 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983; 41 years ago (1983) |
| Headquarters | Seattle |
| Number of locations | 23 cities |
| Key people | Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO |
| Revenue | $126.6 million (2018) |
| Number of employees | 1000+ |
| Website | https://www.we-worldwide.com |
WE Communications (previously Waggener Edstrom) and commonly known as WE is a global public relations and integrated marketing communications firm often associated with its largest client, Microsoft. The firm was founded in 1983 by Melissa Waggener Zorkin.
History
The Waggener Group was founded in 1983 by Melissa Waggener Zorkin. In 1984, Pam Edstrom joined the firm, which was renamed Waggener Edstrom. Edstrom previously worked for Microsoft, which became one of the agency's first clients.
The firm acquired PR.com in 2001, Maloney & Fox in 2003, Shout Holdings in 2004, Patzer PR in 2012, Buchan in 2016, Red Bridge Consulting and WATATAWA in 2017. The firm also acquired Indian integrated consultancy Avian Media in 2018 and Codeword in 2019.
In September 2015, the company re-branded as WE Communications.
In 2022, WE acquired Hopscotch Consulting, a social impact and behavior change agency.
Services
WE Communications focuses on three sectors — healthcare, consumer and technology. Its services include media relations, corporate and executive communications, digital marketing, creative, social media and content strategy, crisis communications, insights and analytics, corporate social responsibility, brand purpose and reputation.
Notable clients and campaigns
Notable clients include Microsoft, Volvo, Boehringer Ingelheim, VSP, Honeywell, Tencent, Cisco, McDonald's, Tabula Rasa, Brother, Amgen, Gilead, iRobot, RSA, Lenovo, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AT&T and others. WE Communications is often associated with its work for Microsoft, one of its first clients. In the firm's early years, this relationship led to it working primarily with other technology companies, before expanding into healthcare, consumer and other sectors. For more than a decade, WE Communications supported Mercy Corps on a pro-bono basis after CEO Waggener Zorkin took on the client after visiting the Good Shepherd orphanage in Ghana.
In 2018, WE Communications handled the PR for the McDelivery Day 2.0 and was shortlisted for PRWeek Global Award.
References
- "About Us". WE. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- "WE". PR Week.
- "PR News: Top Public Relations, Marketing and Social Media Blog". Archived from the original on 2017-07-14.
- "Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide". PRWeek. July 1, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- Pasiuk, Laurie (2005). Vault Guide to the Top Advertising & PR Employers. VAULT. p. 144. ISBN 9781581313833.
- "WE Communications acquires two firms in Asia | PR". Campaign Asia. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- "WE Communications merges with Avian Media to strengthen its presence in India". The Drum. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- "Waggener Edstrom Restructures, Rebrands As WE". The Holmes Report. The Holmes Group. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- "WE Acquires Hopscotch Consulting". PRovoke Media. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- What We Do, Waggener Edstrom, retrieved January 30, 2013
- Chupick, Jason (June 23, 2009). "Survey: 86% Feel Corporations Can Address Social Issues". PRNewser. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- "Huge companies need as much PR". CNET. September 11, 1996. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- "25. Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO, president, and founder, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide". PRWeek. July 1, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- Wilhelm, Steve (July 13, 2008). "A grateful Melissa Waggener Zorkin helps Mercy Corps". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- Harrington, John. "PRWeek Global Awards 2019: shortlist revealed". www.prweek.com. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
