Report by Jack Martin, global chairman and chief executive officer and Michael Coates, president and chief executive officer, The Americas
Jack Martin, global chairman and chief executive officer
For an established company with extensive brand recognition and a legacy of influence, there is always a temptation to rely on what is tried and true. We’ve actively been challenging ourselves at every step to take a fresh approach – integrating our reputed talent with new investments to adapt to an ever-changing public relations industry.
Traditionally, we have offered masterfully-constructed stories, connecting with key audiences to amplify our messages. We have been taking this methodology further with recent acquisitions of leading boutiques around the world that have been incubating new strategies for achieving our clients’ goals.
Michael Coates, president and chief executive officer, the Americas
We acquired Group SJR, a boutique in the US with a Pulitzer Prize-winning team of writers, world-renowned visual storytellers and adept data analytics specialists, to produce a constant stream of content that serves our clients’ interests and reaches previously untapped markets. Our purchase of Ascentum in Canada strengthened our offerings in the public engagement space, which emphasizes building consensus before stories are told and working closely with stakeholders. We expanded our digital marketing, storytelling and branded content creation capabilities through the acquisition of China-based Rice5, an award-winning digital creative agency.
Other transformations continue to take place inside Hill+Knowlton Strategies. We identified emerging leadership and talent and, over the past year, have reconstructed our global regional network around these leaders. We have developed innovative products that unify digital, content and traditional offerings. Flight School, for instance, offers an immersive crisis simulation experience. Our product Influence Point is a customized approach for our clients to reach influencers through online advertising.
Through the lens of digital, data analytics and original content creation, we continue to reinvigorate our clients’ approach to marketing and public relations. The way we’re transforming our business merges science with wisdom and innovation with influence. In fact we’ve titled our business plan ‘Innovating Influence.’ This is our new narrative.