PPR should be pleased for another reason - as the Australian consultancy of record for Cordiant, it is responsible for making sure that the outward messaging to the market has a positive ring to it. Given the volume of coverage on Cordiant's precarious predicament, handling crisis communications, investor relations and media relations under the current circumstances is both a challenge and a boon.
From the Australian market getting wind of the Cordiant Australia 'offload', to PPR MD Richard Lazar's patriotic spiel about the consultancy becoming firmly rooted on Australian soil again, the damage control is patently obvious.
The operating losses of Bates Worldwide and the endangered position of its marketing services arm 141 Worldwide since global client Allied Domecq scarpered last year, make for an incredibly volatile picture. The prospective appearance of WPP at the reins brings potential client conflict issues to the fore that - irrespective of who finally salvages Cordiant - will need careful resolution to avoid other global clients jumping ship en masse.
In an industry in which measured campaign effectiveness is thankfully becoming a given, it will be interesting to juxtapose this year's regional PR-scape with the figures from last year's PRWeek Consultancy Rankings.
When war and Sars has shattered client communications budgets, the impending rankings will shed much needed light on how much the business has suffered, which practise areas are proving robust, and where - dare it be said - the high points are.
Building on the regional expansion of last year's rankings, this year will provide a broader regional overview. India, New Zealand and Vietnam will be included for the first time - all standing as unique examples of the diversity of PR markets in this region.
In downloadable online format, this year's questionnaire will also be the most accessible ever - open to every consultancy from the small, local boutiques and the medium-sized-and-growing players, to the pan-regional and global networks.
Regional PR associations often recount a common stumbling block: of members that recoil whenever the communication of earnings is flagged.
The point to remember is that this is not an exercise for consultancies of a specific size to flex their muscle. In order to accurately reflect the state of play of the industry today, everyone needs to get involved, get audited, and get transparent.
This is your business tool - so take ownership of it.
