Dear Reader,
A belated welcome into the New Year! We have begun a year that once again promises many new challenges for our PR team in a cautiously optimistic economic frame of mind. How will the iPad change the consumption of digital content? Which time-honored and well-loved print media will have survived by the end of the year? “Everything has changed, nothing has changed,” was at the heart of Kathy Baird’s short visit to Munich from Fleishman-Hillard’s Washington DC office. You can see what motivates her as well as her assessment of the growing importance of social media in a video post in the multimedia section.
In this edition, we will also report on a basic marketing workshop that we organized for the premium partners of our client Xerox. The goal was to support these partners by helping them to help themselves in the areas of PR and marketing. Perhaps you could offer your partners or good clients a similar kind of training session too? After all, they are important multiplicators for your brand as well.
The location tip leads us, of course, to CeBIT in Hannover. We wish all participants a successful show! We are also pleased to introduce four new employees in this edition, whom we have recently welcomed into our team. And last but not least we would like to announce – not without pride – that we have just received the “European Consultancy of the Year” award from the PR industry guru Paul Holmes.
Feedback and suggestions for our newsletter? Then send me an email at markus.hermsen@fleishmaneurope.com
Enjoy reading!
Best,
Markus Hermsen
Social Media: "Everything has changed, nothing has changed"
In February, Fleishman Hillard’s Munich office was pleased to welcome Kathy Baird, Senior Vice President and digital specialist from the Washington DC office. She gave a presentation stressing that every campaign needs a well thought-out strategy. Despite the hectic pace of everyday life, you should still take time to consider new media channels. Incorporating social media into a campaign means not being able to control every last detail. People who share information through blogs, Twitter, Facebook etc. can respond to the subsequent discussions, but cannot altogether control them. Therefore, continual and ongoing dialog with stakeholders is extremely important when dealing with new media.
Kathy answered five questions about social media in a video interview with us. In it, she explains what she finds so fascinating about it and discloses her three personal golden rules for using digital media.
You can find the complete video on the right in our multimedia list. If you have any questions on the application of social media in communication or if you would like a workshop with our experts, contact Julia Richter.
Campaign of the month – Data protection remains a constant issue. Europe-wide!
Since 2005, Fellowes has been involved in awareness campaigns for data protection in the private and corporate environment. The manufacturer of office machines and equipment for the workplace is receiving support from partners in the public and private sectors. The data protection campaign, with which Fleishman-Hillard generates widespread media interest in Fellowes’ most important European markets each year, informs about the risks of identity theft. It shows ways that every individual can protect confidential information better. The focus of the campaign in 2009 was data protection in businesses. There were more than 750 reports in the media throughout Europe. The campaign websites such as http://www.stop-idfraud.co.uk and "Datendiebe-Chancenlos" recorded more than 40,000 visitors. According to Europe-wide surveys, the need to raise awareness is still high: 78% of participants are still exposed to the danger of identity theft.
Fleishman-Hillard’s teams working together throughout Europe are particularly pleased about receiving the European Excellence Award from the specialized publication Communication Director in December 2009. This is the sixth prize that the PR work for Fellowes has won for the successful campaign.
International Paper at the University of Munich
Consumers are increasingly considering environmental aspects, even with regard to everyday products. Sustainability and environmental friendliness have been important topics in paper production for a long time. Our client International Paper, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of uncoated paper and packaging, has been focusing on sustainable forestry and production for many years. In order to give the decision-makers of tomorrow an understanding of this commitment, we brought IP together with students of the paper and processing faculty at the University of Munich. Once a month, the department invites businesses from the paper and print industry to hold an interactive talk and socialize with not only decision-makers of the future but also get in contact with future employees. The students receive insights into the innovations in the paper and print industry as well as valuable practical experience rather than the usual daily theoretical teaching at university. In addition to the networking and organization of the talk, Fleishman-Hillard supervised the event on the PR side of things and invited members of the press in order to enlighten them about the dedication of the business to the environment.
For International Paper, this was their second event with the faculty of paper and processing technology. In 2008, the company invited Master students to a press trip to the Polish city of Kwidzyn, where an IP paper mill is located.
If you have a further interest in speaking opportunities at the University of Munich or would like to place any of your topics in universities, we can support you. Please contact Simone Mitterer.
“Help in helping yourself“ in PR and marketing
One of our clients, Xerox, is collaborating with numerous print service providers that offer innovative approaches to the printing of various materials. Portfolios range from classic photo albums as mementos of holidays to individualized packages. And they are all based on Xerox’s technology. Within its Premier Partner Program, Xerox developed a workshop, with support from Fleishman-Hillard, to educate its partners about marketing and PR – as “help in helping themselves”. The goal was to give the Xerox partners a toolkit so that they are single-handedly able to market their products and services better in the future. At the start of this one-day session, we gave the participants an insight into the principles of marketing, PR and social media tools. Then an overview of the various instruments of PR followed – both online and offline – as well as a look at work with local media. Then we gave assistance and tips on how businesses can develop marketing strategies based on their individual needs and tailored towards their target groups. A short workshop formed the conclusion: The participants analyzed a press release together and compiled a list of the most important elements of a successful text. Is that an idea for your best customers or important sales partners? Then please get in touch with us and we can design an individual training day for your clientele: Markus Hermsen
Krauses Schweinehaus in Hanover: Hearty food boosts tired trade fair-goers
All trade fairs have something in common: The days are long and full of events and there is no time to consider regular meals or healthy food. CeBIT in Hanover is no different. The short breaks between meetings are just about long enough for far too much coffee, a few biscuits or, at best, a sandwich. Tired trade fair-goers yearn for a hearty evening meal in order to get energy for the next day. In “Krauses Schweinehaus”, this is exactly what you get. The cozy, rustic restaurant is situated near Hanover’s town center and offers good food at affordable prices. In contrast to what the name suggests, it is not only pork dishes that are served: beef, fish and vegetarian options are also on the menu as well as light dishes (Fleishman-Hillard’s recommendation: homemade potato soup!) With beer on tap to accompany your meal, your batteries are charged for the next day!
