Company: Strategic Public Relations Group
Company Description: PR networks in APAC and the largest PR consultancy in Hong Kong. It is a specialist in public relations, investor relations and financial communications, and a trusted corporate and marketing communications leader. The award-winning agency has a 300 strong workforce, nine offices in the Asia-Pacific, and retainer clients numbering 300.
Nomination Category: Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, & Public Relations Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Public Relations Agency of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
 Nomination Title: SPRG: New wins in a new era
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated agency since 1 January 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated agency: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
APAC-leading PR network and largest agency in Hong Kong
In 28 years, SPRG has grown from a boutique financial communications agency to an integrated PR network with 18 offices and 250 professionals.
2021 to present (the “Period")
Greater China was hit hard by COVID-19, but at SPRG we did not lay off staff or cut salaries. This affected short-term profitability, but proved that we always put people at the centre of our business. While our revenue remained stable in 2022 at US$20.1m, profitability increased by 42.5% YOY. For the five months ended May 2023, we reached 92% of our 12-month 2022 profit.
We completed nine IPOs from 2021 to 2022; 512 since inception, and currently advise 220 clients on a retainer basis. During the Period, SPRG won 23 agency awards and 30 client campaigns. As of today, we have helped clients win 215 awards and won 260 agency awards. SPRG ranked #82 in the PRWeek 2023 Global Ranking, the only HK-based PR group listed among 202 international peers.
In 2021, SPRG established a JV to bring Western clients to APAC. In 2023, SPRG fully acquired a government relations/public affairs agency established 13 years ago, further strgenthening our foothold.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the agency's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 230 words used.
Financials
- Fee income reached US$20.1m in 2022
- Profitability surged 42.5%
Performance
- 220 retainer clients
- Tapped FinTech, telehealth, new economy and biotech/biopharma sectors
- Completed 512 IPOs
- New business won: AsiaWorld-Expo Management Ltd., Futu Securities International (HK) Ltd., FWD Singapore Pte Ltd., HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Kate Spade Retail Hong Kong Ltd., Oculis S.A., Prenetics Ltd., Shanghai Electric Group, Singapore Sports Council, Yuexiu Property Company Ltd.
Initiatives
- Acquired government relations/public affairs agency in 2023
- Two spin-off specialities
- SPRG CHUHAI provides ROI-driven solutions for Chinese companies conducting business abroad/seeking overseas expansion
- SPRG ESG/DEI helps Chinese companies understand, articulate and report their ESG/DEI initiatives, given the importance of these issues in global consumer purchases.
- Formed JV in 2021 to bring US/EMEA clients to APAC
- Established Shenzhen team to develop IPO/IR business for HK market
- Added F&B practice to Shanghai office
- Launched “SPRG Chatroom” podcast and “SPRG Thoughts” to discuss PR-related developments
- Introduced AI translation service
- Hired UK editor to provide round-the-clock service
- Appointed digital talent in the Philippines and Indonesia
- Formed think tank with senior government relations/public affairs veterans
Awards
- 54 (2021-2023)/500 in total accolades
- Stevie® Winner – PR Agency of the Year in Asia and PR Agency of the Year in APAC for ninth time
- 82nd in PRWeek Global Agency Business Report 2023, the only HK-based agency listed
- 131st in PRovoke’s Global PR Report 2023 Top 250
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the agency's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 238 words used.
- All MD/GMs have been with SPRG since the inception of their respective agencies, with average tenure of 20 years.
- Our relatively low turnover rate of mid-senior management is rare in the PR industry.
- Senior management team has full autonomy in running local agencies, with support from headquarters.
- Training is offered at all levels to promote continuous employee development, and mid-level staff are trained to adopt an intrapreneurial mindset.
- As SPRG is independent and the Chairman owns 90% of the Group, we share lucrative profits with the team when each company meets its targets.
- We value integrity and teamwork. Mutual trust, support and collaboration are the fundamentals of our cohesive team.
- We do not encourage workplace competition; our staff focus on self-improvement, with promotions and salary adjustments based on performance.
- SPRG focuses on the APAC market because we have competitive advantages. However, we have established a cohesive network of branches in over 165 cities around the world, giving us global reach.
- SPRG member companies have many longstanding clients, some dating back to their clients’ inception.
- Launched “SPRG FCF Scholarship” for the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Journalism and Communication from 2022 to 2026
- We also encourage staff to give back to society through charitable/CSR initiatives and pro-bono projects.
- We own an NGO platform and partner with corporates, NGOs and volunteers to serve people in need
- US$1,288,774 million in donations
- 45,000 beneficiaries
- 315 community events
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
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