwings that already includes The Fa, activision Call of duty; and, flight from Barcelona to unilever brands (including samsung’s Galaxy s6 edge. often düsseldorf crashed in the alps— sure and ), birds eye, at its best when representing a tragedy deliberately caused akzonobel uK (including dulux less fashionable brands, red also by the copilot—the lufthansa- and Cuprinol), Affordable Art Fair, did sterling work for boots and owned carrier called in Hering bae systems and Tate & lyle. a Heathrow, reflecting its ability to schuppener. In september, realtime newsroom has added retain big, complex consumer when volkwagen found itself more heft to mischief’s always- client assignments — its roster embroiled in scandal after impressive creative work, while also includes Johnson & Johnson, revelations that it had distorted the agency has smartly focused emirates, nestle, Carling and emissions tests results, it on developing ‘corpsumer’ Coca-Cola. made the same call. The fact campaigns for birds eye and is that whether it’s high-profile ella’s Kitchen, and launched an There was also new business corporate crisis work (the firm influencer unit to mine cultural from royal , listerine, also represented Takata and and consumer insight. Quality street, slim-Fast, ecover Honeywell last year) or high- and StubHub, and the firm also stakes transaction business The campaign work remains moved to develop its offering (Hering schuppener handled in fine fettle, evidenced in 2015, launching an in-house 30 transactions worth $60 by southampton FC’s design team, hiring nick edell billion last year, more than any #showyourstripes kit launch; as head of digital build, and other German firm), Hering the nation’s ode to the Coast for unveiling its own evaluation schuppener’s phone number national Trust; and Pot noodle’s framework. under the leadership is on speed dial for the #youCanmakeIt. If mischief can of consumer mds Isobel smartest CCos in the German- also benefit from the various Coney and emily morgan, red’s speaking world. creative and production assets consumer revival has been quietly that surround it within engine impressive; it is little surprise that Its client list is a veritable who’s Group, there is no reason to think parent Huntsworth continues who of German business: that Cory’s ambitions for the firm to view the agency as one of the adidas, lufthansa, volkswagen, cannot be realised. jewels in its rapidly rusting crown. Henkel, siemens, lanxess, osram, ThyssenKrupp, rwe, KKr, 69 emea

deutsche bank, deutsche börse, active, legal & General, danone, board that is chaired by sir deutsche Post dHl, rothschild, The aa, and Grosvenor Group. Christopher meyer. airbus. Its leadership team has unmatched depth and longevity: new business in 2015 came Much of that is down to the firm’s in addition to chief executive from aa Financial services (for ability, like the best boutiques, ralf Hering, partners alexander brand positioning and product to provide senior counsel in a Geiser, Tina mentner, brigitte von communications); PepsiCo market that rewards corporate Haacke, Phoebe Kebbel, Georg (corporate communications, expertise. In 2015, for example, Jakobs, martin bury, Henriette issues management and uK press the firm won impressive new Peucker and Felix schönauer office work); Smart Energy GB business from John lewis, ab- are minority shareholders in the (corporate communications and Inbev, bGF (business Growth firm and veterans of corporate public affairs); coffee company Fund), advertising association, and financial PR, public affairs, Jacobs douwe egberts (corporate university of warwick and and employee communications, communications and crisis Centrica, to go with existing with an average tenure at Hs of management); and Gb energy. clients such as airbnb, Kellogg’s, more than 10 years. The newest High speed 1, ITn, Camelot, addition to the team, meanwhile, salt and Hedges now lead a team leidos, motability, stonewall, is andreas winiarski, formerly of of close to 40 that also includes discovery Communications, rocket Internet, who gives the new partner simon burton, Philip morris, sime darby and firm newfound digital credibility. previously with Tesco as group battle of Ideas. revenues last year topped €25 director global government million (€35 million for the group relations. High-profile work Much of the work reflects as a whole), healthy double-digit included positioning global bank ’s ability to best bigger growth for the year. ubs as a thought leader on the rivals for issues management scottish referendum and general work, under the leadership headland election; developing digital of founders mark Gallagher ConsultanCy communications platforms for and sara Price, and managing (uK/indePendent) legal & General to connect with partner oliver Foster. This is best Finalist customers; and launching virgin illustrated, perhaps, by Pagefield’s Active’s first CSR programme. lead role on stakeholder Three years ago, Headland— engagement for airbnb and founded in 2005 by financial PaGeField sime darby. communications expert and (uK/indePendent) Gavin anderson veterans Chris Finalist seven hills salt and Howard lee—brought (uK/indePendent) on board former Fishburn Three years after being named Finalist Hedges chief exec neil Hedges to best new Consultancy in expand its corporate capabilities. emea by the Holmes report, A finalist for Corporate The decision to blend corporate Pagefield’s continued emergence Consultancy of the year for and financial (with just a dash of demonstrates that, just maybe, three consecutive years—it marketing for financial services this publication might know a won emea and Global honours clients) has paid off handsomely: good firm when it sees one. In in 2014—seven Hills is best Headland has more than doubled 2015, Pagefield passed £4m known for its focus on the in size over the past couple of in fee income, thanks to more entrepreneurial economy, but years, with fee income now a little growth across corporate and has been expanding its focus over £4 million, and a client list public affairs, with a 25-strong as it has started to work with that includes ubs, PwC, virgin team supported by an advisory larger clients (companies, Ceos 70 emea

and other business leaders, Portland Much of the firm’s work, destinations) with an emphasis CommuniCations meanwhile, has genuinely on communicating mission and (uK/omniCom) moved the needle for its clients, purpose and explaining business Finalist reflecting its view that reputation as a force for change. more than management requires an just a mouthpiece for companies Typically viewed as one of the integration of public affairs and in this space, seven Hills provides UK’s defining public affairs corporate comms, in recognition genuine consultancy and firms, Portland has broadened of how regulatory debate and industry-best thought leadership, its capabilities considerably to scrutiny has moved beyond from the publication this year of cover the full range of corporate westminster onto the High its own book “mission: How the communications in recent years, street. Perhaps the best example best in business break through” with the moves paying off to of this is its work for uber, which to its role in founding a managing such an extent that it has grown prevented a number of proposals organizations such as startup remarkably over the past couple to limit the company’s expansion britain and events such as its of years, to more than £25m in in London. In addition, the firm bloomberg partnership summit: global fee income after another coordinated a broad coalition of The Future of Growth. double-digit upturn in 2015. industry, consumer groups and charities to make the case for a still only six years old, seven once again, that performance energy improvement programme; Hills reported £4 million in fee should be placed into context. and worked for independent income last year (growth was This is not just a lobbying shop producers trade body to ensure close to 33% for the second making hay, but a firm that that regulation was not adjusted. straight year) with new business counsels the barclays Ceo from brewdog, GP bullhound, on his reputation, and also now numbering 160 people, Grant Thornton, Harwell Campus, provides similar advice to the founder Tim allan oversees Innovate Finance, vanguard and likes of Nestle, Pfizer, Google, a deep leadership team that vonage, joining a roster that apple (uK public policy work includes former sun political includes british business bank, and projects on education and editor George Pascoe-watson; Cobra beer, ella’s Kitchen, one health), mcdonald’s, diageo, uber ex-downing street advisor steve young worldm, and Tech City akzonobel, o2 and motorola. morris; and Tony blair’s former uK. There was new talent too, The firm now handles numerous communications director alastair as co-founders nick Giles and international mandates, Campbell. allan likes to say that michael Hayman were joined by including plenty of work in the public relations is a “british managing director emma Johnson middle east and africa, often success story”. His own firm (formerly of The Communications helping governments build their continues to provide plenty of Group). The firm’s work ranged communications capabilities. all evidence of that. from assisting brew dog with of which adds to an existing client employee communications and roster that includes public affairs employer branding (including the and corporate work for aviva, company’s first “blackout day,” networkrail, Heathrow (around which allowed all of its employees its third runway plans), Funding to come together for the first Circle, ab Inbev and Hyatt; along time) to helping to manage one with a strong base of foundations, young world’s sixth summit in for such as figures as Kofi Annan, Mo to launching the Tech Ibrahim and bill and melinda Gates. nation 2016 study for Tech City uK and nesta.

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unity’s creativity is matched by dynamo’s creative approach led Creative Pr its commitment to research, to 83% revenue growth in 2015, ConsultanCy planning and process—and its while pre-tax profits doubled, oF the year: emphasis on mission (“we exist but the work remains the big to increase human happiness” draw here — demonstrated might seems like a lofty claim, but again recently by eye-catching its ambition is reflected in the campaigns for attractionTx firm’s campaigns) are key among and nvidia. them. Fee income increased by 35% in 2015, to £3.2 million m&C saatChi sPort with high-profile clients such as & entertainment disney, leGo, the bbC, rockstar (m&C saatChi GrouP) Games, and nissan (as well as the Finalist uK’s junior doctors in their labor unity dispute with the government, (uK/indePendent) Always a strong creative firm, which unity is handling pro bono) m&C saatchi s&e continues to joining a roster that includes base its thinking on the premise Pound for pound, the most m&s, direct line, Pizzaexpress, that “simple ideas enter the award-winning agency in the and Butlin’s. The firm has brain quicker and stay there world over the past few years, brought in new talent too, with longer,” as Ceo steve martin puts unity impressed once again when davnet doran (formerly of Cake) it. Now firmly established as a this year’s emea region sabre promoted to managing director groundbreaking agency in the nominations were announced. and ella dorley-brown and Katy increasingly sophisticated world Its nine finalists (more than many stolliday promoted to directors, of sports and entertainment of the leading multinationals) working alongside founders nik marketing, after winning emea ranged from its corporate social Govier and Gerry Hopkinson. Consumer Consultancy of the responsibility initiatives on year honours last year, m&C behalf of flagship client Marks & dynamo saatchi s&e has broadened spencer to its work revitalizing (uK/ indePendent) its offer considerably across the butlin’s brand to its “swing the Finalist media, digital and live events, vote” youth campaign for charity all of which revolves around a vinspired. even more impressive, Founded in 2011 to focus on reinvented creative approach — Unity picked up five In2 SABRE consumer technology, dynamo called edison — that stands in awards, for its innovative work in emerged last year to take third stark contrast to the traditional crowdsourcing, online advertising, spot in the Holmes report’s methods deployed by much of and influencer outreach. All of Global Creative Index ranking, the market. that justifies Unity’s description thanks to an impressive awards of itself as “a new kind of creative haul for such clients as m3d and While the firm stands steadfast agency” and its claim to have 3doodler. much of that is down in its refusal to employ a creative moved beyond traditional Pr to the agency’s sophisticated director or creative team, (it briefs to compete with agencies understanding of crowdfunding, believes, quite understandably, from other disciplines for which was again showcased in that all of its staffers are creative), multichannel assignments. 2015 by the 3 doodler 2.0 launch it has dispensed with tired — the biggest sequel launch in processes such as brainstorms The reasons for this success crowdfunding history — and in favour of a formal creative are manifold, but among them similarly successful efforts for methodology that brings a it’s clear that the ability to Prynt and neeo. now 25-strong, measure of rigour and innovation balance left and right brain— 72 emea

to client briefs, fusing data and content creation. That helped year, it followed up with eight behavioural science with creative drive a breakout year for the EMEA SABRE finalists—more planning, direction, content and agency in 2015, with revenues up than any other firm with its digital innovation. These efforts 18% to £2.3m. headquarters on the continent, have been bolstered by its in- ranging from an innovative house studio 15 creative unit, being part of the broader campaign to introduce a new IKea which doubled in size to £600k in Karmarama Group clearly helps store to corporate work for local 2015, delivering a wide range of Kaper when it comes to insight bank DNB to anti-bullying efforts content for all of its clients. and creativity, but the firm’s focus on behalf of norwegian skier and on developing ‘cultural currency’ sports clothing designer Kari Traa. The work demonstrates that is a pivotal part of this mix, the agency’s new approach is helping it develop some highly The firm is distinguished by paying off. The #WearTheRose persuasive work for vauxhall its emphasis on engagement, campaign for o2 has been rightly (‘Great british legends’); english developing a content-driven celebrated, but there was also Heritage; snog; and, ladbrokes. approach markedly different some inspiring efforts for Reebok more than 50% of Kaper’s from anything else in the local with Kendrick lamar; a video revenue now comes from digital, market, and emphasizing social miniseries for ballantine’s Golf largely content and video, media. Carlson has been joined Club; and the the stay True space reflecting its ability to bring in big by magdalena Kamøy, head of Gif-it for the same brand, which assignments from (across creative, and managing director resulted in 11 documentaries. several markets), vauxhall, english Bente Kvam Kristoffersen, both There were also eye-catching Heritage, new scientist, unilever of whom have ad industry rugby world Cup campaigns for Foods, unilever Foundry, british experience. The firm now Heineken and Coca-Cola. Gas, masterCard and aol. employs 45 people, genberating The numbers are similarly fees of €2.6 million (up by 26 impressive: The firm employees triGGer percent last year) and working 62 people in london, and global (norWay/indePendent) for clients including IKea, dnb, revenues reached £10m in 2015, Finalist norwegian airlines, Telenor, up from £7m in 2014, led by new Plantasjen, The ministry of business from samsung and Trigger was launched in 2010 by Climate & environment, and BNY Mellon, and significant founder and managing director new additions Cubus, mills, growth of its ballantine’s, adidas Preben Carlsen, a thirtysomething rottefella, FInn.no, av og Til, and o2 accounts. former IKea communication abbot, Coca-Cola, sporveien, manager, and has made quite , veidekke, volvo, KaPer (uK/Karmarama) an impact in its first five years. It and the norwegian Gaming Finalist was named nordic Consultancy authority. next up, international of the year in 2013 and Creative expansion, with plans for an office Kaper, the firm set up by former Consultancy of the year for emea in stockholm later this year. myspace comms director Chris last year—as well as picking McCafferty in 2009, is not creative up the Platinum sabre for the for the sake of it. The firm prides best campaign of the year in itself on delivering commercial europe, for its “stop the wedding” goals rather than just coverage, campaign, which rallied the and has distinguished itself from nation to prevent the marriage of many of the its london consumer Norway’s first child bride—before peers by developing a strong revealing that the “wedding” was capability across traditional a hoax to raise awareness of the and digital Pr, experiential and practice outside of norway. This 73 emea

the investment is reflected in the that focused on insights, analytics, diGital Pr work coming from every office: design, messaging and digital ConsultanCy in london, the #washedaway build — adding £600k in new oF the year: billboard campaign for charity revenue from a range of clients. action aid used a weather and that’s without mentioning data-activated billboard to catch its award-winning listening Post the eye of shoppers, while esso digital analysis tool, which Hotwire deployed virtual reality to help continues to invest in and see consumers experience Formula strong results from. The firm also 1 from a unique perspective; in invested £180k in its Hotwire sweden, a video of the nation’s academy training programme in synchronized swimming team a bid to support the expansion under the influence helped of skillsets, particularly in terms insurer Trygg Hansa draw of digital marketing, across its Weber shandWiCK attention to drunk driving; employee base. (interPubliC GrouP) in Germany, the firm helped deutsche Telekom use youTube This has helped the firm There probably isn’t another to amplify its corporate storytelling. expand beyond its roots to firm in Europe that is producing deliver integrated work across the quantity or quality of digital hotWire (enero) geographic borders and content that is coming out of Finalist functional siloes, helping it net weber shandwick right now. new business from de la rue, The firm has made a number of after establishing itself as one marketo, viacom, Travelex, moves designed to strengthen of the best technology PR firms Citibank, doddle, young its content capabilities in in the world (and winning Global enterprise, nuance and ubisoft, recent years, from the launch aoy honours in 2104). Hotwire’s who join an impressive client of planning and paid media growth continues to owe much to roster that features Qualcomm, shop mediaco in 2013 to the its innovative approach to digital Intel security, Indeed, nikon, expansion of in-house creative platforms, particularly owned western digital, logitech, team The studio (now 22 people and paid. The firm’s European GoPro, doddle, red bull, in london) to the acquisition of presence includes owned Cisco and workday. swedish powerhouse Prime to offices in London, Paris, Munich, the appointment early in 2015 of Frankfurt, madrid and milan, and all of which adds up to an agency TvC veteran adam Clyne as head was the best performing Hotwire that is seeing considerable of digital for the emea region. as region in 2015, growing fee growth outside traditional Pr a result, digital now contributes income by 13.9% to £11.9m. areas, via such services as digital 30% of weber shandwick’s advertising, social, branding, revenues across the region, The integration of 33 digital content marketing and data having grown by 25% last year. within the business helped give analysis. evidence of this comes Hotwire a headstart when it from work for de la rue (a The firm made a host of new comes to digital, but the firm broad rebranding assignment); hires in data and analytics and has worked hard to develop an Travelex (audience analytics); content creation (executive offering that reflects the rapid doddle (consumer engagement creative director James nester strides porgressive-minded Pr and sales); and, Inrix (sales leads from we are social, emea head firms are making when it comes and social reach). and, Hotwire’s of content al berry from bacardi, to digital and social media. Chief annual Communications Trends paid media manager magda among Hotwire’s innovations in report also continues to stand wynne from mediacom), and 2015 was a new Labs offering out in a cluttered marketplace. 74 emea

tvC GrouP volontaire nurses’ union Kommunal, while (uK/eConomist GrouP) (sWeden/indePendent) another signature campaign Finalist Finalist involved persuading celebrities members of Parliament to pose after starting life almost 20 years There is plenty of innovative for a calendar to promote breast ago as a content agency, TvC has digital and social work being cancer awareness for bakery adapted well to the demands carried out across the nordic bonjour and swedish breast of modern public relations, region, some of it by established Cancer association. prompting The economist Group agencies, but sweden’s volontaire to acquire the consultancy is a digital native, founded in 2009 We are soCial in 2012. since then TvC has with the new media landscape (blueFoCus) transformed itself into a more specifically in mind. The name, Finalist focused integrated agency, using Volontaire, reflects the belief that its content heritage as a strong communications is something with a name like “we are social” competitive edge, particularly that people have to want to there’s an inherent a risk of of in the digital and experiential participate in, voluntarily, and the brand falling out of step with arenas. via the relaunched digital forms the basis of its approach. the digital environment. This News Agency, the firm possesses The firm operates at the fate, however, has certainly not its own content hosting platform convergence of paid, shared, befallen we are social, in part, and media centre, a crucial owned and earned media and because the firm takes a more element in its strategy of competes with established literal view of the word ‘social.’ producing intelligent, creative advertising, digital, and Pr shops “It is about understanding social content for clients such as easyJet regularly and successfully: new behaviour before focusing on and Jaguar . business wins in 2015 included social platforms and using this electrolux, Church of sweden, social insight to create world- while revenue growth in 2015 and Sanofi, and the firm also class creative ideas” is how the was flat, TVC has restructured and represents libero and visit eight-year-old agency explains expanded its proposition to good sweden, among others. its mindset. we are social now effect under the leadership of has 600 people with 11 offices global md James myers, alongside Last year saw some significant around the world (including five in integration with the broader expansion. volontaire hired europe) and is part of one of the Economist Group offering. That Christian Åkerhielm, previously world’s largest Pr networks blue has helped it net new business head of digital in the nordics for Focus. revenues in europe were from landbay, intu, now Pensions msl/JKl and with a background up about 8% to £23.9m, from and aaT, to go with a client list from Jung relations, to lead the £22.1m in 2015. Forty people that already features aguar land Pr practice, and brought in eight were added to its european team, rover; Peninsula Hotels; easyJet; new hires to bring its team to which is now 390. eurostar; King.com; bacardi 30. It also launched a new unit Group; red bull; royal voluntary focused on activation, content, long-standing key clients in service; lvmH and dyno-rod. CRM and production. The firm is europe include adidas, beats by Campaign highlights included nominated for four sabre awards Dre, Netflix, BNP Paribas, Google, some excellent video content for for its work, including “Find lavazza and nestle. new wins the Hive app and for the launch your swede” for visit sweden include audi and lenovo in the of the new evoque convertible. (an interactive tool that helps uK; amazon and reebok in would-be visitors connect with Germany; vodafone and buitoni their swedish doppelgangers) in Italy; and siemens in France. and “The work workout” for work for clients has evolved from

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social media in the early days drugs, and a challenging FirstliGht to social content — short films, regulatory environment— (uK/indePendent) animations and photography. In healthcare PR firms are being Finalist 2015 we are social picked up forced to look for new avenues its first Cannes Lions for its work of growth, and those looking Formed in 2009 by former Red Hello Play! for Hello bank! — a to the consumer health space Consultancy corporate head crowd-funding music platform, have found at least a couple of Paul davies, Firstlight has grown with its own virtual currency, Hello established competitors taking to become one of the best of a Coins. Just weeks after launch, the lead. Pegasus, based on new breed of uK corporate Pr almost half a million Hello Coins the south coast of england and firms. And much of that is down were sent to 28 music projects, focused on “inspiring healthy to the firm’s stellar healthcare with eight fully financed after decisions,” must be the most capabilities, which are led by one month. The firm’s work for eye-catching of these, growing Pat Pearson, another ex-red european clients adidas, Juventus 39% in 2015 to almost £9m in Consultancy executive. In 2015, and youTube was also recognised fee income. a team of 100 (up Firstlight grew by 37% to more by the Clio awards, lovies, 30%) in brighton now works than £1.5m in fee income, with webbys, eurobest and others. across a broad range of services, healthcare accounting for almost including digital, social and half of the firm’s business. Key The firm’s innovation team is creative, helping the firm net new clients include novartis oncology now focused on future mapping business last year from daiichi (which consolidated its entire what’s around the corner in sankyo, denplan, duPont, elanco, uK portfolio with Firstlight terms of social and technology. Gr lanes, lloydsPharmacy and in 2014); naPP (for which it As part of this, the firm produces PaGb. existing accounts include handles biosimilars); orthimo monthly ‘Curiosity stop’ reports Thornton & ross, Holland & (for which Firstlight launched the to showcase the industry’s best barrett, Godrej Group, lF beauty, first generic him implant, in the social-focused innovations. danone, novo nordisk and bayer last big bastion of big branded (oTC & animal Health) — helping medical devices); Sanofi; Vifor to demonstrate how Pegasus Pharma; roche; and the nHs. healthCare has grown as health has become Pr ConsultanCy central to conversations across unsurprisingly, given that list oF the year: a range of sectors, including of clients, Firstlight’s healthcare technology and food. capabilities are broad, covering market access, media relations, recognising those shifts, Pegasus regulatory and HTa approaches, has invested in both specialising disease awareness, patient its sector skills and broadening advocacy and issues management. its relevance to clients in adjacent sectors, via more thought GCi health (WPP) leadership and focused hiring Finalist plans. all of which is underpinned by an outstanding workplace PeGasus The GCI Health brand may have culture — turnover is just 6% (uK/indePendent) only launched in london in and there are numerous 2013, but it began life with two initiatives in place to improve with the traditional rx significant advantages: it is part of learning and development. pharmaceutical business going arguably the hottest healthcare through a difficult period— firm in the US right now, and the relatively few new blockbuster London office essentially spun 76 emea

out of sister agency Cohn & by Havas Group in 2015. now of virgo Health’s business. In wolfe, itself an impressive force in rebranded as Havas Just::, the 2015, this included a manifesto healthcare. under the leadership deal does not appear to have instigating the industry to of Rikki Jones, the firm recorded impeded Just’s growth trajectory talk about just how much more substantial growth in — indeed, in 2015 it increased engagement has changed within 2015, and is on track to reach £2 topline by 15% to around £3.75m. the healthcare sector. million by 2018, with a team of 15 unusually, for a healthcare consultants delivering impressive firm, Just’s positioning revolves It’s now been three years since work in four categories: life as much around creativity as it IPG’s Golin bought virgo Health sciences (mostly pharma), does around sector expertise. — and all signs point to this being consumer health, market access, This has paid off via such a successful acquisition. 2015 and—a real differentiator— campaigns as ‘In my shoes, which saw 23% of organic growth and strategic consulting. used oculus rift technology to the addition of £2.8m of new challenge entrenched healthcare business, including three £1m+ The firm’s client roster includes professional perceptions of clients for the first time. Its record bayer, lilly, GsK, Takeda and people with adHd; and ’Growing for winning new business is 86% Abbott, and has also benefited up with HIv’, which built empathy (surpassing its target of 70%) and from a new medical education for HIV sufferers among a last year the firm recorded its offer, led by new hire Cally healthcare professional audience. largest-ever month and quarter Clarkson. That has helped bring earnings. The 12-year-old firm has two consumer health clients For several years now, Just’s 85 people across its offices and and four medical technology internal culture has remained boosts a 70% talent retention. accounts. There is also a credible a competitive differentiator, building on the ‘being Human’ focus on thought leadership with low employee turnover theme, the firm developed a mind and staff culture, resulting in also helped by the addition of a map that outlines the values best workplace honours from central London office. The firm important to its workplace. Prweek. and there is plenty has a broad range of expertise of good work, including an across Pr, media, advocacy, while some agencies are moving educational campaign for msd medical education, digital and towards a project model, virgo that aims to help muslims with public affairs, enabling a cross- transformed its core offerings diabetes stay healthy while disciplinary approach to strategic in 2015 to move away from fasting. In addition, the firm planning. The firm remains led project work to longer-term helped to steer four therapeutic by co-founders and co-Ceos retainer assignments. other innovations—including biogen Talman and Crozier, who are notable feats last year included Idec’s Tecfidera and Plegridy supported by Kirsty mearns, easing client discomfort about for multiple sclerosis, Janssen’s recruited as md in 2014. In 2016, ‘being Human’ by showing how olysio for hepatitis C, and Gilead’s mearns took on a new role as this thinking could flourish in a Zydelig for leukaemia—from chief business development highly-regulated environment. pipeline to market. officer, switching her focus from The firm’sdesign team grew operational leadership to growth three-fold with new animation, havas Just:: and marketing. 3d and motion design capabilities (uK/havas GrouP) and its digital offering expanded Finalist virGo health to include the full spectrum (iPG/Golin) between social and digital. launched by Jennie Talman Finalist and emma Crozier in 2006, uK Client retention soared over 95% firm Just:: Health was acquired The ‘being Human’ approach for the fifth year in a row last year. continues to be at the heart It also added 17 new clients — 77 emea

including bayer, abbott, Celgene financial services, energy and senior hires in 2015, including and abbvie — to its existing FMCG, and re-investing profits Claire Furlong to oversee the roster of 47. virgo’s work with to create new service offerings new Hanover sport practice, roche saw a four-fold budget at its London and Brussels offices. leigh Ireland as head of brand expansion. notable work includes 2015 was another successful activation, Claudia la donna as the Hs see me programme that year for the firm, with growth of head of digital policy, and emma fostered a partnership between 23% to £9.2m, keeping the firm Carr as head of technology. abbvie and the Centre For on track for its five-year plan to Patient leadership that turned double in size by 2018. There The firm’s expansion is not patients into catalysts to educate was new business from de beers, limited to typical public affairs healthcare professionals; the england athletics, Camelot, areas alone, reflecting the Paediasure shake Fussy eaters Floodre, steris, northern Health fact that 30% of its london was a social experiment that science alliance, msd, Gatwick revenue now comes from its invited fussy children to lunch; airport, aFC and Time warner, corporate communications and a campaign for durex to who join a blue-chip client roster practice. Hanover created a increase condom usage among that includes lrs, Goldman newsroom to support its content young people. sachs, Three, lloyds banking creation capabilities and took a Group, lilly, microsoft and majority stake in growth-hacking the nFl. consultancy multiple. Campaign PubliC aFFairs highlights included work for Pr ConsultanCy and, like many of its better rivals, the first-ever European Games; oF the year: Hanover’s work reflects the global debeers support; and shifting public affairs landscape, assignments for Camelot. enabling it to expand policy briefs into broader corporate mandates, aPCo (indePendent) for the likes of lucozade ribena Finalist suntory, Cuadrilla, Tata steel and Shire. The firm has created senior aPCo executives often five new practice areas and has bristle when the firm is described upped investment in training, as a public affairs player, and particularly in such areas as social with some justification — the media, seo and creativity. and hanover expansion of aPCo’s work not it found time to create the new just into corporate, but also CommuniCations ecosystem global independent consumer, healthcare and (uK/indePendent) agency network, featuring top digital, has been underway for firms from a number of countries. several years now. yet, in truth, since its inception 18 years ago that expansion also reflects Hanover has evolved beyond Former downing street press the way that public affairs its uK roots to become one of secretary lewington is supported itself has evolved beyond a the world’s top public affairs by andrew Harrison, director and narrow focus on lobbying to consultancies, winning Global global head of the healthcare broader understanding of the agency of the year honours in practice; laura swire, director intersection of policy, media and 2015 and growing by 85% over and head of Hanover’s advocacy all stakeholder groups. the past three years. under team; and director and head the leadership of founder of Hanover’s corporate and accordingly, aPCo’s 2015 Charles Lewington, the firm has consumer practice, Gavin megaw. growth was not powered by consistently innovated, deepening brussels is led by md Christian lobbying work alone, but by its expertise in healthcare, Hierholzer. There were several such assignments as an internal 78 emea

communications audit of the bellenden secret, but the past 12 months uK’s FCa (in association with (uK/indePendent) have seen an expansion of the deloitte); a ‘digital density’ report Finalist firm’s EMEA region public affairs for ebay; and campaigning work capabilities, which now include for Innovate uK. alongside that Celebrating 10 years this year, active members in berlin, Cape was more traditional activity, for bellenden is considering what it Town, Copenhagen, dubai, the ukranian minister of Finance’s means to be a 10-year-old firm. , Johannesburg, london, successful ImF campaign; and no longer a startup, bellenden is moscow, Paris and madrid, for new clients such lockheed now an established player with generating €10m in cross-border martin, amex, nespresso, offices across London, Edinburgh business. as a result, FTI can enterprise rent-a-Car, Crescent and manchester and a strong, offer businesses support on enterprises, arab strategy Forum flourishing business under the critical issues, from the political and dubai Industrial City. leadership of Ceo mark Glover. ramifications of restructuring, last year, fee income climbed to regulatory challenges around The firm’s 200-strong EMEA 23% to £3.1m from £2.5m and mergers and acquisitions, to presence now features its employee count jumped from bringing a new drug to market to strong operations in the uK six to 40 practitioners. The client crisis communications. The public (where James acheson-Gray portfolio grew 30% to 104 with affairs team also collaborates with has overseen a double-digit key wins including the licensed other parts of FTI’s broad-based turnaround in terms of revenue, Taxi drivers association, salford consulting business, working on now £5.4m, and profitability), university, octopus Investments, tax issues with the international France (where the firm has national accident Helpline, rail tax advisory practice based out doubled in size to €4m in five delivery Group, the british Film of london and cybersecurity with years), brussels (where 38 people Institute among others. while fraud, investigation and security drove 21% revenue growth to its strengths have resided in teams led out of brussels. €5.35m) and the middle east, energy and professional services, (which grew by an eye-catching bellenden recently created a The leadership team includes 36% to $14m in 2015.) dedicated corporate affairs emea practice leader Julia offer that garnered £750K in Harrison in brussels, special as ever, the quality of aPCo’s its first year. advisor Patricia Hewitt (former work stood out, whether uK secretary of state for Trade & modernising the legal status notable work includes managing Industry) and managing directors of animals in France; handling the british wind Campaign, martin Kothé (berlin) and alex sensitive anti-trust work for winning the national accident deane (london), with new etihad in europe; supporting Helpline account in a competitive additions in 2015 including John whirlpool’s controversial pitch from the incumbent agency Clancy, former spokesperson for acquisition of Italy’s Indent; and its regeneration shell dG Trade; alejandro sánchez transforming the reputation of Centre Campaign that has been García, former head of cabinet the fishing industry in Brussels on shortlisted for several awards. of the spanish secretary of behalf of nGo blue Fish; helping state for security; and sir Philip abTa secure better eu regulation; Fti ConsultinG (Fti) lowe, former director general developing the comms strategy Finalist of the european Commission for the world Government for development Cooperation, summit; or, positioning masdar Competition & energy. Growth That the brussels operation—with as leading player in the renewable was 30 percent last year, with a team of 70 experts from 22 energy space. the energy and financial services countries—is one of the jewels sectors particularly dynamic in FTI Consulting’s crown is no (the firm won a SABRE for its 79 emea

shale Gas europe work and has Io, linn, lycamobile, Quantcast, been providing policy advice to teChnoloGy ricoh europe, salmon, virgin masterCard in multiple markets). Pr ConsultanCy media business and Xactly, joining oF the year: a client roster that includes key Plmr (uK/indePendent) clients vodafone, Fujitsu, arbor Finalist networks, Cisco and TalkTalk. It is not just Harvard’s growth It may not have the most inspiring that impresses. The firm’s work of names but Political lobbying reflects an impressive focus & media relations (Plmr) has on integration, via a full-service demonstrated a much more offering that extends beyond innovative approach to its service Pr and digital into such areas offering, helping to explain how as advertising and direct the uK consultancy has grown harvard (uK, Chime) marketing. a robust evaluation rapidly to $4.75m in fee income framework has also been by the end of 2015. Growth last when louie st Claire took charge adopted, along with a staff year was 30%, spurred by some of Harvard in 2011, there were development culture that as eye-catching campaigns, notably genuine questions over the resulted in an 8.4 net Promoter scrapping air passenger duty on firm’s long-term viability. Once score among employees. behalf of the air travel industry. considered one of the strongest new business in 2015 included tech Pr players in the market, Harvard likes to claim that it bosch, united nations Crop Trust, Harvard had shrunk considerably champions the tech sector, and lyft, Care england, and Celsa to just 14 people and £1.6m in its specialist knowledge is clearly steel, all of which join a client revenue after losing a number of reaping dividends as technology roster that includes london City key clients, including vodafone plays a more central role in every airport, HC-one, sunrise senior and adobe. business. There is a commitment living, wingas, Cancer research to technology industry events uK and the british Horseracing That the firm is now a strong and startup projects, which has Authority. The firm is led by contender for technology helped fuel standout work for founder and md Kevin Craig, who consultancy of the year is Cisco (overhauling its digital is supported by deputy md elin testimony to the resurgence identity); TalkTalk (‘making britain’s de Zoete. that has taken place under a Small Businesses Better Off’); leadership team that includes st salmon (black Friday); and Fujitsu notably, Plmr brings a strong Claire, along with ellie bennett, (‘digital Inside out’). focus on the health/social care Pete marcus, david rossiter, Jo and education sectors, along with Jamieson and new addition Phil Chameleon expertise in energy/resources szomszor, who came aboard as (uK, rePtile GrouP) and charities. all of this is digital engagement director. Finalist underpinned by a multi-channel mindset and a global focus — last Harvard reached £4m in revenue Founded 18 years ago, year the firm founded the Global in 2015, a remarkable 39% Chameleon has been seen its Communications alliance of 10 increase on 2014, generated by fortunes improve markedly independent consultancies. 40 people that regularly contend since the 2013 arrival of Tom for the biggest technology berry as Ceo. In tandem with accounts in the market. last founder Helen Holland, berry has year there was new business ushered in a fairly radical revamp from digital Garage, Insight uK, of Chameleon’s positioning 80 emea

