Suntech Appoints Weber Shandwick to Lead Global Corporate Communications Strategy

SHANGHAI, China, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYE: STP), the world's largest producer of solar panels, has selected Weber Shandwick to lead the company's global corporate communications strategy, providing strategic public relations counsel, corporate positioning, media training and relations, as well as reputation management.

The global corporate appointment, led out of Weber Shandwick's Shanghai office, comes after a competitive pitch and is a direct result of the firm's previous work in developing a comprehensive corporate communications program for Suntech.

Weber Shandwick's San Francisco team also will deliver communications services for Suntech's business in North America through the firm's San Francisco and Toronto offices, providing strategic public relations counsel and positioning to key North American markets, media training, media relations and event management.

"We are pleased to partner with Weber Shandwick during this very exciting time for Suntech," said Edwin Huang, Vice President, corporate marketing, Suntech. "As renewable energy becomes an increasingly important issue, our aim is to continue making solar solutions more accessible to markets around the world. Weber Shandwick has proven to be an excellent match in helping us find clarity in communicating Suntech's story because of its impressive array of senior counselors and industry-leading expertise in energy innovation and cleantech."

"We are excited to be working with such an inspirational and visionary company like Suntech and feel that the chemistry is right. With the energy issue taking center stage in every region of the world, we will partner with Suntech to convey its vision of empowering a solar tomorrow," said Darren Burns, managing director, Shanghai & Guangzhou, Weber Shandwick. "We have designed and will execute a robust communications strategy for Suntech, which will raise the company's leadership profile and position it as a champion of the solar energy industry."

The Weber Shandwick Cleantech practice, founded in 2005, includes communications veterans, former entrepreneurs, policy experts, ex-journalists and social media strategists with experience in a variety of sectors, including renewable energy generation, power storage, energy efficiency, utilities and smart grid, materials, advanced transportation, biofuels, green IT and more.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 74 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, a Digital Firm of the Year by PR News, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com or http://www.webershandwick.asia.