Brussels 1 September 2009 – Ogilvy Public Relations Brussels has been awarded a contract by the European Commission to develop a pan-European campaign to promote biodiversity. Biodiversity is a top EU priority and a looming post-Copenhagen issue. The campaign will launch in early 2010, the UN designated International Year of Biodiversity.

The win coincides with the launch of Ogilvy’s global sustainability offer, Ogilvy Earth.

“This is a major win for Ogilvy Brussels and for our growing sustainability work” said Natalie Todd, Managing Director of Ogilvy Public Relations Brussels. “Biodiversity is fundamental to the world we live in, but few people understand what it is and the benefits it beings. At Ogilvy we pride ourselves on designing creative campaigns that raise awareness and promote understanding of complex issues. We are delighted to have the opportunity to help the European Commission communicate with citizens on this important matter.”

The award of the biodiversity campaign comes hot on the heels of a number of high-profile environmental wins for Ogilvy. The most topical of these is “Hopenhagen”, a global campaign designed to generate worldwide support for an agreement at the Copenhagen climate change conference. The campaign, which was previewed to critical acclaim at Cannes, launches at the UN in New York in September (www.hopenhagen.org/).

“Since the launch of Ogilvy Earth this year we are developing more and more campaigns with sustainability at their core” said Ash Coleman-Smith, Managing Director for Ogilvy Public Relations EMEA. “The combination of our global network and sustainable development experts meant that setting up a sustainability practice was a no-brainer. Clients and colleagues are equally excited by the range of tools and services Ogilvy Earth offers.”

Other recent wins include the interactive climate change campaign “Join the changers.eu” for the European Parliament’s Alliance of Liberal Democrats in Europe, media relations for the EU’s 2009 Green Week “Climate Change: Act and Adapt” and promotion of the three-day European “Velo-City” event held this year in Brussels.

About Ogilvy Group : The Ogilvy Group is part of the WPP group, one of the largest communications groups in the world. In Belgium, Ogilvy offers advertising, interactive, marketing, public relations, public affairs, and production services, uniting over 60 employees in an integrated communication offer (www.ogilvy.be).
About OgilvyEarth: OgilvyEarth, the group’s holistic sustainability communications practice, was established by Ogilvy to help clients with their sustainability programmes to drive shared and conscientious corporate growth. Combining professional expertise from various marketing disciplines, such as advertising, PR, Public Affairs and digital, OgilvyEarth (www.ogilvyearth.com) offers strategic consulting, “sustainability influencer” programmes and CSR thought leadership.

For more information, please contact
Laure Van Hauwaert
Director Corporate and Consumer Communications
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Brussels
Tel +32 (0)2 545 66 80
E-mail : laure.vanhauwaert@ogilvy.com