and capabilities, broadening its shop has diversified its team thinking about modern public approach to encompass the full for international, employer relations. but where octopus range of digital services, sales communications and public stands apart must be in its lead generation and C-suite sector work. The German firm commitment to implementation, counsel. Topline fee income has offices in Berlin, Munich, which has seen a total overhaul increased by 8% in 2015, but wiesbaden servicing the entire of the firm’s structure — to one that does not really tell the whole daCH region. Growth hit 16% that delivers specialist skills story of Chameleon’s progress to $6.4m fueled by wins like and products rather than time- — the firm improved profits German Federal ministries and based services. In addition to the by 261% to a 24% margin, and its subordinates that include development of a bespoke ‘brand walked away from big clients that more than 25 entities, salesforce, to sales calculator’ that tracks did not share its vision of high- Hasbro, rackspace, Gad-Fiducia, effectiveness and spending, the value consultancy and integrated as well as existing clients Cisco, firm has invested in a specific communications. That mindset ComputaCenter, Gore, Interxion, methodology, supported by has resulted in average client messe Frankfurt, mobotix, sopra training and task forces, in a fees doubling and client net steria, and schott. bid to standardise pricing and promoter score increasing to +63, prioritise outcomes. from a roster that now features notable work includes the docusign, appannie, unify, employer communications The new model appears to be spiceworks, Code42, Forbidden program “night of education” paying off, even if it has resulted Technologies and ClubCIso. for Goodyear dunlop, eveonik in a measure of turbulence. and Heraeus; monopoly’s 80th octopus grew 8% in 2015 to It is also an approach that has birthday for Hasbro and national around £6m in fee income, resulted in a staff culture that Hearing day for the national employing 62 people. There was is considerable more vibrant Hearing aids association. new business from avanade, than most. Chameleon’s 16 blackberry, Gamma, Iris, Pindrop professionals report high oCtoPus GrouP and Qualcomm, to go with an retention and employee (uK, indePendent) existing client roster that includes satisfaction metrics, with a Finalist Computacenter, Colt, Capita, strong focus on training and european Payments Council, development. ‘non-traditional octopus has long prided itself Intel security, orange Group, communications services’, on being one of the technology riverbed, saP, sony Computer what Chameleon describes as sector’s more restless agencies, entertainment europe, vIsa influencer relations, insights/ as comfortable designing sales europe and unisys. strategy, growth marketing, programmes as it is calling up sales support and content journalists. while that mentality under the leadership of Ceo Jon marketing, now accounts for has sometimes seen it forge lonsdale, octopus’ senior team 40% of the firm’s fee income, too far ahead of the market, features a noticeable focus on highlighted by impressive there were signs in 2015 that specialist areas. billy Hamilton- campaigns for Forbidden things are falling into place, stent remains in charge of client Technologies and docusign. after a significant restructuring strategy and planning; new hire of the firm’s agency structure Gary brosnan heads creative FinK & FuChs and client engagement model. and content; and, laura slade (Germany/indePendent) The new ‘brand to sales’ model, oversees technology brand Finalist which has been led by director engagement. They have helped sandy Purewal, is not radically drive some impressive work, as Fink & Fuchs nears its 30- dissimilar to contemporary notably Gamma’s six-month year anniversary, the tech ‘Connected business’ campaign, 81 emea

which probably serves as the best always well regarded for its just in France, but in the broader example octopus’ brand to sales progressive staff culture, Text region too. approach, using content to drive 100 also stepped up its thought £1.33m in new sales. leadership activity in 2015 and The firm has grown steadily since continued to develop some launch and now numbers 15 text 100 (next 15) thought-provoking campaigns staffers, with a distinct focus on Finalist — putting aoC at the heart fashion and consumer clients of gaming; creating an m2m such as l’oreal Foundation, Coca- After a relatively difficult period barometer for vodafone; Cola, Chanel, biotherm, meetic, in the region, one of the world’s launching the age of ulton group Philip morris, la roche-Posay and largest (and oldest, at 35 years) chat for skype; and a highly- Carrefour. of note, matriochka tech specialist consultancies successful IFa 2015 launch for prevailed over bigger rivals to returned to growth in 2015, up lenovo in berlin. secure orangina-schweppes’ 8% in emea to £12.6m, with Pr business last year. and there 175 staff working across offices neW Pr was impressive campaign work in the uK, denmark, France, ConsultanCy for l’oreal Foundation — the Germany, Italy, netherlands, oF the year: #ChangeThenumbers campaign spain and sweden. some of that to improve the international growth came from the merger visibility of women in science. with sister firm Bite’s operations in stockholm and munich, while enGaGe Joe PubliC (Joe the firm also benefited from a PubliC united GrouP) merger with two sibling firms in Finalist the uK — republic Publishing and Incredibull — bringing expertise Officially launched at the start of in content and brand marketing, 2014, engage Joe Public bills itself and helping fuel a restructuring matrioChKa as a ‘new-age PR firm’, focusing of its broader regional offering inFluenCes on the kind of multimedia content around five distinct service (FranCe/indePendent) creation that integrates well with groups — strategy, content, its partner agencies within the influence, social and digital. Joe Public united Group. The Formed in mid-2014, matriochka firm is led by managing partner Influences has rapidly marked all of this activity has brought a Keri-ann stanton who oversees a itself out as one of the brightest welcome sense of momentum contextual leadership approach public relations firms in France. to Text 100’s emea operations, that aims to persuade rather The firm is led by two founding particularly in the uK, spain than instruct. partners elodie monchicourt and sweden, the latter two of and Charlie Trouillebout, both of which delivered eye-catching The early returns suggest that whom hail from market leader growth in 2015. Key clients in Stanton’s efforts are paying elan. Indeed, monchicourt co- the region include vodafone, off. Despite difficult economic founded elan and brings 15 years nXP, suntrust, microsoft, red conditions, engage Joe Public of experience, while Trouillebout bull, skype, Facebook and nCr is billing r5m and is forecast is a digital specialist. Together, the — new accounts in 2015 from to grow 20% this year, with a duo aims to integrate traditional Kodak alaris, Houzz, Instagram, client roster that includes Hippo. communications with more Pegasystems, alipay, avios, co.za, 32 Clothing, de beers modern influencer techniques, netatmo, secret escapes, air, botswana, business arts south resulting in an approach that and blizzard. africa, Kenya Tourism, south counts as relatively disruptive not 82 emea

african banking risk Information making good on its third goal. actions and attitudes are driven Centre, along with new additions even by london standards, it is by feelings. This year, the firm has usn, oohs, visa and autodesk. difficult to recall a startup win seen inbound inquiries increase The firm is split equally between so many impressive brands in by 80% and its win rate is an corporate and consumer but has less than year, including spotify, impressive 93%. Headcount is not adopted separate teams, brewdog, samsung europe, The eight full-time employees in its preferring instead to reflect macallan, Itsu, Innocent and . London office with overall growth the convergence of traditional Much of that is down to the firm’s up 23% from the year before. The practice areas. focus on creativity, which has firm added 32 clients over two already included eye-catching years, including 16 just in the last That mindset extends to a strong campaigns such no label for 12 months. so far, it has enjoyed learning and training culture brewdog; screen sensations a 100% retention rate. across engage Joe Public’s for samsung; and the ‘Innocent nine-strong team, along with Coconut watering Hole’. Keep award-winning work includes a focus on content, influence, up this rate of growth and The launching Carole matthews’ creativity and analytics. Campaign Romans’ first objective — not latest novel The Cake shop in highlights included work for de becoming the biggest agency in the Garden by creating an edible beers and Kenya Tourism. london — might be in danger. garden made of cake — bringing together britain’s top pastimes the romans tinman (uK/unity) gardening and baking. In six (uK/mother) Finalist weeks, 54K books were sold Finalist (76% uplift from a previous book Just two years since being launch), more than 1K visitors The romans launched one year founded, Tinman has already to the garden and 50 pieces of ago with a fairly refreshing set racked up 58 award nods coverage. The book reached of objectives, which included a (including six in this year’s In2 sixth place in the sunday Times commitment to not becoming and sabre awards emea) and bestseller list within two weeks. the biggest agency in london skyrocketed from zero revenues or taking on a client ‘just to to £463.5K — with 22% profit take a cheque’. It is their third margins. The firm has already brand promise, though, that established a reputation for suggests they have what it takes delivering creative, smart work to succeed in london’s brutally that delivers business results competitive consumer Pr market for clients that include borough — The romans want to ‘make market, wateraid, avis, great work, with great people nickelodeon, Hackney empire, and have a lot of fun.’ of course, monkey shoulder whisky, that is not the only thing The little brown book Group and romans has going in its favour — Harvey nichols. co-founders misha dhanak and Joe sinclair bring considerable Founder mandy sharp sought agency experience and creative to create an agency with big, expertise, and the firm is backed creative ideas that tie back to by leading advertising agency business objectives. The name mother. — Tin man — pays homage to the character in “wizard of oz” The agency’s first year of as it represents campaigns with operations suggest that it is a heart, based on the idea that 83 THe 2016 besT aGenCIes To worK For emea

The Holmes Report’s best euroPean netWorK Best Consultancies to to WorK For Work For are determined Cohn & WolFe by a comprehensive survey of agency employees, at around 50 agencies Cohn & wolfe’s philosophy is brought to life throughout the throughout the agency’s mantra “Dig Deeper. EMEA region. Imagine More.” (ddIm), which emphasizes a supportive Being selected as a Best environment that fosters Consuiltancy to Work For creativity and outstanding client by the Holmes Report is work. ddIm is supported by a considered the ultimate “work-style” programme called benchmark of PR firm emergenetics, which provides culture and workplace clues into how people think performance, in an industry and behave across four distinct whose primary asset categories—conceptual, analytical, remains its people. structural and social—and helps to build well-balanced teams. The three 2016 EMEA Best The firm also gets the Consultancy to Work For fundamentals right: competitive Winners received their salaries, a strong benefits awards at the SABRE Awards package, and a wide range dinner on 25 May in Berlin. of learning and development opportunities. The firm is working to promote diversity and inclusion, supporting candidates from diverse backgrounds as they find their feet in the industry. And in the firm’s own most recent employee survey, 91 percent of

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employees surveyed agreed that and how long they work and how transparency—involving everyone Cohn & wolfe was a fun place they run their accounts. in setting the agency’s direction— to work. and a flexible, supportive Throw in a strong commitment to workplace. a bespoke leadership but it’s the softer side of the internal and external trainings—in development programme means business that draws the plaudits: technology, Pr, social media and everyone has the opportunity for “I like coming to work every day,” more—and it’s easy to see why personal growth. says one respondent. “I feel employees are enthusiastic. one challenged and am driven to respondent cites the “transparent “we are encouraged to bring progress through the agency.” way of leadership communicating our passions to work,” says another says: “I have never seen with the employees as well as one respondent. “everyone’s anyone within our team blame the flat hierarchy.” Another contribution is valued, good or put unneeded pressure on offers a long list of reasons to performance is celebrated anyone else. It is very much love the work environment: “my and promotions aren’t based a team attitude here.” and co-workers, my boss, the team on tenure; if you have passion finally: “Everyone—from top spirit, the family-like atmosphere, and can deliver great work the management down to junior colleagues are highly supportive opportunities are there for the consultants—takes pride in being of each other, everyone is taking.” adds another: “everyone nice, kind and supportive.” encouraged to bring in their respects one another. There is ideas and share their thoughts, amazing culture. The company Honorable mentions: open communication.” rewards its staff, and the benefits aPCo worldwide TraCCs, weber are amazing…. everyone is always shandwick, Chandler Chicco Honorable mentions: happy and as a company we lvT (netherlands); Tribeca (south celebrate on every occasion and africa); Fink & Fuchs (Germany); celebrate success as well.” best Canela (spain) ConsultanCy Honorable mentions: to WorK For Tangerine, Hope & Glory, best uK ConsultanCy Cirkle, unity sChWartz to WorK For PubliC relations salt Two things set schwartz Public relations aside as an employer of choice in the highly competitive one of the three guiding German market: first, absolute principles at salt is an emphasis transparency; and second, on culture, and in particularly absolute respect, trust, and on the ability of individuals to personal responsibility. The balance their own needs with former means that every member those of the teams in which they from junior levels to directors work. There is a salt “behavioural has full insight into the agency’s framework” that is aligned business, informed via weekly with the salt values and forms staff meetings and constant open the heart of the recruitment doors. The latter means individual process, line management, and employees get to decide when appraisal programme. It includes

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THe 2016 aGenCIes oF THe year asia-PaCiFiC

The 2016 Asia-Pacific Growth in 2015 was close to 20%, reGional PR Consultancies of the with much of the new business Pr ConsultanCy coming from established brands Year are the result of oF the year: like longtime msl clients P&G and an exhaustive research Coca-Cola, as well as the likes of mslGrouP process involving more mondelez, Cadillac, adidas, aXa, (PubliCis GrouPe) than 100 submissions and Volkswagen, Lego, Pfizer, Audi, Panasonic, and UBS. But as befits meetings with the best PR In a little more than a decade, a challenger brand like msl, mslGroup has evolved from a firms across the region. there have been assignments 15-person startup in China to one from some of the region’s—and of the top multinational agencies the world’s—most disruptive Consultancy of the Year in the Asia-Pacific, with a network companies: Netflix, Uber, winners were announced of 1,500 professionals (more than airbnb, alibaba Group, Tencent, any other agency) in 36 offices and honoured at the whatsapp, Xiaomi, Google. across the region. There’s some 2016 Asia-Pacific SABRE debate about whether msl has Awards on 28 September The firm’s burgeoning digital now overtaken longer-established capabilities have been at the in Hong Kong. rivals ogilvy, edelman, and weber heart of its success, with digital shandwick in terms of regional revenue up by 35% last year. revenues, but there is no doubt The agency’s i3 methodology that the Publicis-owned agency starts with insight (there has can now compete on level been a significant investment footing with any of them in any in data and analytics), proceeds of the region’s major markets— through integration (which means particularly China and , where engaging consumers and other recent acquisitions have turned it stakeholders through a wide into a market leader. 87 asia-PaCiFiC

range of digital and social content appointments that have helped edelman and non-traditional channels), and drive the changes: barry wong, (dJe holdinGs) ends with impact. and the latest formerly with Commonwealth Finalist innovation is a new platform— mcCann, was named managing Conversation2Commerce— director, creative and innovation, Edelman’s Asia-Pacific offering that “harnesses the power of a new role, and Judith ostronic retains a dynamic edge in a influence to drive brand lift and was named managing director, dynamic region, growing 9% commerce.” C2C draws upon regional communications and for its most recent fiscal year to the integration of paid, owned operations. supported by a mix of reach approximately $104m in and shopper media to add scale, agency veterans (vice chair Prema overall fee income. Those may measurability and targeting to sagar, government and public not be the heady numbers of the firm’s earned media coverage affairs chief Ian McCabe) and years gone by, but they come as and helps turn conversations into newcomers (China Ceo ruby Fu, edelman invests in an ambitious commercial success. regional director of digital Thomas restructuring of its operating Tang, head of digital strategy for structure, part of regional Ceo Increased integration with other China Joe Peng) they are reshaping david brain’s plan to increase Publicis companies is also helping. the agency. the firm’s “addressable market”, msl incorporated Pr teams from bringing it into competition with There has been a major the and sri lanka last advertising and digital agencies. investment in the firm’s Studio year (as well as an acquisition in That approach means there has B offer, which helps clients vietnam) to increase its footprint, been considerable investment in with everything from analytics and is partnering with advertising skills and capabilities, across such through engagement, including and digital sister agencies—often areas as search engine marketing, robust data capabilities, playing a lead role—to provide social media optimisation and channel strategy and content integrated services to many measurement/analytics, as creation. and there is a renewed major clients. edelman attempts to ensure that emphasis on talent development, it can deliver all aspects of digital particularly in identifying and burson-marsteller at scale across its various asia- growing future leaders. (WPP) Pacific markets.

Finalist The payoff is most evident so and while brain’s top leadership far in the quality of the firm’s team — including executive vice Today’s burson-marsteller is not work: working with Huawei on a chairman Carol Potter; bob Grove quite unrecognizable from the corporate level, as well as with in north asia; rob Holdheim in four or five years ago—it still its enterprise, carrier, wireless south asia (and the middle east offers the same steady hand networks, and fixed networks and africa, which also reports when it comes to high-stakes business groups and launching to brain); and, Iain Twine in issues and strategic counsel— several new products globally; southeast asia and — but it is quite noticeably more helping adidas with a number is stable, the the restructuring modern, more dynamic, more of hip, youth-oriented projects has also been accompanied by innovative, and—since the like Crazy balloon attack, considerable turnover of senior transformation is clearly a work in ClimaCool, and all in for talent across the region, with progress—more optimistic. #myGirls; and supporting many new additions coming from Fitbit with media relations, diverse backgrounds. There is margaret Key, a six-year bm social influencer engagement, new leadership in China (ex-bates veteran, has been regional partnerships and events, in chief Jeffery Yu), Vietnam (former Ceo for a little more than a China, , India, singapore, Publicis Ceo TT nguyen); australia year now, and early in 2016 and the Philippines. made a couple of significant (steve spurr); Indonesia (raymond 88 asia-PaCiFiC

siva) and Hong Kong (adrian growth last year, ogilvy Public That performance is not just down warr), and, unsurprisingly, plenty relations is, arguably, the number to ogilvy Pr’s local market strength of investment in senior talent to one multinational in the asia- in Greater China, australia and support the agency’s continued Pacific region, and Asia is still singapore, but increasing network growth in digital, creative and the number one region for the cohesion, with several clients research, notably digital Coo wPP-owned agency. The network (airbnb, Indonesia Tourism Coca- stuart edwards, north asia won regional Consultancy of Cola and Johnson & Johnson) strategy director andrew ryder the year honours in 2015 and working across multiple markets. and north asia Cd its performance since then The firm has named specific Pierre desfretier. suggests that it continues to fire ‘regional connectors’ to improve on all cylinders, functioning as the this process, and has also created The firm now employs around largest profit contributor to Ogilvy seven regional practice leader 1,300 people in the region, group in many markets. roles to drive new business and working for a client roster that expand client relationships. and includes Tata, samsung, HP, With 1,200 staff working across 32 there is a significant commitment shell, mars, symantec, PayPal offices in 26 cities, the firm has the to strategic planning (’ogilvy and unilever. almost all of those largest footprint across the region, brains Community’) and talent major clients are now being with its greatest strength in the management and development. served across multiple markets— Greater China market. The firm shell (13), samsung (12), HP (11), is also distinguished by a veteran The work remains cutting- samsung (10)—in the region. leadership team that includes edge, evidenced by ogilvy Pr’s many of the new business 30-year China hand scott Kronick, continued success at the sabre successes last year were multi- now regional president and Ceo; awards, via such campaigns market assignments too, including debby Cheung, president of the as ‘Great Chinese names for dubai Tourism, lotte, ontario shanghai market for all of ogilvy; Great britain’; ‘mining australia’s Government of Canada, aPaCmed and southeast asia president digital experience gap for saP’; and airbnb. andrew Thomas, who also singapore Government’s nsCs oversees social@ogilvy. #eXGerminator; and, the ‘world’s The network’s portfolio across First virtual reality department practices is well balanced across There has been particular store by ebay. corporate and consumer, attention paid to ogilvy Pr’s alongside a strong commitment integrated offering, which includes to both professional development a close working relationship with Weber shandWiCK (590 training courses across the sister agencies ogilvy & mather (interPubliC GrouP) region) and thought leadership and ogilvy one, and a formidable Finalist (from the Trust barometer to the digital and social media practice Cultural Connections initiative). under the social@ogilvy banner. after another year of industry- and the creative work remains The client list includes the likes of leading growth in 2015 (fees up strong too, highlighted by amazon, mary Kay, dell, unilever, by 24%), weber shandwick now numerous sabre nominations Ibm, Ford, uPs, Intercontinental has more than 900 people in and standout work for asics, Hotels Group, Canon, Coca-Cola, the Asia-Pacific region, and can airbnb and Tata. while there has been notable new claim to have the most complete business from ministry of Tourism capabilities in the key markets oGilvy Pr (WPP) Indonesia, Huawei (as part of of australia, China, India, north Finalist Team WPP), Netflix, the Chengdu asia and south east asia. other Government, airbnb, IKea, metrics look good too: the with fee income estimated at Google, ocean Park Hong Kong, firm now has more than 160 around $150m following 13% national arts Council singapore multimarket clients, and more and CFa Institute. 89 asia-PaCiFiC

than a third of its revenues (37%) of the world’s most creative Pr while a trainer was hired to comes from asia-based clients. regions, eleven shows little sign shape bespoke programmes for of resting on its considerable individual staffers. In the past 12 months, blue- array of laurels, netting another chip multinationals like abbott, 10 awards over the past 12 All of that paid off with some amazon, exxonmobil, Facebook, months, including being named inspiring work. mJ bale’s GM, MasterCard, Nike, Pfizer mumbrella’s Pr agency of the ‘unsuitable Journey’, netted two and unilever—as well as the Year . The firm retains a core silver lions at Cannes, along asia-based ocean Park Hong belief in the power of public with gold at the Global Facebook Kong, samsung and Temasek— relations to drive conversations awards, and helped to increase have been joined by the likes and cultural relevance, and sales and exposure; Krispy of Chinese smartphone maker continues to develop cutting- Kreme’s ‘american Classics’ turned oppo, Chinese renewable edge products and campaigns to doughnut boxes into jukeboxes energy pioneer Hanergy, anbang support this vision, in particular drove sales to an all-time high; Insurance Group, and the Tokyo the disruption live methodology and, ’s ‘data auction’ metropolitan Government. of insights mining, open briefing put on a unique spin on a difficult and audience planning that has business challenge, spurring sales The growth has benefited every helped return some tremendous and awareness. practice group, with consumer work for mJ bale, Krispy Kreme and corporate each accounting and virgin mobile. CanninGs PurPle for about a third of regional (indePendent) revenues, strong capabilities over the past year, revenue Finalist in health and technology—and increased by 52% and profit by digital leading the growth, with the 102%, propelled in part by eleven’s Cannings Purple (then Purple firm’s Studio content creation arm ability to leverage its parent Tbwa Communications) started in 2004 doubling in size last year and 200 network to better effect, and by as a two-person startup that has digital specialists embedded in a stellar new business haul — now grown to 34 consultants local offices. including flagship account wins working on more than 120 active of mcdonald’s and virgin mobile. clients. In 2012, the publicly-listed meanwhile, a strong and stable There was also new business from STW Group purchased a 49% regional leadership team—asia- Krispy Kreme, Philips lighting, stake in the company through Pacific CEO Baxter Jolly, regional Presto, Carousell, nissan and its corporate and financial public chairs Tyler Kim, darren burns, david Jones, joining a client relations firm, Cannings Corporate Ian rumsby and vanessa Ho— roster that already features mJ Communications. This year, continue to invest in an employee bale, Gatorade, Tourism nZ and the firm’s global network grew experience that has helped the Heritage bank. again with a merger between firm attract and retain talent and sTw Group and wPP aunZ. The helped the firm with Best Place to roberto Pace has served as md firm’s central office is located in work honors from Pr week. of the firm’s three offices (, Perth and supported by offices in and auckland) since sydney and Canberra. australasian mid-2015, helping to renew the Generally speaking, 2016 has been Pr ConsultanCies firm’s reputation for innovation, a challenging year for australia oF the year: alongside group account director as the effects of the global Fiona milliken and creative downturn hit the country hard eleven (Whybin\tbWa) director russ Tucker. There with a number of major resources is a strong focus on training projects cancelled or put on Firmly ensconced as one of the and development, to immerse hold, corporate and government most creative agencies in one staff in relevant cultural trends, budgets cut and unemployment 90 rates rising. yet Cannings Purple asia-PaCiFiC

— thanks to years of diversifying are made available to the entire oGilvy Pr (WPP) its business — has weathered the organization enabling everyone, Finalist economic headwinds. Fee income at all levels, to participate in the for the fiscal year ending June direction of the business. with fee income estimated at 2016 was nearly $6m — a 52% almost $150 million last year, last year, this meant diversifying growth yoy. overall in Fy2016, ogilvy Public relations is still the into new sectors — consumer, the firm completed 24 equity number one multinational in the travel, government and finance — capital markets transactions Asia-Pacific region, and Asia is and growing its digital and social and managed 19 M&A deals. still the number one region for offering. This was demonstrated Headcount increased from 27 to the wPP-owned agency. while in the details: the firm secured 34 from July 2015 to June 2016. China attracts the lion’s share its first Cannes Lions for its of attention, ogilvy remains a Key clients include deloitte (client work with airbnb in 2015; n2n leader in the australian public for 12 years), Gold Industry collaborated with airbnb and InG relations market, which is noted Group (formerly Gold royalties direct around an agency-wide for its fragmentation—one reason response Group),Perth markets measurement and evaluation that oPr presents itself there limited and aeris resources, K+s pilot; the firm won new strategy as a confederation of specialist (the world’s largest salt producer) projects for Tabcorp, Civil aviation boutiques rather than a single and Ceos for Gender equity. This safety authority, reserve bank giant entity. year, annette ellis has stepped of australia and department into the role of acting managing of Health; and built an equity The impressive components director while incumbent warrick partnership scheme in mid-2015. of the overall offer include the Hazeldine takes extended long self-explanatory ogilvy Pr Health; service leave. Canning Purple between 1 July 2015 and 30 corporate and business-to- has also launched a successful June 2016, n2n exceeded its business technology specialist sub-brand, Investor Insight - a revenue target of $4.1m by 8.5% Howorth; employee engagement business news and investment to achieve $4.45m revenue. The boutique ogilvy Impact; brand update product, including firm also picked $1.1m in new marketing agency Pulse; market an online news portal, media business and grew its clients leading public affairs business distribution service, and an base from 19 to 28, with 11% Parker & Partners; and social@ integrated weekly newsletter and growth in travel clients, 8% growth ogilvy. The leadership team social media element. in technology clients and 21% growth in projects. The sydney- is equally deep, with former based agency works across Howorth managing director n2n CommuniCations australia and and Kieran moore serving as Ceo in (indePendent) taps into a network for coverage addition to a new role leading Finalist across aPaC, the uK, the us and wPP in australia and new new Zealand. Zealand, and longtime employees N2N’s business is built around five Graham white (15 years) and pillars that seem intuitive enough In addition to airbnb, n2n’s big leon beswick (eight years) leading — passionate talent, game- name clients include, Facebook, Howorth and Health respectively, changing clients, challenging work, american express, schneider while relative newcomer richard an agile approach and a healthy electric, InG direct, open Table brett (a veteran of uK creative culture. whether these pillars and Fox studios. boutique shine) breathing new life withstand the pressures of agency into Pulse. life depend on their execution and this is where the 20-year- Great work includes a project old firm delivers on the promise. to quantify australia’s digital Financial performance reports experience gap for saP, which 91 asia-PaCiFiC

successfully fuelled business And the firm is certainly producing a restructuring last year that leads, and a smart project for its share of great work, from rolled out specialist planning, Ebay to create the world’s first helping Ibis Hotels reach the creative content, digital and virtual reality department store. youth market by aligning the activation units. There is also a brand with live music to helping content studio that is particularly Weber shandWiCK healthcare client shire educate strong in terms of ‘middleweight’ (interPubliC GrouP) the market about adHd. content, driving an offering that Finalist Community involvement has spans brand strategy and ideas been another priority. The firm to storytelling, multi-channel australia is one of those is doing pro bono work for the delivery and activation. There was markets—along with Hong Kong Sydney Convicts, Australia’s first eye-catching work for Forever and singapore—that occasionally gay and inclusive rugby club on 21, using social media platforms gets referred to as “old asia,” a campaign tackling bullying in and fashion influencers to drive a designation that (quite apart sport, and with united way on its acquisition and ecommerce; melia from being geographically literacy program. Hotels, winning over Chinese imprecise) implies slower growth travellers; and, value retail and less excitement. don’t tell Greater China europe, delivering high-quality, that to weber shandwick, which Pr ConsultanCies high-spending tourists to its nine saw revenues increase by a oF the year: european villages. very healthy 24 percent last burgess is supported by year, with new clients such as red bridGe managing partner and brand Facebook, lenovo, amazon Kindle, (indePendent) strategy specialist nicky wang american airlines, servicenow, and associate director maho and b&o Play join longstanding Founded in 2009, Red Bridge has saito, who oversees corporate relationships with the likes established itself as a relative rarity — together the trio appear to of ocean spray, nespresso, in the Greater China Pr market — building a firm that might yet masterCard, shire, and astra an independent agency that has signal the ability of smaller, Zeneca and demonstrate plenty demonstrated an ability to win big boutique players to challenge the of momentum in the market. business without the sometimes market’s dominant heavyweights. while weber shandwick is cumbersome scale that is often still not quite the size of some required of the country’s most market leaders, it now has 50 blueFoCus diGital successful firms. Now numbering people in Australia, a new office (blueFoCus more than 50 people under in melbourne, and a presence CommuniCation the leadership of founder and in arguably the region’s most GrouP) managing partner Penny burgess, sophisticated public affairs Finalist red bridge reported eye-catching market through its Powell Tate growth of 44% in 2015, driven by subsidiary. under the leadership Since its launch in 1996 (then new business from dFs, value of Text 100 veteran ava lawler— known as blue Focus Pr), oscar retail europe and revolve. Those who joined three years ago and Zhao’s company has grown accounts join a roster that already has engineered much of the into the largest public relations includes melia Hotels & resorts, turnaround—the firm has added consultancy in China and one Forever 21, Ted baker, Paramount plenty of fresh talent too, adding a of the top 10 public relations Farms, soneva Group, bloom & digital designer to its Sydney office business in the world, with 2015 Grow and uTs Insearch. last year and bringing in min Chow fee income (per our 2016 Top 250 from lewis to head accounts in Red Bridge’s work reflects a ranking) of close to $250 million— the new Melbourne office. focus on integration, thanks to up by 30% last year. 92 asia-PaCiFiC

