Weber Shandwick Global Leaders Visit China

In January 2007, Harris Diamond and Andy Polansky, CEO and president of Weber Shandwick respectively, visited China.

Recognising the ever increasing business opportunities and expanding Chinese market, Weber Shandwick has boosted its greater China presence in recent years. During their first stop in Beijing, the two executives discussed the firm’s achievements with senior officials of China International Public Relations Association (CIPRA).

Meeting with CIPRA President Li Daoyu and president and secretary general Zheng Xiannong, Diamond and Polansky introduced Weber Shandwick’s strengths in various disciplines, reiterating the firm’s commitment to China.

Li and Zheng, both long-time friends of Weber Shandwick, expressed their appreciation for the firm’s efforts to develop the PR industry in China, especially the firm’s contribution to the winning bids for the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the Shanghai Expo 2010. They also expressed their wish for more cooperation with the firm.

In addition to meeting with a number of key clients, Diamond and Polansky talked directly to team members in the Beijing office.

“China is a happening place, with abundant opportunities for further growth,” said Diamond to the team. “We are delighted to see the growth and progress you have made here over the past year and are confident that you will continue the momentum.”

Mr. Harris Diamond and Mr. Andy Polansky with CIPRA officials in Beijing

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Brussels and Beijing Bring EU Guide to China

Weber Shandwick offices in Brussels and Beijing marked the European Union’s 50-year anniversary this March with a Chinese translation of the Guide to the German Presidency of the EU.

Recognizing that understanding of the political and business landscape is crucial to clients, Weber Shandwick issues the guide every six months. The latest issue is significant because it is the first issue translated and localised for China. The guide features analysis by industry leaders, officials and Weber Shandwick professionals from both countries.

German Ambassador to China, Volker Stanzel, co-hosted a launch event for the guide in China to celebrate Germany’s current EU presidency, which runs from January to June 2007. A number of European and Chinese dignitaries and senior business executives attended the launch, which served to highlight Weber Shandwick’s public affairs offering.

Weber Shandwick distributed more than 20,000 copies to: key partners; Chinese and multi-national corporations; trade associations; as well as additional foreign embassies; and chambers of commerce based in China.

Weber Shandwick distributed more than 20,000 copies to key partners in China

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David Liu Meets with Beijing Municipal Government

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce invited Weber Shandwick to join a counselling panel with other top worldwide consultancy firms to discuss how to innovatively attract more foreign investment and enhance international trade.

David Liu, managing director of Weber Shandwick in China, discussed with Zhou He, deputy bureau chief of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce, and senior executives from Price Waterhouse Coopers, Ernst & Young, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. and Accenture, and offered expert advice to the Beijing government officials from a PR perspective.

The officials attending the meeting mentioned that the Beijing government will adopt a series of innovative methods on trade enhancement and rely more on professional agencies and consulting firms for advice on attracting investment.

Weber Shandwick was the only PR firm on the panel, and has committed to more cooperation with the Bureau on trade promotion events, target customer source sharing and information dissemination.

                                                                              


David Liu, second from right, attends a meeting with Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce

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Announcement: New Location in Shanghai

In December 2006, the Shanghai team together with sister Interpublic Group companies moved into seven floors of Grade A downtown real estate.

Weber Shandwick leaders from all levels were on hand for the grand opening. President Andy Polansky joined with Andrew Pirie; president, Asia Pacific; David Liu, managing director, China; and Darren Burns, managing director, Shanghai, to officially open the new facility.

New Shanghai contact information: 18/F Huaihai Plaza, 1045 Huaihai Zhong Road (tel: +86 21 2411 0000, fax: +86 21 2411 0011).

Also, Weber Shandwick office in Guangzhou has relocated to a new office.

(Left to right) David Liu, Andrew Pirie, Andy Polansky and Darren Burns

Shanghai team members assemble in the new office

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