For more than three decades, Weber Shandwick’s public affairs practice has helped move global agendas, change attitudes, shape images, and expand the influence of organizations and ideas. We have made our mark by creating and executing successful public affairs campaigns for major corporations, governments, trade associations, coalitions, and nonprofit organizations in many countries around the world.
Weber Shandwick has been at the forefront of leading issues of national and international attention, including biotechnology, aerospace, defense, energy and environment, financial services, education, healthcare, telecommunications, trade disputes, transportation, information technology, and political reform.
Weber Shandwick’s public affairs practice has a presence in nearly every major capital and center of influence in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our team of 400+ professionals includes some of the best and most experienced public affairs practitioners in the world, drawn from the top of their fields in communications, business, journalism, politics, government, law, finance, marketing, research, and advertising.
North America
Weber Shandwick’s public affairs leadership is unrivaled in the United States and Canada. Our roots are in politics and campaign management - a fact that is reflected in our successful work for multinational corporations, trade associations, governments, issues coalitions, and nonprofit interest groups.
Our public affairs professionals hail from the highest levels of government, politics, journalism, business, and law, and bring to clients the in-depth knowledge, experience, and skills needed to move public opinion, shape public policy, and educate and engage key audiences.
With experience in issues as diverse as bankruptcy reform, prescription drug coverage, school vouchers, Internet privacy, and homeland security, Weber Shandwick’s North American team has the expertise to support virtually any public affairs challenge. We have particular specialties in finance and banking, health care, telecommunications and technology, defense, international trade, biotechnology, and litigation support.
Weber Shandwick’s public affairs practice has centers of excellence in Washington, DC, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York, as well as Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton. Our Washington, DC, office – Powell Tate – has been consistently rated the most respected communications firm in the city.
Europe
Weber Shandwick is Europe’s leading public affairs agency. With a staff drawn from former civil servants, political parties, the media, the EU, and local and regional government, Weber Shandwick has strength in depth of expertise, contacts, and knowledge.
Our professionals guide clients through their dealings with government at every level – local, regional, national, and international – and offer comprehensive services tailored to ensure that they are prepared when legislators, the media, NGO´s, consumer associations, and the public focus on issues that affect their business. In particular, Weber Shandwick is known for offering specialized expertise in issues including biotechnology, transportation, energy, the environment, CSR, food and beverage, consumer protection, trade, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, education, defense and security, technology, telecommunications, and financial services.
We lead pan-European campaigns out of our Brussels office – providing the EU angle and strategic advice on the politically-driven activities of the European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Ministers – and coordinating the efforts needed at national-government level across the 27 EU-member countries. We have fully staffed offices in every major political center across Europe with public affairs centers of excellence in Brussels, London, Geneva, Berlin, Budapest, Moscow, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, The Hague, Paris, and Prague.
Asia Pacific
Within the Asia Pacific region, Weber Shandwick’s public affairs practice is a growing force, led by some of the best public affairs practitioners in the region. Providing counsel to corporations, public sector bodies, government departments, and other organizations, we are expert in issues management, government affairs, media relations, opinion research, grassroots outreach, and promotional events.
Our staff across the region includes former journalists, government officials, press secretaries, and business leaders. We have regional and market-specific leadership in the areas of international trade, counterfeiting and intellectual property issues, health care, and crisis communications.
We have strong public affairs centers of excellence in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. In Beijing and Shanghai our public affairs practice operates under the name Powell Tate.
Our Partners
Our public affairs practice is complemented by KRC Research, our attitudinal research partner; Sawyer Miller Advertising, our advocacy advertising partner; and our sister government relations agency, Cassidy & Associates.
Sawyer Miller Advertising
Sawyer Miller, our advertising partner, is a full-service advertising agency with offices in Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago. The agency represents a hybrid of political and traditional advertising experience, providing effective advertising for managing public policy, image and “corporate change” issues vital to clients’ success. The firm has particular expertise in developing issue advocacy advertising on public policy issues and has worked on a range of topics including healthcare reform, financial services, consumer debt, technology, defense, energy and more.
KRC Research
Our research partners at KRC Research conduct qualitative and quantitative research, utilizing state-of-the-industry data gathering analysis techniques, to develop communications strategies, test messages, test the effectiveness of specific executions (including advertising and other creative design products) and measure the effectiveness of communications campaigns. The firm has conducted research on issues as diverse as Medicare reform, prescription drugs, biotechnology, education, consumer mortgages, federal workforce development, identity theft, and investment decisions.
Government Relations
Cassidy & Associates
Cassidy & Associates was founded in 1975 by Gerald S.J. Cassidy, and to this day, continues to be one of the premier government relations firms in Washington. For over thirty years, the firm has effectively represented clients before the federal government by providing targeted, fully-integrated consulting services. Throughout the firm’s history, it has enabled corporations, associations and non-profits to promote their interests through political, legislative and regulatory processes in Washington. Cassidy & Associates help clients create opportunities and solve problems by devising and implementing effective, creative strategies to achieve success in any political environment.