Bijl

Netherlands

With a team of less than 20, Bijl PR is certainly not the largest public relations firm in the Netherlands, and despite having been a prominent player on the Dutch scene since its founding in 1991, it isn’t the oldest. But it has been a consistent leader in terms of its thinking, one of the first firms in the market to work extensively with clients from the English-speaking world and to develop specialist capabilities in crisis comms and reputation management that made it an attractive partner for local and international companies.

From its headquarters in Rotterdam—an ideal home for a firm that developed real expertise in the maritime sector as well as its very practical roll-up-your-sleeves hands-on ethos—it now serves a wide range of clients, from the public and private sector, Including the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy, Greenchoice, Q8, Dexcom, Danone, Stena Line and Burengesprek. Several of its clients date back 10 years or more with clients such as Randstad and eBay/Marktplaats.

In March of last year founder Ruud Bijl sold the company to Sophia Weavers and Marjoleine van Klaveren, veterans of eight years and 17 years with the firm respectively. The duo have embarked on a strategy to prepare the firm for the future. Much of that effort is focused on the firm’s commitment to employees, clients, and society, as it builds a culture that is  caring, open, loyal and dedicated. A new “Hurray, you are a Bijler’ document explains the culture to new hires, and makes them feel welcome. Somewhat less typical is a “Fuck up of the month’’ session that makes it clear that mistakes happen, and are to be learned from rather than punished.

The firm has grown at a steady rate over the past five years, adding expertise in areas such as online marketing, AI, and project management and installing a development program for existing employees. The past year saw new business from not-for-profit blood services provider Sanquin, Danone, Grant Thornton and Royal Flor Holland, while it has built on existing relationships with Dexcom, Pension Federatie, Gteen Choice, Arbo Unie and Botlek-Europort, one of the largest industrial centers in Europe. Interesting work includes partnering  with Diabetes+, Diabetesvereniging Nederland and Dexcom Warriors (ambassadors with diabetes) to create a campaign that truly represents the life of a person with diabetes, and support for National Climate Week, a campaign to connect people on a local level to make more impact.--PH