Local technology PR company gets global boost
Announcement posted by Howorth 17 Apr 2001
Technology PR specialists Howorth Communications today announced it is now part of the country's largest public relations organisation, having joined forces with four other specialist public relations and public affairs firms to launch the Australian arm of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy PR).
Today's announcement is a major milestone for the Australian public relations industry, with Ogilvy PR Australia claiming instant market leadership with projected annual fees in excess of $20 million (US$9.5 million).
Ogilvy PR Australia has been formed through a joint venture between Ogilvy PR, the world's fastest growing network, and local communications powerhouse, The Singleton Group (ASX:SGN). Ogilvy PR is a member of WPP Group Plc (LSE:WPPL.L; NASDAQ/ADR:WPPGY), one of the world's largest marketing and communications group.
The other four companies that have joined to make up Ogilvy PR Australia are: corporate & financial experts, savage & horrigan; public and government affairs specialists, Parker & Partners; ethnic communications firm, Ethnic Communications; and workplace performance specialists, Impact Employee Communications.
Howorth Communications, which was founded in 1993, has grown to a company of
more than 35 people - specialising in technology PR, Asia Pacific expansion, media training, consumer technology PR, issues management, financial and government relations.
"We've become the largest independent technology PR group in Australia and our growth has been determined by our clients' needs to add new services and skills," said Mike Howorth, Managing Director, Howorth Communications. "Our next challenge is to offer clients a seamless global offering. Ogilvy PR's technology practice is the largest worldwide and will provide expanded opportunities for our clients - particularly across Asia, where Ogilvy PR has more than 25 years' experience and is now the region's most extensive network," he said.
Howorth will retain its brand and leadership team, but can now offer immediate benefits to local clients who want a fuller range of communications disciplines, such as advertising, direct marketing, interactive and web development, through the Singleton Group taking advantage of a full 360 degree offering.
Ogilvy PR's President, Asia Pacific, Matthew Anderson said, "A number of major clients have acknowledged frustrations that so-called full service PR firms in Australia don't provide enough specialist senior counsel, and niche firms can't scale resources enough to solve complex challenges that combine different areas of expertise and international scope.
"We've created Australia's leading public relations group through investing in the best specialist PR firms, such as Howorth Communications in the technology space. Howorth will continue to be led by the individuals who founded the company, Mike and Vikki Howorth, who are genuine leaders in the technology marketplace."
Mike Howorth added, "This is a unique model and a win-win situation for Howorth Communications and Ogilvy PR. Our clients get the best specialist services across all areas of communication on a global scale. For our staff this offers them the best of both worlds - the opportunity to specialise in their areas of interest, while enjoying the benefits of being part of a leading multi-disciplinary local and global communications family with access to an international network of specialised training and professional development.
Chris Savage, whose company savage & horrigan is one of those in the new Ogilvy set-up, will serve as the group's Managing Partner and is an acknowledged leader in the Asia Pacific PR industry.
"Ogilvy PR is committed to helping Howorth deepen its skill set and expertise in its specialist area. Our commitment is to help Howorth maximise its growth potential through access to the regional and global resources of Ogilvy PR, including a range of knowledge networks, training, human resources and financial management expertise," Savage said.
About Ogilvy PR Australia
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, with office in 46 countries, is the 9th largest and fastest growing of the global PR firms. It has tripled in size since 1997. In March 2001, PR Week named Ogilvy PR "PR Agency of the Year," which is widely seen as the industry's top award. The Singleton Group is Australia's leading communications group, and includes the Singleton Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency.
Today's announcement is a major milestone for the Australian public relations industry, with Ogilvy PR Australia claiming instant market leadership with projected annual fees in excess of $20 million (US$9.5 million).
Ogilvy PR Australia has been formed through a joint venture between Ogilvy PR, the world's fastest growing network, and local communications powerhouse, The Singleton Group (ASX:SGN). Ogilvy PR is a member of WPP Group Plc (LSE:WPPL.L; NASDAQ/ADR:WPPGY), one of the world's largest marketing and communications group.
The other four companies that have joined to make up Ogilvy PR Australia are: corporate & financial experts, savage & horrigan; public and government affairs specialists, Parker & Partners; ethnic communications firm, Ethnic Communications; and workplace performance specialists, Impact Employee Communications.
Howorth Communications, which was founded in 1993, has grown to a company of
more than 35 people - specialising in technology PR, Asia Pacific expansion, media training, consumer technology PR, issues management, financial and government relations.
"We've become the largest independent technology PR group in Australia and our growth has been determined by our clients' needs to add new services and skills," said Mike Howorth, Managing Director, Howorth Communications. "Our next challenge is to offer clients a seamless global offering. Ogilvy PR's technology practice is the largest worldwide and will provide expanded opportunities for our clients - particularly across Asia, where Ogilvy PR has more than 25 years' experience and is now the region's most extensive network," he said.
Howorth will retain its brand and leadership team, but can now offer immediate benefits to local clients who want a fuller range of communications disciplines, such as advertising, direct marketing, interactive and web development, through the Singleton Group taking advantage of a full 360 degree offering.
Ogilvy PR's President, Asia Pacific, Matthew Anderson said, "A number of major clients have acknowledged frustrations that so-called full service PR firms in Australia don't provide enough specialist senior counsel, and niche firms can't scale resources enough to solve complex challenges that combine different areas of expertise and international scope.
"We've created Australia's leading public relations group through investing in the best specialist PR firms, such as Howorth Communications in the technology space. Howorth will continue to be led by the individuals who founded the company, Mike and Vikki Howorth, who are genuine leaders in the technology marketplace."
Mike Howorth added, "This is a unique model and a win-win situation for Howorth Communications and Ogilvy PR. Our clients get the best specialist services across all areas of communication on a global scale. For our staff this offers them the best of both worlds - the opportunity to specialise in their areas of interest, while enjoying the benefits of being part of a leading multi-disciplinary local and global communications family with access to an international network of specialised training and professional development.
Chris Savage, whose company savage & horrigan is one of those in the new Ogilvy set-up, will serve as the group's Managing Partner and is an acknowledged leader in the Asia Pacific PR industry.
"Ogilvy PR is committed to helping Howorth deepen its skill set and expertise in its specialist area. Our commitment is to help Howorth maximise its growth potential through access to the regional and global resources of Ogilvy PR, including a range of knowledge networks, training, human resources and financial management expertise," Savage said.
About Ogilvy PR Australia
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, with office in 46 countries, is the 9th largest and fastest growing of the global PR firms. It has tripled in size since 1997. In March 2001, PR Week named Ogilvy PR "PR Agency of the Year," which is widely seen as the industry's top award. The Singleton Group is Australia's leading communications group, and includes the Singleton Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency.