Global Comms Insights | Brazil

I’ve not been to South America before, but last weekend I headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the annual worldwide partners meeting of the Worldcom Public Relations Group. We’re a group of more than 100 agency owners, operating in 95 cities on six continents. I’m currently the Americas Region board meeting chair; our committee put together the agenda and reactions so far have proved that no one is disappointed!

While the attire in Rio de Janeiro might be fairly laid back (think shorts and flip-flops), we’re getting right down to business with professional and informative presentations. Speakers range from the former CMOs of Coke and Oracle talking about what sets winning agencies apart to an outstanding corporate social responsibility panel including representatives from Conservation International and the Brazilian government to help us understand more fully how environmental initiatives add value. Both topics are timely, but the second one in particular will help MM add value for clients with an environmental footprint.

Learning from our partners is always a highlight of these meetings as they help us to gain perspectives and tips from those doing business in Hong Kong, Shanghai, London, Brussels and Sydney.

Through Worldcom, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professional PR specialists who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. We like to learn about our partners, new business approaches and the culture of the host city when we meet as a group at Worldcom, and I’m optimistic my trip will cover all the bases.