Today, blueFocus digital marketing becoming increasingly difficult the firm’s earned media coverage agency is the main subsidiary of for competitors to pretend that and helps turn conversations into the blueFocus Communication the Publicis-owned agency is not commercial success. Group, offering a unique blend now a major player in the market, of digital marketing and public uniquely positioned to provide The leadership team includes relations services in China (it both top level strategic counsel Greater China Ceo Faith has offices in , Shanghai, and local market execution that brewitt, who previously ran her Guangzhou, shenzhen, and Xi’an) includes 750 professionals in 11 own China-based consultancy and around the world. as such, it Greater China offices. and has 20 years of in-market represents many of China’s largest experience; managing director companies (lenovo, , Jd.com, Growth over the past 12 months daisy Zhu, a 10-year msl veteran; shanghai Jahwa Corporation) and was better than 20%, with much luminous managing director a host of blue-chip multinational of the new business coming from Xavier daurian, who joined last brands (Cisco, Chrysler, Canon, established brands like aXa, year from Havas; and dennis mead Johnson, Toyota). new melco Crown entertainment, Hsu and Terence yam, who business over the past 12 months marriott International, lego, lead the Taiwan and Hong Kong came from Homelink, Faw united Technologies, audi, and operations respectively. volkswagen, Guanyimei, ejiao, ubs, but perhaps the most Hanteng autos, dongfeng-nissan, exciting development coming oGilvy Pr (WPP) Hualin securities, Ping an Health, from assignments supporting Finalist and more. some of the market’s most disruptive companies: Netflix, with fee income estimated at High-profile work includes “See alibaba, Tencent, asos, and almost $150 million, ogilvy Public you again, Katmandu,” baidu’s Google among them. relations is still the number one campaign to help restore multinational in the Asia-Pacific historic monuments destroyed The firm’s burgeoning digital region, and asia is still the number by last year’s earthquake in capabilities have been at the one region for the wPP-owned nepal, which has won several heart of its success, with digital agency. With 29 offices in 23 international awards; employee revenue up by 35% last year. cities, the firm has the largest communications work for The agency’s i3 methodology footprint across the region, with mercedes-benz; and sabre starts with insight (there has its greatest strength in the Greater winning campaigns for lenovo, been a significant investment China market, where it has long P&G and dettol, among others. in data and analytics), proceeds been established as the market through integration (which leader. Ogilvy PR’s Asia-Pacific CEO mslGrouP means engaging consumers scott Kronick has been based in (PubliCis GrouPe) and other stakeholders China for more than two decades through a wide range of digital now, and he is ably supported Having made three very different and social content and non- by China/Hong Kong president acquisitions in China—strategic traditional channels), and ends debby Cheung, who has been communications consultancy with impact. and the latest with the agency for 26 years, and eastwei, events-driven company innovation is a new platform— beijing Coo (another 20-year luminous experiential, and digital Conversation2Commerce— veteran) CP yang. marketing and PR firm Genedigi— that “harnesses the power of it has taken a while for msl’s influence to drive brand lift and The firm’s Greater China offering operations in asia’s most dynamic commerce.” C2C draws upon includes offices in Hong Kong, market to mesh, but despite the integration of paid, owned , Guangzhou, shanghai, and the fact that the latter two firms and shopper media to add scale, beijing. revenue increasing at a retain their original brands, it is measurability and targeting to double-digit rate last year, driven 93 asia-PaCiFiC

in particular by strong digital, a good balance of Chinese top 100—is best known for social and ecommerce growth. and multinational companies: its work in the corporate and notable new business included a shenzhen byd, nike, swatch, financial realm, but its continued major global win of Huawei, along amazon, masterCard, nestle, excellence in the sabre awards with work from the Chengdu lenovo, and master Kong. competitions this year reflect its government, ocean Park Hong growth into a well-rounded full- Kong, Ikea and Google. The firm’s some of the underlying trends service firm capable of delivering global China outbound practice, are interesting. For one thing, the great creativity as well as strategic meanwhile, is stronger than most, percentage of work from China- counsel. That’s partly the result of led by vP Helen ye. based businesses is growing adding a new value—innovation— (which also means that China to those that established The firm is a leader in consumer is exporting more business to adfactors as a market leader: marketing (in part thanks to a the rest of the global network). freedom, transparency, integrity close working relationship with For another, about 50% of the and respect for the individual. its sister agencies), technology, firm’s revenue now comes from public affairs, and of course digital marketing rather than Pr budgets, Those values manifest themselves and social media. There was a trend that is reflected in the in numerous ways that have eye-catching integrated work for amount of work being done in differentiated Madan Bahal’s nestle, along with the Cannes non-traditional areas ranging from firm from its competitors: an lions-winning campaign for visit e-commerce to film production investment in professional britain, “Great Chinese names for to media buying and talent development that has seen Great britain”. management. digital assignments adfactors send its rising stars to are, not surprisingly, up by better the Indian school of business, Weber shandWiCK than 50%, and sports marketing is Indian Institute of management, (interPubliC GrouP) another area of activity thanks to and Harvard, among others; an Finalist a good working relationship with in-house gymnasium and regular sister agency octagon. yoga classes; and a commitment Weber Shandwick’s Asia-Pacific as for Hong Kong, it quietly to corporate responsibility that growth over the past 18 months enjoyed its sixth year of double- has led the firm to decline clients has been impressive, and digit growth, with new business in tobacco and gambling as well as mainland China has been the from Google and ongoing work major multinationals with dubious major driver, with revenues up with abbott, audi, aXa, dubai environmental records. by 33%. Throw in Hong Kong—a Tourism, Hong Kong Jockey Club, bahal continues to focus plenty more mature market that has Invesco, and masterCard. of his energy on transforming nevertheless been posting the firm’s offering, in line with his strong double-digit growth of ambitious goal of becoming one its own—and the Greater China india of the world’s top 20 global Pr market accounts for more than Pr ConsultanCies firms, targeting $120m in revenue 50 percent of the firm’s revenue oF the year: within six years. That will require in the region. further international expansion, There has been new business adFaCtors but the signs are that adfactors from some major brands: Gm, (indePendent) is ready for the challenge. The mattel, the beijing 2022 olympic firm grew 9% in its most recent Committee, Genzon, uxin, GsK, Indian powerhouse adfactors— fiscal year, and continues to post Turkish airlines, uPm, mido, Tory which, with fee income of $18m strong margins. burch, IFF, and anbang Insurance. is the only firm from the sub- long-term clients include some They join a roster that includes continent to rank in the world’s of India’s biggest and most 94 asia-PaCiFiC

respected companies: adani Those values continue to drive That has helped drive continued Group; bombay stock exchange; avian’s progress into a world-class growth at edelman India — Citibank; ICICI bank; Infosys; multidisciplinary firm with strength up by an eye-catching 21% Jet airways; larsen & Toubro; across consumer, corporate, to $15.4m for its most recent mahindra Group; state bank of public affairs and crisis. There is fiscal year, with digital revenues India; and vodafone. Indeed, a also a market-leading digital and expanding by 12%. new good way to measure adfactors content capability, something business was led by assignments emergence as a Pr powerhouse is that helps avian register a for ontario Government of to observe the facility with which remarkable run of new business, Canada, dubai Tourism, lava it often bests its domestic rivals including recent assignments International, International union on major consumer and brand for mcdonald’s, leeco, vistara, against Tuberculosis & lung Pr assignments, in addition to its western digital, sony, Tripadvisor, disease, and sbG India advisors, traditional strengths in corporate airbnb, maruti (neXa), Hindustan joining a client roster that already and financial. That was again Coca-Cola beverages, dell, emC, includes Tata, unilever, HP, reflected over the past year, saP, bla bla Cars, abInbev, Fortis, microsoft, shell, PayPay and the with new business from Godrej, TerI, antara and Tourism australia world Gold Council. Hinduja, star India, Times network, For all of them, avian sets out to Goair and IdFC bank. deliver real business results, using led by India md rakesh Thukral, modern storytelling and digital who reports to India, middle east avian media marketing techniques, content and africa Ceo rob Holdheim, (indePendent) marketing and social media edelman also added new talent Finalist engagement. The firm’s work is in the market — strategy director increasingly recognised at major rachana daria from omG and In a little over a decade, avian award shows, including the sabre Zarif Tapia to lead its Cream media has expanded from a awards, thanks to eye-catching events unit. scrappy start up with three campaigns for airbus Group, employees into our reigning ey, Thomson reuters, neXa and Genesis Indian Consultancy of the year, Tourism australia. burson-marsteller with six offices and 160 people (WPP) delivering fee income of $3.6m, edelman Finalist up almost 27% on the previous (indePendent) year. Like all of the best PR firms, Finalist with Genesis founder and Indian avian’s growth has been driven public relations legend Prema by a unique culture, which starts edelman’s progress in India was sagar playing a broader regional with founders nikhil Khanna and transformed by the 2011 win role as burson-marsteller’s asia- nitin mantri’s focus on values and of the lucrative Tata mandate Pacific vice-chair (as well as serving deliverables. It is no surprise that in association with Rediffusion. as a valuable member of the avian media was named one of The business immediately gave global counseling team and the the Holmes report’s inaugural edelman formidable scale in the new “advantage women” practice), best agencies to work For in market, — it now numbers 400 there is a new generation of Asia-Pacific — the firm has worked people across nine offices — leadership running the Indian hard to cultivate a workplace that something it has leveraged to operations. nikhil dey is president, is collaborative, entrepreneurial build out strong capabilities in overseeing both public relations and creative, last year deploying a creative and digital, giving it an and public affairs, while 12-year new #leaP2015 workshop to set edge over many of its competitors Gbm veteran atul sharma is chief ambitious goals for the agency. in the market. operating officer; Sanjay Arora leads the corporate and financial

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practice; and ajit sahi directs the launch of Publicis Consultants public affairs business. Asia adding to an offering that north asia now numbers eight major offices Pr ConsultanCies but while Genesis remains best and 24 network operations in the oF the year: known for its strong corporate, country. Increasingly, neither is financial and public affairs growth, thanks to a leadership edelman capabilities, it’s some of the new transition that saw amit misra and (dJe holdinGs) offerings that are generating Chetan Mahajan take over the firm buzz. The firm’s live newsroom as co-managing directors. edelman’s digital capabilities is providing real-time support have always remained a notch for clients in crisis (helpful, one under the duo’s leadership, above most of their rivals, and suspects, in winning the maggi mslGroup is an increasingly now account for around 14% business, which started with a cohesive force that has won of the firm’s revenues in Asia- project and has grown to include such marquee clients as vibrant Pacific, even if that number is the launch of 25 new products Global Ceo Conclave, slightly misleading because that’s in India). Its content studio and swachch bharat mission, Gates only the firm’s pure-play digital digital design operation, as well Foundation, Coca-Cola, uber, activity—the content creation, as its training facilities, support Airbnb, Netflix, Marico, Nissan, digital design, and community bm clients but also operate as reckitt benckiser and Xiaomi — management work delivered by a standalone businesses. making for an impressive client specialist team. roster that also includes uTC, Similarly, while the firm continues Honda, volkswagen, monsanto, The real story, instead, lies in to work with established clients star Plus, nike and Facebook. the network’s fundamental such as Ford, Colgate-Palmolive, restructuring of its operating Toruism new Zealand, and That performance helped to drive structure to ensure that all diageo’s united spirits business, margin growth of 11% last year, aspects of digital — including it has started to attract a along with a revenue/employee those more readily associated younger, more dynamic client increase of 6% over the past 3 with advertising agencies — are set, including low-cost airline years. much of that is spurred delivered across Asia-Pacific, IndiGo and healthcare wearables by an increasingly integrated a process that is aided by the pioneer Fitbit. Significant wins offering, with digital revenues up added scale that its middle over the past year include 32%, reflecting an offering that is east and africa operations britannia, l’oréal, make in India, now built around an impressive bring. edelman has invested and star sports. integrated planning methodology. significant sums in this initiative, across such areas as search The firm has 350 people in India, accordingly, much of mslGroup’s engine marketing, social media as well as affiliates in adjacent work is more integrated optimisation and measurement/ markets such as , than most, including reseller analytics, building centralised nepal and sri lanka. community management for hubs that features skills and ; seeding uber nationwide; talent that each of its markets can mslGrouP and prestigious government tap into on a local basis. (PubliCis GrouPe) initiatives like swachch bharat and Finalist Vibrant Gujarat. And the firm has accordingly, there have been worked to realign its talent base numerous digital hires and since the twin acquisitions in line with these shifts, dissolving appointments under the of Hanmer and 20:20, scale some positions and creating leadership of digital president has never been a problem for greater responsibilities for others. Gavin Coombes, including stuart mslGroup in India, with the edwards as regional digital Coo and andrew ryder as to oversee 96 asia-PaCiFiC

digital strategy in north asia. that is supplemented now by the benckiser, Johnson&Johnson, In Japan the firm has upped its launch of a new brand Journalism augustawestland and Korea digital capabilities considerably, Center, fulfilling a growing Hydro & nuclear Power leading bringing in Geoff Dossor as digital demand for content. the way. other new client Cd and masaki Gunnarson to additions over the past year lead digital, paid and analytics, Today, the firm is one of the included alibaba, Crocs, and joining a digital leadership team strongest mutlinationals in Fidelity asset management. that also includes Kim Hoang in the market, with expertise southeast asia, Kunal arora in in consumer marketing and h+K strateGies (WPP) India, Janet dai in China and andy corporate communications, and Finalist lee in Korea. vast experience in the technology and healthcare sectors. Hill+Knowlton founded our Tokyo edelman aPaCmea Ceo david Honda leads a management office in 1958, making it the first brain believes the investments team that includes Tetsuya international public relations and restructuring will help his Honda, managing director firm to enter the country, but firm expand their “addressable of blue Current, and nojiri whatever first mover advantage market”, beyond typical Pr akihiro, managing director of that may have delivered had been assignments into the kind of vox, that understands how to squandered in recent years, and consumer and branding work help multinational companies until recently H+K was a minor that more often goes to ad overcome the many cultural, player in the market, with a team agencies. already, there are signs linguistic and logistical hurdles of about 15 and a low profile. that this is happening, with digital that are still very much a part of driving growth across all local doing business in Japan. They but the decision to move asia markets, singapore and Korea in were joined in 2016 by Kuniyoshi president and Ceo John morgan particular. There has also been mabuchi, formerly of ogilvy one to Tokyo about 18 months ago eye-catching work for asics Japan, and Tribal ddb, who will serve as has had a profound impact airbnb across China, aPeC and head of digital. on Hill+Knowlton strategies’ Tata Tea Fusion. operations in the world’s third The Japanese business grew largest economy. morgan has Fleishmanhillard by 15 percent last year, with made a number of personnel (omniCom GrouP) vox turning in a particularly moves, bringing in ronan Hand Finalist impressive performance, and from Japanese mobile games the Tokyo operations continue developer Gree as director FleishmanHillard started its to drive more than 30 percent and handling several local business in Japan in 1997 with of FleishmanHillard’s overall asia professionals to expand the one desk, one phone and one revenue. new business over team. He has also built on the staff member, according to Shin the past 12 months included firm’s traditional positioning (as Tanaka who serves as president work from Crocs (blue Current), much management consulting of the FleishmanHillard Japan Hiroyuki shigemitsu (FH and vox), as Pr, with deep sector expertise Group—a family of companies marriott International (FH), and in tech, healthcare, automotive that includes not only FH but mitsubishi (FH and blue Current). and finance, among others) while also blueCurrent, which started while the Korean operations can’t focusing on next-generation life in Tokyo as a digital and (yet) match the size and scale of services and skills. influencer marketing specialist the firm’s Japanese business, they and has expanded both the H+K’s Asia Pacific chairman Viv are growing at a very healthy 17 scope of its operations and its lines makes the point that “clients percent clip, with public affairs geographic footprint, and public follow good people,” and the and issues management work on affairs brand Vox Global. All of evidence of the past 12 months behalf of client such as reckitt 97 asia-PaCiFiC

bears that out. The agency beat even broader range of strategic out strong local competition for thinking and services and seems In seoul, which Kim has taken the ana airways account, picked to be resonating with Japanese from a one-man office to a team up nikon for issues and crisis clients. Growth was in the mid- of 50, digital accounts for a little management and nikkon steel for teens in 2015 and has been more than 50% of the firm’s media and crisis training. other accelerating in 2016. business and the addition last new retainer relationships include year of lucy Han—formerly of Costa Cruises, expedia, Johnson The more strategic, integrated edelman—as senior vP, digital, Controls, Flextronics, veam approach is manifesting itself has further strengthened its software, Canadian standards in the work too, from the “Find credentials in that area. There association, Intersystems. your Fit” campaign—spanning was new business from abbott, Pr, social, and experiential—that aIa, american airlines, boeing, as a result, H+K Japan is the helped Fitbit boost sales in Japan burger King, dolby, dole, fastest-growing office in the firm’s to content-led communications Facebook, Fedex, Goldman asia network, is back up to more for the International olive sachs, Instagram, master Card, than 20 people, and is on track Council to helping mondelez ocean spray, sanpellegrino, to double in size over the next overcome resistance to brands saP, seagate, and splunk, while couple of years. such as oreo and ritz being the firm continues to expand its manufactured outside of Japan. retainer relationships with the mslGrouP managing director eric Hess—a likes of alba Chunguk, California (PubliCis GrouPe) 35-year veteran of the Japanese walnut Commission, Kayak, Finalist market—and deputy Kiminori Pampers, samsung notebook, Takeuchi have been bringing in samsung Pay, and roche. msl has been so busy in China new talent too, including director and India—making acquisitions of strategy and research atsushi In Tokyo, the story is more about and establishing itself as a market Kikugawa and digital consultant perseverance and the ability leader—that it has been easy to sei naganuma. to thrive despite challenging ignore the success story in Japan, economic conditions. success where the agency has established Weber shandWiCK has come from expanding digital itself as a trusted advisor to (interPubliC GrouP) and social capabilities in the local clients such as P&G, Netflix, Finalist market, including the creation of Cadillac, mondelez, Fitbit, and an “engagement platforms” team Continental Tires while expanding weber shandwick’s Japanese focused on influencer marketing, its digital and social capabilities. operations can trace their roots and by broadening the range back to 1959, when International of service provided to existing The agency’s i3 methodology Pr—later acquired by what clients: growing the mattel starts with insight (there has was then Shandwick—was first relationship from one brand to been a significant investment established. Its Korean presence seven, supplementing business- in data and analytics), proceeds is much more recent, with the to-business assignments for through integration (which means office founded just six years ago, Facebook and Instagram with new engaging consumers and other under the leadership of edelman corporate work. one major win stakeholders through a wide veteran Tyler Kim. but both of the saw the firm engaged to help the range of digital and social content North Asia offices have been on Tokyo metropolitan Government and non-traditional channels), a similar trajectory over the past prepare for the 2020 olympics. and ends with impact. Increased 12 months, enjoying solid growth integration with other Publicis (8% and 17% respectively) fueled agencies—under the “Power of by increasing demand for digital one” banner—is providing an and social media expertise in both markets. 98 asia-PaCiFiC

proved no obstacle to growth expansion of its local digital team, southeast asia and weber shandwick has and its emphasis on a more Pr ConsultanCies retained major clients such as integrated approach. oF the year: Citi Indonesia, singapore airlines, International Pharmaceutical The firm’s South-East Asia client Weber shandWiCK manufacturer Group, masterCard, roster includes the likes of aPP (interPubliC GrouP) General motors, and Intel while (one of Cohn & wolfe’s largest expanding its digital capabilities. global clients), adidas, bosch, dell, exxonmobil, Ferrero, Fujitsu, iFly southeast asia accounts for Growth in Thailand and singapore, rockwell Collins, sharp, just 15% of weber shandwick’s has been more modest (but still and Tourism australia, while there revenue in the region, but the in double digits) with the Kuala was new business over the past firm has a presence that includes lumpur operation picking up two year from 3m, Colgate-Palmolive, offices in the major markets of sought-after local accounts, for Facebook, mattel, moet Hennessy, singapore, Indonesia, Thailand Tanjung aru eco development and Puma. and malaysia and has been and Tenaga nasional berhad. growing at a steady rate in edelman recent years—with singapore (dJe holdinGs) and Indonesia both reporting Cohn & WolFe (WPP) Finalist revenue increases of close to Finalist 30% last year. Cohn & wolfe made its debut in edelman’s southeast asia Singapore is the largest office, the south-east asia region with operations, led by Iain Twine are with an impressive client list that the acquisition of singapore- — arguably — the biggest in the includes masterCard, General based XPr in 2011 and has subregion, including 102 people motors, Temasek, emirates, continued to expand its presence in Indonesia, 92 in Singapore, 58 Carlson wagonlit Travel, rolls in the market over the past 12 in malaysia and 28 in vietnam. royce, Ion orchard, netapp, months. The firm’s Singapore That adds up to around $20m in sT engineering, seagate, exxon and Indonesia offices both grew southeast asian revenue, driven mobil, spotify, abbott, sport by very healthy double-digit by 15% growth in singapore, singapore, singapore swimming percentages last year, and the even as Malaysia remained flat association, and new additions malayisan operation continued and Indonesia and vietnam both over the past 12 months such to be the top performer in the reported declines. as bnP Paribas wTa Finals (sC Asia-Pacific network, up by better Much of the firm’s development, Global), standard Chartered than 40 percent for the second unsurprisingly, revolves around marathon, Takeda, motorola. consecutive year. investment in digital and creative Perhaps most encouragingly, — which grew by double-digits in the firm’s successful work on the one key is a strong regional all three markets. In particular, the south-east asia Games has led to leadership team. Karen Ho and Singapore office has broadened a surge of interest in the sports adrian lee, who both joined as its offering considerably to include marketing space as singapore part of the XPr deal and serve digital and brand strategists, seeks to become a “sports hub.” as group managing directors along with edelman Intelligence’s The firm is now working with the based in singapore and Jakarta research and analytics offering, world Tennis association, the respectively, while Jonathan working for a client roster that standard Chartered marathon, Tan was promoted to associate includes unilever, singapore and singapore swimming. managing director a year ago and leads the Kuala Lumpur office. Government, sTb, samsung, symantec, shell and GsK. In Indonesia, a challenging political Another factor in the firm’s strong and economic environment has performance is the continued 99 asia-PaCiFiC

The southeast asia region comes mcdonald’s, diageo, visa, nike, singapore; helping Inmarsat under the leadership of Iain Pfizer (new), Tourism New Zealand drive awareness of aviation Twine, who has strong support and education new Zealand safety and connectivity solutions; from the likes of singapore Ceo (new) and the department of and, building greater profile for amanda Goh, raymond siva Foreign Affairs (new), among LogRhythm in Asia-Pacific. (elevated to Ceo in Jakarta), others. notable work includes robert Kay (siva’s replacement the regional launch of streaming in Kuala lumpur) and TT nguyen music darling spotify. Consumer (former Publicis vietnam Gm who Pr ConsultanCies oF the year: arrived to lead vietnam). riCe CommuniCations (indePendent) eon (indePendent) Finalist aKa asia (indePendent) Finalist rice’s continued growth — it Founded by former Grayling “events organizer network” (eon) now numbers 29 people across directors Kate o’shea and was founded in , Philippines singapore and — amy wright in 2008, aKa asia’s in 1998 by the triumvirate of illustrates the increasing maturity expansion since then reflects career diplomat Junie del mundo, of boutique public relations firms the agency’s transformation artist/writer Jeannie Javelosa, and in Southeast Asia. The firm’s from a creative Pr shop to an ambassador romeo manalo. focus on workplace culture gives award-winning integrated comms since then, eon has created its it a competitive edge over many consultancy, as comfortable own niche in the Pr industry and of its larger peers, as does a competing with digital and in 2015, embraced evolution with leadership team comprised of advertising agencies as with its the rebirth of the company as sonya madeira, who founded traditional rivals in the Pr space. eon The stakeholder relations Rice in 2009, and partner/director Growth has been impressive, Group. with this, came four James brasher. driven by an increased focus on business units: eon Public design and production, along relations, enGaGe for Public 2015 saw rice submit once with broad capabilities across Affairs and Government Relations, of its best years ever, growing corporate, consumer and digital TanGerIne for Creatives and 40% to reach us$2.54m in fee — and a creative reputation events, and diG for digital. income. once known purely for that saw it rank fifth in the 2015 Together these newly-formed technology, rice has increasingly Global Creative Index. business units delivered top-line diversified into consumer as well, growth of 24% in 2015 and a to the extent that its top 10 clients over the past 12 months, client portfolio that now spans 24 include Hilton, bosch, subaru, there was new business from diverse industries and headcount Inmarsat, FICo, dbs, Kimberly- Treasury wine estates, disney that has exceeded 100. Clark and Palo alto networks. on Ice, Premier Inn, Collective over the past 12 months there works, meadJohnson, nutrition business, overall, is booming. was new business from linkedIn, Rafferty’s Garden, FOX, Rajah revenue is more than $5.5m while servcorp, ooyala, Tech mahindra, and Tann, FrieslandCampina overall growth was 24% — eon outbrain, logrhythm and vivaki. and directasia, joining a client PR registered at 8%, Dig at 194%, that includes unilever, Jetstar, about 80% of its clients are Tangerine at 40%, and engage Chic outlet shopping, diageo, served in multiple markets, at a 7% growth. The company is bentley, J&J acuvue, singapore and many span the region. already on track to outdo these edb, FitnessFirst, linkedIn and Campaign highlights include performance metrics for this year. Costa Coffee. supporting Kimberly-Clark’s Clients include: spotify, viacom - stakeholder relationships in mTv music evolution, Intel, shell, 100 asia-PaCiFiC

The client roster is impressive a stellar new business haul — Consultancy of the year award, enough, but what also catches including flagship account wins having established itself as a the eye is aKa’s ability to deliver of mcdonald’s and virgin mobile. market leader in automotive and multi-channel integrated work. There was also new business from luxury goods—two of the market’s For unilever and diageo, for Krispy Kreme, Philips lighting, most lucrative sectors—and example, the firm handles Presto, Carousell, nissan and making an increasingly significant major employee engagement david Jones, joining a client contribution to the firm’s global assignments; for acuvue, aKa has roster that already features mJ revenues. over the past 12 expanded its scope to include bale, Gatorade, Tourism nZ and months, the firm has grown influencer engagement and Heritage bank. even stronger, complementing production; for linkedIn, aKa its formidable mainland China handles range of dynamic content roberto Pace has served as md capabilities (offices in Beijing, creation; and for Costa Coffee, of the firm’s three offices (Sydney, shanghai and Guangzhou) with a the agency develops above-the- melbourne and auckland) since revitalized Hong Kong operation, a line and below-the-line creative mid-2015, helping to renew the burgeoning presence in India, and work across Asia-Pacific. firm’s reputation for innovation, a healthy pan-asian network. alongside group account director eleven (Whybin\tbWa) Fiona milliken and creative The firm continues to produce director russ Tucker. There Finalist strong work for automotive clients is a strong focus on training such as Porsche (establishing a and development, to immerse Firmly ensconced as one of the digital newsroom), volkswagen staff in relevant cultural trends, most creative agencies in one (supporting the growth of soccer while a trainer was hired to of the world’s most creative Pr in China) and volvo (sustainability shape bespoke programmes for regions, eleven shows little sign initiatives) and for upscale brands individual staffers. of resting on its considerable such as Cotton Inc. and Johnnie array of laurels, netting another Walker, while the Hong Kong office All of that paid off with some 10 awards over the past 12 now has more than doubled in inspiring work. mJ bale’s months, including being named size over the past 12 months ‘unsuitable Journey’, netted two mumbrella’s Pr agency of the and built up a client roster that silver lions at Cannes, along Year . The firm retains a core includes blue-chip brands such with gold at the Global Facebook belief in the power of public as emirates, suntory, Prudential, awards, and helped to increase relations to drive conversations Jumeirah, macy’s, and the michelin sales and exposure; Krispy and cultural relevance, and Guide. meanwhile, sister agency Kreme’s ‘american Classics’ turned continues to develop cutting- Thunder and the rFI studios doughnut boxes into jukeboxes edge products and campaigns to digital and content capability drove sales to an all-time high; support this vision, in particular continue to thrive. and, virgin mobile’s ‘data auction’ the disruption live methodology put on a unique spin on a difficult of insights mining, open briefing agency leadership—Jean-michel business challenge, spurring sales and audience planning that has dumont, chairman of ruder Finn and awareness. helped return some tremendous asia, has close to 30 years of work for mJ bale, Krispy Kreme experience, 14 at ruder Finn; elan and virgin mobile. ruder Finn shou, senior vP and managing (indePendent) director for Greater China has over the past year, revenue Finalist 15 years of experience, 11 at increased by 52% and profit by ruder Finn; Hong Kong-based 102%, propelled in part by eleven’s Celebrating more than 25 senior vP Charles lankester is ability to leverage its parent Tbwa years in China last year, ruder another veteran of the region— network to better effect, and by Finn took home our Consumer remains strong, as does thought 101 asia-PaCiFiC

leadership, with the latest beyond China, growth has edition of the firm’s Luxury CorPorate/FinanCial been strong, albeit off a smaller Forecast providing insight into Pr ConsultanCies base. In singapore, corporate the continuing strength of the oF the year: work includes assignments Chinese market. for the singapore edb, nus allison+Partners business school and ngee ann sinClair (mdC Partners) Polytechnic.In Japan, the Focus CommuniCations acquisition brings in 10 people handling corporate work for (indePendent) Three years since entering asia such clients as nuance. and Finalist via a deal with China’s wolf Group the company’s all Told content asia, allison+Partners has built offering is increasingly popular at Kiri sinclair founded the a credible regional presence, a corporate level, with revenue eponymous firm in 2009 to bolstered by further acquisitions expected to reach $5m this year. deliver integrated campaigns from in China (Century Pr) and, this its office in Hong Kong across year, Japan (Focus Pr), along In terms of thought leadership, Asia. This year, the firm opened with expansion into singapore, furthermore, wolf has cemented a second location in shanghai bangkok and Hong Kong, his reputation as a thought leader so it’s no surprise business has including the high-profile hire of in the China market, with his been good. revenues increased former upstream asia co-founder book “Public relations in China: 21% from July 2015 to June Paul mottram to lead its all Told building and defending your 2016 to $1.7m with 19 full-time content practice. brand in the PrC,” which argues employees. The growth was that “few companies have found largely fueled by new clients like all of which adds up to topline the right formula” in China. allison the singapore Tourism board, growth of 40% in 2016, but it is is helping more and more of Tourism australia, art Central the firm’s corporate capabilities them figure out the right way to 2016, swarovski and massimo de in the region that particularly do that. Carlo, among others. specializing catch the eye, especially in in lifestyle industries, sinclair China, where it has 36 staffers works across travel & tourism, art working across such clients ashton ConsultinG & culture, luxury brands, property, as schneider electric, Canola (indePendent) wine and hospitality sectors. Council of Canada and Textron Finalist aviation. Growth in that market This year, sinclair commissioned reached 36%, driven by the John sunley founded ashton a digital newsroom that allows firm’s ability to provide credible Consulting 16 years ago in media convenient access to press senior-level reputation and issues Japan to provide bilingual materials and high-res images. management counsel to C-suite strategic counsel across media notable work includes being executives. For example, allison relations, crisis communications, called in to develop an integrated has helped schneider electric m&a communications, investor campaign (including positioning/ navigate a range of issues around relations and internal messaging, stakeholder cybersecurity, a brief that has communications. management and media involved significant work with the relations) for the most extensive company’s business leaders and Culturally, the firm’s 23 public art project ever installed in the Chinese government. and, of consultants operate within Hong Kong, event Horizon. course, there is plenty of crisis a relatively flat organization management work to occupy the that encourages contributions time of allison’s China leaders — from across the team while david wolf and Jerry Zhu. also prioritizing diversity and 102 asia-PaCiFiC

reasonable work-life balance. Chase india Citadel-maGnus This has resulted in low staff (indePendent) (indePendent) turnover (less than 5%) and a Finalist Finalist workforce split evenly across men and women, as well as between as India’s economy has when Citadel and magnus Japanese nationals and those strengthened, more policy merged last year, they formed from outside the country. The initiatives have emerged for Australia’s largest financial/ firm also recently introduced consideration prompting the corporate firm that worked a management beat system in founders of avian media to on $8.7bn worth of financial which a group of eight senior launch a separate public policy transactions in its first year consultants take responsibility for consultancy. nikhil Khanna, along as a combined entity. among different aspects of our business with nitin mantri and manash the 19 M&A deals Citadel- in four-month rotations. Fee neog unveiled Chase India in magnus worked on in 2015 income grew by 41% last year. 2012 with its first client being was Ferrovial’s successful in the education sector. since bid for broadspectrum. The Key clients include mitsubishi then, the firm has expanded firm’s advisory work spanned uFJ Financial Group, mitsui & into food and beverages, energy investors, media, government and Co, Kirin, Capital Group, british infrastructure, technology regulatory bodies over airways, novartis, Tourism new and security. while its focus many months. Zealand, bloomberg, blackrock, continues to be advocating for laTam airlines, docusign federal policies, the firm has also with the traditional ‘media- and nissan, among others. invested in building state experts, led’ financial PR model losing notable work includes the especially in light of the increasing its relevance, Citadel-magnus nichi-Iko acquisition of sagent decentralization of policy. pivoted its business into new Pharmaceuticals in which ashton growth areas of specialised advised Japan’s largest generics Growth is up 98% and the firm investor relations advisory work pharma company in the $766 now employs 16 consultants and corporate reputation. both million acquisition, working closely working on 21 retainer clients are growth areas being driven by with financial and legal advisors and four active projects. These shareholder activism and boards and selecting a Pr agency partner clients include Google, dell, bP, being much more accountable in new york. bmw, Intel securities, amd, to numerous stakeholder airbnb, amazon, western digital groups. For the fiscal year ending after helping manage a major and Oracle. The firm’s thought- June 30, 2016, fee income was global pharma client through leadership includes insights and approximately $5.3m aud. a series of complex business- analysis on various policy and critical crises over two years in economic issues, including a other notable assignments Japan, ashton devised a crucial report on brexit and its potential include equifax’s $2.5bn takeover first step in reputation rebuilding impact on business. of veda Group, dexus Property’s — having the Ceo answer $3.5bn bid for Investa Office questions in front of more than notable projects include working Fund and Healthe Care’s $938m 80 media, with no podium and with the beverage industry to sale to luye medical Group, no speech notes. The event was reduce taxes on beverages with among others. Citadel’s founding a successful turning point for the a three-pronged strategy: direct partner Peter brookes leads the firm’s reputation. engagement with tax issues, transactions practice and the foster advocates for the industry Sydney office, meanwhile Magnus’ among key decision makers; and founding partner John Gardner map the most important and leads the investor relations relevant stakeholders. practice and the Perth office. 103 asia-PaCiFiC

sPrG (indePendent) scripps networks, skechers, delivered across Asia-Pacific, Finalist wyeth and more. a process that is aided by the added scale that its middle One key to the firm’s success is It is now 21 years since richard east and africa operations its ability to attract and retain Tsang launched strategic Public bring. edelman has invested talent in a market where demand relations Group in Hong Kong, significant sums in this initiative, exceeds supply: 15 members and while it has expanded into across such areas as search of the management team have a network of 10 offices across engine marketing, social media been with sPrG for 15 years asia and established capabilities optimisation and measurement/ or more, 15% of the 300 staff in consumer marketing and analytics, building centralised have been with the firm for a corporate social responsibility, hubs that features skills and decade, and 90% agree that the it remains best known as a talent that each of its markets can firm provides great opportunity market leader in the financial tap into on a local basis. for advancement. another is communications space in what the firm’s deep roots in the accordingly, there have been remains one of the world’s most community, including its Csr and numerous digital hires and dynamic business centers. philanthropic endeavors, and appointments under the Tsang’s role on more than 50 leadership of digital president sPrG may not have invented the boards and committees across Gavin Coombes, including stuart IPo public relations, but there’s a the island and beyond. edwards as regional digital Coo case to be made that it perfected and andrew ryder as to oversee the business. It completed 34 digital strategy in north asia. new listings in 2015—including diGital In Japan the firm has upped its its 300th listing—and 13 so far in Pr ConsultanCies digital capabilities considerably, 2016. It also expanded into the oF the year: bringing in Geoff Dossor as digital lobbying business by acquiring Cd and masaki Gunnarson to asianet Communications in edelman lead digital, paid and analytics, July of this year, adding another (dJe holdinGs) joining a digital leadership team component to its broad corporate that also includes Kim Hoang in and public affairs capabilities. edelman’s digital capabilities southeast asia, Kunal arora in have always remained a notch India, Janet dai in China and andy If past experience is any guide, above most of their rivals, and lee in Korea. many of those IPo clients will now account for around 14% turn into retainer business for of the firm’s revenues in Asia- edelman aPaCmea Ceo david the firm: it currently advises more Pacific, even if that number is brain believes the investments than 160 listed clients, including slightly misleading because that’s and restructuring will help his China mengniu, CoFCo, dynasty, only the firm’s pure-play digital firm expand their “addressable Fairwood, Fortune reIT, Hop activity—the content creation, market”, beyond typical Pr Hing, JHC, K wah, lenovo, melco digital design, and community assignments into the kind of Crown, sinotrans, soHo China, management work delivered by a consumer and branding work sun art, Tianjin Port, Tsui wah specialist team. that more often goes to ad restaurant, Xtep, ZTe. and sPrG’s agencies. already, there are signs international client base is just The real story, instead, lies in that this is happening, with digital as impressive. It works for P&G, the network’s fundamental driving growth across all local Google, H3C, uC rusal, Fitbit, and restructuring of its operating markets, singapore and Korea in lenovo and new business in 2016 structure to ensure that all particular. There has also been came from abn amro, aIa, bdo, aspects of digital — including eye-catching work for asics Japan, Capella Hotel, espirit, Heineken, those more readily associated airbnb across China, aPeC and with advertising agencies — are Tata Tea Fusion. 104 asia-PaCiFiC

