associations - working together to make your voice heard
DESCRIPTION
Hill & Knowlton is guiding a number of associations through a changing environment. Our services have been tailored specifically to help associations navigate this new landscape while ensuring maximum efficiency and focus of the limited resources. In this brochure, we respond to the critical questions associations are increasingly asking themselves and us.TRANSCRIPT
AssociationsWorking together to make your voice heard
Faced with political volatility, economic uncertainty, a transforming media landscape, the rise of new channels of influence, and pressure by members to demonstrate tangible results, associations must ensure their strategies reflect new realities in terms of:
> Managing costs effectively & demonstrating value: Associations need to manage costs carefully and constantly demonstrate added value to members.
> Flexibility & speed: Associations need to adapt to an ever faster-moving environment (in terms of media, regulatory/political developments and internal communications).
> Impact: Associations will increasingly face difficulties in making their voice heard in a crowded space like Brussels.
At the same time, associations bear a number of structural constraints that can limit their ability to master these challenges:• A media crisis and/or specific stages in a lobbying campaign
may require rapid, intense responses – which a fixed Secretariat structure may not be able to absorb without additional support.
• Internal decision-making can be cumbersome and slow.• The need to reach a consensus can result in picking the
lowest common denominator, rather than focusing on strong and compelling messaging.
Hill & Knowlton has in-depth experience developing results-oriented strategies, providing actionable counsel, and serving as integral members of association teams. We can help you get the best out of your association and make your voice heard on the EU scene.
Today’s complex economic and regulatory landscapes are pushing industry sectors and professions to redefine how they engage with decision-makers – locally, nationally and on a European basis – in order to advance and protect the interests of their members.
Yet in an increasingly crowded media and policy environment, associations and coalitions are finding themselves having to become more strategic and sustained in their approaches to obtain the attention of decision-makers in Brussels.
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Our ApproachWith extensive experience in organising industry coalitions and supporting associations, Hill & Knowlton offers both the breadth of services required to achieve your specific objectives and maximum flexibility to accommodate your particular needs and budget requirements – whether it is to help your association develop strategy and direction, communicate with its members, set up structures, run secretariats and shape external communication campaigns.
As a full-service agency with industry specialists that are connected to decision-makers in all major sectors, we offer the access, experience and resources needed to help associations deliver real business impact for their members. Furthermore, thanks to our extensive European network (32 offices across Europe) we can make sure your work truly has pan-European reach.
Our Services
Strategic AdviceHill & Knowlton advices associations how to be more effective and create added value for members:• Strategic review of association structure and remit• Benchmarking with ‘best in class’ associations • Strategic planning• Setting up strategic advisory boards
• Perception audits • Guiding associations out of antitrust pitfalls and securing
compliance with competition law
Lobbying Support Hill & Knowlton has in-depth experience to support associations on how to best represent their interests at EU level:• Campaign planning and implementation support• Co-decision lobbying• New comitology lobbying• Advice on building coalitions
Association managementHill & Knowlton provides full-service association management:• Day-to-day administration and running of associations • Providing office space/rooms for association work• Acting as official seat of an association• Supporting the recruitment of new members
Media RelationsH&K assists associations in all aspects of media relations.• Designing integrated media plans• Tailoring messages for the media• Setting up press offices• Organising press conferences • Editorial work
Seven Questions Your Association Needs to Consider1. As you seek to engage with policy makers, how can
you get the most out of your meetings?
2. What can you do to strengthen your position and ensure your messages are being heard?
3. As digital media becomes increasingly important, how can you pragmatically yet strategically tap its full potential?
4. Your members want more timely and relevant engagement with their association. What can be done?
5. Your members are often your most powerful media spokespeople. How can you help them capitalize on each interaction and interview?
6. Your sector is facing major criticism. How do you manage the issue effectively without it escalating into a crisis?
7. You have an important message but it’s not being heard by your most important audiences. How can you make your narrative more compelling to media and stakeholders – online and off?
Hill & Knowlton• Access• Experience• Resources
Stakeholders Members
Secretariat
Stakeholders
Hill & Knowlton
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Event managementHill & Knowtlon provides first-class, event solutions tailored to the scale, context, purpose and format of your event:• Managing event content (including speaker selection
and liaison)• Full-fledged logistical support• Organising exhibitions • Media relations
Training & Capacity buildingHill & Knowlton offers tailored trainings to build up specific skills and expertise in your organisation:• Lobbying training• Media training• Crisis & issues management training• Presentation training• Training members on compliance requirements
Digital CommunicationsHill & Knowlton can help you make sense of this dynamic yet direct channel of influence and outreach, and provide integrated strategies that enhance your ability to reach and engage with decision makers, stakeholders and key publics in sustained, relevant and measurable ways.• Issues-specific microsites and campaign websites• On-line monitoring & analysis• Social media optimization • Integrated online issues and crisis management• Member communications• Content strategy – including video, graphics, and animations• Digital advocacy and constituent mobilization
Our expertise, your success
For further information on our expertise in your sector and on how we can assist you on a specific issue, please contact a member of our team.
Hill & Knowlton International Belgium s.a./n.v.Neo Building - Rue Montoyer 51, Box 7 - 1000 Brusselstel. +32 2 737 95 00 - fax +32 2 737 95 [email protected]
Thomas TindemansManaging Director EU Public [email protected]
Ulrich [email protected]
Brendan HodgsonStrategy [email protected]
Michael VoordeckersAssociate [email protected]
Maud GarnierSenior [email protected]
Vinciane PatelouAccount [email protected]
Linda WeisertAccount [email protected]
Marion [email protected]
Fabienne [email protected]
Some of our experience