SUNNYVALE, CA: Juniper Networks is reviewing agencies for its North American AOR. The review process is part of the company's overall business review process, but was also prompted by the hiring of a new CMO last year, said Roger Fortier corporate communications manager at Juniper Networks.
“The nature of the work includes everything from strategic corporate counsel, media relations, executive thought leadership, speakers' bureaus, awards, and customer-related PR activities,” Fortier explained. “If we bring on a new partner and they offer services we're not using right now, we'll obviously look at that. We're also doing that with our current agency.”
The information technology company currently works with Sterling Communications as its AOR. Marianne O'Connor, president of Sterling, said the agency declined to pitch because Juniper's three-year plan was not in line with Sterling's business strategy.
"What [Juniper] is looking to do on the PR front would require Sterling to scale our business significantly to meet their needs," O'Connor said. "We weren't prepared to grow so much to serve just one client. So we agreed [with Juniper] that January 2009 would be a good time to make a transition."
While Fortier said there were no major changes planned for the role PR at the company, it does plan to use more Web 2.0 vehicles as part of communications.
He declined to disclose the budget for the account but said the company expects to make a decision by the end of quarter. Juniper also works with Sage Communications for public sector work.