Good idea through integration (which means text100 (next15) (indePendent) engaging consumers and other Finalist Finalist stakeholders through a wide range of digital and social content Text100’s 35-year technology a relatively new player in asia, and non-traditional channels), and heritage has always ensured that Good Idea was established in ends with impact. it is more comfortable with digital 2012 to connect brands with than most. and asia might well The approach has helped to young consumers in China, count as its most advanced digital attract an impressive list of cutting primarily through social media. region, thanks in part to the firm’s edge, disruptive clients: Netflix, The firm not only promotes deep roots in such markets as uber, airbnb, alibaba Group, brands and products, it provides India, australia, southeast asia and Tencent, whatsapp, Xiaomi, input around design to maximize Greater China. The merger with Google. and it has spawned popularity on social channels. sibling firm Bite Communications some terrific work, from IKEA’s has also played a pivotal role in “Cook with love” campaign in revenues are up to 32m rmb as this regard, bringing in specialist China, which generated a ton of a result 30% yoy growth. This capabilities in digital Crm, filmed content to the social media can be credited to clients like marketing and ecommerce, via a sensation that accompanied the Coca-Cola, dolby, irobot, lenovo, series of acquisitions made over launch of Netflix in more than 40 baidu and Tencent among others. the past decade. Like many firms in Asia, recruiting asia markets. and retaining the brightest talent overall revenues grew 10% to under the leadership of narendra is among its top challenges that $18.3m in 2015, with half of nag, the digital and social practice Good Idea tackles by providing Text100’s revenues now coming has continued to add talent. new partnership to its key employees. from non-media relations work. In hires include research veterans The firm is looking to grow particular, the firm has invested aruna Hanidique and Irine in entertainment and media, considerable resources into hiring ling, who manage 3i Centers of including connecting celebrities digital talent, from designers and excellence in India and China with their fan communities via developers to content marketers respectively; mark liew, digital social media. notable work and data/seo analysts. each of the creative director in China; ringo includes Csr assignments for firm’s offices now offers in-house yang, head of digital marketing, Coca-Cola, among others. digital capabilities, aided by global China; and sei naganuma, digital products such as content platform consultant in Japan. Newsroom, influence engagement mslGrouP The latest innovation is a new tool one Touch social and Content (PubliCis GrouPe) platform — Conversation2Com- Plus, which helps boost editorial Finalist merce — that “harnesses the pow- strategy and seo. er of influence to drive brand lift msl has had another truly and commerce.” C2C draws upon examples of Text100’s digital impressive year in asia—revenue the integration of paid, owned capabilities comes from its up by 17 percent in 2015 and and shopper media to add scale, strategic partnership with on track for equally impressive measurability and targeting to linkedIn in singapore; from growth in 2016—and the firm’s the firm’s earned media coverage innovative weChat work for burgeoning digital capabilities and helps turn conversations into vmware China’s r&d Centre; have been at the heart of it, with commercial success. and, from numerous campaigns digital revenue up by 35% last that have caught the attention of year. The agency’s i3 methodology sabre judges in recent years, for starts with insight (there has such clients as lenovo and Ibm. been a significant investment There has also been new business in data and analytics), proceeds 105 asia-PaCiFiC

from Tvs India, william Grant & agency devised the integrated also collaborates with other sons, netsuite, Fox International #mymotobFF campaign that omnicom-owned healthcare- networks, Pioneer, bosch, involved social media, bloggers focused agencies to deliver and malaysian aviation Commission, and video content — driving even broader array of services meltwater, German Tourism sales of 1m units and generating across even more markets. more board, and the Internet of Things four trending hashtags. For Intel, and more of that work involves Group. Further investment in meanwhile, the firm developed engaging directly with consumers, digital is expected, furthermore, the company’s regional digital as the look for information following the arrival of lee nugent hub in singapore, with technology themselves rather than blindly to oversee product development utilised to analyse web data following “doctor’s orders,” and transformation. across all platforms and translate leading to increased demand for these into actionable insights. digital and social content. zeno (dJe holdinGs) Fleishman’s healthcare business Finalist healthCare has grown by better than 50% Pr ConsultanCies over the past three years, and Since launching its Asia-Pacific oF the year: there are now more than 40 operations in 2012, Zeno has experts across the region, grown steadily to reach around including singapore-based $7.85m in fee income, with 120 Fleishmanhillard Phyllis Cheng, whose past staffers driving growth of 45% in (omniCom GrouP) experience includes leading its last fiscal year. Much of that roles with the Hong Kong Cancer growth can be attributed to a The ageing population in many Fund and the australia Cancer positioning that favours Zeno’s asian markets has led to a Patients Group. new in 2016 is digital marketing capabilities — renewed focus on healthcare adam weiss as senior healthcare asia Ceo John Kerr also doubling public relations among many consultant in Tokyo, joining from as the firm’s global digital head — of the major multinational mcCann Health. and a focus on digital storytelling agencies operating in the region,

and influencer engagement. but there is nothing new about Clients include abbott CevHaP FleishmanHillard’s emphasis on (The Coalition to eradicate viral Zeno has always had a particular the sector, which has been a Hepatitis in Asia Pacific), GSK, affinity for Asia’s technology key component of its regional Johnson & Johnson, medtronic, sector, with a client roster that business since it expanded into novartis, otsuka Pharmaceutical, includes motorola, Intel, youTube, asia more than 20 years ago. Its Philips, and the world Health avanade, lenovo and baidu. but capabilities have expanded from organisation, while new business the firm’s work across complex pharmaceutical marketing to came from ayumi Pharmaceutical, digital assignments is as relevant include market access, regulatory bayer, becton dickinson, and for its consumer clients, which and legislative issues, clinical Ferring Pharmaceuticals. now include nestle, P&G and trial work, and technical medical nike. singapore and malaysia, in communications across the full Cosmo Pr particular, are at the cutting-edge lifecycle of products from drugs (indePendent) of this trend, featuring social to devices. media command centres, content Finalist remarketing skills and a broad The firm has strong healthcare over the last 56 years, Cosmo range of digital and social talent. teams in bangkok, beijing, has grown into one of Japan’s Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala leading strategic PR firms The agency’s digital work bears lumpur, manila, , counseling both multinational this all out. For moto G’s Gen 3 new , seoul, shanghai, and domestic companies on smartphone launch in India, the singapore, sydney, Tokyo, and 106 asia-PaCiFiC

how to communicate with sPaG asia its leaders’ mix of local market audiences in Japan. The firm’s (indePendent) insight and big agency credibility. remarkable longevity has proven Finalist managing partners wong voal to be competitive differentiator voal and mike liew both count in a country where personal There are nice to problems impressive agency pedigrees connections are invaluable to have, and among them, with H+K and burson-marsteller, to effective influence and are growing 100% yoy and respectively, and have put that engagement. Cosmo’s vast and expanding into new markets experience to good use by longstanding network includes (singapore and the middle east) building a firm that has flourished the medical community, opinion while figuring out how to retain amid the transformation of leaders and government officials. your organization’s vision and marketing and technology, helping culture. This is what sPaG asia it land Technology Consultancy Having a deep understanding of faced last year as it grew to of the year honours last year. In the Japanese healthcare sector $2.15m and 25 employees. addition to wong and liew, the enabled the firm to help clients firm also counts senior leadership navigate changes, enacted last The growth was fueled by new from Xiuwen lien, who heads its year, on the way healthcare is clients like advamed, Phrma key microsoft relationship. promoted in Japan. Cosmo’s (new mandate), abbott, novartis, senior advisors provided Sanofi and Baxter that joined like many big agency veterans invitation-only ‘study sessions’ to existing clients like nestle, the who launch their own firms, Wong help clients stay up-to-date on bill & melinda Gates Foundation, and liew have eschewed scale the changes. GHs and Ikea Foundation. and bureaucracy for an approach Founders aman Gupta and that prizes quality, longevity and Headcount is approximately shivani Gupta built sPaG as a talent management. The model 40 full-time professionals and leader in healthcare and public appears to be paying off; In.Fom operating profit is up by 13% — affairs, but more recently, the now numbers 17 employees, an impressive figure considering firm has expanded into sports & and billings increased 35% in Japan’s GdP growth rate was less entertainment with plans provide 2015 to US$2.1m, with the firm than 1%. last year, Cosmo also an integrated offering in this area expecting 25% expansion this introduced a woman’s Health within the next year. year too. The firm’s client roster practice to the firm. Notable work demonstrates its ability to prevail includes partnering with mInI to notable assignments include an over bigger rivals, including expand brand awareness in Japan integrated campaign for PFCd on continued expansion of its and acquire ‘mInI-fans’ for the shaping the future health of India regional mandates for microsoft release of its r60 Japan edition. and its citizens. (The work won the and Herbalife, along with new The campaign spotlighted how firm a SABRE Award South Asia.) business (much of it multi-market) young Japanese office workers from unionPay, Janssen, nokia, don’t use their paid holiday and Intralinks, marina bay sands, included a consumer survey teChnoloGy singtel and sT engineering, all of shared with the media. The firm’s Pr ConsultanCies which join a client roster that also Ceo Kumi sato also authored of oF the year: features Intel and Ca Technologies. one of the country’s best-selling leadership textbooks. in.Fom (indePendent) In.Fom’s work continues to stand out, helping the agency Part of the new generation of land fourth spot on last year’s Asian PR firms that launched Global Creative Index. There was around five years ago, In.Fom impressive thought leadership for has benefited considerably from Microsoft’s Office 365, including 107 asia-PaCiFiC

integrated work that surveyed 13 company’s latest innovations— digital across b2b, b2C, corporate asian markets on how digital is attracted more than 300 with a specialization in startup Pr. disrupting the world of work. journalists and bloggers and The firm’s name, PRecious, refers helped demonstrate how Google to reputations. Cohn & WolFe (WPP) products were being tailored to Finalist a “mobile first” market such as like any service operation, India. For dell, meanwhile, C&w Precious is grappling with scale In the us, Cohn & wolfe is has crafted a comprehensive amid rapid growth. Headcount best known for its work in the regional communications is more than 25 with fee income consumer and healthcare spaces strategy designed to establish up 80% yoy. Key clients include: (though its technology capabilities the company as an end-to-end Citibank, Intel security, software are far from unimpressive). In solutions vendor, moving away aG, F5 networks, among others asia, however, technology has from its PC roots. including many new additions. always been at least an equal Lars Voedisch leads the firm partner to those two, and The firm has also added talent. bringing with him more than two events over the past 18 In addition to Closs, who took up 15 years of corporate affairs months—the appointment of his new role in January of 2015, experience. notable work lyle Closs from C&w technology it brought in rishi seth and Zach includes launching web Fraud subsidiary axiCom as chief James in India and diana Pong Prevention solutions for F5, which operating officer for the region and winky moon in Hong Kong— included a range of content and the acquisition of India’s six individuals with an average of 15 across blogs, bylined articles, degrees—suggest that tech has years in the sector, creating one technical press releases and an even more exciting role to play of the most experienced tech interviews to grow awareness. in asia going forward. teams in the region. slinG & stone The past year has seen a PreCious (indePendent) significant expansion of the (indePendent) Finalist firm’s work with Dell, which now Finalist spans multiple markets including sling & stone has bottled the Hong Kong, malaysia, Philippines It’s not uncommon for Pr ethos of challengers, disrupters and Thailand, as well as a digital practitioners to refer to and entrepreneurs and molded programme that covers all of themselves as business this into a refreshing Pr south-east asia, as well as new consultants first, meaning their approach. Their formula calls for business from InterCall, aliyun communications counsel maps beautiful work, curiosity, hustle (alibaba cloud services), audio back to business objectives. and the blend of art and science. Technica, and IPswitch, while the but in the case of Precious, the Given its emphasis on culture, the acquisition of six degrees and firm takes its role as business Sydney-based firm has made it its alphabet Consulting content consultants so seriously a point to be transparent about creation and integrated marketing that it will, on occasion, even its inner workings and overall subsidiary resulted in the addition recommend a company doesn’t culture. The goal, ultimately, is to of Google and Intel as well as engage a PR firm at all.pr attract prospects looking “to do digital mandates for rsa security, the best work of their careers.” Tengi and volkswagen. The firm started in 2012 as a one- person shop and has since built In the financial year ending June The firm’s work for Google in a regional footprint with more 30, revenues are up 64% as the India—creating the “Google than 20 people offering services six-year-old agency grows into House” to showcase the ranging from traditional Pr to a midsize firm with multimillion- 108 asia-PaCiFiC

dollar revenues and 25 people. overall revenues grew 10% to Key clients include autodesk, $18.3m in 2015, with profits up neW Xero, Koala and mailGuard among 52% to $3.6m, and headcount Pr ConsultanCies others. The firm boasts that 37 up to 322 across the region. of oF the year: out of its 39 retained clients were note, 50% of the firm’s revenue secured via referrals, word-of- now comes from non-media W CommuniCations mouth or other inbound leads. relations work, and 48% from and part of retaining its culture is non-technology work, but all of it Fast-growing uK consumer saying no — in fact, sling & stone reflects the way that technology PR firm W Communications have passed on 72 prospects this now infuses many aspects of launched its asian operation in year so far. corporate, b2b and consumer singapore last year, in a bid to Pr. Key technology clients include bring its disruptive mentality — The work includes a campaign lenovo, Ibm, dHl, Telenor, swift based around the concept of for Xero that yielded 471 pieces and snapdeal, with new business ‘creative commerce — to clients of coverage in six months and over the past 12 months from in the region. Founder and Ceo garnering more than 500 media Tvs India, william Grant & sons, warren Johnson is considered features for designCrowd’s netsuite, Fox International one the uK Pr industry’s premier Guerilla design campaign (the networks, Pioneer, bosch, dealmakers, with aspirations that work also resulted in increased malaysian aviation Commission, are increasingly global. web metrics for the client). meltwater, German Tourism board, and the Internet of The early returns, under md Things Group. text100 (next15) annabel Fox, are good, with w Finalist demonstrating that it has been In particular, the firm has able to persuade clients to invest invested considerable resources Text100’s 35-year technology in creativity and strategy, rather into talent and training, ensuring heritage has always given it than just commoditised media there are in-house digital an edge on many of its rivals, relations. so far, w has grown to capabilities in each of its offices, particularly as technology a team of eight working across 16 aided by global products such continues to disrupt industries clients, with particularly strength as content platform newsroom, and economies and play a more in F&b, lifestyle and technolo- influence engagement tool One central role in all of our lives. gy. The client roster includes Touch social and Content Plus, That attitude is readily apparent meaTliquor, appnexus, Ce la vi, which helps boost editorial in Asia, where the firm’s deep Foodpanda, orwell & Co, whit- strategy and seo. roots in such markets as India, taker’s, Prudential eye awards australia, southeast asia and and Princess yachts. all of which and there is plenty of innovative Greater China have ensured explains why w has exceeded work. ‘The day of sTem’ saw that it is among the biggest its year one target by 150% and Text100 work with australian technology players in the is eyeing further expansion into government agencies to promote region. The merger with sibling bangkok and bali. firm bite Communications has the uptake of much-needed sTem (science, Technology, engineering, also played a pivotal role in this inFluenCe matters and mathematics) skills amongst regard, bringing in specialist Finalist capabilities in digital Crm, young australians, while an marketing and ecommerce, via a eye-catching weChat campaign The Beijing-based Influence series of acquisitions made over for vmware China’s r&d Centre matters was founded in april the past decade. drove stellar results. 2015 by simon vericel — a Pr specialist who spent 10 years with 109 asia-PaCiFiC

racepoint and Hill + Knowlton. Poem His vision was to create a Finalist responsive, cross-border agency for startups and smbs, while also Poem founders rob lowe curtailing the the long days that and matt Holmes bring top- have become common practice in notch agency pedigree to their the Chinese Pr industry. 15-month-old venture, having established themselves as two building an agency without any of australia’s top Pr industry established case studies to executives. lowe previously lean on has been a particular founded eleven Pr, while Holmes challenge. yet between may worked at one Green bean. 2015 and June 2016, the firm Together, the duo has positioned signed 17 clients (15 tech, Poem as a ‘more human’ agency, two lifestyle/F&b) including using a collaborative approach to competitive bids involving larger drive creative cultural work across rivals. The firm is also taking an paid, owned and earned media unconventional approach to to (hence, the Poem acronym). recruiting, seeking out bilingual talent from backgrounds other The agency has grown to six than communications. staffers and A$600k in fees, and is expecting to double to The firm reached profitability around $1.3m during its current nine months after its founding financial year. That adds up to in February of this year. now it’s an impressive launch, bolstered up to five full-time staffers (plus by such clients as Google Play, freelancers, when needed) and Cartoon network, annabel revenue yTd is 300% higher Karmel, luke mangan Group, than all of 2015. Clients include: expedia and Icebreaker. For many Glispa Global Group, Immersion of these clients, Poem undertakes Corporation, swiss Global an impressively broad range of enterprise and mackevision, work, include creative ideation, among others. publicity, content creation and social strategy, supported by notable campaigns include specialist talent and contractors. its working with the French government to maximize the as you might expect, the work publicity around la French Tech’s has been eye-catching, led by the ar and vr programs at GmIC, Icebreaker #livewild campaign China’s largest mobile internet that used a smart experiential conference and working with the idea to build advocacy around singapore-based enchantvC for a compelling video content, media relations at Ces asia. ultimately resulting in the a highly successful store launch.

110 THe 2016 besT aGenCIes To worK For asia-PaCiFiC

Already well established best asia-PaCiFiC in North America and netWorK to WorK For EMEA, the Holmes Report’s text100 Best Agencies to Work For research took place for the Honorable mentions: first time in 2016 in Asia- Cohn & wolfe, lewis, Zeno Pacific, via a comprehensive survey of agency employees, best asia-PaCiFiC at around 25 consultancies national aGenCy throughout the region. to WorK For Being selected as a Best avian media Agency to Work For by the Holmes Report is considered Honorable mentions: n2n Communications (australia), the ultimate benchmark red bridge (China), sunny side of PR firm culture and up (Japan). workplace performance, in an industry whose primary asset remains its people. best asia-PaCiFiC sPeCialist aGenCy The three 2016 Asia-Pacific to WorK For Best Agencies to Work For slinG & stone Winners received their awards at the SABRE Honorable mentions: Awards dinner rice Communications, sPaG asia, Cosmo Pr

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THe 2016 sabre awards north ameriCa

The 2016 North America SABRE Awards winners platinum SabreS were selected from among more than 2,000 entries besT In sHow in this year’s competition, #oPTouTside which recognizes reI with edelman Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation and DiamonD SabreS Engagement. The campaigns were evaluated by a jury ComPany oF THe year of more than 40 T-mobile wins wiTH un-carrier aPProacH industry leaders. T-mobile with Porter novelli

Winners were honoured at brand-buIldInG the SABRE Awards dinner Food as iT sHould be on May 3 at Cipriani 42nd Panera bread with Taylor Street in New York. rePuTaTIon manaGemenT PHiliPs innovaTion + you & Togorun Philips with Togorun

researCH and PlannInG #sPeaKbeauTiFul dove / unilever with edelman 112 north ameriCa

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dIGITal CamPaIGn marKeTInG To men beremembered.com game over, game on aurora Casket Company with K2 digital GodIva Chocolatier with m booth

soCIal medIa/soCIal neTworKInG marKeTInG To women CamPaIGn THe sisTerHood oF moTHerHood sTraigHT ouTTa comPTon abbott’s similac with mslGrouP universal Pictures with H+m Communications marKeTInG To youTH bloGGer ouTreaCH leFT swiPe daT engaging bloggers To emPower Truth Initiative with Ketchum rHeumaToid arTHriTis PaTienTs Janssen, a pharmaceutical company of Johnson mulTICulTural marKeTInG & Johnson, with Tonic life Communications dove Hair love your curls Unilever – Dove with Edelman branded JournalIsm wrangling mulTimedia conTenT For THe industry sectors wesTern liFesTyle wrangler network with French/west/vaughan auTomoTIve ToyoTa: sHare THe Journey word oF mouTH Toyota with Golin mcdonald’s all day breaKFasT mcdonald’s with Golin FasIon and beauTy PanTone color oF THe year 2016 GuerrIlla marKeTInG Pantone with Kwittken HoT ocToPuss PresenTs guyFi Hot octopuss with manifest nyC Food and beveraGe cHobani FliP: THe breaK you maKe PublICITy sTunT Chobani with weber shandwick marsHawn lyncH’s Press conFerence skittles with olson engage Home and FurnITure evolving THe KauFmann mercanTile brand sPeCIal evenT Kaufmann mercantile with 360 Public relations malTs oF legend John dewar & sons with nike Communications Consumer ProduCTs american greeTings brings graTiTude To sPonsorsHIP a rude world Humana senior sKiP day american Greetings with mullen lowe u.s. Humana with Golin

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enTerTaInmenT Consumer eleCTronICs eleague THe samsung 4K video ProJecT wme | ImG samsung with allison+Partners

FInanCIal servICes TeCHnoloGy: Hardware H&r blocK TaKes THe sTicKer sHocK ouT oF THe idea economy THe aca Hewlett Packard enterprise with Interfuse H&r block with Ketchum Communications

Food servICe TeCHnoloGy: soFTware and servICes red robin Tries To roPe in THe For From launcH To comPany oF THe year lenT PromoTion slack with rsquared Communication red robin Gourmet burgers with Coyne Public relations TeleCommunICaTIons reTaIlers launcHing THe world’s FirsT rei #oPTouTside sHaTTerProoF smarTPHone disPlay wiTH reI with edelman THe #sHorTesTPress motorola mobility with weber shandwick Travel and TourIsm FlywHeel dominaTes Taxi-Hailing web-based busIness aPP comPeTiTion seTTing THe sTage For ebay’s nexT cHaPTer Flywheel with vsC ebay with edelman enerGy and naTural resourCes anImal Care TransFormer Fire resPonse aT animal Farm FoundaTion disarms “PiT indian PoinT bull” dog owner sTereoTyPes entergy wholesale Commodities with burson-marsteller animal Farm Foundation with Coyne Public relations

CHemICals and IndusTrIals Consumer HealTH THe general elecTric conTenT ecosysTem bauscH + lomb uPgrades TecH eyes aT sxsw General electric with Group sJr bausCH + lomb with Zeno Group

ProFessIonal servICe FIrms HealTHCare ProvIders reinvenTing PerFormance managemenT leT docTors be docTors deloitte with Deloitte-National Office athenahealth with reviveHealth real esTaTe and ConsTruCTIon Finding Homes For Home’s besT Friend HealTHCare ProvIders Coldwell banker real estate with CooperKatz leT docTors be docTors & Company athenahealth with reviveHealth

TransPorTaTIon and loGIsTICs medICal TeCHnoloGy Here marKs THe sPoT leT’s laugH abouT sex Here with Cohn & wolfe we-vibe with m booth 115 north ameriCa

PHarmaCeuTICal: rX voices oF meningiTis Silver SabreS Sanofi Pasteur with Biosector 2 Pr aGenCy emPloyee ProGram assoCIaTIons worK-liFe blend wiTH H+K ouTside Kids Hill+Knowlton strategies unbroKen HearTs The society for Cardiovascular angiography and Interventions with weber shandwick Pr aGenCy CITIZensHIP innovaTive Program rewards Kindness eduCaTIonal and Coyne Public relations CulTural InsTITuTIons Pr aGenCy marKeTInG sTrayer success ProJecT strayer university with ogilvy Public relations FuTure oF reTail 2015 daTa sTudy walker sands Communications GovernmenT aGenCIes THouGHT leadersHIP In Pr Planning THe FuTure oF Terminal 1 aT san san diego International airport with Porter novelli THe on-demand economy survey burson-marsteller noT-For-ProFIT orGanIZaTIons braceleTs For Press Freedom Press Uncuffed with RoseComm

Global CamPaIGn imloviniT24 mcdonald’s Corporation with ruder Finn

mulTImarKeT CamPaIGn windows devices world Tour microsoft with we Communications

CanadIan CamPaIGn #yorKdaleFasHionsanTa Yorkdale Shopping Centre with Media Profile

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THe 2016 In2 InnnovaTIon sabre awards north ameriCa

The In2 SABRE Award finalists were selected from nearly 400 entries across all categories experimental marketing by a jury of in-house and agency PR leaders. More than 200 PR professionals attended lIve evenTs the gala held at the Park Central Hotel in FiTbiT iPo San Francisco. Fitbit dIGITal Promos and aCTIvaTIons beSt in SHow top 5 HelPing godiva win valenTine’s day wiTH #1 a male-Focused PlaybooK marsHawn lynCH’s Press ConFerenCe GodIva with m booth skittles with olson engage sPonsorsHIPs #2 leT’s laugH abouT sex THe mosT beauTIFul HarvesT we-vibe with m booth ocean spray Cranberries with weber shandwick Trade sHows and awards #3 avery dennison virTual Trade sHow beyond THe drIvInG TesT maKes big imPacT michelin with Ketchum avery dennison label and Packaging materials with Fahlgren mortine #4 Guns wITH HIsTory states united To Prevent Gun violence with Grey earneD meDia new york #5 PrInT/dIGITal medIa leT’s lauGH abouT seX usaToday.com FeaTure delivers big For we-vibe with m booth Peapod with360Pr 117 north ameriCa

broadCasT medIa (earned) Pin a meal. give a meal: Turning a agency SpotligHt mission inTo a movemenT land o’lakes with exponent besT aGenCy bloG/edITorIal PlaTForm non-JournalIsT InFluenCers + “THe gasTronomical we: wHaT our Food CommunITIes says abouT our culTure” sTraigHT ouTTa comPTon: THe nwa sTory Havas Pr north america universal Pictures with H+m Communications besT lIve evenT — aGenCy CreaTIon oF PersuasIve ConTenT sxw2o evenTs guns wiTH HisTory w2o Group states united To Prevent Gun violence with Grey new york besT aGenCy websITe ConTenT CreaTIon For medIa sITes PrayTell marsHawn lyncH’s Press conFerence skittles with olson engage Social meDia anD communiity management SponSoreD anD paiD meDia besT use oF FaCebooK sPonsored ConTenT/naTIve allsTaTe’s ride For awareness allstate with Taylor adverTIsInG PiraTe’s booTy seTs sail on “THe racHael besT use oF TwITTer ray sHow” volvo inTercePTion Pirate’s booty with Havas Pr volvo with Grey activation & Pr InFluenCer endorsemenTs besT use oF lInKedIn and ProduCT PlaCemenT From scraTcHing THe surFace To seTTing marsHawn lyncH’s Press conFerence THe sTandard skittles with olson engage ZixCorp with The Hoffman Agency medIa ParTnersHIP besT use oF Tumblr, vIne, PInTeresT, welcome To co.llaboraTe deTroiT snaPCHaT or InsTaGram microsoft with Cohn & wolfe HacK in blacK activision with edelman & aKQa soCIal Good + PublIC servICe THe HealTHy mouTH movemenT besT use oF bloGGInG aspen dental with Ketchum endicia blog Proves iF you Tell THe “rigHT” sTories, readers will come onlIne adverTIsInG Endicia with The Hoffman Agency we connecT THe world airlines for america with subject matter soCIal medIa ColleCTIve #givingTuesday 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation with Havas Pr north america

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Crowd-sourCInG, Co-CreaTInG Tal newsrooms logiTecH Px57 genenTecH’s newsroom raises bar logitech with Praytell aT asco, again Genentech with weber shandwick real-TIme enGaGemenT and FleishmanHillard growing THe PoPe’s FlocK Conference of Catholic bishops with Golin analyticS + inSigHtS GamIFICaTIon 120 ways ny is wild seo/ConTenT dIsTrIbuTIon wildlife Conservation society with edelman digital endicia sTrives To deFend iTs crown Endicia with The Hoffman Agency meme breaKing builds use oF soCIal medIa or analyTICs Cloud bees with Pan Communications For audIenCe InsIGHTs or InFluenCer TarGeTInG noTHing can be PerFecT—crysTal geyser branD content Tejava with w2o Group anD creativity orIGInal/CommIssIoned researCH branded narraTIves For Pr dell commissions global scorecard To Tabasco brand video series emPower women enTrePreneurs mcIlhenny Company with Hunter Public relations dell with PPr worldwide brand dIGITal PlaTForms — measuremenT, PosT-CamPaIGn TeCHnICal analysIs KayaK 2015 Travel HacKer guide connecTing conTenT To KPis KayaK with Text100 mozilla Firefox with ogilvy Public relations IllusTraTIons and PHoToGraPHy marKeTInG TeCHnoloGy samsung Forces oF FasHion looKbooK THe conTenT caPsule samsung with devries Global nextworks dIGITal vIdeo beyond THe driving TesT michelin with Ketchum new to market anImaTIon vIdeo reacHing moms in a Fun and creaTive way Kimberly Clark with ogilvy Public relations new ComPany To marKeT bringing new ligHT To PHoTograPHy IdenTITy/brandInG light with Inner Circle labs blue moon’s arTFully craFTed anniversary blue moon with olson engage new ProduCT craFTed Häagen dazs with Interfuse/Ketchum sports & entertainment 119 north ameriCa

Special campaignS innovation excellence

besT use oF InnovaTIve CHannels- mosT InnovaTIve aGenCy InITIaTIve CorPoraTe/b2b worK-liFe blend wiTH H+K ouTside Forging ‘one’ JoHnson conTrols Hill+Knowlton strategies Johnson Controls with Ketchum mosT InnovaTIve brand/aGenCy besT use oF InnovaTIve CollaboraTIon CHannels-Consumer THe mosT beauTiFul HarvesT H&r blocK TaKes THe sTicKer sHocK ocean spray Cranberries with weber shandwick ouT oF THe aca H&r block with Ketchum

besT use oF InnovaTIve CHannels- buSineSS value awarD FInanCIal servICes JoHn HancocK wiTH viTaliTy launcH driving business value THrougH John Hancock with weber shandwick social media besT use oF InnovaTIve CHannels- autodesk with wCG HealTHCare digniTy HealTH Turns a sPonsorsHiP inTo a Kindness movemenT dignity Health with allison+Partners besT use oF InnovaTIve CHannels-nonProFIT ligHTs… camera… inclusion special olympics International with burson-marsteller besT use oF InnovaTIve CHannels- InTernal CommunICaTIons Forging “one” JoHnson conTrols Johnson Controls with Ketchum besT use oF InnovaTIve CHannels- GovernmenT/PublIC aFFaIrs wHaT is brain HealTH HHs administration for Community living with ogilvy Public relations

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THe 2016 sabre awards emea

The 2016 EMEA SABRE Awards winners were platinum SabreS selected from among more than 2,400 entries in this year’s competition, besT In sHow which recognizes Follow Felix Superior Achievement in nestlé Purina Petcare with weber shandwick Branding, Reputation and Engagement. The campaigns were evaluated by a jury DiamonD SabreS of more than 40 industry leaders. ComPany oF THe year Winners were unveiled at one year oF building THe leading digiTal Telco our annual awards dinner, Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. oHG held at Station-Berlin on May 25. Ceo oF THe year ronan dunne: maKing o2 imPossible To ignore o2 with blue rubicon

brand buIldInG missing TyPe nHs blood and Transplant with mHP Communications

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researCH and PlannInG IberIa swing THe voTe. uniTy and vinsPired a way To exPlain THe sTaTe budgeT THaT vInspired with unity even Kids can undersTand deloitte Portugal with aTrevIa PorTuGal measuremenT and evaluaTIon medITerranean QuiT THe use oF “snus” The norwegian directorate of Health with “save THe sQuirrel” burson-marsteller oslo Nestlé – Nescafé with Weber Shandwick mIddle easT coca-cola: ramadan darK iFTar golD SabreS Coca-Cola with memac ogilvy Public relations geographic areas nordICs wHile we’re waiTing For iKea aFrICa IKea norway with Trigger esKi - wHen inTangible culTural HeriTage reconnecTs a brand wiTH iTs audience russIa and THe CIs Phoenix bev with blast Communications nivea new rinKs: big diFFerence For small communiTies balKans nivea with elefante vocaTional romania OMV Petrom with GMP PR, Graffiti PR, Graffiti TurKey bbdo, webstyler women FirsT vodafone Turkey balTIC #savebooKs unITed KInGdom (less THan 50K) Polish Chamber of books with Hill+Knowlton strategies englisH HeriTage — Kids’ TaKeover english Heritage with Kaper beneluX #callbrussels - THanKs For calling unITed KInGdom (50-100K) Visit.Brussels with Whyte Corporate Affairs missing TyPe daCH nHs blood and Transplant with mHP Communications THe 2 euro T-sHirT - a social exPerimenT Fashion revolution with Ketchum Pleon unITed KInGdom (50-100K) missing TyPe easTern euroPe nHs blood and Transplant with mHP Communications sTone HearT - removal oF environmenTal burden mulTICounTry CamPaIGn a.s.a. slovakia with dynamic relations 2000 s.r.o. dominaTing digiTalisaTion siemens with Golin FranCe THe maraTHon walKer water for africa with ogilvy Public relations Paris 123 emea

