International advertising network and international PR network enter strategic alliance to offer unparalleled global resources

Global clients to get more breadth and depth of communications resources

Denver, USA/London, England

Worldwide Partners, Inc., and ECCO International Public Relations Ltd have today announced a strategic alliance to offer clients and partner agencies better access to a broader range of integrated marketing communications and specialised public relations resources worldwide. Worldwide Partners is the world’s largest network of independent agencies with 83 agency partners in 42 countries and over $3.3 billion in capitalised billings. ECCO has over 30 members in over 40 countries with €48,000,000 in billings.

According to Al Moffatt, President and CEO of Worldwide Partners, Inc., “We live in a new, collaborative world in which no one agency or network can meet all the fast-paced needs of global companies. As we focus on the ever-changing needs of middle-market clients, the alliance with ECCO allows us to provide these companies with a new level of highly dedicated resources throughout the world. Now, we can truly tailor the structure of a client’s business to include geography, category expertise and the full range of communication disciplines in order to build global brands with a local touch.”

Sara Render, Chairman of London headquartered ECCO, adds, “The two networks are very similar in terms of experience across both established blue chips and the mid tier of challenger businesses, with growing international businesses but still developing sales and marketing infrastructures. Both networks are also committed to systems and concepts that enable economies of scale and brand consistency without ever taking a one size fits all approach to either different geographies or businesses. The agreement with Worldwide Partners enables us to offer clients better integrated international marketing programs and a comprehensive choice of communication disciplines. ECCO already had a strong presence across Europe, the Middle East, India and China but only two agencies in the US. This partnership has the additional benefit of having filled in some important gaps in our physical presence.”

Worldwide Partners, Inc., started in 1938, is the world’s largest independent network and the 10th largest marketing communications network overall with capitalised billings of $3.3 billion (EUR 2.4 billion), 117 offices and over 4,200 employees worldwide. Network clients include Novartis Ciba Vision, Hormel, Lehman Bros., Phonak, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Grupo Santander.

Sara Render, Chairman
ECCO International Public Relations Ltd.
sr@kinrossrender.com
+ 44 207 592 3100

Al Moffatt, President and CEO
Worldwide Partners, Inc.
alm@worldwidepartners.com
+303/577-9765