Hill + Knowlton Strategies has launched H+K EastWest, a new consultancy that aims to assist clients in China with their plans for expansion into Europe and the Americas.
The new service will operate out of H+K’s offices in Ottawa, London, Washington and Beijing. EastWest’s offering will include market entry strategy, audience mapping and engagement, campaign development, brand marketing and design, digital communications, government relations, media relations, channel strategy, reputation management, measurement and analysis. The company also says it will provide an opportunity for clients to better leverage resources from the broader H+K network and holding company WPP.
H+K, which became the first international communications agency to open an office in China when it launched in Peking in 1984, is looking to further leverage its existing experience helping Chinese companies grow their brands within the country and launch them internationally.
“We have a lot of experience successfully assisting Chinese companies, both private and SOEs, entering the Americas economy,” said Mike Coates, president and CEO of H+K Americas, in a press release. “Having an intimate knowledge of all government regulations and potential government, business and NGO partnership opportunities has been integral to the success we’ve helped clients achieve to date and we look forward to continuing that through H+K EastWest.”
Elizabeth Roscoe, SVP and national practice leader of public affairs for H+K in Ottawa, says the Canadian arm of the agency has worked with a number of clients in Southeast Asia and China, particularly when it comes to getting regulatory approval.
“Part of the reason for it being based in Ottawa and close to our public affairs practice is for getting government approval and things of that nature,” Roscoe says. “But it’s also about driving awareness to other influencers and stakeholders that have a perspective on the importance of Chinese investment in Canada and opportunities for Canadian companies to have growth in China.”
Roscoe says EastWest will rely on the agency’s current talent and experience for the time being and doesn’t anticipate any new hires relating to the launch of EastWest in the short-term. Though it is based in Ottawa, EastWest will draw on the strength of H+K’s other Canadian offices, particularly in Alberta, which have experience handling foreign investment.
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