Winner: Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick's worldwide presence was underscored by a year of record growth and award-winning campaigns that ran the PR gamut in 2005. These included an integrated
communications effort as the U.S. Department of the Treasury/Federal Reserve Bank moved away from paper checks, as well as a brand management initiative for the Minnesota Hospital
Association.
Under the leadership of CEO Harris Diamond and President Andy Polansky, each of the agency's efforts emphasizes its business focus, which in turn drives its communications
philosophy: achieving the outcomes that its clients want.
Judging from its high customer satisfaction rates, Weber Shandwick has hit that goal many times over, placing it at the pinnacle of outstanding PR service. This is also
confirmed by the company's moral compass - something that's often lacking in large corporations - which is evident in its pro bono campaigns for such organizations as the
International Osteoporosis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Namaste Charter School.
If 2005 is any indication, the future is bright for a company that came together in 2001 after decades of operating as two independent agencies: The Weber Group and Shandwick
International. That youthful legacy is strengthened by the firm's proprietary strategic process, Outcome Management, which defines winnable outcomes and provides insight,
knowledge, audience definition, message focus, program cohesion and measurement of results through analysis.
The scope of Weber Shandwick's achievements demonstrates that the young agency is maturing with the grace and poise that only an industry leader could possess.
Honorable Mentions
APCO Worldwide This fast-growing agency opened two new offices last year, in Israel and Chicago, and APCO Online, the company's online communication offering, launched a new
advertising feature that lets its clients instantly communicate with opinion elites around the globe. Fast Company magazine named Margery Kraus, president and CEO of APCO, to its
list of the "25 Top Women Business Builders," and Washingtonian magazine selected APCO Worldwide as a "Great Place to Work" in 2005 and 2004.
Fleishman-Hillard, Inc. Fleishman-Hillard was busy in 2005. The company, which has expanded by 25 percent over the past 20 years, extended its international reach as a result
of both organic growth and the acquisition of other premier PR brands. Also last year, it launched a new healthcare public affairs business and global campaign business, partnered
with MBP Consulting Ltd. and Mercury Public Affairs, and announced plans to establish several new practice groups related to the energy, transportation, and travel industries.
Hill & Knowlton This global company had its hands full in Asia last year, helping clients plan for the possibility of an avian flu pandemic. Nearly 600 senior client
marketers in Singapore voted Hill & Knowlton their preferred public relations agency in the region, according to a survey by Marketing Magazine, and Hill & Knowlton Canada
won the 2005 Canada Awards for Excellence silver quality award from the National Quality Institute. The company also celebrated its 20th year practicing public relations in the
Middle East.