GeoEye hires Gibraltar as AOR
DULLES, VA: GeoEye, a high-resolution earth satellite imagery provider, named Gibraltar Associates its AOR as the company seeks to increase its exposure with top tier business outlets.
The Washington-based firm is also providing public affairs, executive level media relations, and support for the company's corporate communications team, said Danielle Kazmier, SVP at Gibraltar.
GeoEye works with clients such as the US intelligence and defense industries and Google Earth. Its audiences include the media, government agencies, policymakers, business decisionmakers, and commercial customers.
Mark Brender, VP of communications for GeoEye, noted that while the majority of the company's communications focuses on the b-to-b and business-to-government sectors, it is hoping to expand its mainstream media opportunities.
“The firm will help with positioning our imagery in the press for news breaking events,” he said.
Revenues for the Dulles, VA-based company are expected to increase to $270 million in 2009, as compared to the $147 million it reported in 2008, said Brender.
Orbital Imaging acquired Denver, CO-based Space Imaging in 2006 before changing the company name to GeoEye. GeoEye's growth, as well as an acquisition and a change in headquarters, contributed to the decision to look for a new AOR.
“We were looking for a firm we could grow with and not grow out of,” he said.
The incumbent, LeGrand Hart PR, was hired by Space Imaging in 2004 and continued to work with the company until the start of the fourth quarter of this year, said DeeDee LeGrand Hart, CEO of the Denver, CO-based firm.
Eight firms, including LeGrand Hart, pitched the account and Gibraltar began work October 15. Brender declined to provide the names of the other firms that pitched.
Budget was not disclosed.
