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: Stronger foothold, with further expansions to come!
- 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 2022, 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 198 words used.
SPRG has recorded magnificent growth in the last 29 years, evolving from a specialised financial PR service boutique to an integrated PR network.
We did not cut staff during COVID-19 because we know our success relies on our people, and that is especially true when the operating environment is harsh. This also laid the foundation for our expansion plan between 2022-2023.
From 2022 till now, we completed 11 IPOs, taking the total to 514 since inception, won 20 agency awards and 30 client campaigns. To date, we have helped clients win 232 awards and bagged 265 agency awards ourselves. SPRG placed 82nd in the PRWeek 2023 Global Ranking, the only HK-based PR group on the list among 202 international peers. Currently, we advise 250 clients on a retainer basis.
In 2022, SPRG strategically expanded our capabilities by acquiring a government relations/public affairs agency with 13 years of experience. This move further strengthened our position. We also completed another significant acquisition in 2023, fully acquiring a leading Australian IR/financial communications agency with a 40-year legacy. With these strategic moves, SPRG now operates in 20 offices and has established a PR network spanning across APAC, supported by 250 PR professionals.
- 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 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 232 words used.
Financials
- Fee income surged 5% to reach USD 21.1million in 2023
Performance
- 250 retainer clients
- Tapping FinTech, telehealth, new economy and biotech/biopharma sectors
- Completed 514 IPOs
- New business won:
- Outbrain
- SenseTime
- Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- Football Association of Singapore
- FWD Singapore
- L'Oreal Malaysia
- Security Industry Development Corporation
- Malaysia Retail Chain Association
- Hong Kong Arts Centre
- Link Sustainability Lab
Initiatives
- Acquired an agency largely enhanced competitiveness in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors
- Brought in a 100% owned Sydney agency to strengthen financial PR expertise and create synergies among member companies
- Added F&B practice to Shanghai office
- Formed a think tank comprising senior government relations/public affairs veterans
- Appointed a Research Director
- Appointed digital expertise in the Philippines and Indonesia
- Hired a UK editor to provide round-the-clock service
- Introduced AI translation service
- Spun-off two specialties
- SPRG CHUHAI provides ROI-driven solutions to Chinese companies with business overseas/seeking overseas expansion
- SPRG ESG/DEI helps Chinese companies understand, articulate and report ESG/DEI initiatives of growing importance in global consumer purchases.
- Resumed the annual training programme - "Grow with SPRG”
Awards
- 52 (2022-2024) / 522 in total
- Stevie® Winner – PR Agency of the Year in Asia and APAC respectively 10 times
- 82nd in PRWeek Global Agency Business Report 2023, the only HK-based agency listed
- 129th in PRovoke’s Global PR Report 2024 Top 250
- Triple Crown Award for winning the HKIM Market Leadership Award three times
- 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 221 words used.
- MD/GMs of respective agencies under SPRG have had tenure of 20 years on average.
- Low turnover of mid-senior management is rare in the PR industry, driving the growth of the Group.
- Senior management teams have full autonomy in running local agencies, with support from headquarters.
- Training is offered at all levels to promote continuous employee development, and for mid-level staff to instil an intrapreneurial mindset.
- Being independent and 90%-owned by its Chairman, SRPG shares its lucrative profits with employees when the companies meet business targets.
- SRPG values integrity and teamwork. Its cohesive team rests on mutual trust, support and collaboration.
- No politics and workplace competition, emphasis on self-improvement instead, with promotion and salary adjustments based on performance.
- Focuses on the APAC markets, where its competitive advantages lie, while boasting global reach with the support of a branch network covering more than 165 cities worldwide. SPRG member companies have many longstanding clients, some with ties starting from when they were founded.
- Launched “SPRG FCF Scholarship” (2022 to 2026) for students of the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Journalism and Communication
- Encourages staff to give back to society through charitable/CSR initiatives and pro-bono projects.
- Owns an NGO platform and partners with corporations, NGOs and volunteers to serve people in need
- US$1.3 million in donations
- 51,100+ beneficiaries
- 350 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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