Pan-euroPean CamPaIGn eXeCuTIve CommunICaTIons living THe dream scHolarsHiP wHen weaTHer meeTs economics – uniplaces with manifest london a uK FirsT The weather Channel with mwwPr Global CamPaIGn THe PHiliPs breaTHless cHoir FInanCIal CommunICaTIons Philips with FleishmanHillard, as part of onevoice sabmiller / ab inbev m&a Connect, a consortium of omnicom agencies and communicaTions suPPorT ogilvy & mather, london sabmiller with Finsbury

Practice areas Cause-relaTed marKeTInG Troll FigHTers busIness-To-busIness Kari Traa with Trigger as THe world’s FirsT universal led Tube: THe oneTled CommunITy relaTIons momentum Capital and seaborough research bv with weber shandwick sParK someTHing good by uniTy For m&s marks & spencer with unity Consumer marKeTInG (eXIsTInG ProduCT) CorPoraTe soCIal resPonsIbIlITy acQua For liFe iKea’s breaKFasT in bed caFé Giorgio armani with salterbaxtermsl IKea with Hope&Glory

Consumer marKeTInG PublIC eduCaTIon (new ProduCT) THe beTTer day exPerimenT norwegian automobile association with Trigger russian Premiere oF a musT-Have gadgeT ixo v bosch Green with Comunica CrIsIs manaGemenT insuring THe saFeTy oF HosTages InTeGraTed marKeTInG Transoceanic development with ldwwgroup messy advenTures Persil (unilever) with Golin Issues manaGemenT breasTFeeding aT mcdonald’s InsTITuTIonal ImaGe mcdonald’s Hungary with noguchi Porter novelli THe royal minT’s £1.1m eFFigy The royal mint with Hope&Glory PublIC aFFaIrs swiss direcT democracy meeTs emPloyee CommunICaTIons digiTal camPaigning ssrm swiss society for reproductive medicine with wHaT moves you Farner Consulting aG bmw Group with mslGrouP CorPoraTe medIa relaTIons emPloyer brandInG FacebooK: THe conversaTional elecTion cHanging THe game in THe world oF Facebook uK & Ireland with blue rubicon emPloyer marKeTing ey “ernst & young” with mslGrouP 124 emea

ProduCT medIa relaTIons Trade sHow (Consumer medIa) THe berlin launcH dominaTing THe Headlines wiTH FiFTy lenovo with Text100 and Zibrant sHades oF grey b&Q with Good relations marKeTInG To men don’T drinK and dive ProduCT medIa relaTIons Trygg-Hansa with Prime Public relations i sverige ab (Trade medIa) creaTing a global barTender communiTy marKeTInG To women around True rum THis girl can wIrsPa with apple tree communications sport england with blue rubicon dIGITal CamPaIGn marKeTInG To youTH Follow Felix #mecsaysHiToJunimea nestlé Purina Petcare with weber shandwick mcdonald’s romania with Tribal worldwide romania soCIal medIa/soCIal mulTICulTural marKeTInG neTworKInG CamPaIGn bunTe scHweiZ #beacTive - euroPean weeK oF sPorT swiss Federal Commission against racism with european Commission with burson-marsteller Farner Consulting aG bloGGer ouTreaCH industry areas energiZer auTomoTIve Cirkle emoTional driving Gonvarri steel services with llorenTe & CuenCa GuerIlla marKeTInG disguised banner FasHIon and beauTy unICeF with daniel J edelman lTd blind beauTy dove with daniel J edelman lTd PublICITy sTunT airbnb FloaTing House Food and beveraGe airbnb with Hope&Glory we can do iT Here nescafe with Hill+Knowlton strategies sPeCIal evenT world Premiere oF THe FreigHTliner Home and FurnITure insPiraTion donaTe your Pee daimler aG with oliver schrott Kommunikation GmbH with The do agency sPonsorsHIP enTerTaInmenT THe HearTbeaT oF THe Fans #givblodForbloodborne - launcH oF Ps4 opel, Feyenoord, Hartstichting (dutch Heart game bloodborne in denmarK Foundation) with bijl Pr sony Playstation denmark with Holm Kommunikation

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FInanCIal servICes TeCHnoloGy: Hardware selFie Pay aruba: is #genmobile running THe risK masterCard with Ketchum aruba with we Communications

Food servICe TeCHnoloGy: soFTware and #smileaFTersmile For 20 years servICes mcdonald’s romania with mslGrouP The Practice #neverrunouT HP Inc. with Porter novelli uK reTaIlers disruPTing THe Funeral indusTry TeleCommunICaTIons Fonus with Geelmuyden Kiese as launcH oF Tele2’s neTworK in moscow Travel and TourIsm Tele2 with mIKHaIlov and ParTners maKe iT Kenya Kenyan Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce web-based busIness and Tourism with Grayling viber “HisTory oF sTicKers viber with FleishmanHillard vanguard enerGy and naTural resourCes FooTball For FriendsHiP anImal Care Gazprom Company with aGT moderniZing THe legal sTaTus oF Communications Group animals in France The Fondation 30 d’ amis with aPCo worldwide IndusTrIals and CHemICals gruPa aZoTy’s rise From Poland’s Consumer HealTH naTional cHamPion To a euroPean leader only iF i wanT Grupa azoty with maurent Pr Hra Pharma with Cohn & wolfe Public relations

ProFessIonal servICes HealTHCare ProvIders THe sTraTegy beHind accenTure sTaTegy my way accenture Techniker Krankenkasse with fischerAppelt

real esTaTe and ConsTruCTIon medICal TeCHnoloGy THe House oF clicKs THe PHiliPs breaTHless cHoir Hemnet with Prime Public relations i sverige ab Philips with FleishmanHillard, as part of onevoice Connect, a consortium of omnicom agencies and ogilvy & mather, london TransPorTaTIon and loGIsTICs Pulling Power: giving advanced driving PHarmaCeuTICals courses sex aPPeal The Institute of advanced motorists with Tin man THe FacTs abouT FasTing during ramadan msd with GCI Health Consumer eleCTronICs o2 guyFi o2 with Hope&Glory 126 assoCIaTIons GovernmenT aGenCIes #uncuTe securing a HisToric debT resTrucTuring The swedish association of Professional veterinary deal For uKraine Clinics with Geelmuyden Kiese uKraIne’s mInIsTry oF FInanCe with aPCo worldwide eduCaTIonal and CulTural InsTITuTIons noT For ProFIT “virTual camPus Tour” in suPPorT oF 10Ksa THe marKeTing camPaign oF THe 43 easT alf Khair german sTaTe universiTies Ministry of Sciences and Economic Affairs of the State of Saxony-Anhalt representing all five Eastern German ministries with Ketchum Pleon

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THe 2016 In2 InnnovaTIon sabre awards emea

More than 25 public dIGITal and PrInT medIa (earned) relations firms from FirsT class TicKeT To THe ToP across the EMEA region accent media with Cubitt Consulting were presented with In2 SABRE Awards at the In2 broadCasT medIa (earned) Innovation Summit in Berlin sQueeZe Please bonjour with volontaire in May. non-JournalIsT InFluenCers + The In2 SABREs recognize excellence in various CommunITIes (earned) #direcTFix For direcT line by uniTy categories of innovation and direct line with unity insight—with an emphasis on content creation—as well CreaTIon oF PersuasIve ConTenT as PR agency management THe waiT and marketing. nHs blood and Transplant with mHP Communications

ConTenT CreaTIon on medIa sITes (earned) sTePHen Fry’s guide To THe uK For HeaTHrow Heathrow with red Consultancy

sPonsored ConTenT/naTIve adverTIsInG “meHr leben im leben.” (“more To liFe THan living”) Janssen deutschland GmbH with Ketchum Pleon

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InFluenCer endorsemenTs meme + PaId/unPaId ProduCT PlaCemenT live Knead For PiZZaexPress – uniTy Pole To Pole Pizzaexpress with unity Paypal with edelman GamIFICaTIon/user-GeneraTed medIa ParTnersHIP ConTesTs an unexPecTed FiKa re-marca – THe game To sPread THe Gevalia with Golin stockholm meaning oF marca esPaÑa Foro de marcas renombradas with llorenTe soCIal Good + PublIC servICe & CuenCa sParK someTHing good by uniTy For m&s marks & spencer with unity branded narraTIves coca-cola: ramadan darK iFTar onlIne adverTIsInG Coca-Cola with memac ogilvy Public relations TroPicoliday by uniTy For ribena lr suntory with unity dIGITal newsrooms aTTendance record For dell wiTH besT use oF FaCebooK conTenT marKeTing #mecsaysHiToJunimea dell with Iteo mcdonald’s romania with Tribal worldwide romania IllusTraTIons + PHoToGraPHy besT use oF lInKedIn wasHed away HoPscoTcH: linKedin For sanoFi actionaid with weber shandwick Sanofi with Hopscotch Europe dIGITal vIdeo besT use oF Tumblr, vIne, PInTeresT, don’T drinK and dive Trygg-Hansa with Prime Public relations i sverige ab snaPCHaT or InsTaGram muJeres sin FilTro (women wiTHouT FilTers) UNILEVER – DOVE with Edelman Spain anImaTIon vIdeo THe dream. a sTory From Kids wiTH diabeTes To THe world oF adulTs besT use oF bloGs Sanofi Ukraine with Be-it Agency swing THe voTe. uniTy and vinsPired vInspired with unity audIo: PodCasTs + musIC cHanging THe dna oF THe man soCIal medIa — ColleCTIve booKer PriZe swiss direcT democracy meeTs digiTal The man booker Prize with Four camPaigning Communications Group ssrm swiss society for reproductive medicine with Farner Consulting IdenTITy/brandInG THe sTraTegy beHind accenTure sTaTegy CrowdsourCInG & Co-CreaTInG accenture #direcTFix For direcT line by uniTy direct line with unity seo/ConTenT dIsTrIbuTIon real-TIme enGaGemenT (PaId + orGanIC) THe world’s FirsT Travel by TasTe agenT PoliTical realTime inFluencer marKeTing Travelsupermarket with brands2life arena with Farner Consulting aG

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use oF soCIal medIa or analyTICs CommunICaTIons Team, brand For audIenCe InsIGHTs or neuroland InFluenCer TarGeTInG espark shopping Center with eCe Türkiye using Pr researcH To inForm Policy, PosiTioning and sTaKeHolder engagemenT mosT InnovaTIve brand/aGenCy International diabetes Federation with Commetric CollaboraTIon TeleFónica deuTscHland 2020 - sHaPing orIGInal/CommIssIoned researCH THe leading digiTal Telco Telefónica deutschland with strichpunkt agentur für For Pr visuelle Kommunikation rewriTing THe rulebooK For cusTomer engagemenT verint with brands2life Pr aGenCy emPloyee ProGram inTroducing mind: THe besT Knowledge measuremenT, PosT-CamPaIGn managemenT PlaTForm in THe indusTry mslGrouP analysIs THe almond board snacK HaPPy cHallenge almond board of California with Porter novelli uK Pr aGenCy CITIZensHIP csr aT KlenK & HourscH: we wanT To alleviaTe cHildren suFFering marKeTInG TeCHnoloGy Klenk & Hoursch aG - Corporate sPr TaKeover & brand Communications Finnish red Cross with miltton Pr aGenCy marKeTInG besT aGenCy websITe a brand wiTH more THan 25 years oF is domaniewsKa Jammed exPerience is born. From inForPress To mslGrouP aTrevia aTrevIa besT aGenCy bloG, edITorIal, CommunICaTIons PlaTForm THouGHT leadersHIP In Pr ldn - london in sHorT arab youTH survey 2015 london Communications agency asda’a burson-marsteller

besT use oF soCIal medIa - aGenCy THe social buZZ generaTors fischerAppelt

besT lIve evenT — aGenCy dJembe insigHTs roundTables djembe Communications

mosT InnovaTIve aGenCy InITIaTIve FleisHmanHillard souTH aFrica HelPs educaTe THe FuTure communicaTors oF souTH aFrica

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THe 2016 sabre awards asia-PaCiFiC

The 2016 Asia-Pacific Ceo oF THe year PR Consultancies of the mr. rana KaPoor, md & ceo Year are the result of an yes banK exhaustive research process involving more than 100 ComPany oF THe year submissions and meetings building a FuTure ready rePuTaTion – with the best PR firms THe godreJ way across the region. Godrej Industries

The SABRE Awards Asia- brand-buIldInG Pacific awards ceremony second liFeToys were presented in Hong Green ribbon Project Committee with dentsu Inc. Kong on September 28 at the Island Shangri-La Hotel. CorPoraTe rePuTaTIon sPiceJeT:rising liKe a PHoenix spiceJet with adfactors Pr Pvt. ltd.

researCH and PlannInG “i’m only 50!” GlIde enTer PrIZe Inc. with denTsu PublIC relaTIons InC.

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measuremenT and evaluaTIon marKeTInG To Consumers every day a diFFerenT Journey (eXIsTInG ProduCT) Tourism new Zealand with Genesis burson-marsteller love THermo #warmuPwiTHlove Panasonic Corporation with denTsu PublIC ausTralIa relaTIons InC. umood unIQlo with ogilvy Pr australia marKeTInG To Consumers (new ProduCT) GreaTer CHIna “i’m only 50!” viTal sTeP GlIde enTer PrIZe Inc.Panasonic Corporation with mead Johnson & Joshua Hellman Foundation with denTsu PublIC relaTIons InC ogilvy Public relations InTeGraTed marKeTInG IndIan sub-ConTInenT TexT 100 geTs roam-e air born wiTH sPiceJeT:rising liKe a PHoenix soaring sales spiceJet with adfactors Pr Pvt. ltd. The IoT Group with Text100

JaPan busIness-To-busIness marKeTInG second liFeToys THe sTory oF a roaring revival Green ribbon Project Committee with dentsu Inc. department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Govt. of India with Genesis burson-marsteller Korea THe Fingerband camPaign CorPoraTe ImaGe ministry of Health & welfare FleishmanHillard Korea From uninor To Telenor - noT JusT a name cHange Telenor (India) Communications with Text100 souTH-easT asIa Panasonic ecliPse live by solar Power eXeCuTIve PosITIonInG Panasonic Corporation with Golin sbi cHairman ms. arundHaTi 3 state bank of India with adfactors Pr Pvt ltd mulTI-CounTry more THan JusT anoTHer ceo visiT CommunITy relaTIons microsoft asia with In.Fom 8TH asean Para games 2015 sPorT sInGaPore reGIonal with weber shandwick launcH oF windows 10 in asia microsoft asia with In.Fom PublIC aFFaIrs a ProJecT wiTH a HearT Global sbuT with mslGrouP in India brainband samsung with edelman PublIC eduCaTIon From conFlicT To cooPeraTion GaIl (India) limited with adfactors Pr

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FInanCIal CommunICaTIons marKeTInG To women announcing a landmarK TransacTion unForgeTTable girl beTween business leaders in cHina and luX with Golin singapore america in a THorny PoliTical climaTe Haier Group with FTI Consulting marKeTInG To youTH a conTesT oF man vs macHine emPloyee CommunICaTIons Huawei Honor with HIll+KnowlTon strategies asTraZeneca’s inTernal wecHaT accounT case auTomoTIve astraZeneca China with ruder Finn asia cusTomer loyalTy PlaTForm Infiniti with Bluefocus Digital Cause-relaTed marKeTInG THe lasT word Food and beveraGe wwF with ogilvy Public relations Hong Kong coca-cola olymPic TorcHbearer camPaign Coca-Cola China with Hill+Knowlton strategies CorPoraTe soCIal resPonsIbIlITy coca-cola & KasHF FoundaTion - women FasHIon and beauTy enTrePreneursHiP Program The Coca-Cola export Corporation, Pakistan branch THe Forever 21 ensemble in cHina Forever 21 with red bridge Communications CorPoraTe medIa relaTIons HouseHold ProduCTs elecTrolux TacKles Food wasTe THe largesT inFrasTrucTure wiTH #HaPPyPlaTesg PrivaTiZaTion ever electrolux with aKa asia vInCI airports with edelman Japan

ProduCT medIa relaTIons Travel and leIsure every day a diFFerenT Journey air wicK ausTralia edible liFe scenTs Tourism new Zealand with Genesis burson- air wick with Frank Pr australia marsteller

dIGITal CamPaIGn enTerTaInmenT cHina goes bananas For minions daugHTers oF moTHer india - gender universal Pictures with weber shandwick sensiTiZing THe Police vibha bakshi, weber shandwick India, viacom 18 soCIal medIa CamPaIGn with weber shandwick galaxy emoJis alive samsung with edelman reTaIlers iKea cooKs iTs way inTo cHinese HearTs: marKeTInG To men iT’s THe liTTle THings THaT maTTer xian Janssen Time For anoTHer Tomorrow IKea China with mslGrouP Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical ltd. with ogilvy Public relations, beijing resTauranTs KFc maKes news wiTH luncH KFC with edelman India Private limited 134 asia PaCiFiC

Consumer HealTH PublIC seCTor viTal sTeP a young universiTy on a raPid mead Johnson & Joshua Hellman Foundation rise globally with ogilvy Public relations nanyang Technological university, singapore with nanyang Technoloical university PHarmaCeuTICals never say never Pneumonia disease noT For ProFIT awareness camPaign vinnies ceo sleePouT 2015 Pfizer with Era Ogilvy Public Relations st vincent de Paul Queensland with rowland

HealTHCare ProvIders “HealTH For all, smiles For all” GnrC with adfactors Pr

IndusTrIal/manuFaCTurInG lcy KaoHsiung gas exPlosion lCy Chemical Corp. with era ogilvy

TeCHnoloGy (Consumer) acorns: migHTy oaKs From liTTle acorns grow acorns australia with Howorth - ogilvy Pr australia

TeCHnoloGy (b2b) selF made PayPal with edelman

TeleCommunICaTIons doTs on THe maP oF myanmar red doT neTworK Today with ogivy Public relations

FInanCIal & ProFessIonal servICes emPowering cHildren on seaTbelT saFeTy aXa with mslGrouP assoCIaTIons THe call To acTion inTegraTed newsroom IPe Global limited with edelman India Private limited

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THe 2016 In2 InnnovaTIon sabre awards asia PaCiFiC

The 2016 In2 SABRE Awards, lIve evenTs which recognize excellence dynaFlyTe: every runner wanTs To in multimedia content Feel FasT creation, was presented at a asICs Corporation with edelman Japan lunchtime ceremony at the Asia-Pacific In2 Innovation sPonsorsHIPs Summit, which was held at max Power: never leT THe ball droP the Island Shangri-La, Hong Coca-Cola myanmar with Today ogilvy Public relations Kong, on September 28. Trade sHow and awards susTainabiliTy TaKes on new liFe aT bex and mce asia 2015 Reed Exhibitions with The Hoffman Agency Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

dIGITal and PrInT medIa sbi cHairman ms. arundHaTi bHaTTacHarya - THe ceo wHo boxed deFaulTers and won over THe millennials state bank of India with adfactors Pr Pvt ltd

broadCasT medIa brainband samsung with edelman

CreaTIon oF PersuasIve ConTenT 136 asia PaCiFiC

i’m only 50 dIGITal vIdeo GlIde enTer PrIZe Inc. with denTsu PublIC love THermo #warmuPwiTHlove relaTIons InC. Panasonic Corporation with denTsu PublIC relaTIons InC. CreaTIon oF PersuasIve ConTenT i’m only 50 brandInG and IdenTITy GlIde enTer PrIZe Inc. with denTsu PublIC second liFeToys relaTIons InC. Green ribbon Project Committee with dentsu Inc. medIa ParTnersHIP cHange disTiney P&G with devriesglobal.com

PublIC servICe announCemenT THe voTe scam verite research with ogilvy Public relations sri lanka adverTIsInG Flying THe nesT – HelPing briTisH airways reconnecT wiTH cHinese Travellers british airways with ogilvy Public relations, beijing besT use oF Global soCIal neTworKInG PlaTForms Tourism by TourisTs Goa Tourism with adfactors Pr Pvt ltd besT use oF vIsual soCIal PlaTForms THe Fingerband camPaign ministry of Health & welfare with FleishmanHillard Korea besT use oF asIan soCIal PlaTForms cHina goes bananas For minions universal Pictures with weber shandwick rand dIGITal PlaTForms THe Power oF THe crowd: 700biKe’s bacKsTreeT mini digiTal camPaign crowd- sources, crowd-creaTes, and crowd- Funds creaTiviTy 700bike with mslGrouP dIGITal newsrooms PorscHe digiTal newsroom ProJecT Porsche with ruder Finn asia

137 south asia

THe 2016 sabre awards south asia

The Holmes Report once again joined forces with the platinum SabreS Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) to launch the 2016 SABRE besT In sHow Awards South Asia. daugHTers oF moTHer india - gender The third SABRE Awards sensiTiZing THe Police South Asia took place in vibha bakshi, weber shandwick India, viacom 18 on 21 July. with weber shandwick

DiamonD SabreS

ComPany oF THe year building a FuTure ready rePuTaTion Godrej Industries

Ceo oF THe year amiTabH KanT nITI aayog

138 south asia

suPerIor aCHIevemenT CorPoraTe soCIal resPonsIbIlITy In brand-buIldInG sHramdaan divas (labour donaTion day) THe sTory oF a roaring revival Pidilite- Fevicol with adfactors Pr department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Govt. of India with Genesis burson-marsteller CrIsIs/Issues manaGemenT lisTing oF THe sTocK excHanges in india suPerIor aCHIevemenT In Consortium of Private equity Firms with Integral Pr rePuTaTIon manaGemenT sPiceJeT: rising liKe a PHoenix dIGITal CamPaIGn spiceJet with adfactors Pr Pvt. ltd. geTTing PocKeTs in every PocKeT ICICI bank with adfactors Pr suPerIor aCHIevemenT In FInanCIal CommunICaTIons measuremenT & evaluaTIon PFms Fl ProJecT () mission indradHanusH International Financial Corporation Public Health Foundation of India, ministry of Health with Fino Paytech ltd and Family welfare with Genesis burson-marsteller marKeTInG To Consumers (new ProduCT) golD SabreS eK garam cHai Ki Piyali Ho 2015: remaKing a bollywood classic geographic areas Tata Global beverages limited with edelman India Private limited PaKIsTan marKeTInG To Consumers coca-cola & KasHF FoundaTion - women enTrePreneursHiP Program (new ProduCT) The Coca-Cola export Corporation, Pakistan branch eK garam cHai Ki Piyali Ho 2015: remaKing a bollywood classic souTH/souTHeasT asIa Tata Global beverages limited with edelman India Private limited breaKing THe mounTain oF mindseTs viacom18 media Pvt ltd marKeTInG To Consumers Practice areas (eXIsTInG ProduCT) iledTHeway busIness-To-busIness marKeTInG Energy Efficiency Services Ltd with Edelman India Private limited comPany oF THe year - biocon Corporate Communications with biocon ltd medIa relaTIons CorPoraTe ImaGe sPiceJeT: rising liKe a PHoenix spiceJet with adfactors Pr Pvt. ltd FliPKarT big billion days 2015 Flipkart Internet Private limited

139 south asia

PublIC aFFaIrs/ HealTHCare GovernmenT relaTIons me wiTHouT migraine ProTecTing inTellecTual ProPerTy rigHTs Janssen India with mediamedic To emPower innovaTion in india Communications Pvt. ltd Global Intellectual Property Center with sPaG asia IndusTrIal/manuFaCTurInG PublIC eduCaTIon one rooF For india and THe world daugHTers oF moTHer india - gender airbus Group with avian media Pvt. ltd. sensiTiZing THe Police vibha bakshi, weber shandwick India, viacom 18 medIa, arTs and enTerTaInmenT with weber shandwick breaKing THe mounTain oF mindseTs viacom18 media Pvt. ltd. soCIal medIa CamPaIGn THe coca-cola booK banK noT For ProFIT The Coca-Cola export Corporation with asiatic Public Progeria, Finding a needle in a HaysTacK relations network (Pvt.) ltd. Progeria research Foundation with mediamedic Communications Pvt. ltd industry areas

assoCIaTIons PublIC seCTor/GovernmenT mission indradHanusH ParTnering india’s Journey Towards a Public Health Foundation of India, ministry of Health HealTHy iP regime and Family welfare with Genesis burson-marsteller Global Intellectual Property Center with sPaG asia

Consumer ProduCTs/servICes TeCHnoloGy THomson reuTers rePuTaTion managemenT ariel - sHare THe load in business To business marKeTing P&G India with devries Global Thomson reuters with avian media Pvt. ltd.

FasHIon and beauTy Travel and leIsure #Hellomumbai every day a diFFerenT Journey Gap with Pr Pundit Tourism new Zealand with Genesis burson-marsteller FInanCIal and ProFessIonal servICes anTi corruPTion day ey Fraud Investigation & dispute services with avian media Pvt. ltd.

Food and beveraGe godreJ naTure’s basKeT – a brand builT on Pr, builT To lasT Godrej nature’s basket with Godrej Industries

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THe 2016 sabre awards Global Winners

beyond THe driving TesT – micHelin PuTs The 2016 Global SABRE Winners will be air in Teens’ Tire awareness presented in a countdown at the Global michelin with Ketchum SABRE Awards on October 26 at the St. Regis Bal Harbour in Miami. breasTFeeding aT mcdonald’s mcdonald’s Hungary with noguchi & Peters Kft.

#oPTouTside rei cHanging THe legacy oF disconTenT reI with edelman united airlines with edelman

#savebooKs coca-cola: ramadan darK iFTar Polish Chamber of books with Hill+Knowlton strategies Coca-Cola with memac ogilvy Public relations

10Ksa THe 2 euro T-sHirT - a social exPerimenT alf Khair with alf Khair Fashion revolution with Ketchum Pleon

airbnb FloaTing House THe FacTs abouT FasTing during ramadan airbnb with Hope&Glory msd with GCI Health

bayer bee care Program bayer, croP science THe Fingerband camPaign minisTry oF division with Porter novelli HealTH & welFare FleishmanHillard Korea beremembered.com aurora Casket Company with K2 digital Follow Felix nestlé Purina Petcare with weber shandwick

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From a documenTary To a movemenT oF ronan dunne: maKing o2 imPossible cHange & HoPe: daugHTers oF moTHer india To ignore vibha bakshi, weber shandwick India, viacom 18 o2 with blue rubicon with weber shandwick sabmiller / ab inbev m&a THe House oF clicKs communicaTions suPPorT Hemnet with Prime Public relations i sverige ab sabmiller with Finsbury

How m-KoPa became a global social second liFeToys enTerPrise brand Green ribbon Project Committee with dentsu Inc m-KoPa with levanter africa THe sisTerHood oF moTHerHood insuring THe saFeTy oF HosTages abbott’s similac with mslGrouP Transoceanic development with ldwwgroup sParK someTHing good by uniTy For m&s THe maraTHon walKer marks & spencer with unity water for africa with ogilvy Public relations Paris sPiceJeT: rising liKe a PHoenix marsHawn lyncH’s Press conFerence spiceJet with adfactors skittles with olson engage sTone HearT - removal oF mcdonald’s all day breaKFasT – THe environmenTal burden PeoPle’s launcH .a.s.a. slovakia with dynamic relations 2000 s.r.o. mcdonald’s with Golin sTraigHT ouTTa comPTon: THe nwa missing TyPe sTory - drumming uP box oFFice success nHs blood and Transplant with mHP Communications THrougH laTinos oF inFluence universal Pictures with H+m Communications moderniZing THe legal sTaTus oF animals in France: a maJor breaKTHrougH in swiss direcT democracy meeTs FrencH law digiTal camPaigning The Fondation 30 d’ amis with aPCo worldwide ssrm swiss society for reproductive medicine with Farner Consulting aG more THan JusT anoTHer ceo visiT microsoft asia with In.Fom Troll FigHTers Kari Traa with Trigger as

THe PHiliPs breaTHless cHoir Philips with FleishmanHillard wrangling mulTimedia conTenT For THe wesTern liFesTyle wrangler network (www.wranglernetwork.com) PHiliPs innovaTion + you & Togorun with French/west/vaughan Philips with Togorun

QuiT THe use oF “snus” THe norwegian direcToraTe oF HealTH burson-marsteller with oslo

143 edelman and unITy ToP 2016 Global Creative index

Edelman has taken top spot the slimmest of possible in the 2016 Global Creative margins, scoring just one Index, the first time that the more point than second- world’s largest PR firm has placed Weber Shandwick, ranked first in the Holmes which ranked first last year. Report’s annual benchmark Edelman owed its success to of creativity in the public a plethora of award-winning relations world. campaigns from across the The fifth edition of the world, most notably REI’s Global Creative Index #OptOutside programme, rei’s #optoutside analyses entries and which also topped the named top campaign, winners from more than 25 campaign ranking as the while P&G leads PR, digital and marketing most awarded PR program companies in holmes awards programmes from in the world (see below). report’s annual around the world over a Other award-winning efforts ranking of creative 12-month period. included work for Dove, excellence in Pr. Edelman prevailed by Atlanta Hawks, CVS Health and Chipotle.

Global Creative Index: Top 10 Agencies Overall

2016 Rank 2015 Rank Agency Points

1 4 Edelman 125 2 1 Weber Shandwick 124 3 5 Ketchum 100 4 2 Ogilvy PR 89 5 9 Burton-Marsteller 83 6 3 MSLGroup 75 7 15 Cohn & Wolfe 65 8 6 Hill+Knowlton Strategies 59 9 8 FleishmanHillard 44 10 10 Porter Novelli 38

144 Global

once again, the top of the overall Global Creative Index: Top 10 Agencies — Weighted Score agency table is dominated by global Pr networks, thanks to 2016 Rank 2015 Rank Agency Country Points Per Head their volume of awards. 1 2 Unity UK 607 2 1 Trigger Norway 577 3 Manifest London UK 560 However, an alternative measure 4 LDWWGroup USA 400 of agency creativity comes 5 10 Hope&Glory UK 369 from weighting agency scores 6 360 Public Relations USA 158 7 Olson Engage USA 131 according to their staff size. 8 M Booth USA 129 accordingly, the Holmes report 9 FarnerConsulting AG USA 104 has again used a points per head 10 French West Vaughan USA 94 calculation to identify which are, 11 Another Company Mexico 92 12 Integral PR India 90 ‘pound for pound’, the most 13 JeffreyGroup USA 75 creative Pr agencies in the world. 14 Lansons UK 65 15 achtung! Germany 64 In 2016, this title is again taken by unity — which makes it, quite remarkably, the fourth time in #optoutside, the brave initiative most awarded Pr campaign in five years that the UK creative that saw the outdoor retailer the world, according to the Holmes darlings have topped this ranking. close all of its 143 us stores report’s 2016 Global Creative Index. on black Friday (the busiest norwegian agency Trigger, which shopping day of the year) and topped the weighted ranking in pay its 12,000 employees to take 2015, came second, underlining the day off instead of spending its emergence as one of the it indoors, has emerged as the world’s most creative PR firms.

Global Creative Index: Top 10 Campaigns

Rank Points Campaign title Agency Client

1 51 #OptOutside Edelman, Venables Bell & Partners and Spark REI 2 46 The Swedish Number Ingo / Cohn & Wolfe Swedish Tourist Association 3 22 Always #LikeAGirl MSLGroup P&G 4 20 Great Chinese Names for Great Britain Ogilvy PR VisitBritain 5 17 The House of Clicks Prime Hemnet 6 16 The Dilemma Publicis Italy / Cohn & Wolfe Heineken 7 13 The Organic Effect Forsman & Bodenfors Coop 8 13 The Philips Breathless Choir Ogilvy/Fleishman Hillard/OneVoice Philips 9 11 Banking Giant SBI wins over Indian millenials Adfactors PR State Bank of India 10 11 Marshawn Lynch’s Press Conference Olson Engage Mars (Skittles)

145 Global

always #likeaGirl, which took top For the first time, the Global focused brands dominate the spot in last year’s Creative Index, Creative Index also ranks ranking, with vodafone, Heineken continued to perform well at companies according to the and mcdonald’s also scoring well. award shows around the world, performance of their campaigns ahead of visit britain’s Great in the various award shows that Chinese names for Great britain, are tracked around the world. and Hemnet’s House of Clicks. unsurprisingly, perhaps, it is led by the world’s two biggest The results, which rank the top consumer products companies, 10 Pr campaigns as determined with P&G narrowly edging out by award shows, reinforce unilever at the top of the table. the importance of emotional resonance, whether inspired P&G’s haul is led by the always’ by social purpose or humour, #likeaGirl campaign, along with in today’s best public relations programs by Gillette and ariel, work. They also demonstrate that while Unilever benefited from cultural relevance can make the award-winning work from its dove difference between a good and and brands. Consumer- great campaign.

