Press Releases
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Expands to Australia
INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRY VETERAN BUCHAN CONSULTING BOLSTERS REACH AND DIGITAL CAPABILITIES IN ASIA-PACIFIC
SYDNEY — SEPT. 26, 2011 — As part of its global expansion strategy, multiservice communications agency Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) has invested in Buchan Consulting, a premier communications agency in Australia specializing in corporate and investor communications, stakeholder management, and business and economic policy.
“In today’s fluid business environment, people and businesses reach all corners of the world with their products, services, messages and ideas. It is critical that their communications partners evolve with them to make sure their stories and innovations can achieve global impact as well,” said Melissa Waggener Zorkin, WE CEO, president and founder. “At the same time, the most effective and compelling global programs are rooted in local knowledge of the market and customs, which is why we teamed up with Buchan, a leading partner in the region.”
With offices in Melbourne and Sydney, Buchan has serviced the Australian market for 25 years. Its focus is on improving communication, understanding stakeholders, managing complex issues and analyzing information to enable sound decision-making. It takes an integrated approach, drawing on practical experience and critical-thinking abilities to meet clients’ needs.
“Our longstanding business partnership with Waggener Edstrom Worldwide started in 2007 as a Global Alliance Network affiliate in Australia, and we are pleased that it now expands into a direct investment that will benefit clients through greater global reach and bolster our capabilities and digital communications resources,” said Tom Buchan, founder and principal, Buchan.
Today’s news of the investment in Buchan comes on the heels of WE’s recent expansion of its Global Alliance Network into Kenya and Belgium and last year’s opening of new offices in India and South Africa. Additional expansion in more international markets is planned for later this year.
“We are deliberate in how we expand globally, taking local counsel as imperative,” Waggener Zorkin continued. “As one of the largest independent agencies in the world, we have the freedom to choose how and where to invest. I am confident that Buchan’s skilled and diverse team is an ideal match to partner with our clients on their business and communications problems and opportunities, and to tell our clients’ stories from a global platform.”
With 16 offices and a network of affiliates servicing more than 80 markets around the world, WE’s global expansion strategy is strong and active. Its multipronged approach to expansion ensures clients experience the same level of gold-standard quality, creative storytelling and global integrated influence, regardless of location.
More information on Waggener Edstrom and Buchan is available at http://www.waggeneredstrom.com and http://www.buchanwe.com.au, respectively.
About Buchan
Buchan is one of Australia’s most experienced and respected consultancies, specialising in corporate and investor communication; stakeholder engagement; and business and public policy. We provide strategy, advice and implementation to local and global clients in the private and public sectors.
About Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) is a global, integrated communications agency. For more than 25 years, the independently owned firm has developed strategic communications programs for innovative and world-changing clients, working to influence markets, inspire people and improve lives. PRWeek US named WE an agency to watch in its Editors’ Choice 2010: Who to Watch list and presented its PR Innovation of the Year 2010 award to WE for its twendz™ application. The Holmes Report also named WE its 2010 Technology Agency of the Decade. In 2009, WE was awarded Best PR Agency in North America by International Business Awards and Top Place to Work in PR by PR News. The agency has more than 800 employees in 16 offices around the world, and its Global Alliance partners expand the agency’s reach to more than 80 additional international markets. WE has seven global practices: Analyst Relations, Consumer, Corporate, Healthcare, Public Affairs, Technology and WE Social Innovation, along with its WE Studio D® digital strategies group. To learn more, visit http://www.WaggenerEdstrom.com.
The Waggener Edstrom® mark, the Innovation Communications® mark, the twendz™ mark, the WE Studio D® mark and other marks used herein are registered or unregistered trademarks of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the registered or unregistered trademarks of their respective owners. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
For more information, press only:
Kirsten Forsberg, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1 (503) 443-7102, kforsberg@waggeneredstrom.com
