MILPITAS, CA--SanDisk has concluded its global agency review, and is poised to charge Porter-Novelli with lead duties in North America.  

The Holmes Report understands that the the world’s largest provider of flash memory products has selected Porter-Novelli and subsidiary firm Voce to oversee North America and international markets, following a competitive review.

Incumbent agency Text 100 is expected to retain EMEA and India. The company also previously worked with Hill + Knowlton Strategies. Global PR spend for the business is estimated at upwards of $3m.

The rethink of SanDisk's worldwide agency arrangements is part of an effort by the $5.7bn company to develop a more robust PR presence and raise global awareness. SanDisk products have become increasingly important amid the boom in mobile technology, used in handsets, tablet computers, MP3 player, digital cameras and USB drives.

Last year, SanDisk appointed new communications leadership, in the shape of senior comms director Lee Flanagin and comms director Tom Beerman.

While Beerman declined to comment on the agency appointments, in an earlier interview with the Holmes Report he noted that the selected firms would require "strong capabilities in the whole range of communications functions from media relations to social media to CSR to crisis and executive communications, and, in particular, some strength in consumer media relations and consumer outreach.”

The appointment is another welcome development for Porter-Novelli, which last month secured LG Mobile's global PR duties. Representatives from the firm referred calls to SanDisk.