Howorth works on strategy-lead projects across the breadth of Microsoft’s business groups including consumer, enterprise, education, small business and citizenship. Recent successful projects have showcased Microsoft products and services through major consumer product launches, integrated multimedia campaigns and leading edge social media activities.

Howorth works directly with Microsoft’s partners and customers to showcase how Microsoft technologies or involvement in Microsoft-led community programs help them ‘be what’s next’. Examples of partner and customer collaborations include the Lync launch, Dynamics CRM Online launch and Cloud Computing briefings.

Howorth develops media relations campaigns that achieve maximum impact and message cut-through, while positioning Microsoft as a major enabler of the technology ecosystem and as a leading corporate citizen. The launch of Windows Phone 7 into a market dominated by competitors is an example of a high-impact campaign that Howorth managed for Microsoft, which witnessed IT media touting the event as Microsoft’s ‘comeback into the smartphone market’.

Howorth and Microsoft have developed a long term relationship, which has led to a deep mutual understanding of Microsoft’s business. The staff at Howorth have kept a consistent and insightful team working closely with Microsoft’s business in Australia.  The team reacts quickly to unforeseen issues and last minute developments, using their knowledge of the business to mobilise and craft solutions to whatever event, launch, issue, media or social media enquiry has arisen.

Ogilvy PR Australia is home to Howorth, Pulse Communications, Impact Employee Communications, Parker& Partners, Ogilvy PR Health, OgilvyEarth and Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence.

Jacquie Fegent-McGeachie, Practice Director, Pulse Communications, took out Young PR Professional of the Year and Impact and OgilvyEarth won the Environmental Campaign of the Year for Bayer Australia.

Certificates of excellence were awarded for:

• Technology Campaign of the Year, Howorth – Microsoft Australia: Citizen Mayors of Sydney Unite
• Employee Communications Campaign of the Year, Impact & OgilvyEarth – Bayer Australia
• Crisis or Issues Management Campaign of the Year, Pulse & 360 DI – LG Electronics: LG Australia Refrigerator & DVD Recall

Honourable mentions were presented for:

• Product Brand Development Campaign of the Year, Howorth – Ancestry.com.au: Australia – Who do you think you really are?
• Consumer Launch Campaign of the Year, Howorth – Ancestry.com.au: Australia – Who do you think you really are?
• Business-to-Business Campaign of the Year, Howorth – Telstra: Powerful PR addresses the productivity gap

John Studdert, Managing Director for Ogilvy PR Australia, said: “It is a great achievement to be recognised and rewarded for great work in a highly competitive awards programme. It’s particularly gratifying when we are awarded for both our client work and our people development,” he said.

The Asia-Pacific PR Awards recognise the best work in the communications industry. Now in their 10^th year of competition, the awards are dedicated to celebrating outstanding work and across the region.

The B&T Awards are designed to recognise excellence in all areas of marketing, media and communications. The Awards are an all encompassing industry event showcasing excellence across 25 categories.

The winners will be announced at the awards night on Friday December 3.

Most recently heading up the consumer brands division at The Red Consultancy in London, Matt begins work at Pulse from September 6.  He replaces outgoing Managing Director, Samantha Allen, who has been promoted within Ogilvy PR Worldwide to lead the agency’s Global Consumer Marketing practice from New York.

Ogilvy PR Australia’s Managing Director, John Studdert said: “Matt’s track record speaks for itself – he’s led award-winning UK and global work for some of the world’s biggest brands and has successfully grown his 40-strong division despite the tough economic times.  His creative flair and deep sector expertise will begin delivering immediately for Pulse’s clients, and we know he’ll contribute to our wider success story within the Australian market.”

Pulse is one of Asia Pacific’s most awarded and successful consumer PR agencies with a client base that includes LG Electronics, Tourism Australia, Fosters CUB, Rolls Royce, Ford and Unilever.

Taking over the 20 plus strong team, Matt will bring a wide-ranging sectoral perspective to the business, with experience ranging from Pfizer to Samsung, Virgin Money and Coca-Cola.

Having led strategic and creative thinking for brands like eBay, Gumtree and MySpace, he will also work closely with Ogilvy PR’s worldwide 360˚ Digital Influence group, developing bespoke campaigns and providing senior counsel for clients. Matt has a bachelor’s degree from RMIT University, and began his career at Hill & Knowlton and Porter Novelli in Australia.

He commented: “During my time in the UK, I’ve worked with, and learnt from, some of the best people in the industry. The chance to return home to Australia and take up this exciting role at Pulse was an opportunity too good to resist.  I’m looking forward to building the Pulse brand even further and working with the great team and the other companies within the Ogilvy PR and STW Group to deliver creative excellence for our clients.”

Pulse was awarded the Best New Consultancy in 2004 (Asia Pacific PR Awards), Campaign of the Year (2008 Asia Pacific PR Awards), and has gone on to win over 50 Australian and global awards including the top honour for all WPP-owned PR agencies worldwide.

Ogilvy PR Australia is a joint venture between Ogilvy PR Worldwide and STW Group, Australia’s leading marketing content and communications services group.

The agency was recognised for its strong performance in a tough economy, impressive new business wins across multiple markets and innovative and award-winning work for clients. This accolade follows on the heels of an impressive year of recognitions for the firm including being named Large Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report and PRWeek’s Editor’s Choice “Agency to Watch”.

In addition to the global Award, Howorth’s campaign for Livewire received highly commended.  Howorth was engaged under a part-paid, part-pro bono contract to officially launch and drive awareness for Livewire, a new online and social network for young Australians aged between 10 and 21 currently living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.

Pulse Communications also received highly commended for Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.  Pulse succeeded in generating national awareness and excitement around OPH and shifted Australians perceptions.  Pulse secured over 160 pieces of positive media coverage between February and May.