2024 Mediterranean PR Consultancies of the Year

2024 Mediterranean Consultancies of the Year

The 2024 EMEA PR Consultancies of the Year are the result of an exhaustive research process involving more than 200 submissions and meetings with the best PR firms across the UK, Europe the Middle East and Africa. Analysis of each of the Winners and finalists across 20 geographic and specialist categories can be accessed via the navigation menu to the right or below. Winners wee unveiled at the 2024 EMEA SABRE Awards, which took place in London on 17 April.

You can find the 2024 SABRE Awards EMEA winners here.

Winner

Action Global (Independent)

Backstory

Established by industry legend Tony Christodoulou in 1971 in Cyprus, Action Global deserves accolades for its pioneering PR work in Mediterranean markets. Now led by the family second generation, in the shape of Chris and Kathy Christodoulou, the firm continues to demonstrate the benefits of fierce independence and strong local insight, bolstered by four sub-brands that bring a specific focus on content/digital multimarket work (Action 360x), public sector, travel/tourism and creative/video. Action’s work spans healthcare, lifestyle, energy and tourism, along with a thriving ability to handle campaigns for EU-funded projects and NGOs.

Locations

Action Global Communications has a strong presence in Greece and Cyprus, where it has been established for 35 years. The agency has also been operating in Bulgaria for 25 years and has expanded into eight other countries in Central Asia & CIS and the Middle East.

Performance

Overall fee income was up 2.7% to €11.4m, while the firm’s Cyprus and Greece markets crossed the €3m barrier, with headcount in the latter two markets up to 69 from 61. New clients in 2023 included Boehringer Ingelheim (vet pharma), University of Wollongong, European Commission, Holland and Barret, and Virya Energy. These join an existing client roster that features Viohalco Group, KEAN soft drinks, European Commission (EASME Project) and Boehringer Ingelheim.

People & Culture

Action Global Communications continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion, with a workforce that is 80% female and a 75% ratio in senior management roles. They have further demonstrated their commitment by signing an MoU with the Diversity Charter in Cyprus in 2022. Their dedication to employee growth is also reflected in their leadership structure. In addition to the Christodoulou siblings, this includes Cyprus country manager Natasa Perdiou, Greece country manager Aggeliki Kiofiri and Action 360x MD Rebecca Theodorou.

Thought Leadership & Work

Last year saw the launch of Action Global’s inaugural research paper, 'Media Navigator by Action', which provided valuable insights into the media landscape across seven countries. The firm’s client work has also been noteworthy, including campaigns for FIFA and KEAN.

— Arun Sudhaman

Finalists

Bpress (Italy/Independent)

Backstory

Bpress has grown into one of Italy’s top performing agencies in the 34 years since Diego Biasi launched the firm in Milan with an eye on furthering brands’ success in the Italian market. In 2023, Bpress topped the €4 million mark thanks to roughly 50 clients in the gamut of sectors — tech, B2B, consumer, food and lifestyle among them. With a homegrown understanding of what makes Italians tick, Bpress crafts its offerings and output to help clients navigate the nuances of the market. A full-service agency, Bpress has capabilities in PR, media relations, social media, strategic comms and events.

Locations

Bpress works with clients across Italy from its Milan headquarters.

Performance

2023 was a banner year for Bpress, which for the first time cracked the €4 million in business mark this year. The firm’s fee income of €4.2 million was a 10% lift over 2022 (which was up 21% from the year before), thanks to business from roughly 50 clients across sectors. Bpress expanded its headcount to 37, building out a team to support new business from Paglieri, VolleyBallTV, Chiquita, PlanetFarms, Qonto, HelloFresh as well as existing ones such as Audible, Babbel, California Prunes, Dyson, Google Cloud, Guggenheim Bilbao, Illy Caffè, Pinterest, Vaillant, and Zalando. The Bpress organization includes sister agency Now!PR, created in 2000 to serve clients with a small agency feel.

