NEW YORK: Global satellite network provider Hughes Network Systems has chosen MWWPR as global PR AOR.
MWWPR began working with Hughes in October after an RFP process that started in the summer. There were six agencies pitching in the RFP, including the incumbent. Hughes had been working with its previous agencies for about 15 years. Peter Gulla, SVP of marketing at Hughes, declined to name the firms.
The work will include social and digital marketing, influencer relations, content creation, executive thought leadership, public affairs, advocacy, cause marketing, and partner-alliance PR, according to the announcement. MWWPR will work with Hughes in North America and parts of Europe. The contract is for one year.
"We’re applying our ‘corpsumer’ approach [to Hughes], viewing everything through a corporate, consumer, and public affairs lens," said Bret Werner, president at MWWPR. "We’re doing traditional, digital, and content, as well as helping craft their narrative with our StoryCore process, which helps corporations communicate their story to stakeholders."
Gulla explained that Hughes has multiple PR challenges that range from international business to large enterprise to government and consumer.
"We have to make sure that we have common themes between all the businesses in the sense that we have the same DNA, same messaging, and the ability to talk specifically to each audience," said Gulla.
Before bringing on MWWPR, Hughes had been using multiple agencies.
"We thought there was an opportunity to pull it together into one single organization that has the kind of skillsets and expertise to handle the multiple lines of business we have," Gulla said.
The account is co-led by Dawn Lauer, SVP and MD of the firm’s b-to-b practice, and Karen Clyne, national tech practice lead and GM of the firm's western region.
Financial information was not disclosed, but Gulla said the company made a "significant investment" in its PR support going forward to "ensure we are using these PR tools correctly."
Hughes Network Systems is a subsidiary of Hughes Communications. The company provides satellite internet through HughesNet, which provides internet to more than 1 million subscribers in North America, Brazil, and Colombia.
"[Hughes is] a very intriguing high-performance company," Werner said. "People are unaware that Hughes pioneered satellite internet and that it has changed immensely over the years."
Earlier this year, MWWPR was brought on as AOR for Barefoot Wine and to support Primesight in the U.K. for the launch of LinkUK. The agency’s 2016 global revenue was $58 million, the same as the previous year.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on November 29, 2017 with comment from Gulla.
