PR firm, Burson-Marsteller Africa partners with Reputation Matters

Burson-Marsteller Africa, a leading strategic communications and public relations firm, last week announced a partnership with leading research firm, Reputation Matters. 

Through the partnership, Burson-Marsteller Africa will enhance its reputation management offering across its network of partners and affiliates spanning 52 countries in Africa.

“Today clients are more conscientious about their reputation, especially with the growth of social media and easier access to information,” said Robyn de Villiers, Chair and CEO of Burson-Marsteller Africa.

“There has been a real shift towards reputation building and crisis management, and putting in place strategic long-term plans. At Burson-Marsteller we pursue a single objective – to provide an effective communications service which makes a significant contribution to our clients’ business success. We believe strongly that clients receive the highest return on their communications and stakeholder engagement investment when they are all part of a carefully planned, holistic reputation management programme. Our partnership with Reputation Matters will help us to ensure that our communications are built on a solid, evidence-based foundation.”

On his part Regine le Roux, managing director of Reputation Matters said: “We look forward to working with the Burson-Marsteller team in providing strategic reputation research to their clients across Africa."

She said the partnership links with their vision at Reputation Matters of expanding testheir ablished operations from South Africa, right across the continent, and aligning with the best in the business.

According to De Villiers, much has been spoken about dwindling levels of consumer trust in organisations in the past 10 years.

“The global environment is fast-paced and in the digital age, companies have nowhere to hide. Instead of being willing recipients of big company messaging, disgruntled audiences can disrupt business in an instance. It is increasingly evident that global and national businesses, organisations and governments have realised the growing importance of managing reputation across the continent,” she concluded.