Berkeley Communications Group

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

About Zyxel: Focused on innovation and customer-centric technology and service, Zyxel has been connecting people to the Internet for over 30 years. Our ability to adapt and innovate with networking technology places us at the forefront of the drive to create connectivity for businesses and home users. I am Channel Director for the DACH region at Zyxel (Germany, Switzerland and Austria)

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Berkeley Communications?

Initially, we were looking for rock solid press office services.

What were your goals for this project?

Beeing supported quickly, efficiently and with zero fuss in all communcation issues we need for the German market - PR, text and social media.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

There are a lot of PR companies that work in our industry, which all seem to use the same strategies. We considered quite a few different agencies and held a competitive pitch. The decision came down to relationships. Berkeley Communications was on the same wavelength as us.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Initially, we were looking for rock solid press office services. Berkeley Communications delivered this quickly, efficiently and with zero fuss. They manage all media relations, content creation and product reviews for us in the DACH region and ensure we never miss an opportunity.

The team at Berkeley are also great at suggesting approaches we hadn’t considered as part of our PR programme such as social media strategies.

They manage our social media accounts such as LinkedIn to generate awareness with the right target audiences and to build relationship with potential customers.

What was the team composition?

On a given day, there are three members on the team but they also can bring on additional resource such as content creation, senior strategic support or media sellers when we have a big launch. I also appreciate that they hold regular brainstorms internally to come up with new and proactive ideas so I get the benefit of the creative ideas of everyone in their team, not just those working on my account.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Since Berkeley Communications came in, our LinkedIn followers have pretty much doubled. More and more people engage with our posts every month and follow our accounts.

Due to the posts and services their team provides, website visitors have also increased every month. We’re getting more traction with key press members.

Through our collaboration with Berkeley Communications, we have developed better relationships with crucial journalists who seem to publish most of what we put out.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have a weekly call to go through assignments, any deadlines or outstanding actions.

In addition, I know they are always at the end of the phone so can get regular updates should I need them outside of our scheduled calls. I like that they don’t just sit back and wait for me to send them information.

To move us forward, they never shy from chasing and prompting us so we don’t lose momentum or miss an opportunity.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their greatest quality is that they’re always pushing us. Berkeley Communications is always putting new ideas on the table. Rather than us going to them, their team is moving us forward constantly. We’re enjoy working with them because they keep delivering value.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can’t think of anything at the minute. As long as they keep pushing up, generating great results and coming up with creative approaches I’m happy.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. I am leading and responsible for the overall corporate communications for Kaspersky in the German speaking regions, which include Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Berkeley Communications?

Since its foundation in 1997 Kaspersky has always seen communication as a major business factor and hence has steadily grown its communicative outreach. Berkeley Communications has been the trusted partner and "right hand" of Kaspersky's corporate communications manager for B2C and B2B PR and corporate communications in the DACH region for several years already.

What were your goals for this project?

Country-specific qualitative and quantitative KPIs with regards to media coverage Extend company, B2B and B2C mindshare in the DACH region Future-driven B2B and B2C communication campaigns Solid external senior consultancy services

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Agency pitch

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Strategic, ongoing communications consultancy services Media relations DACH region Story telling Content production B2C and B2B campaign development and roll-out Event organisation Surveys Media monitoring Reporting Smaller graphic & layout tasks Translation services Support with issue management

What was the team composition?

3 permanent consultants, of which one senior consultant, plus ad-hoc support from other consultants, editors. specialists and freelancers whenever required.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Achieved country-specific qualitative and quantitative KPIs with regards to media coverage Achieved extension of company, B2B and B2C mindshare in the DACH region Received concepts for future-driven B2B and B2C communication campaigns Received solid external senior consultancy services

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their proactive, flexible and positive "can-do" approach stood out. Good project management skills Practical, easy to implement solutions Effective and speedy communication Punctual delivery of tasks Positive response to feedback

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Proactive, flexible and positive "can-do" approach Practical, easy to implement solutions Effective and speedy communication

Are there any areas for improvement?

Enhancing power of B2C communications would be a plus