https://theprpost.com/post/6510/

Francesca Boase joins Sandpiper as MD of Professional Services

The Sandpiper Group has announced the appointment of Francesca Boase as Managing Director, Professional Services. Sandpiper, renowned as one of the foremost independent communications, public affairs, and research groups in the Asia Pacific region, is set to leverage Boase's extensive expertise to further elevate its specialized Professional Services practice on a global scale.Based between the bustling metropolises of Hong Kong and Sydney, Francesca Boase brings over two decades of invaluable experience to her new role. Her career trajectory spans both agency and in-house positions, where she has collaborated closely with executive teams and boards, carving out a niche in reputation strategy, corporate communications, and crisis and issues management.Prior to joining Sandpiper, Boase held the prestigious position of Director of Communications for Oceania at EY. During her tenure, she spearheaded corporate affairs, issues management, and external communications initiatives, leaving an indelible mark on the firm's strategic landscape.Boase's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Sandpiper, coinciding with the burgeoning expansion of its professional services reputation advisory endeavors across the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. The consultancy's unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it prestigious accolades, including recognition as an Asia Pacific Agency of the Year by esteemed industry voices such as PRovoke Media, PRWeek, and the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA). Furthermore, Sandpiper has emerged as a trailblazer in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Sustainability realms, cementing its position as a frontrunner in the ever-evolving communications landscape.Emma Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Sandpiper, said: “As one of the region’s most experienced advisers in reputation management for professional services, Fran brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience to our clients across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond. Her appointment coincides with the growth of Sandpiper’s professional services reputation advisory work across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Over the past 12 months, Sandpiper has been named Asia Pacific Agency of the Year by PRovoke Media, PRWeek, and the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA), as well as PRCA’s 2024 Specialist Consultancy of the Year.”Francesca Boase, Managing Director, Professional Services, Sandpiper, said: “This is an exciting and challenging time for the professional services industry, and Sandpiper’s global reach and deep expertise in corporate and public affairs makes it ideally positioned to partner with clients across the corporate spectrum. I’m looking forward to collaborating with an international team of dynamic and dedicated professionals to lead the practice globally. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.”With Francesca Boase at the helm of its Professional Services division, Sandpiper is poised to navigate new horizons, delivering innovative solutions and unparalleled expertise to its diverse clientele, and solidifying its status as a powerhouse in the realm of communications and public affairs.
https://theprpost.com/post/6472/

McDonald's 'Grimace's Birthday' wins at PR awards

McDonald's "Grimace's Birthday" campaign, created by Golin, was the star of the North American SABRE Awards, winning the top prize for Best Public Relations Campaign of 2023. This marks a historic night for Golin, becoming the first agency ever to snag three major awards: Best Agency to Work For, Large Agency of the Year, and Best in Show.The award-winning campaign addressed a significant drop in birthday celebrations at McDonald's. They brought back a beloved character, Grimace, to reignite excitement. This clever strategy resulted in a staggering 900% increase in birthday celebrations at McDonald's after five years of stagnation."This campaign was pure, fantastic consumer marketing," said Paul Holmes, head judge and founder of PRovoke Media. Awards often favor purpose-driven initiatives, but sometimes, great PR boils down to a creative idea that captures consumer imagination and fosters meaningful engagement."And the results in this case were nothing short of phenomenal," he concluded."Grimace's Birthday" triumphed over other impressive campaigns to win the coveted Platinum SABRE. These finalists included:  Dove's "Black Hair is Professional" with Ogilvy  SAG-AFTRA's "2023 Negotiations and Strike Campaign" with SAG-AFTRA  DHL Supply Chain's "Step Up for Safety" with Fahlgren Mortine  Aura Freedom's "For Her" Campaign with Veritas Communications and Forsman & Bodenfors"These finalists represent the incredible range of PR work seen this year," said Holmes. "From social justice efforts by Dove to navigating the Hollywood strike for SAG-AFTRA, to internal communications for DHL, any of these campaigns could have rightfully won the top prize."Ogilvy walked away as the biggest award winner, taking home eight trophies. MSL and Weber Shandwick followed with five awards each, while BCW snagged four. Finn Partners, Golin, and M Booth rounded out the top with three awards apiece.