Chandler Chicco Agency

Chandler Chicco stands out in 2006 not only as an agency that has achieved outstanding recognition in its specialist field, but also as one admired and respected by the PR and communications industry outside the healthcare world.

In its own category, which was dominated by specialist firms, Chandler Chicco Agency, led by Gianfranco Chicco (l) and Bob Chandler, displayed steady, impressive growth. And in healthcare, one of the most competitive sectors there is, it truly stood out from the pack. And while the firm is being awarded for a particularly strong 2006, it is obvious that the past year was merely a continuation of the success it has enjoyed over the past decade.

And it's hard to ignore 10 consecutive years of double-digit growth, especially considering that decade spans the late '90s-early '00s marketing recession. This can partly be attributed to the relative robustness of the healthcare sector during that time, but it is also indicative of a firm that successfully motivates its staff to excel in client service.

Revenues for 2005 were approximately $39 million, and the agency is predicting yet another double-digit increase. This comes in part from a stellar new-business record; CCA tells of its "nearly 100% new-business win rate," with new clients on board including Allergan Lap-Band, J&J/McNeil Tylenol, and GSK Biologicals - the latter being a global assignment.

Organic growth also played a part in the year-on-year revenue boost. On average, says CCA, it has seen an increase in business of 525% over the past three years among all its long-term clients. "Increased growth from existing clients is always a good sign," noted one judge.

After starting with a single New York office in 1995, CCA moved into new office spaces in Washington, DC, and London this past year. Strategic alliances with networks including Mmd and Eastwei have gained CCA considerable inroads into Eastern and Central Europe and Asia, respectively.

CCA this past year also branched out into wider areas from its healthcare base. Partnering with Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, CCA launched Health360Strategies, which takes a full-circle view of the healthcare business, and media and public-policy climates to develop public affairs and PR programs. It also launched Brandtectonics, a branding division.

Numbers aside, judges kept returning to the value CCA places on staff retention and development. From parties, massage sessions, and activities' for staffers' children, to its Phase IV professional development program, its "A Moment Matters" best-practice program, and its C3 Central online hub, the firm is always implementing ways to bolster its talent.

As one judge said: "New business, new staff, new offices... CCA had a great year!"

Finalists

Chosen from the Small, Midsize, and Large Agency of the Year winners. To be revealed at the March 8 ceremony.

Honourable Mention

GolinHarris

GolinHarris seized its moment in 2006, using its 50th anniversary as a chance not to look back and rest comfortably on its half-century credentials, but as a chance to build a strong foundation for the next 50 years. Over the past few years, Golin has morphed from an IPG also-ran into an impressive outfit, worthy of the high-profile assignments it has nabbed, and also of the positive buzz it has in the industry. Golin launched many thought-leader initiatives as part of its grand future plan, including written material and a well-populated blog, nextfiftyears.com, as well as a substantial overhaul of its practice structure. Already respected divisions such as InsideEdge (internal communications) were complemented with many other brands focusing on areas from issues management to aging issues. Long-standing client relationships, including McDonald's and Nintendo, prove Golin's level of service, as do marquee wins such as Dow Chemical, a pitch in which Golin led its sister IPG agencies to victory. A claimed 13% year-on-year revenue rise bears out the agency's success.


About the Sponsor

Medialink

Medialink is a global leader in providing strategies and solutions that engage audiences with maximum impact via narrative video and audio. Through Medialink's services and multimedia platform, communications professionals can create, distribute, track, and archive video and audio for broadcast and broadband news and media buys. Based in New York, Medialink has offices in major US cities and London.