Holmes Report Cites Continental Focus, Multi-national Management and Breadth of Services

January, 2008 – The Holmes Report has named Pleon the European Consultancy of the Year. The well-known industry report cites Pleon’s continental focus, nationally diverse management team and breadth of service offerings as key reasons for the distinction.

The award comes just three years after Pleon’s inception as a new brand formed from central European Agency ECC KohtesKlewes and the former European arm of Brodeur. Since its launch in June of 2004, the agency has grown to over 1,000 employees in 32 countries and is supporting a large portion of Europe’s leading international corporations. According to the Holmes Report, many now consider it the largest public relations operation in Europe pointing out Pleon’s strengths not only in traditional continental markets such as the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), the Netherlands or Italy (where multinational clients tend to locate their headquarters,) but also its presence in offices like Stuttgart, Milan, Graz, Geneva and Zagreb.

CEO Timo Sieg comments on Pleon’s growth and potential: "As a truly European agency Pleon is able to draw business from a continental client base that more established agencies do not have access to. Our brand is getting stronger in Europe and our growth is to a large extent due to accounts that are shared between three and more countries."

Since its launch in 2004, Pleon has expanded its practice groups from a focus on technology and public affairs to a broader scope of services that now include change and crisis management, corporate social responsibility, financial services, healthcare and online expertise. Amidst all of the growth they have managed to galvanize the merged agencies into a one-agency culture which includes programs that provide opportunities for people from around the network to come together and develop a consistent approach while learning best practices. Pleon Chairman Alex Schoep observes: "Pleon has dedicated considerable energy and resources to developing a best-in-class professional development and international exchange. To be recognised by the leading industry watcher for our diverse client work is a testament to our company vision and a tremendous accomplishment for all of our employees."

The Holmes Report concludes its report noting that Pleon poses serious competition to other agencies: "As Pleon reaps the benefits of being able to think and act as one agency, a truly European communications firm with resources to match any of its rivals and a diversity of talent unparalleled in Europe, this powerhouse is the agency to watch in 2008."