Our Services and Specialisms
International Communications
Following the transformation of the global 24/7 media environment over the last few years, there has been a growing need for communications specialists who can meet the challenges of operating across multiple borders and time zones. We have individuals who are highly experienced in managing international campaigns on behalf of multi-national businesses and governments, individuals who are used to working with colleagues from across Weber Shandwick's network of 100+ offices worldwide and who can capitalise on London's position as an international hub for media, business and politics.
Inward investment
Weber Shandwick has developed over many years a particular specialisation in working with governments to attract foreign direct investment and has a track record that is second to none. We have built up a strong understanding of the dynamics that drive inward investment and have successfully helped to build the media climate necessary to attract substantial inflows of investment for countries in all regions of the world. We have a particular expertise in the Middle East and Africa where we have worked for numerous government organisations, frequently leading programmes which involve support from our global network of offices. Although our initial brief has often been focused on inward investment, many of our programmes have subsequently expanded into broader areas of country image promotion.
Country image
We have worked extensively with individual countries that are looking to communicate messages about their achievements and activities to key stakeholders. These programmes tend to involve a range of disciplines, since they can encompass business, political, consumer and tourism audiences. Our clients in this area have ranged from the Falkland Islands to Taiwan, from Wales to Russia.
Small and medium sized enterprises
Our understanding of the media and the business community applies not just to multi-national companies and iconic brands, but also to small and medium sized enterprises. We understand the trade and regional media, and profile small businessmen.
Regional communications
Regional media is often overlooked as an important medium for a wide range of clients, but is an important part of any communications strategy. Many regional daily newspapers have circulations bigger than some national papers and are very highly regarded and trusted by their readership. We use our experience with a wide range of clients to create regional angles within communication plans that support business objectives - tailored work across local and regional papers, TV and radio stations.
Broadcast PR
The Corporate Communications practice has the expertise and strategy to help prepare for any broadcast eventuality. Malcolm Gooderham leads the broadcast practice and his coaching sessions enable executives to prepare for all types of interviews and to give broadcasters the kind of answers they can use rather than lose. The advent of 24 hour rolling news channels has created a voracious monster that must be fed with fresh stories, fresh pictures and fresh insights. Broadcast newsrooms are desperate for warm bodies in studios or ‘down the line’ either as company spokespeople or pundits. Weber Shandwick has the experience to be able to maximise your broadcast opportunities and secure quality coverage in a variety of broadcast outlets.
Banking & finance
The pressures of competition, regulation and stakeholder scrutiny mean that financial services providers need to be more transparent than ever. We have experience of advising both international banks and domestic financial services organisations about managing their reputations across diverse audiences, from media to regulators. We are currently MasterCard’s agency of record in Europe and have also worked with Egg and Lloyds TSB.
Health & wellness
A wide range of organizations have a vested interest in this area - private health groups, pharmaceutical companies, government quangos and the voluntary sector. We have experience across these different areas. We advise pharmaceutical companies like Serono and Roche on message training and delivery; we advised BUPA on corporate PR, particularly with regard to government and opinion-formers; and we have helped to guide the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency through a number of political and media issues.
Media
We have recruited people directly from the media to work with a broad range of media clients. The market and the aims of the organisations vary. We advise the BBC’s Head of CSR about the activities of the BBC World Service Trust. The Corporate practice is advising Clear Channel about managing key stakeholders and corporate media relations.
Litigation PR
The media has always been drawn to legal disputes and it is a time when corporate or personal reputations can be most exposed. Our team has advised celebrities and business about managing the media. Clients have included Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas at the time of their privacy case, and Balfour Beatty at the time of its corporate manslaughter prosecution. We also helped the Motion Picture Association of America at the time of a crucial court case over DVD piracy. We often run media courses for clients about handling the media around a legal dispute/court case. This is a service used by leading service organisations including the legal firm, Clifford Chance.
Public information and stakeholder campaigns
Government agencies, departments and international organizations need to engage citizens and stakeholder groups, in order to educate them about regulatory change and to influence behaviour. We have both domestic and international experience, having raised the profile of pressure groups such as DATA (Debt Aid Trade Relief & Aids), devised the campaign to increase voter turnout at the European Elections in 2004 and increased awareness of vocational skills as an alternative to higher education, by promoting the National Training Awards and WorldSkills Competition.
Professional services
Consulting businesses in fields from recruitment to human resources recognize the value of strengthening their corporate brand. We have extensive experience in providing PR services for law firms including Dewey Ballantine and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. We have advised Deloitte, PwC and Harrison Willis.
Sports & events marketing
Our team has an impressive record of managing the media and marketing for major sports events and the bids to host them, ranging from support for the Rijeka 2009 Mediterranean Games, through to the Sochi Winter Olympics bid. We have advised a range of corporate clients on sponsorship and sporting opportunities. We work with leading sporting institutions to manage media relations – clients in this arena have included UEFA, and the Scottish FA.
Transport & infrastructure
The growth of public private partnerships is just one of many factors placing good communications at a premium in this area of enterprise. Our consultants have a mature understanding of the media sensitivities and political climate which surround all sorts of issues arising for companies in this space. We have advised companies on different infrastructure projects and transport/construction controversies. Past or present clients have included Serco, Balfour Beatty and Tarmac.
Business development for public sector
There is growing recognition of the benefits of private/public partnerships. A new unit in the corporate practice is focused on working with public sector organizations, to help them build better relationships with the private sector. We are currently working with the Department for Education & Skills to develop long term partnerships with major businesses to support various aspects of the Department’s work.
Defence & aerospace
This is one sector that is particularly exposed to global media scrutiny and international political debate. Brand-building is an important aspect of what we do – helping to promote brands through the media and to present matters in a way likely to enhance government business and Business-to-Business. We have advised Northtrop Grumman, EADS, Lockheed Martin and American Airlines.
Energy & utilities
The utilities sector is constantly evolving, with new entrants and mergers changing the face of different industries. We have experience of advising in times of crisis; of helping with OFT inquiries; and of m&a work. In the water and telecoms industries, we also have experience of helping with brand repositioning exercises. Our experience in the energy sector is extensive, with a particular focus on the nuclear industry.
Education sector
Our Education Unit is an industry leader. The team’s advice is valued by private sector clients such as Serco as they work with the education sector. Other clients include higher education institutions competing for students, media coverage and brand positioning; and colleges seeking to leverage Ofsted reports.
Food & beverages
Corporate brands in the food and drinks business are susceptible to all manner of pressure from consumers, pressure groups, government and the media. We currently advise leading brands in the UK and throughout EMEA about growing their corporate reputation, optimizing media relations and managing stakeholders. The list has included or currently includes brands such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola and the Association of British Foods (ABF). Our work extends to advice on corporate reporting, NGO partnerships, and the public health debate in government/media circles.
Informations and communication technologies (ICT)
The proliferation of ICT businesses has increased the need for clear communication strategies to enhance brand exposure – whether the priority is business customers or consumers. We have direct experience advising companies including Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Energis and CSC – companies keen to perform at their best with regard to media relations, key message development and brand positioning.
Voluntary sector
Not-for-profit organizations represent a key stakeholder group for big business and government. Often, however, they do not have the same resources. This means they have to be more adept at using the media to communicate their point of view. We at WS like working with voluntary groups and have a team of consultants with expertise in this sector. Our credibility is as strong as our track record. The cross sector of organizations we have worked with includes Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Mental AfterCare Association and Age Concern. One of our key products is a series of workshops aimed at the voluntary sector and intended to help to maximize in-house creativity when it comes to dealing with broadcast and print PR.