The Weber Shandwick Collective

Weber Shandwick’s UK operation is a powerhouse of integrated, strategic and creative communications, combining deep expertise across corporate, consumer and healthcare with cutting-edge innovation and creativity. Under the leadership of UK CEO Helen Bennett and EMEA CEO Michael Frohlich, the agency has built a formidable offering, bringing together The Weber Shandwick Collective’s specialist businesses—including creative technology firm Flipside, influencer-driven That Lot, healthcare specialist DNA, and consultancy United Minds—into a seamless and output-agnostic model that delivers real business impact for clients.

In 2024, the agency retained 100% of its top 40 clients, secured nearly £10m in new revenue, and achieved a 70% pitch conversion rate, alongside a client NPS score of 8.5. With offices in London, Manchester, Aberdeen, Belfast and Dublin, it has built an integrated UK and Ireland network, with 60% of its clients serviced by multiple locations. The agency saw creative work grow by 53%, while social impact work rose by 10%, crisis and issues by 20%, and digital—including social and influencer—by 15%.

New business wins included major brands such as Greggs, Primark and Tombola, joining a client roster that includes IKEA, eBay, Adobe, Nespresso, AB Inbev, Unilever, IBM and Direct Line. That Lot’s social-first expertise has been instrumental in keeping Greggs culturally relevant, achieving 76 million impressions and a 200% increase in followers in six months through organic content. Meanwhile, the agency’s creative and public affairs expertise drove impactful work for IKEA and Shelter, using a dolls' house model of poor-quality temporary accommodation to influence housing policy at the highest levels. For Budweiser, it reimagined product marketing with an art-world collaboration, driving a 22% sales uplift through the world’s first refrigerated art frame.

Creativity is central to Weber Shandwick UK’s success, and its application goes beyond traditional consumer campaigns. The agency has embedded creativity across corporate and public affairs work, blending strategic insight with powerful storytelling to help businesses influence change.

The agency is also leading the charge in AI adoption, pioneering much of Weber Shandwick’s global AI innovation from London. It has built robust AI foundations, developing an advanced and secure AI sandbox that is now embedded across the global network. AI is infused throughout the business, from creative and change management to corporate strategy, risk mitigation and crisis response. The UK team has introduced Reputation Intelligence, a data-driven approach combining AI and behavioural science to anticipate reputational threats and shape strategic responses. It has run 36 predictive intelligence and AI workshops, developed an AI Brand Impact Report examining trust in AI across sectors, and launched AI GoLabs—immersive training sessions that build business leaders’ confidence in AI-powered decision-making.

The agency’s culture is equally forward-thinking. It boasts a 94% staff retention rate and has invested in inclusive talent initiatives, revamped its people plan to drive diversity, and strengthened its employee resource groups. In a challenging market, Weber Shandwick UK has not only delivered strong business performance but has redefined what a modern networked PR agency can be.—MPS