Global Creative Index: Top 10 Companies

2016 Rank Company Points

1 Procter & Gamble 32 2 Unilever 30 3 Vodafone 26 4 Heineken 22 5 McDonald’s 21 6 Coca-Cola 19 7 Nestle (+Nespresso) 18 8 Microsoft 16 9 Visit Britain 16 10 Philips 16

146 the inFluenCe 100

THe 2016 InFluenCe 100

The Holmes Report’s Influence 100 coalitions around social purpose, galvanizing such recognizes the most important and large-scale initiatives as the social Good summit, #GivingTuesday, rio+social and the momentum1000 influential in-house communicators from global social media rally. along the way, he has around the world. cultivated a healthy media profile, helped by a particular penchant for social media, and a willingness to speak up on a range of issues. To read the full Influence 100 feature, including the full-length Influence 100 adele ambrose profiles (including Q&As), in-depth research senior vice president, and analysis, please visit: chief communications officer, www.holmesreport.com/ranking-and-data/ merck influence-100. “more and more, we see our customers— aaron sHerinian including healthcare professionals and healthcare Chief marketing & consumers— caring about the company behind Communications Officer our medicines and vaccines,” merck’s chief un Foundation, communications officer Adele Ambrose told @asherinian branding consultancy Interbrand a couple of years ago. “They want to know who we are and what we stand for. They are asking questions like: do we care to address public health issues? are we engaged, ‘It is now about being a fund raiser, and a friend active listeners who are tuned into their concerns? raiser, and a hellraiser,’ aaron sherinian told Global are we ethical, transparent and socially responsible PR Summit attendees in 2013, a fitting caption to a in the way we operate our business?” career that has soared since he took on oversight of the un Foundation’s public relations in 2010, before ambrose has been responsible for helping merck adding marketing a couple of years ago. sherinian answer those questions since 2007, charged with has proved remarkably adept at building brand 147 the inFluenCe 100

managing relations between the pharmaceutical alison lewis company and the news media, employees, the Global chief marketing officer financial community, other specialized stakeholders Johnson & Johnson and the general public.

adrienne loFTon svP, brand marketing under armour For a company that has long been synonymous @alofton31 with public relations in its truest sense—as a management discipline, value-driven and focused on corporate policy as much as publicity—Johnson & Johnson has suffered both from a series of unfortunate crises and a strikingly high turnover in lofton is credited as one of the forces behind under its senior comms ranks in recent years (CCo maggie armour’s breathtaking “I will what I want” campaign. Fitpatrick stepped down in February). but it has been “Inside of the words ‘I will’ is the motivation that earning kudos on the marketing front—particularly we want to deliver at every single turn,” lofton told in its consumer brand business—since alison lewis adweek. “It’s about allowing women to have the joined as Cmo in late 2013. platform to show that they can absolutely break barriers, they can absolutely set records, they can lewis has streamlined marketing for more than absolutely be some of the best in the world.” 100 brands—including Johnson’s, listerine, It’s this “underdog spirit” that is so powerful and neutrogena and Carefree—and taking a more makes under armour’s marketing resonate with strategic, centralized approach to the company’s athletes from all sports — from basketball to boxing portfolio. she has also been working to build a global to ballet. lofton has been with under armour presence for some brands well know in the us but since 2008, but took a breather from april 2013 to less prominent in overseas markets. she has also december 2014 to be Cmo of the dockers brand at earned recognition through the Cmo awards for levi strauss. before under armour, she had stints at the company’s Csr activities, in particular its Healthy Target, General motors and Gap. Future goals and campaigns like neutrogena’s “every Drop Counts” water conservation effort. aida greenbury managing director of sustainability, asia Pulp & anders bylund Paper Head of Group Communications @aidaGreenbury Inter Ikea Group

as head of sustainability and stakeholder outreach at paper giant aPP, aida Greenbury oversees after numerous years agency-side anders bylund one of the most challenging mandates in the Pr was named head of group communications at Ikea world. once a favoured target for nGos, aPP has parent Inter Ikea Group in mid-2011. The company’s made considerable progress under Greenbury’s status as one of the world’s leading retailers ensures leadership, thanks in large part to the zero its name is never far from the headlines, and bylund deforestation policy that it ushered in more than is charged with overseeing a communications two years ago. as the key player behind major operation that focuses squarely on delivering Ikea’s sustainability achievements in aPP’s supply chains core brand value of responsible business. before and forest conservation programs and the chief joining the company, bylund spent more than a architect of aPP’s sustainability roadmap, Greenbury decade with burson-marsteller. has demonstrated a willingness to engage with critics, and an ability to craft a transparent strategy that balances the complex needs of the company’s andrew ParKer various stakeholders. Greenbury has spent more Group executive Government than a decade at aPP, building a highly visible media Industry and International profile thanks to an ability to engage with detractors Affairs, Qantas, @ajamesparker in a forthright and reasoned manner.

After establishing himself as one of Australia’s finest public affairs practitioners, Andrew Parker sold his 148 the inFluenCe 100

Parker & Partners consultancy to ogilvy Pr. In 2007 role, which includes responsibility for the global he departed Ogilvy PR to take on global public affairs marketing, innovation, corporate research and leadership at emirates in dubai, before returning to development and corporate communications Australia in 2013 for Qantas’ top corporate affairs functions. That philosophy has manifested itself role, reporting directly to the Ceo. by that point, in a number of terrific public relations programs, Parker had already played a key role in the alliance including sabre-winning work like u by Kotex—an with emirates, as well as previously serving as press edgy youth-oriented campaign for the tampon secretary and political adviser to various state and brand—and The Great american Try on for federal political leaders and ministers. depend, which saw celebrities sporting briefs for incontinence as a way to confront the stigma of andy PHaroaH the condition head-on and get media buzzing. The senior vice President company recently named a new Cmo scott usitalo, Corporate Affairs, Sustainability who reports into Palmer. & strategy, wrigley @andrew_pharoah beaTrice dauTresme EVP corporate communications and external affairs l’oreal wrigley — a division of mars — has operations in 50 countries, net sales of more than $30 billion and beatrice dautresme’s relationship with l’oreal six business segments including petcare, chocolate, dates back to 1972, when she joined the company’s gum, food, drinks and symbioscience. leading the marketing department. since then, she has risen communications is andy Pharoah who has been with through the ranks of the world’s largest cosmetics wrigley since 2008 in emea. eighteen-months later, and beauty company, taking on roles that have he was promoted to his current global role and is spanned operations, business development and now based in the company’s Chicago headquarters. management, across various markets. Pharoah reports to president martin radvan. In 2005, dautresme was named to head l’oreal’s global corporate communications and external ann muKHerJee affairs, a position that harnesses her global Global Cmo experience in the beauty industry. The company sC Johnson has faced several reputation challenges during her racine, usa tenure, including issues around its advertising and recruitment practices. dautresme is also a Chevalier in France’s national légion d’Honneur.

Ann Mukherjee became SC Johnson’s first global bouTros bouTros Cmo last year, when she left Pepsico. as a fast- senior vice president, corporate rising star in the latter company’s executive ranks, communications, emirates mukherjee had carved out a reputation for building @boutrosb brands via traditional marketing and social media savvy, focusing in particular on the company’s Frito-lay division. In a 25-year career with emirates, boutros boutros has played a key role in building the company’s anTHony Palmer global brand, with a broad remits that includes President, global brands all marketing and communications activities— and innovation advertising, sponsorships, events, promotions, Kimberly-Clark merchandising, public relations, internal communications, internet communications, and passenger communications—across the globe for the 40-plus businesses under the emirates group umbrella. overseeing a team of more than 150 under the leadership of Tony Palmer, Kimberly- professionals and more than 100 global agencies, Clark has been transformed from a paper products he is one of the most influential and high-profile manufacturing company into a consumer-facing corporate communicators in the middle east. business, based on the philosophy that marketing is “the organizing principle of growth for a company,” as he told Forbes on his promotion to his new 149 the inFluenCe 100

brian loTT cHris monTeiro executive director, Group Chief Communications Communications, mubadala Officer, KPMG @blotter @virtualmonteiro

as executive director of group communications monteiro recently joined KPmG after nearly two at mubadala, brian lott oversees a mandate decades (18 years) with masterCard. The tax that is as broad as it is deep for the abu advisory firm enlisted Monteiro to be responsible for dhabi-owned government investment vehicle. developing a communications agenda that supports responsible for stewardship of the mubadala the overall objectives of the firm and its leadership. brand and management of the group’s corporate communications requirements, lott’s work involves He and his team manage media relations, issues operations across real estate, mining and aerospace, and crisis management, leadership communications, calling for a particularly nuanced understanding of corporate reputation, internal communications, and local communities and social impact. digital and social communications. cHarloTTe lambKin Corporate relations director cHrisTine graeFF diageo director General, Communications european Central bank @ChristineGraeff

lambkin joined diageo in January 2014 as the company’s top communicator, filling a role that was as the european Central bank’s top previously held by Ian wright for 13 years. lambkin communications pro, Christine Graeff effectively brought a different sensibility, having spent nine handles one of the eu’s most challenging, and years at BAE Systems, including five on the executive important, engagement assignments. under committee as group communications director, perpetual scrutiny because of continued political where she was charged with building the company’s instability and economic malaise, Graeff oversees worldwide comms function at the age of 32. lambkin the ECB’s efforts to engage with EU citizens, successfully transformed bae’s communications particularly in terms of communicating the benefits approach from a reactive, tactical function to one of the euro. all of which has involved considerable that is central to overall business development and modernization since Graeff arrived at the start of strategic advancement. 2013 to oversee media relations, outreach and protocol, multimedia and language services. cHris maroleng Group executive for Corporate cHrisToPH eHrHarT Affairs, MTN Group Head of corporate @Chrismaroleng communications and corporate responsibility and executive vice president, deutsche Post dHl Group Maroleng leads corporate affairs for South African telecommunications giant mTn, after succeeding Christof ehrhart took over as head of corporate rich mhkondo in 2014. It is a key role in africa’s communications at Deutsche Post DHL in 2009 corporate world, given mTn’s status as one of with a mandate to rebuild employee morale and africa’s top brands and the continent’s sole restore public trust following the departure of representative on brandFinance’s Top 500 Global former chief executive Klaus Zumwinkel amid tax brands list. evasion charges. maroleng is no stranger to the limelight, having working closely with new Ceo Frank appel, previously served as africa editor and Tv anchor at ehrhart has had an immediate impact, completely enews Channel africa, during a successful six-year restructuring the company’s global communications stint, which included a famous interview of awb department and restoring the company’s secretary leader andre visage. 150 the inFluenCe 100 reputation, focusing on a dialogue-based approach claire dorland to communications with a strong commitment to clauZel business metrics.Perhaps most notable, ehrhart executive vice president brands introduced a major thought leadership initiative: and external relations, michelin a delphi study entitled “delivering Tomorrow” that has served as the basis for a series of stakeholder dialogues around the world and the company’s very active blog. The michelin man—his actual name is bibendum— celebrated his 120th anniversary last year and cHrisToPHer reindl remains one of the most iconic figures in global Head of marketing marketing. as michelin’s executive vice president red bull brands and external relations—a role she assumed at the end of 2014, after six years leading communications and brand for the company—Claire In common with his fellow leaders at energy drink dorland Clauzel is the individual responsible for company red bull, Christopher reindl keeps a managing his reputation, although she might quibble very low profile, but that should not detract from with the description above. the awesome reputation for the public relations savvy that the company has cultivated over the She was the first female executive in Michelin’s past decade. when Pr people talk about the value history to be invited onto the company’s executive of content creation, they often use red bull as an committee, and has been expanding her illustrative example; indeed red bull’s work in sports responsibilities to include advertising as well as and entertainment has effectively rewritten the internal and external communications and now rulebook for brand and content partnerships. also leads the company’s maps and guides division, as such, reindl heads a marketing function that is which assigns the equally iconic michelin stars to considerably more Pr-literate than most, and has restaurants around the world. helped red bull control more than two-thirds of the global energy drinks market. according to reports, furthermore, red bull spends a remarkable 35% of corey dubrowa its revenues on marketing. senior vice President of Global Communications and International Public Affairs, Starbucks Coffee claire divver Company, @coreydu Group communications director bae systems Corey dubrowa has been responsible for global communications and international public affairs at starbucks since 2010. on the communications side, he’s rolled out some of starbucks’ most popular — Claire divver joined aerospace giant bae systems and divisive — campaigns. Just in the last few years, in January 2014 as group communications director dubrowa oversaw two campaigns that generated and a member of the executive committee, with big tremendous attention: starbucks’ partnership with shoes to fill: her predecessor, Charlotte Lambkin had state university to provide subsidized tuition just moved on to the CCo role at diageo. to employees and the #raceTogether initiative in amid ongoing tensions between police and the black before joining bae, divver had served as general community. while both campaigns can — and have manager, group corporate affairs for Xstrata, been — analyzed in depth, looking at the bigger responsible for the global communications of picture dubrowa has clearly shown to grasp the the multinational diversified mining group during power of putting in motion campaigns that mobilize its merger with Glencore International, which everyone from customers to employees. completed in 2013. d’arcy rudnay Executive vice president, chief communications officer Comcast Corporation

media and entertainment giant Comcast Corporation—regularly ranked among the most hated companies in america—named d’arcy rudnay as chief communications officer in March of 2012, expanding 151 the inFluenCe 100

her responsibilities to include leadership of Comcast’s unicorn world” — meaning the brands need to keep financial reporting, crisis management, federal and evolving. anderson’s background includes tenure regulatory activities, product launches, employee at y&r, FCb Chicago and JwT before landing at relations, diversity, and social and digital media. Kraft Foods (which ultimately spun out mondelez International). she had led investor and media for the company’s merger with nbCuniversal and the subsequent dave samson rebranding, and the ultimately unsuccessful General manager of Public attempted merger with Time warner. before joining Affairs, Chevron Comcast in 2003, rudnay served as vice president of @dvdsamson corporate communications and media relations at lincoln Financial Group.

dan barTleTT dave samson has reached the point in his career Executive vice president, corporate affairs where he’s been selected to serve as chairman walmart of the board of trustees for the arthur w. Page society and he’s received the Plank Center award with the departure of leslie dach, who transformed for mentorship. It’s been quite a journey from levi walmart’s the corporate communications function strauss & Co, where samson had some early in- within walmart as well as the company’s response house experience after working at denver-based to external criticisms, the arkansas retail giant public relations firm MGA Communications, to clearly needed another heavy hitter to fill his shoes. Chevron, where he currently serves as general It found one in dan bartlett, who took the reins of manager of public affairs. Levi, at the time, was the corporate affairs department in June of 2013 known as a leader in corporate responsibility; and over the past two years has built on his success, Chevron, like all oil companies, faces intense most recently handling the announcement that the scrutiny for its role in a wide range of environmental company was raising its minimum wage, now 24 issues, and for most of samson’s tenure has been percent higher than the statutory minimum. embroiled in controversy over the dumping of toxic waste in the ecuadorian rain forest. bartlett reports to mike duke, walmart’s president and Ceo, and serves as a member of the company’s samson has been responsible for handling the executive council. His responsibilities include company’s communication around that issue and oversight of external communications, government many others. relations and sustainability, as well as the walmart Foundation, which contributed more than $1 billion david Palombi in cash and in-kind donations last year. svP, corporate communications and chief communications dana anderson officer, CVS Health mondelez International @david_palombi @danaanderson

Palombi joined Cvs to help lead the company through its national renaming to Cvs Health — a reflection of the CEO’s bold decision to remove For more than six years, dana anderson has been tobacco products from all of its 7,800 stores. immersed in marketing and communications of Palombi manages a team of 85 people around the the billion-dollar snacks and candy giant mondelez. us — and oversees a $31m budget for Pr and with a global marketing budget that exceeds $1b, advertising agencies, according to his linkedIn. anderson has steered the reputation of iconic He is responsible for all aspects of Cvs Health’s brands — oreo, nabisco, Chips ahoy, Honey maid — internal and external communications, including via mondelez’s internal teams and external agencies. media relations, public relations, social media and Her contributions have been many, including being corporate reputation management. Palombi also credited with breathing new life into marketing and oversees executive and colleague communications, communications by enlisting a new generation of and major internal events that support and drive agencies to liven up its creative output. she also sales, business development and growth. He also wisely aware of the changing dynamics of economic works closely with CVS Health’s government affairs forces and told ad age last year that consumer team to support the company’s state and federal packaged goods is “an 800-pound gorilla living in a government affairs strategies. 152 the inFluenCe 100 david roman dusTee TucKer JenKins svP & Cmo senior vice President, lenovo Communications, Target @iamdavidroman @dusteeJenkins since joining lenovo six years ago, former HP and apple marketer david roman has worked tirelessly to reposition the Chinese technology brand as an edgier global presence. So far, Roman’s efforts Target has, itself, become a target of sorts for taking appear to be paying off, with Lenovo making equality stances in some of the social issues of impressive smartphone inroads to go with its our day – LGBT rights and gender stereotypes in existing PC dominance. not only has roman marketing toys. These, plus high-profiles issues like focused on lenovo’s brand image, but has also its data breach and bringing on a new Ceo, point ensured that the brand is a far more engaging to the considerable heft dustee Tucker Jenkins presence, particularly online, where he has long manages as head of communications for Target. been an avid advocate for crowdsourcing, influencer marketing and user-generated content. she joined the company in 2010, taking responsibility for all external communications and media relations, enterprise-wide internal dominic Fry communications and Target’s corporate website. director of Communications she leads a team of more than 50 communications marks & spencer professionals. In addition to corporate reputation @Charlesworth25 issues noted (as well as its Canada exit and a multi-billion exit of its pharma business), Jenkins worked on the debut of designer collaborations one of the uK’s most experienced corporate and launched an online news magazine (a bullseye Pr practitioners, dominic Fry took charge of view) that garners more than one million unique communications at the uK’s ‘most trusted retailer’ monthly views and acts as a platform to break in 2009, following a two decade career that had company news. seen him head public relations at the Channel Tunnel, J sainsbury, and scottishPower. Fry also ed walsH has considerable agency experience, having spent Global head of integrated communications numerous years at Tulchan, Charles barker and Philips Traverse-Healy & regester. at marks & spencer, Fry is entrusted with overseeing edward walsh was appointed to lead the global reputation efforts that include one of the country’s integrated communications function for Philips most ambitious sustainability programmes (Plan a), International in august 2014, replacing longtime intense media relations (more than 10,000 phone CCo andre manning as the company sought to calls per month), and various issues around such update its positioning and focus on solutions rather areas as food safety, recruitment, and sourcing. than products. don naTHan He had previously spent eight years with global public affairs firm APCO Worldwide, most recently svP/CCo serving as managing director of the firm’s European unitedHealth Group region and leading some of aPCo’s largest multi- office client accounts. The move marked a return to the client side of the business for walsh, who earlier when don nathan joined unitedHealth Group in in his career spent more than a decade in corporate 2007, he was the company’s first-ever CCO — a communications with Ibm. decision that was made on the back of stock option scandal by the health company’s former Ceo. very ellioT scHrage shortly after he joined, us President barack obama vP of communications and Public Policy undertook his battle to reform for healthcare reform Facebook nationwide. since then, he’s been at the helm as unitedHealth has dealt with a range of issues from It’s been eight years since Elliot Schrage deflected considering to drop out of the state exchange to from Google to Facebook (alongside his boss Coo introducing “boutique-style” health plans. 153 the inFluenCe 100

sheryl sandberg) in a role that, when he joined, Ceo Paasche certainly has the experience to navigate mark Zuckerberg said would be “critical to helping us PayPal through its new iteration. He brings over 25 scale based on our culture that values transparency, years of experience in strategic communications to openness and honest internal communications.” the role. before he joined PayPal in 2015, he spent almost four years at mcKinsey & Company. at Google, he was responsible for broadening the company’s Pr approach to encompass the full JaKe siewerT range of stakeholders, and has been charged with Global head of corporate communications, Goldman effectinga similar shift at Facebook, particularly in sachs, @jakeon10ths light of the latter company’s issues around privacy and advertising. If Jake siewert needed a reminder of the kind of attention his new employer was used to, he didn’t FranK x. sHaw need to wait long before it arrived: his first day Corporate vice President on the job as global head of communications at microsoft Goldman sachs saw the publication of an op-ed in @fxshaw The new york Times, penned by a former Goldman exec, denouncing a “toxic and destructive” culture, where employees mocked clients as “muppets.”

When Frank Shaw joined Microsoft in 2009 as its There was a feeling that siewert’s predecessor, head of communications, it was perhaps one of the combative Lucas van Praag, tended to reflect the most seamless agency to in-house transitions that culture, and that Siewert has made significant the industry has witnessed. one of the reasons for progress in softening the bank’s image, encouraging that, of course, was shaw’s former role as president Ceo to open up for a series of media of the microsoft account at we Communications interviews. His contribution was recognized at the where he spent most of the first two decades of end of 2014, when he was named a partner—one of his career. In essence, this meant shaw had spent the most prized job titles in the financial world. nearly his entire career learning every facet of microsoft’s business. Jan runau Chief Corporate Communication shaw has been the company’s communications lead Officer through industry-altering acquisitions, ambitious and adidas Group disastrous product launches, stunning leadership changes (and the tumult that followed). amid considerable transformation, shaw’s institutional Pr insight remains unparalleled and has yielded a committed athlete who has completed an Iron considerable benefit to the company —and stands man triathlon, runau brings a similar level of as a notable example of reputational stewardship for dedication to his work for adidas. In total he has the industry-at-large. spent more than two decades with the sporting giant, helping the German giant navigate its way FranZ PaascHe to the number two position in the global sporting market, after its blockbuster merger with reebok in VP of corporate affairs 2006. runau has held numerous Pr roles at adidas, PayPal and now oversees all corporate Pr and internal communications for the group and its brands, including reebok. Franz Paasche joined PayPal as the payments giant SVP of worldwide corporate affairs, Amazon prepared for its split from parent company ebay as @JayCarney the two companies became independent, publicly- traded companies. under his tenure, PayPal’s corporate affairs has undergone a significant last year the former white House press secretary transformation that has created a cross-functional took on the newly created role of svP of worldwide team across communications, government relations corporate at e-commerce powerhouse amazon and social innovation. but this change has been as it takes on many lobbying issues, among them: accompanied by some amount of churn with sales taxes, transportation and intellectual property. notable departures over the last year and an agency Carney splits his time between amazon’s seattle HQ consolidation with edelman. and its Washington, D.C. office. 154 the inFluenCe 100 less than a year into his tenure the new york Times JenniFer Palmieri published a somewhat epic takedown of amazon’s Hillary for america Communications director work culture. In an unprecedented move, Carney @jmpalmieri published his response “what The new york Times didn’t Tell you” on medium. The new yorker, among other publications, analyzed his response and what Palmieri is central to a history-making — and highly this ultimately means for the balance of power unusual — us presidential election year. she leads between journalists and corporate spokespeople. communications for the democratic nominee Hillary Clinton — also the first woman to be at the top JenniFer KuPerman of a us presidential ticket — against a real-estate Head of international corporate mogul and reality Tv star donald Trump. and after a communications, alibaba Group prolonged primary season in which Clinton battled @jennikuperman bernie sanders, the race between Clinton and Trump is really just getting underway.

she formerly served as assistant to the president Jennifer Kuperman took on alibaba’s top and director of communications under barack international communications role earlier this year, obama. Previously, Palmieri was the president of the two years after joining the Chinese ecommerce Center for american Progress action Fund. giant from visa. It is, without question, one of the Pr world’s most challenging mandates — helping alibaba navigate its rise into one of the world’s biggest brands, amid a western media environment that sometimes appears hostile. Kuperman was previously svP and head of corporate marketing and reputation at visa, and also served as the chief of staff to Visa’s CEO. She began her career as a management consultant with accenture.

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Jesus madraZo since its merger with Continental airlines. while vice President of Corporate olson joined from starbucks — where he had engagement, monsanto been vP of corporate communications since 2011 @Jesusmadrazo — his experience with airlines dates back to 2008 when he joined us airways as vP of corporate communications. In fact, he led the crisis response to the emergency water landing of us airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. Already, his work Jesus madrazo holds one of the toughest jobs in communicating Munoz’s first 100 days has been the communications world — managing monsanto’s some of the most impressive corporate work the chequered corporate reputation. industry has seen in awhile.

The mexican national took on the role in 2013 after previously leading corporate affairs, and is charged Joe evangelisTi with presenting a more transparent, friendly face managing director for a company that is among the world’s most JP morgan fiercely criticized. So far, his efforts have resulted in monsanto being named one of the world’s top 100 corporate citizens by Cr magazine, which a 30-year veteran of JP morgan’s in-house flagged the company’s “commitment to stakeholder communications department, Joe evangelisti’s engagement, the environment, addressing climate credibility with the financial media and other change through adaptation and mitigation, and key stakeholders was an invaluable asset when increasing transparency regarding its operations.” observers began questioning the viability of some of the most hallowed names in the financial sector in the wake of the crisis that brought down lehman Jim cicconi brothers and threatened so many others. senior executive vice president, external and legislative affairs, evangelisti is well-regarded for his keen aT&T, washington, dC understanding of the often complex issues that underpin trust in the financial sector, and for his relationships with key media. Having joined morgan in 1986, following a brief stint as an assistant buyer for a new york City retailer, he worked initially on regulatory and public policy issues loom large for internal communications, then media relations. telecommunications companies, so it’s no surprise that aT&T’s leading public relations executive comes from a political background. Jon banner Jim Cicconi, who now leads external and legislative evP of Communications affairs for AT&T—a role he had held since the 2005 Pepsico merger of sbC Communications and aT&T—and @jon_banner1 serves as chair of the aT&T Foundation, worked in the white House under two presidents, spending two years as deputy chief of staff to President George H.w. bush, and four years as a special banner assumed communications leadership of assistant to President ronald reagan and to white Pepsico in may 2014, after joining the company House chief of staff James Baker. He has also been in 2012 to oversee global strategy and planning. a partner at prominent Washington law firm Akin He now oversees the food and beverage giant’s Gump strauss Hauer & Feld. communications across all business units and global sectors, reporting to PepsiCo chairman and James T. olson Ceo Indra nooyi. Prior to joining Pepsico, banner senior vice President, Corporate amassed more than two decades of journalism Communications, united airlines experience, including senior-level executive and @jimolson editorial positions at abC news, where he led the rebranding of the news division, worked with the world’s leading anchors, controlled all editorial, creative and financial aspects of the network’s flagship broadcast, and managed a global team James olson joined the beleaguered united airlines that included several hundred employees around shortly after its new Ceo oscar munoz pledged the world. 156 to turnaround the airline that has been troubled the inFluenCe 100

Jon iwaTa Her efforts have helped the privately-held company senior vice President, marketing become one of China’s most powerful world and Communications, Ibm players—it overtook sweden’s ericsson to become @coastw the world’s largest telecoms-equipment-maker earlier this decade—and to overcome concerns about its Chinese origins to become a genuinely global force.

Jon Iwata notably expanded his team over the Juan manuel cendoya past few months — andy whitehouse joined as svP, communications, corporate marketing, his deputy in the role of CCo (whitehouse joined and research from Willis Towers Watson) and Jeffrey DeMarrais banco santander joined from Ca Technologies as Ibm’s chief external relations officer. “our clients know us to be a trustworthy, strong Iwata took over as head of Ibm’s corporate and solid brand, and this a reputation we aim communications department in 2002 and quickly to keep,” says Juan manuel Cendoya, who leads emerged as a prototype for the public relations corporate communications and marketing at spain’s professional of the future: a strategic thinker with Banco Santander, one of the few financial services a thorough understanding of how brands and companies that can look back at the global crisis of reputations are built in the social media age and a recent years with any satisfaction, having diversified trusted advisor to management. Iwata is responsible into emerging economies such as brazil and via for a converged marketing and communications acquisition into established markets such as the us function at Ibm, including the company’s smarter and the uK. Planet branding and thought leadership initiative. The bank operated under more than 20 separate JonaTHan Friedland names in 2004, but the emphasis since then Chief Communications Officer on building the Santander brand has paid off. Netflix Cendoya has played a major role in that, leading @jsf33 the group’s internal and external communications, corporate marketing, corporate social responsibility, institutional relations, economic research and public policy and serving as a member of the bank’s global executive committee. Friedland has been with Netflix since 2011 (he joined from The walt disney Company where he ran financial and legal communications ), rising to chief KaTe James communications officer one year after joining. Now Chief Corporate Affairs and he oversees a team that handles traditional media, Global Marketing Officer, social media and content publicity for Netflix in 190 Pearson, @KatesJames countries. His team generates awareness globally for all aspects of Netflix — its brand, service and original programming — as well as defends and builds the company’s reputation. James joined uK publishing and education giant Pearson in January 2014, after a three-year stint before embarking on his communications career, as chief communications officer at the world’s Friedland spent more than 20 years as a foreign most powerful charitable organization, the Gates correspondent and editor for the wall street Journal Foundation. since joining Pearson, she has and Far eastern economic review. overhauled the communications division in line with FT publisher’s efforts to build a more cohesive global Joy Tan brand, which has included the establishment of a President of global media and communications global corporate affairs function. Huawei Technologies In her previous role, James led the foundation’s as president of global media and communications efforts to raise awareness and build engagement at Chinese technology giant Huawei, Joy Tan leads around global poverty, health and us education a diverse team of communications professionals issues, overseeing all communications and brand across the globe focused on promoting the functions. company’s innovation and best practices. 157 the inFluenCe 100

KeiTH weed for maintaining effective relations with the Saudi Chief marketing & government, as well as managing the company’s Communications Officer, Unilever position through public affairs and media activities @kcfw inside and outside the Kingdom. Kim rubey Head of communications airbnb Keith Weed became the first person to unify @rubeykim marketing, communications and sustainability leadership at FmCG unilever, taking on the top role in 2010. He is also the first Unilever CMO to sit on the company’s powerful executive committee, and has became an important proponent of the need On her LinkedIn profile, Rubey calls herself a for brands to embrace sustainability and social “results-oriented communications professional” purpose, making him one of Ceo ’s with expertise driving “highly-effective traditional and key lieutenants. In the process, weed has become social media strategies at the corporate level, for an example of the transformation underway in political campaigns, and for government agencies.” the Cmo role, overseeing traditional marketing That trifecta is what airbnb was hiring when rubey and communications duties, along with unilever’s arrived at the ubiquitous startup in november 2011, ambitious sustainable business plan. signaling a shift in the company’s communications strategy. she joined after the hospitality disrupter Kelly mcginnis took a big hit to its reputation when renters from Chief Communications Officer the site ransacked an airbnb host’s san Francisco levi strauss & Co apartment. since then — like transportation peer @kellylmcginnis uber — airbnb’s major battle is making the case for the legality of its service and how to manage taxes and legal liabilities. rubey’s combined experience levi strauss credits itself as the maker of the in technology and politics likely serves her well in “quintessential american garment” — which is, of this capacity. course, the blue jean. but Ceo Chip bergh (who McGinnis reports to) is the first say it takes more leslie mcgibbon than the company’s enduring brands to succeed. Global Head of Communications so, levi strauss is partnering with Google to design and Public Affairs, AkzoNobel smart clothes and the company is continuing to @lesliemcG showcase its sustainability mission, in addition to continuing to be on the forefront of social issues.