People & Culture

Bpress understands the road to achieving true DE&I is a long one, but the ideal of having a truly equal opportunity organization has been part of the agency’s DNA since its inception. The agency’s team has always been dominated by women, who today make up 85% of staff. Bpress has also created an environment and culture designed to accommodate and incorporate employees with different needs and abilities, which includes a special remote work program called Switch that allows everyone to work from virtually everywhere, flexible work hours between 8am and 8pm and free psychological consulting to avoid burn-out.In addition to founder and CEO Diego Biasi, Bpress’ senior leadership team includes consumer tech and lifestyle head Alexandra Cian, food and lifestyle head Cinzia Sartori, B2B tech head Cristiana Rovelli and Mattia Zanetti, who leads sister firm Now!PR.

Thought Leadership & Work

Bpress used the end of pandemic living to reposition the firm as a progressive agency through its R3START! Campaign, an initiative that helps clients and businesses reconnect with their audiences. The effort included free brainstorming sessions for clients, and a weekly talk show-style discussion with guests (62 episodes reaped 70,000 views) and a blog dedicated to strategic restarts. Bpress also invested in improving employees’ work from home experience that included dedicating the office to be a hub for brainstorming and socializing, flexible work hours and disconnecting devices from 8 pm to 8 am daily and weekends. In October, the team moved to a newer office next to Duomo square in Milano which works as a creative hub for brainstorming and socializing.

— Diana Marszalek

INC (Italy/Independent)

Backstory

Founded in 1975, INC’s 47-year tenure has seen it play a pioneering role in Italy’s PR market, whether via the embrace of digital or new flexible hybrid working models. The firm is perhaps best known for its food and beverage work, on behalf of Barilla and Heineken notably, and for a social communications practice that includes several NGOs and nonprofit organizations. In 2022, the agency introduced the INC Non-Profit Lab, a thought leadership initiative that acts as a watchtower on society's most urgent issues.

Locations

Headquarted in Rome, INC also has a significant presence in Milan. It is part of the IPRN affiliate network, which allows it to expand its reach and activities through collaboration.

Performance

INC’s PR fee income grew from €3.3m in 2022 to €3.75m Euros in 2023, reflecting impressive topline expansion, with headcount also up from 45 to 50. The agency's client portfolio is impressive, with key existing clients such as Barilla Group, Heineken Italy, and Emirates Airlines, and significant new acquisitions including Danone Italy, Unilever, and Amnesty International. The agency's work in the food and beverage industry and social communications for NGOs and non-profit organizations has been particularly lucrative.

People & Culture

The agency operates on a completely hybrid working model, positioning itself as a leader in the industry. Meanwhile, a majority of managerial roles (67%) are held by women. In addition to CEO Pasquale De Palma, key leaders include VP/partner Paolo Mattei and Francesca Riccardi (partner, PR director and practice leader social and NGOs communication), Simone Silvi (partner, PR Director), Emily Szereda (partner, head of digital), Rosanna Teta (partner, head of content), Luca Cipriano (PR director), Novella D'Incecco (PR director), and Valentina Lorenzoni (PR director).

Thought Leadership & Work

Thought leadership highlights include the launch of the INC Non-Profit Lab, an observatory focusing on societal issues, which produced reports on the third sector and mental health last year. The agency's campaigh highlights include the launch of Barilla's new global parental leave policy, positioning Select as the premier Spritz for Gruppo Montenegro, and engaging with GenZ on climate change and its effects on refugees for UNHCR.

— Arun Sudhaman

OPRG Italy (Italy/Omnicom)

Backstory

OPRG Italy describes itself as “the daughter of three mothers”, born in 2017 from the merger of FleishmanHillard, Ketchum and Porter Novelli’s domestic operations in Italy. The Omnicom agency has created its own distinct culture from the blend of three parent firms, and has become a top-three agency in a country that has hitherto resisted the dominance of the networks. Under the leadership of long-term general manager and MD Massimo Moriconi, OPRG has become Italy’s leading PR network serving multinationals as an international hub for integrated campaigns, thanks to its strengths in purpose, reputation management and digital marketing, across a sector mix that includes pharma, automotive, food and beverage, FMCG, fashion, financial services, technology and travel.

