Expansion to new markets – Response to new trends – Investment in human capital

Celebrating a decade of dynamic and successful presence, V+O COMMUNICATION presented today its course so far, as well as its future business plans

Referring to the company’s growth, V+O’s president, Thomas Varvitsiotis stated; “From a 5-people team and 8 clients in 2000, V+O has grown to an international group that is 80-people strong, has 87 retained clients and addresses 50 million consumers.”

Boasting a 35% average annual growth, a continuous stream of investment in its human resources, its infrastructure and its workplace, and putting emphasis on its successful operation in every market where it is present, V+O has become the largest independent, privately-owned public relations agency in Southeastern Europe.

Within the past 10 years, V+O has developed a full-service portfolio, that can accommodate its clients growing and diverse communication needs. The company’s organization is based on business-consulting type verticals within the client service team, which ensure specialization, in-depth market and business sector knowledge and better service for V+O clients. Furthermore, each V+O office maintains its independence and adjusts its services to the needs of its market, while knowledge exchange among all teams is ensured.

Demonstrating one of the highest new business and retention rates in the industry, V+O has a strong client base, with 90% of its clients coming from the private sector, and long-standing relations with market leaders. Throughout its history, the agency has facilitated the launch of over 12 new businesses and 50 products and services, the rebranding of at least 8 companies and has developed and materialized the communication strategy for over 10 IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, as well as a number of key business transactions in the Greek market. It has also earned 3 European Excellence Awards, 14 Ermis PR awards in Greece and 6 more awards in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia, including the Bulgarian Public Relations Association Award and the Romanian Golden Award of Excellence.

Presenting V+O’s plans for the future, V+O’s Vice President and Managing Director, John Olympios stressed the agency’s commitment to an aggressive growth strategy, even at this time of financial uncertainty. The strategy is based on three pillars: Expansion to new markets, response to new communication trends and investment in people. Within this framework, V+O is going to reinforce is presence in Southeastern Europe through the opening of a new office in Tirana, Albania within 2010, as well as the penetration of additional markets through acquisitions in 2011. Furthermore, in order to respond even more effectively to its client’s evolving needs, V+O is going to focus on digital communication, sustainable development and internal communication through innovative approaches and services.

At the same time, V+O has already introduced and will further develop a Human Resources program, V+O+U, which includes executive trainings, on the job training, coaching, mentoring, leadership skill-building and the further expansion of its existing performance evaluation tools.

It is also worth mentioning that within the framework of its 10-year celebration, V+O has planned a social responsibility program that will involve 10 NGOs and charitable foundations, 10 of its clients and its entire team, and will roll out within the next months.