The European Commission has appointed APCO Europe to handle the
pan-European publicity for the Phare Programme.
The total spend on publicity for the programme is pounds 2.2 million for
the first year and can be renewed for up to three years.
The Phare Programme advises countries in central and eastern Europe
preparing to join the European Union on how to bring their political,
legal and administrative systems in line with the current member
states.
Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic are likely to
be among the first wave of countries to become members of the EU at the
turn of the millennium.
Brussels-based APCO Europe bid for the account in partnership with the
European Consulting Organisation, the framework contractor which will
administer the account.
Nick Andrews, APCO Europe’s director of strategic communications, said:
’The audiences we’re aiming at include organisations which will benefit
and the general public, to members of the European Parliament.’
The European Commission put the contract out to tender in February six
months after The Rowland Company’s three-year contract to promote the
programme expired. The Rowland Company did not re-pitch for the
account.
Phare will continue to work with selected local agencies.