Locations

OPRG’s 140 professionals are based at its Milan HQ and an additional office in Rome.

Performance

In 2023, fees grew by almost 7% to €19m. The agency's client list is varied, including industry leaders like Amazon, BMW, Deloitte, Mastercard, McDonald's, and Novartis, among others, reflecting strong retention. New clients such as 3M, Biogen, CNHI, Franke, and Golden Goose highlight the agency's capacity to attract and secure high-profile business.

People & Culture

OPRG Italy demonstrates a high level of dedication to creating a nurturing and inclusive workplace. This is evident in their emphasis on flexible work schedules, opportunities for learning and growth, and initiatives aimed at promoting employee well-being. The company's culture has been greatly shaped by strategic hiring and promotion decisions, which have been instrumental in propelling a range of initiatives centered on DEI, alongside support for “Fondazione Sodalitas” through pro-bono work and communication campaigns.

Thought Leadership & Work

OPRG launched the first DEI research in Italy focused both on the general public and professionals, while other thought leadership highlights include a new study about the use of AI by Italian and EU executives.
Campaign highlights include a Unilever campaign to improve online safety among kids, and Essity’s work to contribute to UN SDGs.

— Arun Sudhaman

V&O Advertising & Consulting (Greece/SEC Newgate)

Backstory

V+O Greece is an independent and fully integrated communication group responsible for the operation and growth of V+O Group’s companies (V+O Communication, Unlimited Creativity, Mindhaus Tratourism Strategy and Curious Ahead). For more than 20 years, CEO Teti Kanellopoulou has led the sprawling operation that offers strategic communications, financial transactions, business & company transformation, public affairs, and crisis management across a sub-region that comprises 62 million consumers.

Locations

In addition to its Athens headquarters, V+O Greece has offices in Romania, Cyprus, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

Performance

V+O Greece is a 189-person, €24 million operation, having capped 2023 up 12% from the previous year. The firm’s client roster grew to more than 250 in 2023. V+O enjoys a high client retention rate, a testament to its work for Greek and multinational companies including Aegean Airlines, GSK, Coca-Cola, MasterCard and Amazon Web Services. New business came from Salesforce, Lightsource, Attica and Pancreta banks, Regency Entertainment and Hellenic Train.

People & Culture

V+O operates in keeping with its belief that inclusion & diversity, employee development, corporate responsibility, integrated HR policies and optimized processes and procedures are essential factors in a business’s sustainability, fairness and long-term growth. Two out of three managerial positions are held by women (who also make up 60% of employees), though V+O’s D&I efforts focus on the range of diverse communities. The firm’s strategic plan calls for equal employment opportunities, integration in the workplace and professional development for all. CEO Teti Kanellopoulou, who has led the firm for more than 20 years, is supported by V+O Communication general manager Christina Fatourou and Tonia Gogou, general manager of V+O Communication Greece.

Thought Leadership & Work

Major shifts in consumer behaviors, particularly in the Greek market, has prompted V+O to roll out new services, as well as expand thought leadership and research. In 2023, the firm launched a new comprehensive service, Strategic Workshops, that provides in-depth workshops on topics like positioning strategies, values systems and designing corporate missions, as well as strategic counsel and guidance in addressing market dynamics and challenges. V+O last year also created an internal intelligence report system and introduced a LinkedIn thought leadership consultancy. The year’s key work included a meningitis B awareness campaign for GSK; leveraging Greece’s culinary history as a common bond between Mastercard and consumers; and launching Italian espresso brand Caffè Vergnano in Greece.

— Diana Marszalek

News direct to your inbox