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 Company: PLEON, Europe
Company Description: Pleon is Europe's leading communications consultancy, creating and implementing strategies for private and public sector organisations around the world. The Agency has 33 branded offices with more than 1000 employees in 16 European countries and associate agencies in nine countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Nomination Category: Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, & Public Relations Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Public Relations Agency
Nomination Title: PLEON Europe -- International Communications Consultancy
1. Tell the story about what this nominated agency achieved (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:
Pleon launched in 2004 with the ambition to become Europe’s leading
Communications Consultancy. In three years, the agency has grown to service
more than 400 clients, welcomed its 1000th employee and been named European
Consultancy of the Year.
The only international communications consultancy with European roots, Pleon’s
primary goals are to provide a truly European perspective to client issues and
maintain the geographic footprint to seamlessly implement. Unlike American-
based competitors, Pleon doesn’t export and enforce a formulaic client service
approach. Instead, branded-local agencies comprise regional experts who bring
local knowledge to bear in a European context. Eastern Europe is a prime
example. As member states joined the EU and clients struggled to succeed in
this emerging market, Pleon chose to establish a branded presence rather than
rely on the relatively few “network” choices available. Pleon now has the
largest Western-owned presence in the region and this year made Serbia, its
33rd Pleon-branded office.
Pleon knew maintaining a European perspective would require hiring going beyond
traditional PR to offer full-fledged marketing services. Drawing upon talent
from outside the PR industry, senior staff now includes former government
ministers and marketing and management consultants. The resulting client
service offering is a spectrum of services based on client needs. 2006 saw two
new service practices: The Litigation Communications Practice helps clients
translate complex legal issues and manage communication matters related to
upcoming legal disputes. Created to provide a cohesive Web 2.0 approach, the
European Publishing + Multimedia Group is now the largest in-house publishing
group in Europe.
To become Europe’s leading consultancy, Pleon set out to lead the discussion on
critical issues. Pleon’s Climate Stakeholder Report explores the impact of
climate change on the relationship between non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and businesses. Exploring unifying culture threads led to the
Englishisms Survey, a pan-European survey on the impact of English in every-day
communications. Another challenge for Pleon: attracting multi-national
clients. Pleon partnered with the European Association of Communications
Directors (EACD) on an educational programme to improve international account
management. These initiatives have helped increase Pleon’s visibility and
bottom line. 2007 revenues increased 10%, over 25% of our clients are serviced
in more than one country and 30% of Pleon’s clients are listed among the Euro
Stoxx top 300.
From the most highly publicised photo shoot in the G8’s history, to helping
major retail company METRO Cash & Carry develop and implement an international
communications strategy in 28 countries, Pleon teams have produced some of
2007’s most compelling campaigns. In fact, Pleon is among a handful of
companies continuously recognised by industry peers, winning over 51 awards for
outstanding client work, including two European Excellence Awards.
People are Pleon’s secret weapon. To encourage collaboration across borders,
Pleon launched an internal branding and values campaign -- Inspiring, Winning
Team -- at the Pleon Summer Academy. This annual event brings together staff
from all countries share best practices, tackle industry issues and identify
trends. In addition, Pleon’s CEO created the Pleon Value Award, an internal
award to improve multi-national cooperation. The winner was an international
exchange programme. Employees from accounting to mid- and senior-level staff
have participated, fostering one Pleon culture via personal relationships with
counterparts. Successful outcomes include inter-agency job transfers to cover
executive maternity leaves. Large-scale collaboration on client pitched led to
the transformational €20 Million contract for the EU Directorate
General’s “European Diversity Against Discrimination” campaign; Pleon will
implement in 27 countries. Pleon’s London office is another key
differentiator. A central hub for the company, over 30 percent of the UK staff
hail from 10 different countries.
2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:
http://www.pleon.com/index.php?id=453
3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated agency:
Timo Sieg is CEO of Pleon’s European operations. His goals: Make Pleon an
international brand and maintain an “unfair” share of talent. Since 2006, he
has increased staff by 25% and revenues by 10%. Sieg also sits on the global
board of BBDO, Pleon’s parent company.
Sieg was previously CEO of Pleon Germany and its predecessor, ECC Kohtes
Klewes -- which merged with Brodeur Worldwide in 2004. Sieg spent 10 years
with ECC Kohtes Klewes. He is also Deputy President of the German Consultancy
Association ‘Marketing and Management’ in BDU and has published various papers
on marketing and public relations.
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