Latin America: the time has never been better!

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Guest blog post by Jamie McLaughlin, Managing Director of Capstone Hill Search

The view of Public Relations in Latin America is one of opportunity, but that it lacks the maturity or sophistication of markets such as the UK or US. This is true, but perceptions are changing and we are seeing more and more PR Agencies turn their attention to the region, largely through expansion or acquisition.

 

This year’s World Cup and the 2016 Olympics have attracted an abundance of investment to Brazil, making it a perfect destination for global brands. It is not only Brazil that is experiencing this rapid growth; many other countries in Latin America are also witnessing their economies accelerating at an enviable pace.  Consequently, consumers have a far greater spending power, this attracts global brands and with them a need for PR.

 

Well known PR and Communications firms such as Cohn & Wolfe, Weber Shandwick, Ogilvy PR have already moved into the region. With plans afoot for other agencies such as GolinHarris, that has now expanded its reach to 7 countries in Latin America, and Lewis PR to follow, the latter announced a global expansion plan that includes opening 10 new offices in key growth countries, Brazil and Mexico being of paramount importance.

 

The clients of these agencies will expect the same standard of work they have received in other markets, but also need local insight and networks – this makes for a highly skilled candidate pool and demand for top talent has never been greater.

Latin America is an exciting territory for PR Agencies, but they must hire carefully to ensure their blue-chip clients are kept serviced to the levels they expect.

 

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About Capstone Hill Search Ltd

Capstone Hill Search Ltd is a specialist search and selection consultancy, founded and led by Public Relations and recruitment industry experts. Their belief is that the public relations and communications industry is highly specialised and requires significant industry knowledge and contacts in order to be supported efficiently in respect of search and selection.

They service the PR and Communications industry in the UK, Asia, Australia, North America and the Middle East.

ICCO supports AMEC launch of Measurement Week

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The International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC), has announced plans to hold Measurement Week in September to fill the gap between understanding the value of PR measurement and doing something about it.

The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is the only global trade association so far to pledge their support for Measurement Week. The initiative is also supported by the PRCA and the CIPR in the UK.

Francis Ingham, ICCO Chief Executive, said: “This is a brilliant idea and we are very proud to support Measurement Week. The success of the PR Guide to Measurement, which the PRCA and ICCO launched with AMEC, proves that measurement is firmly on the agenda for PR practitioners.”

David Rockland, a Ketchum Partner and Chairman of AMEC, said: “The ‘how’ of PR measurement has long been solidified. What is lacking however is the widespread adoption of these techniques which in turn devalues PR as a business discipline.

“AMEC’s Measurement Week is being established to help fill that gap. This could be the most exciting initiative from AMEC since we founded the Barcelona Principles framework. Our aim is to get not only AMEC members but the communications and marketing industries behind it.”

As part of Measurement Week (15-19th September), AMEC members throughout the world will hold a series of events in their countries with employees, clients and press to create better understanding around the latest thinking in measurement and analytics.

Measurement Week will be led by AMEC’s three International Chapters in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe, representing AMEC members in over 40 countries. AMEC also hopes to gain the support of PR member trade associations internationally.

Barry Leggetter, CEO of AMEC, said the three AMEC International Chapters were already planning activities in their regions for September.

Already, leading international management consultancy, Booz Allen Hamilton, an AMEC member, has pledged its support.

Key elements of Measurement Week will be:

  • Series of country events organised by AMEC members with their staff and clients.
  • Webinar series organised by Booz Allen Hamilton.
  • Opportunities for internal communications activities within AMEC member companies.
  • Launch new research to provide new information on measurement trends for workshops and seminars with AMEC partner organisations.
  • Social media outreach using the hashtag #amecatwork.

As part of its Global Education Programme, AMEC will launch an International Speakers Bureau later this month with a commitment to make communications research leaders available to speak at top conferences. It will also run a regular webinar series.

 

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About ICCO

ICCO is the voice of public relations consultancies around the world. The ICCO membership comprises national trade associations in 29 countries across the globe in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australasia. Collectively, these associations represent over 1,700 PR firms. ICCO is a proud sponsor of the Young PR Lions competition at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

www.iccopr.com