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December 17, 2001 |
The Hoffman Agency Asia Pacific Named 2001 "Asian Network of the Year"Hoffman AP won this award because of its teamwork and client service for all the company's AP clients. Hoffman's PRWeek Award Nomination - November 29, 2001 - This year The Hoffman Agency, a Silicon Valley-based IT public relations firm, is turning the traditional regional network model on its head and reaping the results. Despite Asia's current economic downturn, the firm is expanding its network across the region and has more than doubled its revenue over the past year. Since launching its first office in Singapore in 1996, the company now has branded offices in four additional markets: Tokyo; Seoul, South Korea; Beijing; and regional headquarters in Hong Kong. Plans are already in motion to enter Taiwan and Shanghai. The difference may be in the design. Hoffman operates its network as one unit instead of running several offices in multiple countries. Even revenue is recognized as a region, not by country. Having one team has meant greater collaboration, and ultimately better results for clients. The company's family oriented culture has helped it retain more than 87 percent of its workforce; and the year ended with more staff members in all five offices than when it started. Investments in Web technologies, such as Web-based file servers, knowledge management systems and an employee electronic portal now in development, have made Hoffman's Asia Pacific team focused on information sharing and executing the company's unique methodology for running regional public relations and marketing communications programs in Asia. With just 27 account service professionals, the company picked up 38 new clients last year. Even more impressive, 37 of those 38 wins came from opportunities originating in Asia without referral from the United States. New clients include Google, i2, Virata and 3Com, among others. Today, regional accounts represent two-thirds of Hoffman's Asia business. "Our independent status gives us the flexibility to emphasize client results over the bottom line, while providing our people with a positive employee experience," said Lou Hoffman, the founder and CEO of The Hoffman Agency. "We have learned that when you do great client work, money often takes care of itself. You can't say that when you're beholden to stockholders."
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