The State Council Information Office (SCIO) earlier initiated contact with at least three MNC PR agencies, in a bid to improve an international image that has been rocked in recent weeks following the strife in Tibet (Media, 3 April).
However, agency sources have told Media that they would not be interested in the brief. Of the major international agencies it is thought that four - Edelman, Ogilvy PR, Apco and Burson-Marsteller - have the capabilities to handle it. Hill & Knowlton, which handles the PR assignment for Bocog, has ruled itself out to focus on its core brief.
However, agency sources have told Media that they would not be interested in the brief. Of the major international agencies it is thought that four - Edelman, Ogilvy PR, Apco and Burson-Marsteller - have the capabilities to handle it. Hill & Knowlton, which handles the PR assignment for Bocog, has ruled itself out to focus on its core brief.
One source said an agency’s ability to influence the current situation would be limited.
“The problem is that the lesson from Bocog’s experience is that its one thing to have access to a client and provide advice,” said a source. “It’s another to have it taken. Is whatever we say going to be listened to?”
Another source added that the brief might conflict with existing client arrangements.
“That might be just be a euphemism for ‘we think this job will get us trouble’,” explained a source.
