Weber Shandwick Worldwide's meeting two weeks ago in Florida seems
to have been as successful as the agency chiefs could have hoped
for.
With the top 200 or so people from the old Weber, Shandwick, and BSMG
structures attending the event, it is unsurprising that sources have
described it variously as "a real meeting of minds," "an impressive
display of our intellectual weaponry," or "a pretty crazy multi-cultural
scene."
Out of that meeting comes what seems to be a sense of direction, a sense
of leadership, and a real determination not to become obsessed with the
"biggest agency" tag. (Do not underestimate the importance of the
latter.) What's more, the newly-merged agency seems to have come up with
the clear management structure Weber Shandwick never seemed to
establish.
It has also taken a brave plunge in identifying its best brands.
But who would envy those at the top of that structure, who have the task
of amalgamating these offices at ground level in the coming months. It
is going to be very tough.
