Despite challenging market conditions and ongoing geopolitical turmoil, the public relations business is flourishing Asia, financially and creatively. We explore how public relations agencies around the world can build strong relationships in Asia, whether working with fellow independents, participating in international networks, or acquiring Asian firms. Three experts from different parts of the region explain what has worked for them.
There was a time when PR agencies recruited either from journalism or from within the PR industry, but as the profession has diversified, firms need a broader range of talent: content creators, digital specialists, paid media people, data and analytics experts and more. Many agency leaders report mixed success when bringing in these “non-traditional” hires. So how do you maximize the chances of success, from identifying people who fit your culture to on-boarding and giving them the support they need to flourish.
During the early stages of the pandemic, mergers and acquisitions activity ground to a virtual and unexpected halt. There was just too much uncertainty and pricing was impossible. Then, in almost the blink of an eye, M&A turned on a dime, resulting in 18 months of unprecedented deal volume which is amongst the highest ever recorded. This panel — comprised of some of the most experienced M&A leaders in the industry — will focus on topics such as:
Partner, Davis+Gilbert LLP
Partner/Co-Chair Corporate + Transactions Practice Group, Davis+Gilbert LLP
Group Strategy and M&A Director, Enero Group
Global President and Chief Client Officer, Real Chemistry
Chief of the CEO Staff, SEC Newgate
Vice President, Shamrock Capital Advisors
What do the next 3-5 years hold for your agency? Is a global recession on the horizon? Will growth prospects continue? Will you be impacted by geopolitical developments? Do you have the staffing, service mix and business model you need to succeed? How are you adapting your business NOW to take steps to prepare for whatever the future may hold?
PROI Worldwide represents 85 agencies in more than 60 countries, with a combined headcount of more than 7,500 people and revenue of more than US$1 billion. The non-profit organization helps these leading entrepreneurial agencies share best practices, leverage resources, and efficiently serve their clients around the world.
In the PRovoke Global Summit panel, we will share highlights of proprietary research of PROI agency leaders and their plans for the next 3-5 years. A panel of independent agency leaders will react to the data and share their own plans and experiences.
We’ll explore the reality that might exist today if media equity had been baked into the system from the start.
What would the world look like today if there had been media equity all along? Would our history be history?
Baratunde Thurston, TV host, creator of the "How To Citizen" podcast, and author of “How To Be Black” along with Bonin Bough, co-founder of Group Black and author of “Txt Me: Your Phone Has Changed Your Life. Let's Talk about It” will wrestle with that and other questions as they address the urgent need for action and investment in a media world that reflects and projects the real world. Gail Heimann, CEO of Weber Shandwick will moderate.
Thurston and Bough will share their personal stories and uncensored opinions as we assess the state of media equity today and lay out a plan for meaningful change.
Lessons for communicators from the healthcare frontlines – The last three years have launched health – and healthcare companies and brands – into the spotlight. This has created valuable opportunities for healthcare organizations to enhance reputation and engage in new ways, as their brands intersect with our daily lives more than ever. What can be learned from the biggest health brands in the business as they’ve navigated this new terrain? Experts will discuss what’s worked, what hasn’t and why - and what all communicators can learn.
Global CEO, GCI Health
SVP, Head of External Communications & Enterprise Reputation, Pfizer Inc
Chief Communications Officer, bluebird bio
Vice President, Communications, Premier Inc.
Senior Vice President, Global Communication Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Managing Partner, Chair Global Health & Purpose, Finn Partners
Coalition Development Director, NPower Command Shift Coalition
Founder and CEO, Finn Partners
President, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metro Area
Chief Communications Officer, Siemens
Corporate Communications, Levi Strauss
The events of the past few years—from a global pandemic to polarizing politics to protests over systemic social injustice and inequity—are shaping and reshaping how we live, work, and interact with each other—and with brands. Two experts will how these shifts are playing out and how brands can ensure their communications & marketing strategy stays fit-for-purpose in an era of radical change.
Trends to Be Explored
For many, Black history education often begins with the story of slavery. But that perspective ignores what came before, essentially starting from the middle of the tale, ignoring the prologue to suit the author’s version. Black cultures had their own stories of triumph, creativity, resilience, and excellence long before others took the microphone to deliver a story about them. Deconstructing and reconstructing historic and popular narratives and centering the voices and experiences of people of African descent makes way for a more authentic and true story telling for the future. Zeno Group EVP of DE+I Andréa Richardson moderates a discussion with Perri Irmer, President and CEO of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center and Alexa Harrison from B Lab on the importance of context in communicating with Black audiences and how we need to hold ourselves accountable to pass the mic and connect with authentic Black experiences.
In this time of global upheaval, leaders are seeking to create enduring and tangible corporate cultures. They are integrating stakeholder interests to innovate and build trust. They are addressing challenges to long-held assumptions about how we live and work. And they are learning what it means to truly lead inclusively. Communicators are playing a principal role in navigating this new era. The endeavor to create long-term, sustainable value has never demanded more from corporate communication than it does today.
Join AnnaMaria DeSalva, Global Chairman and CEO, Hill+Knowlton Strategies for an inspired conversation with Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and author of The Wall Street Journal best seller RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval, on the imperative for business and communication leaders to reset during times of transformation. Johnny and AnnaMaria will provide an inside look at how leaders have consolidated learnings of the last two years, the emergent principles for today’s successful enterprise, and the imperative for communication to unlock the next era of invention, growth, and social impact.
Brian Ellner, EVP, Growth & Marketing, BCW and U.S. Public Affairs Lead, WPP, sits down with best-selling author, Duke University professor and New York Times contributing opinion writer Frank Bruni for a rousing discussion on how today’s political and societal movements affect how corporations interact with their internal and external stakeholders. The session will touch on issues including:
CEO voice on social issues has always been part of the ambassadorial duties of business leaders in their concern for social harmony and functioning legitimate markets. What is new is the rise of opportunistic critics of social impact concerns. Despite the weaponization of ESG by grandstanding politicians out to manufacture wedge issues in society, companies are finding themselves compelled to selectively weigh in on political and social issues directly. As Michael Dell recently stated, “If corporations cannot speak out on voting access and ballot security, what can they address?” Dell does not tackle every cause but tracks several social issues tracks: 1) the impact on brand and reputation (alignment with core values and past positions); 2) the external impact on key constituencies and the positions of peers; 3) the ramifications for public policy makers and 4) the ESG sentiment of employees. Companies must make their own calls on taking stances on national and local social issues. But whatever a firm decides regarding social issues, CEOs and boards need to answer key questions based on objective facts, not ideologically-based fantasy, or political fear.