“Krauses Schweinehaus” is open daily from 5pm. Its address is Podbielskiststrasse 73, directly at the Lortzingstrasse stop, so you can easily reach it on Routes 3, 7 and 9.
You should definitely make a reservation, as it gets packed during CeBIT: 0511-66 73 67.
You can find further information, the complete menu (also in English), how to find it and more on their website: www.krauses-schweinehaus.de
New colleges expand the team at Fleishman-Hillard Munich
Angela Prochaska has been the office manager at Fleishman-Hillard Munich since January 2010: "I did an internship in wholesale and export trades at Sonepar Germany, the leading German electrical distributor. After completing this, I stayed at the firm and worked for three years as the assistant to the Head of Branch Office and for a further three years as the assistant to the Head of Sales, who was responsible for eleven offices in Southern Germany. In addition to the workgroups for renewable energy, I also organized customer fairs and trips. I was in charge of the purchasing of photovoltaics as well as taking minutes at internal meetings and organizing meetings for sales representatives throughout Southern Germany. My career in the PR industry started last year as the team assistant at a Munich-based PR company. I am looking forward to supporting the consultancy teams and contributing my experience in the area of renewable energy."
Filiz Schulz, began working for us as a trainee at the beginning of the year, "I am pleased to be able to support the Fujitsu Technology Solutions, IBC SOLAR and Cree teams from the very start. I did several internships to get a taste of the PR industry, such as at the National Theatre Manheim, at a PR agency and at Porsche AG. I graduated from the University of Mannheim with a BA in Media and Communications Science before achieving an MA in Media Science from the University of Tuebingen. I’m ready and looking forward to an exciting year at Fleishman-Hillard with creative projects, challenging tasks and lots of fun!"
Adam Cerkeliunas has already been an intern at Fleishman-Hillard since September 2009, "As part of my degree at the University of Manchester, where I am studying German and Business Management, I get to spend a year abroad. At Fleishman-Hillard, my main responsibilities consist of checking translations and other English texts composed by the consultants, as well as summarizing German articles into English. I have even had to arrange interviews with editors in Turkey and Morocco! I particularly enjoy the broad variety of my tasks and responsibilities each day."
Marc Reisinger has been supporting the team in Munich since January as a student temp. "Twice a week I help the consultancy teams with reporting tasks and the recording of clippings. I am studying Political Science in Munich. And in anticipation of the question, no I don’t want to be Bundeskanzler! German politics students are always asked that."
The Holmes Report: Fleishman-Hillard is European Agency of the Year 2009
We are beginning this year with some great news: We are very happy to inform you that Fleishman-Hillard has just been named European Consultancy of the Year 2009/2010 by The Holmes Report. The public relations industry newsletter based its decision on our firm’s 2009 performance, citing growth in clients, capabilities, geographic footprint, staff and leadership as just a few of the factors that helped put us in first place.
“I am immensely proud of this distinction,” says Dave Senay, our president and chief executive officer. “In the past five years, our firm has achieved outstanding growth in Europe, across every aspect of our business. We’ve won great blue chip multinational clients. We have increased our range of practices and capabilities and expanded our geographic footprint. We’ve hired and retained great talent and shown trusted, consistent and visionary leadership across the board.”
“And we will drive on relentlessly,” Senay added. “This is an important moment for our entire firm, but it is only the prologue to what will follow.”
“The leading international communications firm of the future will bring together all of the tools, channels, strategies and tactics needed to deliver a truly integrated, high-impact business solution across all media channels. We believe what’s driving the future of our profession can be summed up in three words: Digital. Integrated. Global. That’s what we offer today and it’s the path that will help us define the future of integrated communications. At the same time, we will always honor and protect our public relations heritage, which, after all, is the fundamental advantage we have in this new era of communications.”
We cordially thank our clients, partners, affiliates and suppliers you for your confidence and collaboration, and realize that without you, we would not have been granted this great award.
The awarding of the prize will take place in London at the European Sabre Awards.
You can learn more at: www.holmesreport.com
Contact
Fleishman-Hillard Germany GmbH
Markus Hermsen
Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 26
80331 München
Tel.: +49-(0)89-23 03 16-62
Fax: +49-(0)89-23 03 16-66
markus.hermsen@fleishmaneurope.com
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— Multimedia
Kathy Baird, Social Media expert and Senior Vice President at Fleishman-Hillard in Washington DC, about the relevance of digital media today and in the future
Fellowes’ Europe-wide dataprotection campaign
Fellowes explains: Dataprotection in enterprises
Fleishman-Hillard consultant Simone Mitterer (2nd from the right) with Mathias Reich, Area Manager DACH at International Paper, Sabine Hirsch, Marketing Spezialist at International Paper, Heinrich Podojil and Eike Ulonska (both from Munich University) (from left to right)
New colleagues at Fleishman-Hillard in Munich: Adam Cerkeliunas, Filiz Schulz, Marc Reisinger, Angela Prochaska (clockwise)
