INCHON CITY, SOUTH KOREA: The Inchon International Airport Authority has issued a dollars 6.6 million RFP for its new facility.
INCHON CITY, SOUTH KOREA: The Inchon International Airport
Authority has issued a dollars 6.6 million RFP for its new facility.
Burson-Marsteller, Hill & Knowlton, Porter Novelli and Shandwick are
said to be putting substantial muscle behind their efforts to win the
airport account, which will be awarded later this month. Proposals must
be submitted by October 19.
While any dollars 6.6 million account is obviously going to generate
more than its share of attention, this one appears to be particularly
coveted. Burson recently assumed full ownership of its Korean partner,
Merit Communications (PRWeek, Sept. 27), but few other firms have
successfully tapped into the burgeoning Korean market. Winning this
contract, then, could provide a foundation for future business in the
region.
Executives from the four firms in the running are playing their cards
close to their vests. ’While I cannot confirm Hill & Knowlton’s
participation, this is certainly the type of project that we would be
very interested in,’ said Vivian Lines, COO of the firm’s Asia Pacific
operation. Shandwick’s Scott Meyer issued a flat ’no comment,’ while
execs from Burson and PN did not respond to calls.
The airport authority is looking for an international firm with
experience in the region, and its top execs are said to believe that PR
will play a crucial part in positioning the new facility as a key hub in
Eastern Asia.