Fifth Ring leads Scottish agencies in RAR Top 100
December 15, 2011
Aberdeen-based marketing communications firm Fifth Ring, has been ranked 13th by Recommended Agency Register (RAR) in its latest survey of the top agencies outside London.
Entering for the first time this year, Fifth Ring achieved the highest ranking of all Scottish agencies. The RAR annual top 100 uses a selection of criteria including financial performance, company growth and turnover per member of staff to individually rate the strongest companies.
Since 2004, RAR has been identifying the best agencies based on feedback from clients. Its online process gathers ratings and references from thousands of marketing professionals allowing organisations’ to make an informed choice of agency.
This latest achievement comes on the back of success for Fifth Ring’s Houston operation, which has grown from a standing start in 2008 to become a top-10 player in the world energy capital in only its third year of business.
Fifth Ring’s co-founder and group business development director, Ian Ord, comments on this latest achievement: “We are absolutely delighted to be the highest-ranked Scottish agency in this year’s RAR top 100. It is a huge achievement for the whole team at Fifth Ring and testament to all their hard work and commitment.
“I certainly believe that much of our success is down to a clearly defined vision and strategy, as we continue to carve our niche as communication specialists focused on the Energy sector. This has allowed us to grow internationally, where we also achieved recognition for our Houston operation earlier this year.”
A global specialist in business-to-business communications, Fifth Ring now has offices strategically located in the world’s oil and gas hubs. It also continues to work with a number of major construction industry and education accounts. In line with its international strategy the company opened an office in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year.
Mr Ord continues: “This is a fantastic way to end an extremely busy year and as we head into the festive period we have much to celebrate and look forward to in 2012.”
In recent months Fifth Ring, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has also taken a leading role in the Business Branding Network, an international affiliation of some of the world’s most creative agencies specialising in business-to-business (B2B) communications. BBN members use their combined skills to offer a powerful, complete package of marketing communications disciplines to the benefit of customers across the world.
Ian Ord Nominated for MD of the Year Award
October 24, 2011
It was announced earlier this week that our very own Ian Ord has been nominated for MD of the Year at the MI Awards 2011.
MiAwards is MiNetwork’s annual awards scheme which aims to identify excellence in marketing and excellence in running a marketing agency business. Now in its third year, MiAwards has gone from strength to strength attracting entries from both MiNetwork members and non-members alike in categories that range from Advertising Agency of the Year to Social Media Agency of the Year.
Launched in Aberdeen in 1991, Fifth Ring has grown rapidly, now providing expertise in brand and strategy development, public relations, digital media, design & production and advertising around the world.
Ian, one of the founders of Fifth Ring, has played an instrumental role in the Fifth Ring’s growth and global success. His dynamic vision and motivational leadership created one of the first fully-integrated communication agencies in the UK, which now operates on a global scale.
Fifth Ring now has offices in Aberdeen, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Houston, Inverness and Kuala Lumpur and this network secures the agency’s position as the leading energy industry specialists as well as being highly respected in the financial and professional, construction, education, leisure and public sectors.
To vote for Ian Ord as MD of the year please visit http://vote.miawards.me/
Fifth Ring’s Houston success shows importance of old alliance
October 17, 2011
The Houston Business Journal (HBJ) recognised Fifth Ring, the award-winning global integrated corporate communications firm, as the 10th largest ranking public relations firm in Houston, Texas.
The HBJ announced the top 24 largest Houston-area public relations firms in the Friday, August 12 issue and determined ranking by 2010 local gross revenue.
“Considering Fifth Ring has only been in the U.S. since 2008, and that in 2010 we had less than two employees, this is a remarkable achievement,” said Ian Ord, Group Business Development and Marketing Director at Fifth Ring. “We owe a great deal of gratitude to our global team who offers assistance and expertise when needed.”
In June, Fifth Ring won two awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) including, the PRSA Houston 2011 Mid-Size Agency of the Year Award and the PRSA Houston 2011 PR Professional of the Year Award, received by Brad Leone, Fifth Ring Houston’s PR Leader. They also won a 2010 PRSA Houston Gold Excalibur Award for the HIMA Americas 2009 North America Marcoms Campaign.
In 2010, the Houston office earned more than $500,000 in revenue during the second full year of operation, with less than two full-time employees.
“Our PR team is dedicated to delivering customised strategic PR support to clients,” said Ord. “We want to see our clients strengthen their business and find success as a result our hard work and communication guidance.”
Fifth Ring is dedicated to business-to-business communications with offices strategically located in the world’s oil and gas hubs, due to the core client focus being in energy. Other office areas include Kuala Lumpur, Aberdeen, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Harness the challenges of internationalisation and expand your company's geographic footprint
August 29, 2011
For many firms, the lure of the overseas market has never been more irresistible. It can offer the chance to diversify your customer base, secure new opportunities and ultimately expand your business. And with the maturation of the internet and advancement of communication tools, there has never been a better time to leverage internationalisation to your advantage.
Fifth Ring, has embraced the benefits of a global footprint for the best part of a decade. For many of our clients, our ability to offer support both internationally and on-the-ground was imperative, so in 2004 we took the first step, opening an office in Dubai. This was followed by offices in Houston, Inverness, Abu Dhabi and most recently, Kuala Lumpur.
Our geographic spread brings with it a number of benefits. Our stakeholders, colleagues, clients, prospective clients, the media and academia view us in a completely different light and it allows us to add value to our client base through a truly international network; providing contacts, languages and a cultural awareness that are real differentiators to the offerings of our competitors.
With the benefits, however, come a number of challenges. We have had to learn to work on the world clock as opposed to the local clock, while conditioning ourselves to different cultures and commercial environments. But there are a few simple ways in which any company can avoid the most common pitfalls:
Culture: An international workforce can offer the native language and an understanding of local culture; factors that can present increased business opportunities. However, employees from around the world also have varying needs that should be taken into account, from religious beliefs to holidays. Cultural-sensitivity training can help you prepare before you expand or hire from overseas.
Economic Climate: Ensure you are well-informed on tariff and tax obligations in order to minimise costs and maximise profits. You should make sure intellectual property is well-protected to avoid duplication. Learn about local business etiquette; in the Middle East, for example, there are set days and times when local people are called to prayer. In Malaysia, you must greet business associates with eye contact and a hand-shake (with your right hand), while business cards are presented with both hands. Avoid causing offence by ensuring you have sound local knowledge that takes such factors into account.
Product/Company Name: Check that your products, logo and collateral do not contain words, symbols or colours that may be considered offensive by other cultures. Translating your marketing collateral and other media into the relevant language will provide further opportunities and demonstrate your company’s commitment to the country in which you are trying to establish yourself.
If you can grasp the basics, then achieving success through internationalisation is not world’s away.
Ian Ord, business development director, Fifth Ring Integrated Corporate Communications
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Fifth Ring leads Scottish agencies in RAR Top 100
December 15, 2011
