PARIS, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, announced it was recently named Agence de Relations Publiques de l'Annee (Public Relations Agency of the Year) at the Diner des Presidents of the 32nd Grand Prix des Agences de l'Annee. The winning agencies were announced with the support of Monsieur Frederic Mitterand, The Ministry of Culture and Communication and the trade associations ADC, AFDM, AFM, ANA, le Club des Annonceurs, IAB, UDA, UDECAM, SYNTEC public relations consultancy.

This event is the only Grand Prix that honours major communications consultancies for their competitive performance in the market, following a survey supervised by a selection committee, which brings together independent experts from the communications sector. It evaluates agencies according to the following criteria: the acquisition of new budgets, customer loyalty, award-winning creativity and growth in sales or gross profit, category by category.

"We are honoured to receive this prestigious award," said Arnaud Pochebonne, managing director of Weber Shandwick France. "With a new generation of consultants and strong expertise in fields such as digital and healthcare, we are well-positioned to continue to lead with best-in class service to our clients."

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 81 countries around the world. The firm's success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates - engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an 'Agency of the Decade' by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, a Digital Firm of the Year by PR News, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

About Grand Prix des Agences de l'Annee

A propos du GRAND PRIX DES AGENCES DE L'ANNEE Cree il y a 32 ans, LES AGENCES DE L'ANNEE est le seul prix qui distingue non seulement la qualite creative des campagnes publicitaires ou des operations de communication des agences candidates, mails aussi leurs performances en tant qu'entreprises, selon des criteres de gain de nouveaux budgets, de fidelite des clients acquis et de creativite primee lors des differents concours de creation. La selection des laureats est effectuee a l'issue d'une enquete administree a partir des fichiers DOC COM, la 1ere base de donnees des agences et annonceurs, et supervisee par un comite d'experts independants tous specialistes du marche des agences de communication: un chasseur de tetes (Michel Marie, MARIE TEAM), un conseil en rapprochement d'entreprises (SCHROEDER & ASS.), un avocat d'affaires (Me Hubert Roger-Vasselin), un expert-comptable specialiste de l'evaluation d'entreprises (Patrick Aubart, AUBART & ASSOCIES). LES AGENCES DE L'ANNEE est le seul prix place sous le patronage du Ministere de la Culture et de la Communication. www.lesagencesdelannee.com

Rachel Manfredo
Weber Shandwick
212.445.8171
rmanfredo@webershandwick.com

SOURCE Weber Shandwick