World's Top Executive Speaking Engagements on the Rise, According to New Weber Shandwick Study

Monday, January 14, 2008 NEW YORK, January 14, 2008 – The world’s leading companies are increasingly leveraging C-level executive voices to build thought leadership, executive visibility and enhance reputation in the rapidly growing global speaking circuit, according to new analysis by global public relations firm Weber Shandwick.

The “Five-Star Conference” study of CEOs and C-level executives (CMOs, CFOs and CTOs/CIOs) in the world’s top 50 most admired companies found that executive participation in top-tier, or Five-Star, events is soaring. Since 2005, there has been an extraordinary 525 percent* increase among elite C-level executives at five star speaking forums. For elite CEOs during the same time period, there has been an increase of 35 percent in participation at these distinguished events. Strikingly, the rising importance of these events as a vital communications tool is underscored by a 50 percent rise in the number of top-tier global conferences from 2005 to 2007.

"CEOs and C-Level executives are clearly considering new ways to connect with customers and industry peers," said Jennifer Risi, Executive Vice President of Weber Shandwick’s Global Strategic Media Group and creator of the company's proprietary VOICEBOXX™ service offering, which identifies and secures executive speaking engagements that help shape corporate agendas. "CEOs clearly recognize that speaking opportunities serve as platforms for senior executives to further amplify corporate messages to key stakeholders and increase mind share and market share.”

Top Five Events for CEOs and C-Level Executives
Among the findings revealed in the Five-Star Conference analysis, the top events for CEOs include (in rank order): World Economic Forum, Chief Executives’ Club of Boston, Fortune Innovation/Fortune iMeme, Fortune Global and The Wall Street Journal’s “D”.  The top events for other C-level executives include (in rank order): Fortune Innovation/Fortune iMeme, Wharton Leadership, Milken Institute’s Global Conference, Fortune Global and Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy Board of Boards, Clinton Global Initiative and Economist Global Agenda.




Risi added: "Our new data confirms that CEOs and their executive benches are broadening their arsenal of communications tools to include the strategic use of high-level speaking opportunities. By sharing responsibility for getting the company’s message in front of the right audiences, CEOs and executives are providing assurances to key stakeholders that they are not only well-led but that they have worthy successors in place."

About the Research
The Five-Star Conference Study was conducted in late 2007 by Weber Shandwick using the following method:

• The 2005 and 2006 All-Stars of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies were identified by Weber Shandwick. These are the top 50 most admired companies overall, according to Fortune Magazine’s annual survey. The 2006 list was used as a proxy for 2007 because the 2007 Fortune results have not been issued yet (due early 2008).
• CEO and three other C-level executive (CFOs, CMOs and CIO/CTOs) names were identified and appended to the All-Star company list.
• A total of 21 2007 top-tier conferences and three top business school conferences for 2005 – 2007 were identified by Weber Shandwick’s Global Strategic Media Group. These events were chosen based on client feedback and event media coverage.
• Agendas for each top-tier event were secured and a review of each agenda was performed to identify which, if any, CEO or other C-level executive from All-Star companies spoke at these events. Google searches were conducted in the few cases where agendas were not available.

* Note small sample size.

More information on Five Star Executive Conferences can be found in the executive summary.

About VOICEBOXX™
VOICEBOXX™is a unique suite of exclusive executive service and product offerings offered by Weber Shandwick that helps companies strategically secure senior management visibility and positioning. Please contact Jennifer Risi at 212.445.8375 or jrisi@webershandwick.com for more information. About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 77 markets around the world. The firm’s success is built on its deep commitment to client service, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates - engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, corporate/financial and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. Weber Shandwick was recognized as PRWeek’s 2009 Global Agency Report Card Gold Medal Winner, named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report and Large PR Firm of the Year by PR News in 2008. The firm also won the United Nations Grand Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Relations for a lifestyles educational campaign in India. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.