USA: +1-540-565-4499 EUROPE: +31-6-2180-9236 (NOTE: NEW NUMBERS as of 01 JULY 2020)
BRIAN AKRE & ASSOCIATES
"WE CREATE APPLAUSE"
OUR EXPERTISE
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
Your executives are experts in their fields. They are the public face of your organization. We help you tap their potential to be thought leaders and advocates, to amplify your messages, enhance your brand and expand your influence. Our broad strategic approach includes examining traditional and social media opportunities, speaking events and internal communications.
AWARD-WINNING WRITING AND EDITING
We provide experienced, award-winning writing talent, able to communicate clearly and on deadline. We do it all, from creating a simple news release to drafting a compelling keynote speech, a company narrative, or an annual report. We can even ghostwrite your book. No job is too big or too small.
WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?
Organizations too often treat executive speaking engagements as an afterthought. As a result, they miss a tremendous opportunity to influence and engage their audiences. In today's targeted media environment, a well-timed, well-conceived speech can have tremendous reach, making it more powerful than ever. A plan is critical.
OUR NETWORK
Brian Akre & Associates is part of a global network of experienced communications consultants. Our alliance allows us to provide a wider range of services to our clients.
BRIAN S. AKRE
Principal, Senior Adviser - The Hague/Washington
Following a 20-year career as a journalist, including a stint in Detroit as national auto writer for The Associated Press, Brian's work focused on media relations and executive communications at four Fortune 100 companies: General Motors, Nokia, Royal Dutch Shell and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Brian has worked with and advised several CEOs and Chairmen, along with dozens of other senior executives on three continents. He has extensive experience coaching and writing for executives for whom English is not their native language. At GM, he helped pioneer the use of social media and corporate blogs as an effective executive communications tool. An award-winning speechwriter, Brian knows how a well-designed speaker plan and executive communications strategy can help an organization achieve its communication goals. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from California's Humboldt State University. Brian divides his time between offices in Washington, DC, and The Hague.
HERTA LLC
Detroit
Based in Detroit, Herta offers a broad range of communications services, including strategic communications planning and implementation, technology launches, digital and social media strategy, and crisis communications. Founder Robert Herta is a veteran communications professional who is an expert at using internal communications to help a company meet its goals. He has been a strategic communications consultant to the Kellogg Co., Owens Corning and the American Society of Quality, among others. www.hertallc.com
THE SYNERGETIC GROUP
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
The Synergetic Group specializes in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. Led by Jim Burke, who has more than 30 years of experience in communications, human resources and labor relations, The Synergetic Group provides a wide range of communications consulting services. thesynergeticgroup.com
THE TANTALUS GROUP
Vancouver, British Columbia
The Tantalus Group is a global management consultancy, based in Vancouver, with special expertise in communications and marketing. Tantalus advises leaders on business opportunities and threats, from strategy, marketing, communications, organization and digital, to business transformation, change management, sustainability and mergers and acquisitions. Brian Akre & Associates teams with Tantalus in providing workshops and seminars to communications teams around the world. www. thetantalusgroup.com
OUR APPLAUSE
"We hired Brian to help our team write two critically important speeches for our CEO on relatively short notice. He quickly picked up on the voice and style of our CEO, who was very pleased with the final products. Brian is fast, creative, responsive and an exceptional writer. I would hire him again without hesitation."
Barry French, Chief Marketing Officer, Nokia, Espoo, Finland
"I have known Brian Akre for many years, and have benefited from both his writing and, especially, his communication management skills. The extent and diversity of his background makes him a valuable resource for any organization seeking to improve performance."
Bob Lutz, retired Vice Chairman and Head of Product Development, General Motors, Detroit
"Brian was an invaluable member of GM Communications. Outstanding writer, great media sense and contacts. Willing to challenge others. Developed and earned trust of all levels of GM organization including CEO and other senior management. Intelligent and very strategic. Self starter. Willing to get his hands dirty. I would always want Brian as part of any communications team I was leading."
Steve Harris, Partner, McGinn & Co., Washington; former Global Vice President of Communications at General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and Chrysler
"Brian is a savvy communicator whose deep experience working with senior leaders helps them to achieve the impact they desire. He's an eloquent speechwriter attuned to the voice and character of the speaker. He thinks deeply about the important issues of the day, and his journalism roots and inquisitive nature help him unearth the facts and anecdotes necessary to sway opinion and shape debate. He was a tremendous asset to our team and great to work with."
David Woodruff, Global Head of Content, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland; former Head of Editorial, Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague
"As a speechwriter and executive communications consultant, Brian is a communication team's secret weapon. Fast, accurate and crystal clear, Brian can deliver expert reputation management, thought-leadership advice, messaging, bullet points or eloquent teleprompter scripts. And he can deliver this in a variety of scenarios -- from preparation well in advance of the World Economic Forum at Davos, to crisis playbooks on tight deadline at 2 a.m. In addition to his strategic counsel, Brian has a VIP list of global business media; top reporters rightfully know and trust his insight and steer on significant stories across both automotive and tech sectors. Brian has the highly desirable ability to think strategically and execute nitty-gritty deliverables -- a skill that is too rare in communications teams. He's a low-drama, high-output professional indispensable to any communications team."
Rachel Konrad, Chief Communications Officer, Impossible Foods Inc., Redwood City, Calif.; former Global Vice President of Communications, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Paris
"As a reporter at a major news organization, I always felt like I could trust Brian to handle inquiries with the highest level of professionalism. Any company would be fortunate to have Brian Akre handling strategy and directing outreach, and representing it to a surly, fragmented media."
David Kiley, author/journalist; former Director of Communications and Content Management, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, Mich.
LET US CREATE APPLAUSE FOR YOU!
Fill out the form below, tell us your needs and we'll let you know how we can help your organization.