Hotfrog Appoints Weber Shandwick as its Global PR Partner

SYDNEY, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest global online business directory, hotfrog, has appointed Weber Shandwick to develop and execute its global public relations and digital communications programme, following a competitive pitch.

Weber Shandwick teams across the UK, US and Australia will collaborate to elevate hotfrog's profile, with all work to be managed out of Weber Shandwick's Sydney, Australia, office.

The brief calls for Weber Shandwick to work closely with the hotfrog senior leadership team as they continue to empower small businesses to build a smart, simple online presence.

"For the past five years, hotfrog has been on a continuous upward trajectory, with now more than 61 million listings worldwide and operating in 36 markets. hotfrog decided the time had come to partner with a PR agency with proven global capabilities, but also strong SMB and consumer experience to help us meet our business and marketing objectives of continued growth and impact for both our business and our SMB customers. Weber Shandwick's experience and team impressed us with their detailed, strategic response to our brief and we're confident they will provide the strategic counsel and creativity needed to drive our business forward," said David Catterall, managing director, hotfrog.

"We are delighted to be partnering with hotfrog as the company enters such an exciting phase of growth. Our global capabilities and expertise, combined with our SMB, B2B and B2C experience in the Australian market, ensures we are well-positioned to craft unique and targeted PR and digital strategies to assist hotfrog in achieving unprecedented success," said Lisa Popplewell, general manager, Weber Shandwick Australia. "We're thrilled to add hotfrog to Weber Shandwick Australia's rapidly expanding list of world class clients!"

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 73 countries around the world. The firm's success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, 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, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an 'Agency of the Decade' by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world including "Best Multinational Firm to Work For in EMEA" by The Holmes Report and a "Top Place to Work in PR" by PR News. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.