Expert forum on International Communication to take place in Stuttgart

On 24th March 2010 the business development department for the City of Stuttgart, as well as the Stuttgart marketing and PR scene, will meet to discuss the much talked about issue of international public relations. Between 11 and 2 o’clock in the Stuttgart Town Hall, the experts will explain strategies and approaches to interested parties. Further, this expert forum “Commerce meets international communication“ will discuss how export-oriented companies can support their activities abroad by applying communication measures. As specialised agencies, Stuttgart’s creative companies - local global, Sympra and oha communication – are to provide impulses on this subject. Reporting from their experience in international communication, the European pharmaceutical logistics company Movianto will also take the stage. Representatives from the German Public Relations Association (DPRG) and International Public Relations Association (IPRA) will also be present.

The success of entering a foreign market is definitively characterised by successful communication. What challenges arise here and which solutions can be found? The business development department for the City of Stuttgart, the German Public Relations Association (DPRG) as well as companies in Stuttgart’s creative sector take pleasure in inviting guests to this valuable expert forum.

“As an economic location, Stuttgart has the highest rate of exports in comparison to other German cities. The companies in this region, the global players and the highly active mid-sized companies, have a strong focus on internationality“, explained Dr. Klaus Vogt, Head of the business development department for the City of Stuttgart. “This is also mirrored in the creative industry: agency and service-providers here support these companies with this internationalisation.“

Hans Gäng from the media and trade fair company local global, Veit Mathauer and Oliver Hahr from the agencies Sympra and oha communication will summarise the criteria for success when extending presence abroad. Practice-oriented examples of marketing and PR in a Europe-wide organisation will be provided by Ottilie Krug, European Marketing Manager at the pharmaceutical logistics company Movianto.

Representatives from Stuttgart companies, Professor Stefan Hencke, member of the board for the German Public Relations Association (DPRG) Baden-Württemberg and Ulrich Gartner, member of the board at the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) invite guests to an open discussion. As from 12:30 discussions can be intensified over a buffet lunch. The event is free of charge.

“The concept of the event has proven to be a good one“, commented Dr. Klaus Vogt, Head of the business development department for the City of Stuttgart. “This series allows a spotlight to be put on the abilities of the creative industry in Stuttgart in order to illustrate that one does not have to go to Hamburg or Berlin when on the look out for a highly professional and creative agency.“

“Commerce meets international communication“ is to take place as one of a series of events. The aim is to further intensify the dialogue between regional companies and experts in the creative industry. The City of Stuttgart cooperates with the relevant professional associations and societies. Varying key sectors in the field within the creative industry will be explained. The topics to date have included advertising films, corporate publishing and photography.