Racepoint
Racepoint Group is a global public relations consultancy that is part of the W2 Group, a 'global marketing ecosystem' founded by leading PR guru Larry Weber. Its particular niche is digital media relations, with deep expertise in technology, health and science.[1]
Contents
Activities
In August 2010 the Guardian newspaper reported that Racepoint was the agency behind a recent 'makeover' for Rwanda and its president, Paul Kagame, in the run up to the country's second presidential elections since the war there ended in 1994. Kagame was seeking re-election.
- 'Tasked with persuading the world is London PR firm Racepoint, hired by Kagame. "You used to Google Rwanda and the first thing you would see would be about genocide," said Cathy Pittman, Racepoint's managing director. "Now we are feeding content and stories to journalists about the economy and culture. A lot of it is about images."
- It sometimes works. A writer from Foreign Direct Investment magazine was taken on a trip to Rwanda by Racepoint and wrote a piece in February (2010) which stated Rwanda "prides itself on having zero corruption" and that "Rwanda is poised to become Africa's newest success story".[2] [3]
History
Affiliations
People
- Larry Weber - Chairman and founder of the Weber Group which later became Weber Shandwick Worldwide
- Marijean Lauzier- President and CEO. Founded Racepoint Group, previously President and COO of Weber Shandwick
- Cathy Pittham - Managing director Racepoint Group Europe
- Peter Prodromou - Executive Vice President, who has extensive experience working with governments of developing nations. Has worked with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Libya 'to positively impact public perception and support negotiating positions with key allies, including the US government.'[4]
Funding
Clients
- Paul Kagame - President of Rwanda
- US Council on Competitiveness
- Enernoc
- IST Energy
- genzyme
- Sony
- symyx
Publications
Contact
- Address - Unit 1 & 2 - Post Box 3022, The Village Office, Westfield London Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, London W12 7GF
- Phone:+44 (0)20 8811 2474
- Website - http://www.racepointgroup.com/
Resources
Notes
- ↑ Racepoint About Us
- ↑ Does this picture make you think of Rwanda? The Guardian, by Robert Booth, 3 August 2010, accessed 4 August 2010.
- ↑ Leaps and bounds Foreign Direct Investment, by Ginanne Brownell, 13 February 2010, accessed 5 August 2010. Requires registration or is available on author's own website.
- ↑ Racepoint: About Us Peter Prodromou biography
