Since 2003, comm:unications has been the exclusive Austrian network partner of PROI, the fourth largest PR network in the world. Agency director Sabine Pöhacker explains the added value of this membership for the agency’s clients and employees as well as for the agency itself.

Founded in the early 1970s by a handful of European agencies, PROI now has 90 partner agencies on five continents. Although the agencies vary greatly in size, from less than 10 to over 1,000 employees, there are many similarities. All PROI agencies are award-winning, innovative and dynamic. Above all, they are owner-managed. This ensures maximum flexibility and individuality, and values play a correspondingly important role.

There is hardly a multinational company that does not work with at least one PROI agency. The great added value lies in the management support, experience and holistic perspective. As the agency founders are actively involved in their business, their values are authentically communicated and lived. For example, many PROI agencies, including comm:unications, rule out working with sectors such as the arms or tobacco industries from the outset. For many, the focus is not on maximising profit or shareholder value, but on humanity. Instead of a hire-and-fire policy, they strive to be a top employer.

The secret of PROI’s success is the sharing of global expertise and experience. PROI provides members with ongoing personal interaction and the opportunity to learn from each other without competitive jealousy. Agencies meet regularly and benefit from best practice, creative and forward-thinking ideas and experience from agency leaders to stay at the forefront of their markets.

Our 9,000 employees also benefit from the network. They have the unique opportunity to learn from the best through webinars and to develop their skills at regional meetings that allow for creativity and open discussion. Last year, for example, two of the Austrian PR juniors won a PROI competition to attend a PROI partner meeting with more than 100 PR experts in Egypt. These strong incentives enable young PR professionals to exchange ideas that go far beyond the Austrian horizon. At senior level, networking within the network is a real plus.

For more information about PROI Worldwide, please visit www.proi.com