Public Affairs Consulting:
The Changing Business Environment in the EU

Garry Walsh
Managing Director of APCO Worldwide’s Brussels office

In the time past, public affairs consultants in Brussels focused most of their efforts on issue management. Countless hours were spent on writing issue and policy papers. Consultancies did little more than mirror the European Commission, with their employees acting as Shadow Eurocrats. The business was focused on understanding policy, engaging first-hand in politics, and proliferating one’s political acquaintances. More >

 Congressional Hearing Preparation Offering

Kent Jarrell
Senior Vice President, APCO Worldwide and
Scott Milburn
Vice President, APCO Worldwide

While the new Democratic majority on Capitol Hill has brought with it a new slate of committee and subcommittee chairs, not to mention leaders in both chambers, it has not, contrary to popular thinking, brought with it a new whole sale focus on hard-hitting congressional hearings and investigations. What the Democrats bring is a new focus on the types of issues to come under the microscope. More >

Members of APCO Worldwide's International Advisory Council and executive management team meet in Washington, D.C.
(December 2006).

 Inherent Negatives: Managing Reputation through the Windshield, not the Rearview Mirror

By Barie Carmichael
Senior Counselor, APCO Worldwide

The most successful companies today have learned how to manage strategically both the ups and the downs. No company can eliminate the negative, but the best businesses anticipate, address and even embrace potential problems before they explode.
More >

 New Approaches to an Altered Political Landscape – How to Navigate the New Democratic Congress

by Former U.S. Congressman Don Bonker
Executive Vice President, International Advisory Council member, APCO Worldwide and
Jonathan Gregory
Vice President, APCO Worldwide

The 2006 U.S. elections, ending 12-years of Republican dominance of the U.S. Congress, created a historic shift in power. As in 1994, when the Democrats lost, the political landscape fundamentally changed, prompting a realignment of the policy environment and setting forth a new agenda. In brief, it is crucial to understand what has changed and what to do about it. More >

 CEO Message

APCO is now in its third year as an independent company and is one of the largest privately owned communication firms in the world. Our growth and success around the world made the last year tremendously busy and equally exciting. We are always dedicated to serving clients, whether by strengthening our core services or pioneering at the nexus of business, communication and public policy. Our distinguished International Advisory Council, for example, is a new resource to ensure that our clients receive cutting edge counsel from the greatest minds in the industry.

As part of our development as an independent company, APCO was certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council as a majority women-owned business, an honor of which I am very proud. I have the pleasure of working with the best and brightest people in the industry, including men and women of 40 nationalities, who speak over 60 languages. As employee-owners, they are literally invested in our clients' success, and the results speak for themselves.

Public Affairs News recently recognized our European team with three major awards, including European Consultancy of the Year. As our size and global footprint expand, our colleagues everywhere remain committed to the highest degree of client service and satisfaction. Ultimately, we know that it is through our clients’ achievements that our own success is measured.

In this issue of Viewpoint, you can read about some of the tactics and strategies we employ to ensure top-quality results in the future. You will learn about the implications of the new political developments in Washington D.C., public-private partnerships in China, managing your corporate reputation, our expertise on government oversight and much more. I hope you enjoy our latest edition of Viewpoint, and I promise to keep you posted as we continue to forge ahead, pushing the boundaries of communication.

Best regards,

Margery Kraus

 Enhance Your Corporate Responsibility Strategy by Marketing from a Philanthropic Perspective

By Tara Greco
Senior Associate, APCO Worldwide and
Lucy Seche
Associate, APCO Worldwide

Lately, consumers have been seeing red. To be more specific, Product (RED) – the brainchild of singer and activist Bono and DATA co-founder Bobby Shriver – is an initiative to raise awareness and funds for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Product (RED) enlists popular brands to create unique (RED) products – such as iPod nano (RED), American Express (RED) card, or (RED) MOTORAZR cell phone – with a percentage of the sales from each (RED) product going to The Global Fund. More >

 Filling the Gaps in China

By Felicia Pullam
Associate Director, APCO Worldwide

The Chinese government has not traditionally been known for its openness in admitting to imperfections or cooperating with outside entities on knotty internal problems. There are, however, numerous areas where companies can engage government bodies and even independent civil society organisations to simultaneously strengthen government relations, boost corporate reputation and improve people’s lives.
More >