Ruder Finn Ranked #1 by Greater China Client-side Marketers for "Contribution to Business Growth"; Firm Scores Five #1 Rankings in 2015 Industry Benchmark R3 Research

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May 27, 2015, 09:00 ET

SHANGHAI, May 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruder Finn Asia (www.ruderfinnasia.com) today reported five #1 market rankings for the firm in Greater China in the 2015 R3 Worldwide China 2015 PR Scope Research (www.r3international.com). Ruder Finn was ranked by client-side marketers as the #1 PR firm in China across the priority business and performance categories of "Contribution to Business Growth", "Client Performance", "Market Insight", "Breakthrough Thinking" and "Campaign Effectiveness" in the R3 Worldwide study.

Sabrina Lee, Managing Director of R3 China said today, "We conducted in-depth research across 125 client-side marketers with decision-making responsibility for appointing and managing public relations firms in Greater China. Ruder Finn China achieved outstanding scores across the most important, added-value categories in our 2015 study. We track more than 18 categories, but Ruder Finn scored #1 where it matters most for clients in terms of measurable business impact, insight, thinking, effectiveness and creativity. There are larger firms out there in terms of size, but no firm comes close to Ruder Finn in terms of such a clear client-side endorsement in the areas that clients value the most. We have been tracking Ruder Finn's progress now for many years and are confident 2015 will prove to be a breakthrough year for the firm in Greater China."

As a result of enhanced client management systems and servicing methodology, the R3 study also showed close to 90 percent of Ruder Finn China's clients were Very Satisfied/Satisfied with the firm's service and counsel, an increase of 11 percent since the previous 2013 R3 study. This builds on Ruder Finn's market-leading client longevity track record, averaging eight years and extending to 17 years in the case of Michelin. The industry-recognized benchmark R3 China 2015 PR Scope Research polled marketers in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong with responsibility for agency relationships.

In addition to five #1 rankings and increasing client satisfaction scores, Ruder Finn China also showed financial, client, new business and operational success in 2014 with year-on-year revenues increasing by 10 percent and profits by 42 percent. Ruder Finn China today employs 250 people and the firm's largest clients include Volkswagen Group China, Cartier, Sanofi, Michelin, Hermes, Longines, Omron, Bosch and British Columbia. A significant portfolio of new client wins has also driven business outperformance, including Alibaba, Shanghai Disney Resort, De Beers, Michael Kors, Richemont, Blancpain and Watches and Wonders.

Elan Shou, SVP and Managing Director of Ruder Finn Greater China said today, "Ruder Finn China has built a clear market leadership position in the areas clients value the most. With a fast-growing client portfolio and the highest level of new business activity in our history, 2015 is forecast to be another record year for our firm."

Jean-Michel Dumont, Chairman of Ruder Finn Asia said today, "China is a consistently strong market for our firm with business doubling since 2010. In addition to growing the Ruder Finn business, we also established our sister brand, RF Thunder, which opened two new offices in the last 12 months in Hong Kong and Beijing as well as opening RFI Studios as a separate and specialised digital firm. This expanded portfolio delivers the precise services and support clients seek in Greater China in 2015."

Kathy Bloomgarden, Global CEO of Ruder Finn, said, "Ruder Finn works closely with our clients' marketing functions to launch brand-building efforts that have demonstrated a significant measureable impact on growth. This recognition only further validates the success of our marketing and communications campaigns across all of our offices to expand our clients' brand power in alignment with strategic growth goals."

About Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn (www.ruderfinn.com) is a US$75 million global public relations consultancy, with dual headquarters in New York and Beijing and ten additional offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. With 565 employees globally, 330 in Asia-Pacific and 250 in China, the firm closed 2014 with a 17% global revenue increase (24% in the US), its second consecutive year of double-digit growth with 86% of 2014 revenues from multinational clients.

Founded in Asia-Pacific in 1989, Ruder Finn Asia has grown at an average of 25 per cent every year since 2000 and has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. The firm is represented across all other regional markets through a network of high quality affiliates. Delivering award-winning innovative, strategic public relations campaigns, Ruder Finn Asia's key clients include Emirates, Jumeirah, Cartier, Volkswagen Group, Sanofi, Daiichi Sankyo, L'Oréal, Omron, Hermes, GSK, Cotton Inc, Bang & Olufsen, Michelin and leading brands from the Kering, LVMH and Richemont Groups.