This is ultimately embodied in the company’s values: since joining dutch mnC akzonobel last year, empathy, originality, integraity and courage. as Chief leslie mcGibbon has embarked on an ambitious Communications Officer, McGinnis is responsible restructuring of its corporate communications for making sure these are demonstrated in all operation, in a bid to support the company’s of the 160-year-old company’s communication attempts to behave less like a holding company touchpoints. for its various brands (which include dulux), and more like an operating company with its own brand. KHalid i. abubsHaiT McGibbon’s efforts, which are still underway, involve Executive director, Saudi Aramco affairs a number of new departments within a newly- saudi aramco centralised communications function, focusing on such areas as content, creative, planning and abubshait brings four decades’ experience of social listening. working in public and government affairs for saudi aramco, the oil giant that is often viewed linda boFF as the world’s largest private company. In 2014, Chief Marketing Officer Ge he was named Gulf Pr man of the year by IPra, @lindaboff in recognition of his wide-ranging contributions to public relations in the Gulf and his hands-on approach to the development of the discipline Linda Boff’s vision for GE is to position the and its human resources. abubshait has oversight powerhouse as a “digital industrial company” across 158 the inFluenCe 100 the all audiences. The successor to the legendary authentic form of marketing.” In particular, beth Comstock told the wall street Journal last year, Pritchard believes effective public relations can she’s excited about snapchat, virtual reality and build meaningful relationships with consumers, podcasting — “new platforms for storytelling.” turning them into customers, and turning customers into brand ambassadors. even as she’s experimenting with platforms, her grasp on Ge’s culture and mission is solid. she’d Pritchard has also helped P&G finetune its been with the conglomerate for 13 years before measurement and remuneration systems to better taking over all of its global marketing, brand, reflect the role PR plays in its campaigns and has sponsorship and customer experience (she reports ensured that P&G’s Pr agencies have a genuine, into Comstock). coveted, spot at the top-table of strategic brand planning. Pritchard has also overseen the landmark over the past year, she and her team have raised integration of the company’s marketing and awareness of Ge’s digital transformation with the communications capabilities, which saw its entire ads featuring “owen,” a software developer who has public relations operation consolidate under his secured his first job at GE and finds himself having leadership. to explain to his family and friends what developing for a digital industrial company means. marcos de QuinTo evP, Cmo marc maTHieu The Coca-Cola Company us Cmo samsung @marcfmath mathieu joined samsung last year after four when marcos de Quinto was named the iconic years leading global marketing at unilever. He company’s new Cmo in 2014, the media described now oversees televisions, home appliances and his appointment as “surprising.” Perhaps this is mobile devices — but the core, he is looking for because de Quinto spent the previous 14 years the company’s follow-up marketing effort to “The as president of the company’s Iberia business next big Thing” campaign. so far, that’s included a unit (which covers spain and Portgual) — but new campaign that focuses on the simpler, more unsurprisingly, this was a region where the world’s mundane activities people can do with their Galaxy best-known beverage maker won awards for devices under four categories: Go, explore, Create innovation, strategy and commercial communication and move. He’s also a big advocate for virtual reality for “benditos bares.” saying it “may be the closest to teleportation we will ever have in our lifetime.” de Quinto has been with the company since, amazingly, since 1982 as part of the marketing at unilever, mathieu was responsible for the department of Coca-Cola spain. development of unilever’s global marketing strategy ‘Crafting brands for life’ to build brands margiT wennmacHers with purpose that improve the lives of the people they serve. Partner @wennmachers marc PriTcHard Global Brand Building Officer Procter & Gamble There’s a running thread among some of silicon valley’s most accomplished communications leaders today — they worked at outCast under wennmachers leadership. wennmachers — and her marc Pritchard may not be a Pr practitioner by co-founder Caryn marooney — cultivated some of trade, but as P&G’s global marketing chief he the tech sector’s brightest stars during their 13 years oversees one of the world’s largest public running the firm that is still among the most sought- relations budgets, and one of its smartest Pr after in silicon valley. operations. Pritchard has been quick to embrace Pr’s unique advantages since taking on his role Wennmachers influence within tech circles seems to in 2008, declaring in 2010 that “Pr is the most have, amazingly, only grown since she stepped away 159 the inFluenCe 100

from outCast in 2010 and joined venture capital Prior to this, osako led corporate communications powerhouse andreessen Horowitz as a partner. at amazon where she spearheaded initiatives Earlier this year, the firm closed $1.5 bn for its fifth encompassing corporate reputation management, and newest fund and in 2014, Cnn money named executive communications and the launch of wennmachers “the real queen of silicon valley.” as amazon’s drone delivery strategy. a full partner at the influential VC player, she has played a critical role in deploying public relations as micHael mand a competitive advantage, not only for andreessen Chief Communications Officer Horowitz, but for the many startups that it funds. Caa

marie-noëlle brouaux executive communications director Carrefour michael mand heads all corporate communications marie-noëlle brouaux was named to retail giant for Caa — the world’s largest entertainment Carrefour’s top communications role in may of and sports agency that represents some of the 2012, following the departure of her predecessor, most recognized names and faces on the planet. Florence baranes-Cohen. a former partner at euro Caa has more recently expanded beyond talent rsCG C&o, where she spent 12 years, brouaux has representation to strategic marketing and other experience counseling such clients as lagardère startup ventures to diversify its revenue streams. Media, Kingfisher and McDonald’s France. mand joined in 2001 after an unconventional start marTin von arroneT to his career. He started his career at burson- senior vice president corporate communications marsteller in new york — followed by a string electrolux of “odd jobs” that contributed to the depth and thoughtfulness mand brings to the craft. after moving to los angeles, he worked at mslGroup martin von arronet was named to the senior before joining Caa. corporate communications role at swedish household appliances company electrolux in may of miKe FernandeZ 2012, taking responsibility for internal and external Corporate vice president, communications, public affairs and group Internet corporate affairs communications, reporting to president and Ceo Cargill Keith mcloughlin. arronet has joined electrolux in the beginning of 2011, with responsibility for the group’s media relations and issues management. before that he was a managing director at shell exploration & Production in sweden, before joining Cargill, where he currently serves communications manager at svenska shell, and as corporate vice president, corporate affairs—a group media spokesman for royal dutch shell. role he will have vacated by the time this survey is published—mike Fernandez previously held mary osaKo senior corporate communications positions at senior vice President, Global companies in a wide variety of industries, from Communications insurance (state Farm mutual) to food (Conagra) to activision blizzard (us west). In each case, he was brought on board to help the company deal with specific threats, ranging from legal and regulatory challenges to natural disasters.

at Cargill, the challenge was less obvious, but no less mary osako is senior vice President of Global critical. as a privately held company, Cargill had not Communications at activision blizzard -- the gaming always been subject to the same level of scrutiny company that is home to blockbuster franchises as its publicly-traded peers. but with 142,000 Call of duty, Candy Crush, and world of warcraft. employees in 67 countries, and a major role in the reporting to Ceo bobby Kotick, osako oversees world’s food supply, it was clear that the company global communications for the company, ranging needed to embrace increased transparency rather from corporate positioning to executive and than resisting it. financialcommunications.

160 the inFluenCe 100 micHael o’neill “richard is invigorating; he never takes no for an SVP, corporate affairs and communications answer, which can be challenging, but he’s also great american express at listening to both sides of an argument. If I ever @minkoneil advise him against something, he’ll almost definitely still want to do it, but always tests the reason behind my advice. He’s created a culture of pushing the From addressing the causes and effects of the global boundaries and it’s a great one.” economic crisis to defending american express against retailers’ charges of anti-competitive to nicola willis burnishing the company’s brand among high net director of global stakeholder management worth americans, michael o’neill has plenty of his Fonterra plate as senior vice president of communications at the financial services giant. new Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has had a In that role, o’neill heads the company’s bumpy ride over the past few years—a product communications group and is a member of the contamination and recall that impacted the american express global management team, company’s business in China, followed by a blackmail serving as the company’s principal spokesman and threat and a worldwide collapse of dairy prices—so supervising media relations; employee, online and it’s no surprise that it was looking for a replacement shareholder communications. for longtime communications chief Kerry underhill it turned to someone with experience in the high- pressure, high-stakes realm of politics. muKund raJan brand Custodian, and member - Group executive as director of global stakeholder management, Council, Tata sons willis leads the development and execution of @mukund_rajan Fonterra’s strategy for building and sustaining strong relationships with its key stakeholders including governments, nGos, key opinion leaders and others, Tata sons, which oversees India’s giant Tata with a huge focus on trade issues (she also serves as conglomerate, created the brand custodian role a national board member of exportnZ). in 2013 specifically for Mukund Rajan, a 20-year company veteran. As the first group-level corporate affairs role in Tata’s history, Rajan’s position is a nigel Powell critical one, overseeing stakeholder engagement at a Chief Communications Officer company that prides itself on a reputation for good nike, Inc corporate behaviour. as brand custodian and group spokesperson, rajan is charged with managing all communications and brand related activities for the group in India and overseas, and has spoken persuasively of the need for Pr to have a seat at during his 17-year run at nike, Powell has surely the leadership table. His appointment was the first seen every conceivable Pr issue, at a company major one by Cyrus mistry, who became chairman of that has faced numerous stakeholder challenges. the group upon ratan Tata’s retirement in 2012. Through it all, the briton has demonstrated a deft media touch, overseeing such areas as global nicK Fox brand management, youth marketing, influencer director of external relations communications, corporate reputation and crisis virgin management. Powell oversees a team of 250 professionals at nike, after ascending into the top comms role in 2005, and guides corporate, consumer and employee communications activities Nick Fox started his career in 1992 as a financial for nike Inc., including the nike brand, Converse, the journalist at the sunday Telegraph covering virgin Jordan brand and Hurley. nike’s Global Community and getting to know its founder richard branson. Impact teams also report to Powell. before joining Fox joined the in 2007 and now sits on the company, Powell worked in both agency and in- the board of virgin Care and virgin startup. house roles in london and brussels. while it’s easy to see why Fox was drawn to working for the iconic branson, Fox explained the challenge of the job in a Q&a on the company’s website. 161 the inFluenCe 100

niKKi Twomey Suris joined the company in September 2009, director of Global reputation & marketing services having previously served as director of corporate standard bank communications and development for Ford motor @nikTwo Company. Paulo HenriQue nikki Twomey has a broad remit at africa’s soares largest bank, overseeing the group’s brand and director, Corporate sponsorship strategy, along with reputation, Communications corporate communications and social relevance. vale s.a. under her watch the south african bank has been named Africa’s most valuable bank brand, reflecting the company’s focus on its long-term reputation. soares succeeded sergio Giacomo last year to head Twomey, who has been in her current role for communications at brazilian mining giant vale, more than five years, has spent over 17 years with dubbed the “biggest company you have never heard standard bank. of” by The Economist. He joined the company 19 years ago, and has worked in various roles during olga PodoiniTsyna his tenure with the company. amid sustained global Global Head of Communications and marketing expansion, soares has ushered in a considerable vTb Capital rethink of vale’s employee engagement practices, which he believes has helped build a new corporate culture at the company. vTb Capital, olga Podoinitsyna is a member of the company’s board—a level of seniority achieved by PeTe marino relatively few public relations professionals even in Chief public affairs and communications officer more developed markets. millerCoors

responsible for the development and implementation of vTb Capital’s communications Having conquered the agency business—building and marketing strategy, and for communications one of the most creative midsize firms in the US across europe, asia, the middle east and the usa, before selling it to minneapolis-based ad agency Podoinitsyna has overseen the company’s transition olson—marino has spent the past four years making from a new market player to an established name in the client side of the business look easy. the global investment banking community. He was named chief public affairs and vTb Capital has also been named russia’s most communications officer at the MillerCoors in transparent investment company in each of the past september 2014, having served as vice president three years, a priority for Podoinitsyna, who says: of communications at millerCoors since 2012 and “a transparent communications policy is one of our according to a memo from chief executive Tom long top priorities. vTb Capital’s active participation in the to employees having “led a significant talent upgrade global dialogue is important for raising awareness in the function, launched the highly acclaimed mCTv of investment opportunities in russia among the platform and delivered successful major events international economic community.” like the millerCoors distributor convention and fall distributor meetings.” oscar suris PeTer HensHaw Head of corporate communications Group Head of Communications wells Fargo & Company bP @oscarsuriswF @PeterHenshawbP

as head of corporate communications for wells Fargo, Cuban native oscar suris is the Henshaw was initially charged with rehabilitating bP’s public relations counsel to the financial services battered reputation after the company’s calamitous giant’s management. He directs the company’s oil spill in 2012. He took on the role in early 2011, media relations, with a focus on communicating after several years working alongside new bP Ceo the vision and values to employees, customers, robert dudley at the company’s russian joint communities, and shareholders. venture. In between, Henshaw spent two years heading PR and public affairs for BG Group. A lawyer 162 the inFluenCe 100 by background, Henshaw has spent two decades at Pragnya ram bP, in a variety of legal and communications roles Group executive President, across australia, azerbaijan and russia. Corporate Communications & Csr, aditya birla Group PHil THomson SVP, Communications & Government Affairs GlaxosmithKline

ram oversees corporate communications for $40bn Indian conglomerate aditya birla Group, which Thomson has spent 19 years with GSK, serving now derives more than 60 percent of its revenues in numerous in marketing and public relations outside of its home market. Just as importantly, roles before being entrusted with global perhaps, is her leadership of the company’s Csr communications responsibility in 2010. In 2014, function, which includes numerous industry-leading he added government affairs to his remit, which community development initiatives, including 46 already included responsibility for media relations, schools and 18 hospitals. Prior to joining birla in investor relations, corporate responsibility, internal 1997, Ram spent a decade heading communications communications and product communications. at Hindustan Ciba-Geigy.

Thomson’s expanded duties come at a time of racHel wHeTsTone considerable change in the pharmaceutical industry, svP for policy and and he has publicly pledged to help the company communication embrace a more “open culture.” He is often viewed uber as one of GsK Ceo andrew witty’s key lieutenants, entrusted with helping deliver his leader’s vision of a more transparent, responsible company.

Pierre goad since rachel whetstone left her plum post at Google Group Head of Human resources last year to lead policy and communications at uber HsbC (replacing Obama strategist David Plouffe), she’s rebuilt the startup’s team with Googlers. according to re/Code, she slashed most of uber’s existing The last couple of years have been challenging for team — among them, former president HSBC, which like all financial services companies spokesperson matt mcKenna and lane Kasselman. was at the center of the global economic crisis and The new Google-heavy team is filled with those then found itself embroiled in a crisis over helping with public affairs expertise. More is emerging clients avoid taxes. It was a challenging time for the about whetstone’s style that re/Code describes bank, but it raised the profile of communications as “assertive,” in part, because of her affinity for chief Pierre Goad, who earned plaudits both for the retorting with GIFs. response and for his candor in discussing where the company could have done better. ray day Group vice President, Indeed, Goad’s contribution to the company was Communications underscored by his promotion to a new role as Ford motor Company group head of human resources last year. It is @rday1 still unusual for someone with a background in Pr to get a broader management role within an organization—and is a strong endorsement of the benefits that accrue when a smart communications ray day has helped to revolutionize Ford’s market professional has a seat at the top table. positioning—from automaker to technology leader—and its corporate reputation, focusing on environmental leadership alongside product performance. as a result, Ford is gaining market share for the first time in more than a decade. And its communications is now being benchmarked as best practice by several Fortune 500 companies. reporting to mark Fields, Ford’s chief executive officer, Day leads the company’s global external and internal communications and public relations activities to audiences including customers, 163 the inFluenCe 100

employees, dealers, suppliers, news media, roxanne Taylor has been responsible for communities, governments and policy makers. accenture’s marketing and communications activities globally, including market development, digital marketing, social media, corporate and executive vice president and financial communications, industry analyst and global chief communications media relations, brand management, advertising officer, McDonald’s and research, for the past decade. she leads a global team of more than 900 marketing and communications professionals and serves on accenture’s global management committee. Given that mcdonald’s announced its new CCo most recently, she led the development of a new and its new Cmo at the same time, and that both digital platform for accenture, including a new roles report to new Ceo steve easterbook, it is website design with integrated social, mobile and clear that the fast food behemoth sees a continuing content strategies. need for separate functions at the highest level of the company. and given that it selected former rudolF ramsauer obama aide and white House press secretary senior vice president, robert Gibbbs to lead the corporate relations corporate communications director function— which manages internal and external nestle communications and government and public affairs—it also appears to have at least one eye on the political and social issues that surround There’s something about nestlé’s ubiquity around everything from its nutritional value to its the world that makes the company a magnet for employee practices. controversy, to the lingering ill-will generated by the company’s marketing of infant formula in africa He joined mcdonald’s from The Incite agency, a to the more recent furor over its use of palm oil strategic communications advisory firm he co- from malaysia. founded in 2013. Perhaps it’s the company’s sensitivity that makes it roma balwani a tempting target. nestlé is a company that wants President, Group to be liked, as corporate communications director Communications, sustainability rudolf ramsauer makes clear when he talks about & Csr, vedanta Group the need to “create shared value” rather than using @rbalwani Pr as a tool to “lobby” stakeholders. ramsauer is responsible for relationships with employees, consumers, governments, nGos, community roma balwani has carved out a reputation as one associations, and investors and has developed an of India’s most outspoken Pr professionals, both approach that begins with listening and focuses on inside and outside her company. and balwani will personal engagement rather than an over-reliance likely need all of those qualities in droves at vedanta on media channels. That approach—along with a resources, the mining group that has attracted willingness to recruit people with nGo experience more reputation scrutiny than most. balwani, who to help build bridges—has led to strong alliances, reports to Ceo Tom albanese, sits on vedanta’s including some with former critics. executive committee, with the sustainability, Csr and communications functions all reporting into sabia scHwarZer her. Prior to joining vedanta, she spent six years as Head of group communications mahindra’s communications and Csr head. allianz Group @sabiaschwarzer roxanne Taylor Chief marketing and communications officer accenture sabia schwarzer is viewed as one of the best of a @roxtayor new breed of German communicators, challenging a PR landscape that is often typified by an reluctance to take risks. she took on the top communications job at allianz last year, after spending two decades some professional services companies have embraced with the insurance giant, in a variety of senior marketing and public relations with seeming marketing and communications roles across the reluctance; accenture is not one of those. world. Schwarzer has big shoes to fill at Allianz, 164 the inFluenCe 100 succeeding 23-year corporate comms head emilio simon sProule Galli Zugaro, but several industry observers believe Global director of marketing & that she has what it takes to usher in change Communications across the company and even, more broadly, the aston martin communications industry. @ssproule101

sally susman executive vice president, simon sproule has built a reputation as one of corporate affairs the automotive sector’s smartest Pr practitioners, Pfizer and left Tesla in 2014 to become global head of marketing and communications at aston martin. Prior to Tesla, sproule spent several years at nissan, where he became one of the first executives to sally susman is a staunch advocate for the view oversee an integrated Pr and marketing function. that only earned media can deliver the authenticity sproule was associated with nissan since joining and credibility that companies need to build the company in 2003, broken only by a two-month reputation. “If we pay, it’s immediately tainted,” stint as microsoft’s global communications director. she said, addressing the loss of public trust in a keen advocate of ‘brand journalism’, sproule’s big pharmaceutical companies. so in her role as work at aston martin involves a sharper content Pfizer’s senior communicator, Susman has invested focus for a luxury brand that is best known for its in efforts such as the “Maintain” program, which association with James bond, and he has already offered free prescriptions to patients laid off during ushered in the kind of integrated communications the economic crisis, or the company’s award-winning and marketing operation that has been a hallmark of push into social media—which many pharma his career to date. companies continue to regard with suspicion. sTePHen doHerTy saraH manley managing director, Head of Corporate Cmo Communications burberry barclays @sarahmanley2 Affable and incisive, Doherty joined Barclays in as Cmo of burberry, sarah manley oversees mid-2012 as the bank struggled to get to grips all aspects of public relations, marketing and with a succession of reputation crises. And his first advertising, working closely with creative director week in the newly-created position was something Christopher bailey to embed digital across its of a baptism of fire, coinciding with the departures offering, in a in a sector that is not always known for of his chairman and and Ceo, amid the interest- a modern communications approach. rate manipulation scandal. yet the former diageo man is nothing if not resourceful and joining an under manley’s leadership, burberry was a genuine organization at rock-bottom (in reputational terms) digital pioneer and has since built an impressive has had its advantages. since then, doherty has online following. From selling through its own helped guide barclays towards a more enlightened social networks and marketing through video- view of corporate reputation, advocating for sharing platform Periscope and photo-sharing app, behaviour rather than just communication and snapchat, burberry is one of fashion’s most dynamic, building a strong function at the bank. responsive and consumer-facing brands. at its latest london week fashion show, the brand announced sTePHen ForsHaw a ‘see now, buy now’ strategy, enabling shoppers to managing director of Corporate buy clothes straight from the catwalk. Affairs & Managing Director, australia & new Zealand Temasek, @stforshaw

as head of communications at singapore-owned investment firm Temasek, Forshaw handles one one of asia’s toughest Pr assignments, overseeing the sensitive reputation of a company that has 165 the inFluenCe 100

attracted its share of criticism in foreign markets. He one that has become particularly appealing with the joined the company in 2011 from microsoft, having seemingly unstoppable rise of mobile messaging previously led PR and public affairs for Singapore platform weChat. airlines. a political communicator in his native australia, has since expanded his role to include Tony cervone operational oversight of australia and new Zealand. senior vice President, Global Communications General motors Company sTeve JoHn Global Head of Communications mcKinsey & Company when General motors found itself embroiled in yet another major crisis in the first half of 2014, new chief executive mary barra—already under steve John joined mcKinsey as global fire for her performance in front of a congressional communications head in early 2014, taking on an hearing—turned to veteran influential role that had remained vacant since Tony Cervone to take over the company’s global the departure of michael stewart to edelman in communications function. 2013. John joined mcKinsey from bupa, where he spent almost five years as corporate affairs barra had already committed to greater director. at mcKinsey, John’s duties include external transparency, and to changing the culture that led communications, public affairs, media relations, to the crisis, but Cervone helped the company seize issues management and internal communications. the initiative and tell a proactive story. He also leads brand management, digital comms, Csr and alumni relations. Torod nePTune Corporate vice President, suZanne mccarron Corporate Communications General manager of public and verizon Communications government affairs @torodneptune exxon mobil Corporation @suzannemccarron

Torod neptune has been one of the industry’s most effective change agents — from championing the Leading communications efforts for Exxon Mobil business impact of communications to restructuring has never been the easiest job in the Pr business— for the modern era of communications. For instance from the exxon valdez disaster to its role in global at verizon, neptune redesigned the traditional warming denial, the company’s recent history has hierarchical composition of the communications been controversial to say the least. but having spent team in to a modernized model that borrows from nearly two decades—she joined in 1998—with the ‘agile’ and ‘design Thinking’ and organizes people company, suzanne mcCarron could not have been around new digital skills instead of traditional better-prepared for the challenge. functional competencies. He has also created a blueprint for driving brand influence by taking a sy lau creative, data informed, and insights heavy approach President, online media Group to building verizon’s global brand reputation by Tencent focusing on ‘impact at scale.’ His verizon team @sengyeelau is leading efforts to integrate data, analytics and technology in to the practice of communications that delivers creativity, discipline and business outcomes. a former adman with experience of working in some of the world’s biggest firms, Lau is now responsible wrenelle sTander for marketing and branding at Tencent, the Chinese SVP, Public Affairs online giant that is now the world’s third largest sasol internet company. The explosion of China’s internet scene has seen Lau become an influential global figure, and he has been named one of the world’s a rare example of an operational leader who has most influential people in media and marketing by made the transition into a senior communications advertising age. lau joined Chinese internet giant role, wrenelle stander served as managing director Tencent in 2006 and now serves as president of the of south africa’s sasol Gas for almost four years, company’s online media group, a critical position leading a complex three-year process to transition that oversees Tencent’s marketing offer to brands, 166 the inFluenCe 100

314 natural gas customers from one pricing Zenia mucHa dispensation to another. Now SVP of public affairs, executive vice president and stander also serves as director on a number of chief communications officer subsidiary boards within sasol. The walt disney Company @zeniamucha before joining sasol, stander served in various capacities within the public sector including the position of deputy Ceo of the south african Civil Aviation Authority, and the MD of the Air Traffic Google Zenia mucha’s name and one of the top and navigation services Company amongst others. results introduces her as “the Karl rove of the magic Kingdom,” a reference to the influence she wields young-Kee Kim within the company and the message discipline with EVP, Chief Relations Officer which she holds the company line with reporters lG electronics and others.

mucha has overall responsibility for communications Kim is the highest-ranking public relations policies and strategic positioning at The walt person at Korea’s lG electronics, responsible for disney Company and its diverse global businesses, industry relations, governement relations and including media networks, parks and resorts, organizational culture. He has held the role since studio entertainment and consumer products. she 2007, successfully implementing a cooperative serves as the chief spokesperson for company and industrial relations model through lG’s massive oversees media relations and communications global network. It is an achievement that Kim’s strategy. under her direction, disney launched d23, background has prepared him for — his 30 years the first-ever official Disney fan club, with members at lG have included considerable work in labour in all 50 states and 35 countries. relations and human resources.

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THe 2016 InFluenCe 100 the researCh

the following research is based on responses from a survey sent to this year’s Influence 100, and when applicable, our own analysis and research.

geograPHy

we strive to ensure the Influence 100 reflects the global, interconnected economy that we operate in. Thirty-percent of this year’s list were new this year, sparked mostly by the rise of new executives, industries and companies. The us typically comprises about 50% of the list — this year that number rose to 55%. meanwhile, the uK held steady at 12%. Fifteen executives from europe made the list, while Asia-Pacific had six names, six executives from middle east/ africa and one executive from latin america. 168 the inFluenCe 100 secTors we added new sectors this year to better represent the wide- range of industries recognized on the Influence 100. Consumer continues to dominate with 36% (30% last year), among them Kimberly-Clark, mondelez, Ford, IKea and mcdonald’s. Tech’s importance to the economy was reflected in a showing from communications leads from Facebook, amazon, airbnb, uber, among others. Tied for the second-highest ranking sector, industrials (17%) included names from Chevron, vedanta, vale, monsanto and united airlines. gender & Tenure THe early days - educaTion

The tenure of Influence 100 based on a survey of those communicators is, down slightly selected for inclusion in this to 9.3 years (from 9.5 years in year’s Influence 100, 49% have 2015) — in part because there advanced education beyond a are several executives on the list bachelor’s degree (down from who are relative newcomers to 57% last year). Journalism and their organization. among these, communications were the most KPmG’s Chris monteiro, united popular field of study, followed airlines’ Jim olson and Coca-Cola’s by government & policy, business marcos de Quinto have been in and various aspects of liberal arts. their posts for less than a year. The Influence 100 also includes individuals with degrees in law The gender balance of the and the sciences, among others. Influence 100 climbed slightly this year with women making up 36% of the list. as seen in the rising stars list of tomorrow’s CCos, we expect the gender imbalance will continue to shrink as more and more women are positioned to take the top roles in coming years. It is estimated that 70% of the Pr workforce is made up of women.

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THe early days - career

more than half (54%) selected public relations as their first career — up from about 40% in the same survey in 2015. Politics and journalism were the most common first careers, other early career choices included sales, hospitality and the armed forces.

THe organiZaTions

The following sections explore the organizational structure and budgets that the Influence 100 operates within.

a staggering 70% (up from 60% in 2015) of the Influence 100 report to the chairperson or Ceo of their organization; 12% report to the chief marketing officer (down from 13% last year). The remainder (18%) report elsewhere.

THe budgeT

The number of executives who oversee a Pr budget greater than $100m is down to 14% from nearly one-third last year. Interestingly, last year’s 27% was down from 50% in the previous year. meanwhile the number of people who peg their budget between $75m and $100m held relatively steady at 10% and the number who report a budget between $50m to $74m skyrocketed to 28% — up from 10% in 2015. nearly 40% oversee budgets that are $10m or less. This means the 100 most influential corporate communicators in the world are

170 the inFluenCe 100 likely responsible for budgets well in excess of one billion dollars.

The number who saw budgets increase is down to 30% from about 40% in 2015. among this group, respondents were equally split between budget increases +10% and those with increases less than 10%. only 12% experienced contracting budgets this year, but among that group, 8% had budgets cut 10% or more. The vast majority of respondents — 58% — said their budget remained flat in 2016.

The glow of content is showing signs of fading — 59% said they expect to increase their spend on content development next year, down from 71% last year. meanwhile, the sharp investment in social media also seems to be slowing as only one-third plan to spend more on paid social media THe Team and 41% plan to spend more on organic social media — this is Half of respondents manage some evidence the hiring frenzy down from 67% in 2015 and 80% teams of more than 100 people of last year is cooling — 27% in the year before. Half expect (down from 65% of last year’s lowered headcount in 2016 to increase their spend on Pr/ respondents), while 37% of compared to only 6% in 2015. corporation, up slightly from last respondents oversee teams slightly less than one-third year and pointing towards a slight between 21 to 100 people. increased their team (last year, resurgence in traditional tactics. Thirteen percent oversee teams it was half) and 46% kept their analytics and measurement has of 20 people or less, up slightly headcount steady. surged to 50%, up from 38% last from last year’s 10%. There’s year, meanwhile advertising was down to 3% from 24% (although this could be because we added the paid social media option this year) and experiential is down to 9% from 19% in the year prior.

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THe agencies The following sections explore budgets and attitudes around agency partners.

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THe insPiraTion brands & Companies asked to identify companies, other than their own, that managed brand communications and corporate reputation most effectively, the list largely built on last year’s — demonstrating the lasting impact of a well-managed reputation . virgin america and volkswagen both dropped from the list amid their own challenging news cycles, Coca-Cola, Facebook, whole Foods and burberry also faded. meanwhile unilever, J&J, starbucks, southwest airlines, bmw, Ge, nike, Ibm, apple, disney and Google returned for a strong showing. several brands and companies new to the list made the cut this year, among them: under armour, lego, salesforce, P&G and shell.

Communicators The inspiring communicators list remains largely male — Facebook CCo sheryl sandberg is the only woman to make the list this year. last year’s favorite Pope Francis wasn’t on this year’s list, but the other popular choice — us president barack obama — made another showing, along with Jon Iwata and Howard schultz. several new names emerged this year, among them: former us president ronald reagan, Google’s larry Page, wPP’s sir , macy’s Terry lundgren and new billionaire Jamie dimon.

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agencies edelman was — for now the fourth year in a row — the most frequently cited public relations agency when respondents were asked which firm they most admired. Other firms that made repeat showing include burson- marsteller, weber shandwick, the wPP network, The outCast agency, brunswick, meanwhile Hill + Knowlton re-emerged.

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THe 2016 InFluenCe 100 the Crossover stars the holmes report created a new category JoHn Fallon for those communicators whose career Ceo trajectory spans into a business function Pearson within their organizations.

beTH comsTocK John Fallon’s trajectory is especially unique — he vice Chair joined the education company as director of Ge communications in 1997 and within three years was named president. He’s been the company Ceo since 2013, taking on the job of “encouraging all 40,000 colleagues, in 70 countries, to work as one global company.” beth Comstock’s promotion to vice chair leading Ge business Innovations seemed like an inevitable simon Pearce accomplishment given her career trajectory special advisor to the Chairman from corporate communications into broader Executive Affairs Authority Of Abu Dhabi management roles. not only is this a groundbreaking achievement for communications, Comstock also becomes the first woman in GE’s history to be entrusted with building and protecting abu dhabi’s named vice chair and joins three other executives reputation, Pearce has a big budget and an even who hold the title. bigger remit. He is considered one of the uae’s most influential officials, particularly close Khaldoun al-mubarak, for whom he helped “smooth the communication of the manchester City Football Club david d’alessandro takeover” according to the wsJ. Chairman of the board, seaworld Parks & entertainment

sue clarK david d’alessandro was perhaps the prototype managing director, europe for public relations executives seeking to expand sabmiller beyond the communications function and into the C-suite.

He was named president and COO in 1998 and was lead strategist of the firm’s demutualization and In 2012, Clark became that rarity in the Pr world, conversion to a public company, In 2000 he became a communications head who moved into the chairman and Ceo until his retirement in 2004. C-suite to become managing director of sabmiller in europe. she had previously headed the brewing His current role, chairing the board of seaworld, giant’s global corporate affairs function for provides plenty of opportunity to draw on his Pr nine years, after amassing significant corporate experience as the company navigates its own crises. communications experience at railtrack and scottish Power. Clark sits on sabmiller’s executive committee.

175 the ameriCas

THe InnovaTor 25 the ameriCas

our fourth annual Innovator 25 alex THomPson north america expands this year VP of communications/public affairs to the americas to include latin reI america and Canada. This year’s innovators made the cut because they’re producing work that points to the future of marketing and communications. we’ve “We broke the mold for retail.” heard the buzzwords words many times — courageous, authentic, game-changing, shareable, sticky allan dib — these 25, in some capacity, Head of market Insights have put these into action. w2o Group

For more research on the Innovator 25 and to read their full profiles, including Q&As please “My career highlight is the insights and research work I did for visit:: www.holmesreport.com/ the #likeagirl campaign. But it is dangerous to only focus on ranking-and-data/innovator-25/ ‘big’ innovations.” innovator-25-2016

176 the ameriCas

cHad laTZ cindy galloP Global president of Founder digital innovation makelovenotPorn Cohn & wolfe v IfIranTheworld

“What is innovation if not a disruptive force that “Seek out, welcome, embrace, champion, celebrate and captures the attention of the public? And that’s exactly reward the talents, skills and creativity of women and what the most successful PR work accomplishes.” people of color.”

cHarlie wiTKowsKi elaine leavenworTH Gm/vP/creative director Chief marketing and external olson engage affairs officer v v abbott

“When it comes to getting final “When you expose yourself to a diverse set of voices and sign-off on the most innovative ideas, we still have a information, you can connect seemingly disparate bits of long road to travel as an industry.” information and come up with a true insight.”

cHris Perry eriKa benneTT Chief digital officer vice president weber shandwick allied Integrated marketing v v

“Real innovation is accelerating at the intersection of “Embracing diversity in experiences is an essential social, content and commerce.” part of building a team that consistently delivers breakthrough work and has been the cornerstone of the most successful marketing teams.”

gabriel arauJo vP/executive creative director little George & Ketchum v

“I believe the future belongs to the agencies that inject diversity of thought into their people and their process.“

JaKe rosen svP/senior partner leading social & creative for the v west region FleishmanHillard

“The heart of innovation is the applications of this data to the artistry of storytelling and creativity.” 177 the ameriCas

Janice KaPner micHael coaTes svP/Corporate Ceo americas communications Hill + Knowlton strategies v T-mobile v

“Innovation means challenging the status quo and “We now have permission to do just about anything.” pushing the boundaries.”

monTe luTZ Jess cliFTon Global head of communications us managing director, strategic and digital marketing growth/developments v activision v edelman

“No matter how many people we have creating content in-house or at our agencies, we will never be able to “Consumers are getting used to and adopting innovation come close to the sheer voice, volume, creativity and - now we really need to be talking about disruption.” passion of our community.”

JosH rosenberg nicole moreo Co-founder/Ceo director of research and day one insights v v Peppercomm

“I find that travel is the best way to disconnect and to “There are still far too many barriers between find inspiration around each and every corner, in every disciplines, and PR is still an afterthought for some.” conversation and in every bite.”

manny veiga Podcast host march Pr and Hacks & Flacks v

“Everyone in marketing wants to do something new or interesting, but we’re also all heads-down on taking care of the next goal or objective.”

margi booTH Chairperson at m booth/evP at Next fifteen v

“Innovation is not fleeting, but causes fundamental change and makes us stop and say ‘that’s just amazing.’”

