This year is off to a roaring start for independent communications/public relations firms, according to a new study by Worldcom Public Relations Group. The partner agencies of Worldcom forecast the hiring of new staff and are experiencing an increase in business and budgets.Worldcom Public Relations Group surveyed CEO’s from national and international partner agencies servicing clients ranging from small to mid-sized businesses to Fortune 50 companies. The survey indicates a high percentage of new business growth in the technology, consumer, healthcare, professional and financial service sectors.
Steady growth is seen in travel and leisure, transportation, energy, and government markets also anticipated. Matt Kucharski, chair of Worldcom’s public relations group and senior vice president of Padilla Speer Beardsley, told PRBC recently, “Professional service firms worldwide are leading the pack when it comes to new hires and business growth for 2012.” Kucharski added that they are seeing the same trend reflected by our partners across all regions.
The survey tapped more than 100 firms from three regions: Asia/Pacific, Europe/Middle East/Africa and North and South America on 2011-2012 business trends. Survey responses showed that 67% of firms have started off 2012 in better financial/business shape than 2011. Another intriguing response showed more than 64% of firms saw a notable surge in new business activity at the end of 2011.
According to the survey, fielded in December 2011, businesses across all sectors exhibited greater confidence in market opportunities and the value of public relations, retaining more agencies on an annual contract rather than project-by-project basis.
What say you, indie firms? Have you seen an increase in business so far in 2012? Let us know.
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