178 the ameriCas

ricH Kylberg sTePHanie smiTH vP of corporate marketing Chief client & communications development officer v arrow electronics v mslGroup

“Innovation comes from connecting dots between “#FirstSevenJobs: babysitter, salesperson, office seemingly unrelated worlds; zoos and corporations, assistant, desk assistant, production associate, or art museums and engineering labs, for example.” assignment desk editor, producer.”

roberT dowling Teddy goFF Founder/Ceo Co-founder Hudson Cutler & Co Precision strategies v v

“Technology is increasingly finding its way into the “I am biased, but I believe Hillary Clinton is running center of marketing campaigns because that’s how the most technologically and analytically innovative people live today.” campaign ever.”

sean corcoran Ty monTague executive director of digital Founder media & innovation co:collective v mullenlowe/mediaHub v

“The marketing industry has built tremendous technology “Huge businesses are being built with almost no for finding and reaching audiences but is woefully behind marketing spend at all. New game. New rules.” in bringing that same level of innovation to actually telling engaging and relevant stories.”

sTacey Ferguson Chief Curator be blogalicious v

“The creative use of various platforms - from Periscope to Instagram and beyond - is a refreshing commentary on the power of voices, and the need to connect with one another.”

179 emea

THe InnovaTor 25 emea

our second Innovator 25 class abHinav Kumar in emea again provides a unique Chief communications & marketing glimpse of our industry’s future, officer, Europe shining the light on those Tata Consultancy services brussels individuals who are reshaping influence and engagement in an era of dramatic marketing and “No change has ever come about without someone having the communications disruption. courage to challenge how things are done” For more research on the Innovator 25 and to read their full profiles, including Q&As alex malouF please visit: www.holmesreport. Corporate communications manager, com/ranking-and-data/ arabian Peninsula innovator-25/innovator-25-2016 Procter & Gamble dubai

“The better you know who you’re trying to engage with, the more innovative you can be”

180 emea

alexandra dimiZiani daniel ureÑa Global marketing director managing partner airbnb mas Consulting san Francisco madrid

“Questioning how things are done and asking yourself why not is a good first step to bring change”

candace Kuss elodie moncHicourT- director of social medi lecuyer Hill+Knowlton strategies President matriochka london Influences Paris

“Be super honest with yourself and your organisation in “Innovation only makes sense if it genuinely responds to terms of where you are now and where you want to go” the expectations of the time”

cecilia wecKsTrom gerry HoPKinson Global head of lego.com & Co-founder unity consumer experience lego Group london london

“Experimenting means embracing failure. Learn from your mistakes, but welcome them”

James nesTer executive Creative director, uK & emea weber shandwick london

“There are a lot of good talkers in our industry. Don’t just talk. Do it. Prove it.”

Jane mcdaid Founder & chief creative officer Thinkhouse dublin/london

“My brightest staff members are always my best mentors”

181 emea

Jeremy basseT miTcHell PraTHer Head of unilever Foundry managing director unilever djembe Communications london dubai

“Innovation is the only tool we have to create a more “I find inspiration in people who make a difference in other sustainable future.” people’s lives”

Jimmy larsson mobbie naZir Head of communications Chief strategy officer raoul wallenberg academy we are social stockholm london

“A big part of my inspiration comes from my political “Innovation for the sake of innovation will always fail” involvement — which forces me to be well-informed and creative constantly”

Jonas sevenius nuria vilanova Creative director & co-founder) Founder Jung relations atrevia stockholm madrid

“Think big, start small, don’t give up”

Juliana roTicH reema bandar al saud Co-founder VP for Women’s Affairs ushahidi General sports authority nairobi riyadh

“Have the dream but be able to back it up”

KHadiJa PaTel rainer bocK managing editor Head of corporate Pr and The daily vox strategic projects Johannesburg Kaspersky lab london/moscow

“I am doing what I have always wanted to, making “When people keep telling you ‘great idea, but are you sense of our times for the world” crazy, we cannot do that!’ you are on the right way” 182 emea

renee KaPlan TerHas aseFaw berHe Head of audience engagement managing director Financial Times brand Communications london london

“Innovation is recognizing when you have stumbled upon a winning idea and knowing what to do with it”

sacHar Klein THomas cramPTon Ceo, sachar Klein Global managing director Kommunikation social@ogilvy berlin london

“Don’t just look for innovation, but look for real “There are many smaller changes that add up to a solutions for real problems” revolution. The main point is to constantly focus on change”

sTePHen waddingTon Chief engagement officer Ketchum london

“Experiment, start small and stealthily. People will adopt good ideas, and they’ll become the norm”

Leader Innovator Partner

Terhas Asefaw Berhe Holmes Report Top 25 Innovator 2016

183 asia-PaCiFiC ` THe InnovaTor 25 asia-PaCiFiC

Our inaugural Innovator 25 amiTH PrabHu class in Asia-Pacific provides Founder a unique glimpse of our Promise Foundation industry’s future, shining the India light on those individuals who are reshaping influence and engagement in an era of dramatic marketing and communications disruption. anna cHoi Head of strategy & For more research on this communications Innovator 25 class and to read siemens their full profiles - including Hong Kong Q&As - please visit: www. holmesreport.com/ranking- and-data/innovator-25/ innovator-25-2016 anTHony Freedman Founder/Ceo Host & one Green bean australia

184 asia-PaCiFiC

Ashutosh Munshi Jen loong Director of creative & content branD Director eDelman inDia toms china inDia china

CAlvin Wong JonAthAn ADAsheK Director, research & analytics chief communications officer Golin nissan JaPan honG KonG

DArren Burns KuMi sAto PresiDent PresiDent & ceo china & chair cosmo Pr creativity & innovation JaPan Weber shanDWicK china

DAviD Ko osCAr ZhAo co-founDer & mD co-founDer & ceo DayliGht PartnershiP bluefocus honG KonG china

FreDDie Covington PAt lAW svP marKetinG founDer asia-Pacific GooDstuPh visa sinGaPore sinGaPore

ginger Zhu PeDro MenDonCA senior Director of DiGital branD Gm, innovation niKe DiaGeo china sinGaPore

185 asia-PaCiFiC

ricHard Tsang sunsHine FarZan Founder & Chairman vP head of marketing sPrG communications Hong Kong metlife Hong Kong

rod sTroTHer TadasHi inoKucHi vP Chief Pr planner digital transformation dentsu starhub Japan singapore

ruTH rowan Tori raPPold Group executive, marketing Communications lead, dimension data Team Ford Hong Kong wPP China

sonya madeira ZaHeer nooruddin Founder Head of digital rice Communications shiseido singapore Hong Kong

sTeve monagHan regional director aIa Hong Kong

sTeven cHang Corporate vP Tencent China

186 Global

Global ToP 250 Pr aGenCy ranKinG 2016

Global Pr agency ranking: For entries in this color, The revenue numbers for many Holmes report has estimated agencies include subsidiaries— revenue. In many cases, the including research, advertising, parent companies of these firms and specialist PR firms—many of have elected not to provide which operate under separate revenue numbers for individual brands but nevertheless report firms in response to Sarbanes- into the listed Pr agency. Full Oxley financial regulations. methodology here. For firms that submitted numbers in pounds sterling or euros, conversions were made using exchange rates as of 12/31/2015. In some cases, where last year’s submitted numbers were used for comparison purposes, growth numbers may be lower because of exchange rate fluctuations than they would have been in constant currency terms. accordingly, we also include a constant currency growth metric. aside from large Pr networks above $100m in fee income, the rankings are totally dependent on submitted fee income; many agencies, often well-known, choose not to submit their numbers.

187 Global Communications – Agency Report Rankings Top 250

Global PR agency ranking: Revenue numbers for many agencies include subsidiaries— including research, advertising, and specialist PR firms—many of which operate under separate brands but nevertheless report into the listed PR agency.

For firms that submitted numbers in pounds sterling or euros, conversions were made using exchange rates as of 12/31/2015. In some cases, where last year’s submitted numbers were used for comparison purposes, growth numbers may be lower because of exchange rate fluctuations than they would have been in constant currency terms. Accordingly, we also include a constant currency growth metric. Aside from large PR networks above $100m in fee income, the Rankings are totally Globaldependent on submitted fee income; many agencies, often well-known, choose not to submit their numbers.

For entries in this color, The Holmes Report has estimated revenue. In many cases, the parent companies of these firms have elected not to provide revenue numbers for individual firms in #gcr16 response to Sarbanes-Oxley financial regulations.

2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 1 1 Edelman 1 USA 854,576,000 812,000,000 5849 5.2% 5.2% 2 2 Weber Shandwick 2 USA 775,000,000 720,000,000 7.6% 7.6% 3 3 FleishmanHillard 3 USA 570,000,000 580,000,000 -1.7% -1.7% 4 4 Ketchum 4 USA 530,000,000 515,000,000 2.9% 2.9% 5 6 Burson-Marsteller 5 USA 480,000,000 477,000,000 0.6% 0.6% 5 5 MSLGroup 6 France 480,000,000 482,000,000 -0.6% 4.0% 7 7 Hill+Knowlton USA 385,000,000 380,000,000 1.3% 1.3% Strategies 7 8 8 Ogilvy PR 8 USA 347,000,000 321,000,000 8.1% 8.1% 9 14 BlueFocus 9 China 245,055,843 179,214,216 36.7% 36.7% 10 9 Golin USA 227,000,000 213,500,000 6.3% 6.3% 11 10 Havas PR 10 France 225,000,000 211,000,000 6.6% 6.6% 12 11 Brunswick UK 220,000,000 210,000,000 4.8% 4.8% 13 13 Cohn & Wolfe 11 USA 200,000,000 181,000,000 10.5% 10.5% 14 12 FTI Consulting USA 189,974,000 189,367,000 599 0.3% 0.3% 15 15 Media Consulta Germany 162,317,350 172,788,000 808 -6.1% 4.3% International 16 16 Porter Novelli USA 127,000,000 125,000,000 1.6% 1.6% 17 17 APCO Worldwide USA 119,858,300 118,112,600 680 1.5% 1.5% 18 Huntsworth Health 12 UK 107,004,000 93,132,000 14.9% 21.1% 19 Sunny Side Up Japan 104,000,000 124 20 20 Finsbury USA 100,000,000 100,000,000 220 0.0% 0.0% 21 19 WE Communications USA 98,782,000 106,676,000 -7.4% -7.4% 22 23 W2O Group 13 USA 95,010,000 82,625,000 427 15.0% 15.0% 23 18 Grayling UK 93,536,000 110,448,000 -15.3% -10.7% 47

188 Global

2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 24 22 inVentiv Health 14 USA 85,000,000 85,000,000 0.0% 0.0% 25 25 Vector Inc. Japan 82,000,000 67,000,000 450 22.4% 22.4% 26 24 Ruder Finn USA 74,000,000 73,891,000 565 0.1% 0.1% 27 34 Finn Partners 15 USA 71,481,000 52,796,000 486 35.4% 35.4% 28 29 PMK*BMC USA 69,800,000 60,000,000 237 16.3% 16.3% 29 28 Lewis PR 16 UK 68,585,000 61,700,000 370 11.2% 11.2% 30 31 Text100 Corporation USA 68,094,730 57,806,333 602 17.8% 17.8% 31 26 Res Publica (National Canada 67,000,000 67,000,000 0.0% 0.0% PR) 32 37 Bell Pottinger Private UK 66,150,000 67,236,000 -1.6% 4.4% 33 21 FSB Comunicacoes Brazil 63,025,835 86,895,982 704 -27.5% -27.5% 34 32 MWW USA 60,000,000 56,715,000 5.8% 5.8% 35 27 Public Systeme France 58,424,000 64,624,890 550 -9.6% 0.4% Hopscotch 17 36 36 ICR USA 56,208,727 51,000,000 10.2% 10.2% 37 35 fischerAppelt Germany 52,500,000 52,523,030 0.0% 0.0% 38 38 We Are Social UK 51,000,000 49,000,000 4.1% 4.1% 39 33 Instinctif Partners UK 49,183,272 55,695,000 450 -12.1% -12.1% 40 48 Allison+Partners USA 49,000,000 37,093,000 300 32.1% 32.1% 41 30 Kreab Gavin UK/Sweden 48,611,820 58,201,000 400 -16.5% -7.3% Anderson 42 32 Freud UK 48,228,760 44,266,560 235 9.0% 14.8% Communications 43 46 Zeno Group USA 47,343,821 39,900,000 317 18.7% 18.7% 44 43 DKC Public Relations USA 46,950,000 41,500,000 239 13.1% 13.1% 44 41 Dentsu Public Japan 43,000,000 42,000,000 243 2.4% 2.4% Relations 46 45 Marina Maher USA 43,000,000 40,000,000 150 7.5% 7.5% Communications 47 44 PRAP Japan Japan 41,000,000 40,000,000 275 2.5% 2.5% 48 47 Hering Schuppener Germany 37,5 0 6,9 0 0 38,962,000 184 -3.7% 6.9% 49 42 DeVries Global USA 37,000,000 42,000,000 -11.9% -11.9% 49 Portland UK 37,000,000 31,200,000 160 18.6% 25.0% Communications 51 55 PadillaCRT USA 34,813,666 31,624,111 190 10.1% 10.1% 52 62 Four UK 34,380,216 27,096,088 229 26.9% 34.1% Communications Group 18 53 50 Blue Rubicon UK 34,000,000 34,000,000 0.0% 0.0% 54 57 Llorente & Cuenca 19 Spain 32,738,779 29,536,433 482 10.8% 23.0% 55 65 GCI Health USA 32,000,000 26,000,000 23.1% 23.1% 48

189 Global Global Communications – Agency Report Rankings 2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 56 53 Global Strategy USA 31,000,000 32,378,000 87 -4.3% -4.3% Group 57 69 The Outcast Agency USA 30,000,000 24,600,000 22.0% 22.0% 58 51 Citigate Dewe UK 29,520,000 34,164,000 -13.6% -8.7% Rogerson 59 61 Racepoint Global USA 29, 247,3 4 6 27,279,597 103 7. 2% 7. 2% 60 75 Newgate UK 28,804,795 21,548,516 142 33.7% 41.3% Communications 61 59 Prain Global Korea 28,537,969 27,996,389 224 1.9% 1.9% 62 57 Iris Worldwide UK 27,9 3 0,0 0 0 28,746,374 135 -2.8% 3.1% 63 62 Mikhailov & Partners Russia 27,794,330 32,119,953 -13.5% -13.5% #gcr16 64 64 iMARS Group Russia 27,429,3 0 0 26,183,400 132 4.8% 4.8% 65 79 SEC 20 Italy 27,260,900 20,015,047 188 36.2% 51.2% 66 72 Coyne PR USA 27,000,000 23,010,000 190 17.3% 17.3% 67 63 MHP UK 26,202,395 26,301,600 168 -0.4% 5.3% Communications 68 91 M Booth USA 25,546,472 18,800,000 141 35.9% 35.9% 69 67 G&S Business USA 25,012,724 25,438,112 -1.7% -1.7% Communications 70 70 Oliver Schrott Germany 24,514,100 24,006,400 172 2.1% 13.4% Kommunikation 71 80 Prosek Partners USA 24,400,000 20,000,000 102 22.0% 22.0% 72 71 SPN Russia 23,978,815 23,192,412 171 3.4% 3.4% Communications 73 68 AGT Communications Russia 23,485,109 25,121,673 314 -6.5% -6.5% 74 66 Hotwire Public UK 22,616,736 25,680,428 169 -11.9% -6.9% Relations 75 74 Taylor USA 22,100,000 21,700,000 108 1.8% 1.8% 76 77 Geelmuyden.Kiese Norway 22,000,000 21,060,000 4.5% 4.5% 77 85 5W Public Relations USA 21,927,960 19,343,176 133 13.4% 13.4% 78 84 Strategic Public Hong Kong 21,800,000 19,700,000 282 10.7% 10.7% Relations Group 79 92 French/West/ USA 21,166,208 18,753,747 96 12.9% 12.9% Vaughan 80 78 Olson Engage USA 21,000,000 20,200,000 4.0% 4.0% 81 90 Peppercomm USA 20,644,468 18,807,537 9.8% 9.8% 82 94 Fahlgren Mortine USA 20,554,236 18,616,471 119 10.4% 10.4% 83 81 Hunter Public USA 20,500,000 20,000,000 2.5% 2.5% Relations 84 95 Shift USA 20,433,131 18,444,854 132 10.8% 10.8% Communications 85 82 Barabino & Partners Italy 20,000,000 20,000,000 0.0% 0.0% 49

190 Global

2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 86 88 CROS Russia 19,800,000 19,016,880 150 4.1% 4.1% 87 87 Adfactors PR 21 India 19,600,000 19,100,000 500 2.6% 2.6% 88 98 Levick Strategic USA 19,586,431 17, 231,616 73 13.7% 13.7% Communications 89 86 The Red Consultancy UK 18,936,783 19,208,280 132 -1.4% 4.2% 90 97 Serviceplan PR Germany 18,224,800 17,666,000 113 3.2% 14.5% Group 91 101 Jackson Spalding USA 18,172,800 16,245,653 11.9% 11.9% 92 83 Farner Consulting Switzerland 18,137,6 0 0 19,723,000 86 -8.0% 8.5% 93 100 Atrevia Spain 17,801,531 16,366,460 228 8.8% 20.7% 94 Spong USA 17,500,000 16,000,000 9.4% 9.4% 95 Kivvit USA 17,010,000 57 96 107 Brands2Life UK 17,0 0 9,670 15, 207,5 0 4 108 12.2% 18.6% 97 110 LaunchSquad USA 16,221,086 14,062,803 108 15.3% 15.3% 98 96 Lansons UK 16,152,603 18,302,649 92 -11.7% -6.7% 99 102 Mitchell USA 16,000,000 15,900,000 0.6% 0.6% Communications Group 100 76 ICF Mostra Belgium 15,805,000 21,363,610 159 -26.0% -17.9% 101 116 Rasky Baerlein USA 15,504,480 13,000,000 51 19.3% 19.3% 102 109 achtung! Germany 15,337,390 14,350,600 125 6.9% 18.6% 103 108 TRACCS Saudi 15,230,000 14,600,000 224 4.2% 4.1% Arabia 104 99 SparkPR USA 15,000,000 16,400,000 -8.5% -8.5% 105 105 Maitland UK 14,994,000 15,600,000 -3.9% 2.0% 106 104 PR One South Korea 14,946,921 15,800,836 130 -5.4% -5.4% 107 163 Spectrum USA 14,900,000 8,400,000 77.4% 77.4% 108 89 Interel UK 14,715,000 14,762,000 120 -0.3% 10.7% 109 135 M&C Saatchi Sport & UK 14,700,000 10,920,000 105 34.6% 42.9% Entertainment 110 103 Haberlein & Mauerer Germany 14,606,000 15,851,000 175 -7.9% 2.3% 111 106 Cooney/Waters USA 14,020,725 15,400,000 46 -9.0% -9.0% Group 112 112 Faktor 3 Germany 13,625,000 13,431,000 161 1.4% 12.6% 113 133 Hanover UK 13,611,803 10,969,920 57 24.1% 31.1% 114 114 Makovsky USA 13,450,000 13,200,000 1.9% 1.9% 115 165 PAN Communications USA 13,150,000 7,800,000 85 68.6% 68.6% 116 132 Kaplow USA 13,100,000 11,000,000 69 19.1% 19.1% 117 146 Pegasus UK 13,084,740 9,906,000 92 32.1% 39.6% 118 119 Rowland Australia 13,000,000 12,700,000 2.4% 2.4% 50 118 Sloane & Company USA 13,000,000 11,800,000 19 10.2% 10.2%

191 Global Global Communications – Agency Report Rankings 2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 120 120 RF Binder USA 12,700,000 12,650,000 68 0.4% 0.4% 121 126 Brodeur Partners USA 12,500,000 12,000,000 4.2% 4.2% 121 114 ROI Communication USA 12,500,000 13,001,553 80 -3.9% -3.9% 123 113 TVC Group UK 12,539,706 13,416,000 9 -6.5% -1.2% 124 129 Bite Communications USA 12,250,000 11,682,750 4.9% 4.9% 125 152 InkHouse USA 12,110,173 9,017,618 80 34.3% 34.3% 126 122 Action Global Cyprus 12,000,000 12,500,000 -4.0% -4.0% Communications 127 126 Eric Mower + USA 11,945,100 11,968,851 -0.2% -0.2% Associates

128 131 Max Borges Agency USA 11,842,541 10,800,000 65 9.7% 9.7% #gcr16 129 147 Exponent USA 11,800,000 9,850,000 19.8% 19.8% 130 130 Nelson Bostock UK 11,610,829 11,696,880 88 -0.7% 4.9% Group 131 137 Davies USA 11,310,000 10,875,050 32 4.0% 4.0% 132 148 Eastwick USA 11,215,566 9,600,000 55 16.8% 16.8% 133 142 Merritt Group USA 11,119,100 10,186,230 9.2% 9.2% 134 128 F&H Porter Novelli Germany 11,052,600 11,845,900 64 -6.7% 3.6% 135 161 Highwire USA 10,994,175 8,208,694 55 33.9% 33.9% 136 118 A&B One Germany 10,943,600 12,9 47,0 0 0 75 -15.5% -6.2% 137 The Big Partnership Scotland 10,942,910 12,309,960 109 -11.0% -5.9% Group 138 154 M&C Saatchi PR UK 10,479,600 9,672,000 92 8.3% 14.5% 139 144 Veritas Canada 10,100,000 10,000,000 75 1.0% 1.0% 140 39 CYTS-Linkage China 10,075,000 45,924,152 190 -78.1% -78.1% 141 Crosby USA 10,055,190 48 142 157 ReviveHealth USA 10,000,500 8,780,000 45 13.9% 13.9% 143 141 The Hoffman Agency USA 10,000,000 10,270,000 120 -2.6% -2.6% 143 140 Catalyst USA 10,000,000 10,500,000 -4.8% -4.8% 145 139 Frank PR UK 9,966,854 10,548,314 71 -5.5% -0.1% 146 136 Wellcom France 9,810,000 9,680,000 110 1.3% 12.5% 147 158 Kwittken USA 9,800,000 8,750,000 59 12.0% 12.0% 148 Method USA 9,758,345 66 Communication 149 121 AMI Communications Czech 9,643,422 12,581,745 104 -23.4% -14.9% Republic 150 Powerscourt UK 9,594,000 34 151 156 Lift World Portugal 9,543,175 8,792,346 110 8.5% 20.5% 152 180 Bliss Integrated USA 9,500,000 6,783,000 40.1% 40.1% Communications 153 162 Podesta Group USA 9,020,909 8,200,000 20 10.0% 10.0% 51

192 Global

2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 154 171 Octopus UK 8,856,000 8,424,000 62 5.1% 11.1% 155 159 KPR & Associates South Korea 8,700,000 8,614,922 1.0% 1.0% 156 160 Apple Tree Spain 8,692,750 8,261,880 72 5.2% 16.8% Communications 157 177 Nebo USA 8,600,000 6,911,589 74 24.4% 24.4% 158 166 JeffreyGroup USA 8,580,997 7,722,736 120 11.1% 11.1% 159 170 SenateSHJ New 8,521,358 7, 257,3 61 56 17.4% 17.4% Zealand 160 192 Mischief UK 8,413,200 8,268,000 55 1.8% 7.5% 161 183 Bateman Group USA 8,332,961 6,300,000 45 32.3% 32.3% 162 123 First House Norway 8,328,112 26 163 164 FoodMinds USA 8, 287,75 6 8,072,494 2.7% 2.7% 164 145 Jeschenko Germany 8,185,900 9,970,400 48 -17.9% -8.9% MedienAgentur 165 134 Approach Brazil 8,017,000 10,956,000 131 -26.8% -26.8% 166 176 Dodge USA 7,750,000 7,000,000 55 10.7% 10.7% Communication 167 193 RBB Public Relations USA 7,6 0 5,8 8 9 6,402,200 45 18.8% 18.8% 168 189 360 Public Relations USA 7,504,871 6,547,000 48 14.6% 14.6% 169 198 Shine@Academy 22 UK 7,350,000 170 173 Enzaim Health Republic of 7, 26 5,75 0 7,075,3 5 4 57 2.7% 2.7% Korea 171 North Strategic Canada 7,200,000 6,321,000 65 13.9% 36.1% 172 LVT Group Netherlands 7,085,000 172 Thomas Marko & France 7,085,000 36 Associes 174 200 Diplomat Sweden 7,060,000 5,640,210 45 25.2% 25.2% Communications 175 179 Lambert, Edwards & USA 7,000,000 6,840,000 42 2.3% 2.3% Associates 175 N2N Australia 7,000,000 38 Communications 23 175 182 Lou Hammond & USA 7,000,000 6,748,039 3.7% 3.7% Associates 175 175 451 Marketing USA 7,000,000 7,000,000 0.0% 0.0% 179 243 Walker Sands USA 6,917,4 9 4 4,558,046 62 51.8% 51.8% 180 Cicero Group UK 6,891,713 52 181 181 McNeely Pigott & Fox USA 6,806,534 6,764,064 59 0.6% 0.6% Public Relations 182 Phelps USA 6,750,000 42 183 191 Narva 24 Sweden 6,700,000 6,413,000 40 4.5% 26.4% 52 184 201 LDWWgroup USA 6,596,363 5,468,960 15 20.6% 20.6%

193 Global Global Communications – Agency Report Rankings 2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 185 218 All Channels Bulgaria 6,540,000 4,840,000 35.1% 50.0% 186 C+C USA 6,488,879 5,250,000 35 23.6% 23.6% 187 195 komm.passion Germany 6,485,500 6,292,000 3.1% 14.4% 188 197 Fink & Fuchs Germany 6,431,000 6,171,000 4.2% 15.7% 189 Kirchhoff Consult Germany 6,322,000 6,645,737 52 -4.9% 5.6% 190 MC Communications USA 6,202,400 30 191 186 salt UK 6,085,204 6,591,647 35 -7.7% -2.4% 192 177 Marco de Spain 6,016,660 67 Comunicacion 193 234 Djembe UAE 6,050,000 4,000,000 50.0% 50.0%

Communications #gcr16 194 223 Harvard UK 6,023,177 4,602,000 40 30.9% 38.3% 195 205 W UK 5,993,391 5,265,000 53 13.8% 20.3% 196 213 Cerrell Associates USA 5,950,000 5,000,000 25 19.0% 19.0% 197 258 Praytell USA 5,900,000 3,250,000 42 81.5% 81.5% 198 Headland UK 5,900,000 37 Consultancy 199 208 Creative Crest India 5,859,050 5,185,000 48 13.0% 13.0% 200 212 Seven Hills UK 5,839,093 5,029,569 45 16.1% 22.7% 201 187 Talk PR UK 5,608,800 6,573,840 53 -14.7% -9.8% 202 220 CooperKatz & USA 5,581,445 4,790,810 35 16.5% 16.5% Company 203 MCG Medical Germany 5,548,100 6,001,600 36 -7.6% 2.6% Consulting Group 204 Havas Just:: 25 UK 5,535,000 4,992,000 30 10.9% 17. 2% 205 217 Berkeley PR UK 5,529,669 4,842,206 59 14.2% 20.7% 206 222 cirkle UK 5,489,939 4,680,000 35 17.3% 24.0% 207 168 EMG The 5,411,850 45 Netherlands 208 225 Trigger Oslo Norway 5,406,400 4,448,354 45 21.5% 34.9% 209 Dukas Public USA 5,300,000 4,600,000 21 15.2% 15.2% Relations 210 224 Pretty Green UK 5,235,372 5,222,880 42 0.2% 5.9% 211 275 Another Company Mexico 5,200,000 2,200,000 65 136.4% 136.4% 211 204 London UK 5,200,000 5,372,119 32 -2.9% 2.6% Communications Agency 213 215 Tangerine PR UK 5,166,000 4,909,320 5.2% 11.2% 214 254 BOCA USA 5,126,405 3,319,894 35 54.4% 54.4% Communications 215 199 CP/compartner Germany 5,014,000 5,808,000 -13.7% -4.2% 53 216 206 Magna Carta South Africa 5,000,000 5,202,698 -3.9% -3.9%

194 Global

2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 216 Bhava USA 5,000,000 3,300,000 27 51.5% 51.5% Communications 218 236 Hope&Glory UK 4,959,360 3,944,995 47 25.7% 32.9% 219 264 Red Lorry Yellow UK 4,948,086 2,948,400 24 67.8% 77.4% Lorry 220 216 Bersay Turkey 4,900,000 4,901,287 0.0% 0.0% Communications 221 209 Threepipe UK 4,870,800 5,148,000 -5.4% 0.0% Communications 222 229 PLMR UK 4,858,248 4,149,510 29 17.1% 23.7% 223 211 Integral PR Services India 4,805,000 5,050,000 78 -4.9% -4.9% 224 259 Konnect Public USA 4,750,000 3,229,239 35 47.1% 47.1% Relations 225 138 Singer Associates USA 4,736,000 4,400,000 18 7.6% 7.6% 226 Unity UK 4,723,200 3,650,000 29.0% 36.2% 227 188 Imagem Corporativa Brazil 4,609,299 6,568,609 87 -29.8% -29.8% 228 238 Bellenden UK 4,579,585 3,918,288 40 16.9% 23.5% 229 DT Digital China 4,500,000 230 221 L C Williams & USA 4,450,000 4,700,000 -5.3% -5.3% Associates 231 Aspectus UK 4,428,000 4,073,160 8.7% 14.9% 232 248 Cap & Cime PR France 4,357,025 3,707,813 25 17.5% 30.4% 233 237 Meropa South Africa 4,300,000 3,928,000 80 9.5% 9.5% Communications 234 231 RMA Comunicacao Brazil 4,263,158 3,900,000 102 9.3% 9.3% 235 Kaltwasser Germany 4,251,000 4,210,800 32 1.0% 12.1% Kommunikation 236 207 Akima Media Germany 4,249,000 5,190,900 25 -18.1% -1.0% 237 202 akkanto sa Belgium 4,159,763 5,401,498 26 -23.0% -14.5% 238 169 Gregory FCA USA 4,103,066 7,300,000 50 -43.8% 2.7% 238 233 GroundFloor Media USA 4,103,066 4,018,676 20 2.1% 2.1% 240 227 Pro-Vision Russia 4,100,080 4,155,708 61 -1.3% -1.3% Communications 241 226 Rumeur Publique France 4,033,000 4,356,000 -7.4% 2.8% 242 251 Hawkins International USA 4,000,000 3,432,000 29 16.6% 16.6% Public Relations 243 240 Lane USA 3,986,728 3,846,887 25 3.6% 3.6% 244 228 ikp Austria 3,978,500 4,150,179 33 -4.1% 6.4% 245 JP Kom Germany 3,924,000 4,719,000 36 -16.8% -7.7% 246 244 Tact Intelligence- Canada 3,900,000 3,800,000 42 2.6% 2.6% conseil 54 247 CCgroup UK 3,874,500 4,399,200 22 -11.9% -6.9%

195 Global Global Communications – Agency Report Rankings 2016 2015 Agency HQ Fee Income Fee Income Staff Growth Growth 2015 ($) 2014 ($) (USD) (Constant Currency) 248 Beehive PR USA 3,855,601 12 249 Nancy J Friedman USA 3,840,000 23 Public Relations 250 252 March USA 3,777,000 3,400,000 30 11.1% 11.1% Communications

1 Edelman Inc and other subsidiary firms. 16 Lewis PR 25 Havas Just:: 2015 acquisitions included 2015 acquisitions included Includes fee income from The firm p/k/a as Just:: Health, Dabo&Co, Smithfield and Ideal in Brazil. acquisitions of Purestone, before its acquisition by Havas Position. DMG, Piston and PageOne 8 Ogilvy PR 2 Weber Shandwick Includes fee income from 17 Public Système Hopscotch #gcr16 Weber Shandwick’s 2014 Ogilvy Healthworld and other Includes subsidiary firms such fee income has been revised subsidiary firms as Hopscotch and Heaven downward to take into account the removal of certain agencies 9 BlueFocus 18 Four Communications (such as DeVries), along with Includes fee income from Includes fee income from currency fluctuation in 2014. Citizen Relations and other acquisitions of Francis Balsam The 2015 fee income includes subsidiary PR firms and Broadgate Mainland several subsidiary firms such as Powell Tate, Current 10 Havas PR 19 Llorente & Cuenca Marketing and Creation Includes fee income from 2015 acquisitions included Abernathy MacGregor, Red EDF Communications and S/A 3 FleishmanHillard Agency, Havas Formula and Comunicao Includes fee income for several other network PR firms. subsidiary firms, such as Vox, 20 SEC BlueCurrent and Fishburn. 11 Cohn & Wolfe Includes fee income from Acquired India’s Six Degrees acquisitions of Cambre and 4 Ketchum in 2015 other firms Includes fee income for AccessEmanate and other 12 Huntsworth Health 21 Adfactors subsidiary firms Includes fee income from Tonic Acquired Yorke Life and other Huntsworth Communications in 2015 5 Burson-Marsteller Health firms Includes fee income from PS+B 22 Shine@Academy and other subsidiary firms 13 W2O Group Fee income reflects Includes fee income from merger of UK firms Shine 6 MSLGroup WCG, Twist and other Communications and The Includes fee income for all subsidiary firms Academy network firms, including Kekst, CNC, JKL, Winner, PBJS, 14 inVentiv Health 23 N2N Communications Qorvis. 2015 acquisitions Includes fee income from Includes Fuel Communications included South Africa’s Epic Chandler Chicco, Biosector 2 Communications. and other subsidiary firms 24 Narva Acquisitions include Heart, 7 Hill+Knowlton Strategies 15 Finn Partners Rewise, Mix and Medial. Includes fee income from Acquisitions include Horn Group SJR, Public Strategies Group, DVL and Seigenthaler 55

196