Weber Shandwick Launches Real Voices, Real Japan Initiative, Focusing Positive Attention on Japan's Recovery Effort

TOKYO, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations agencies, today unveiled its Real Voices, Real Japan initiative, a platform created to provide insight on the rebuilding and recovery of Japan after the earthquake.

Launched exactly two months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Real Voices, Real Japan is an English-based initiative that reveals the voices of diverse sectors involved in the recovery – including the general public, business community and NPOs – and aims to present the global audience with on-the-ground local understanding that will help stakeholders worldwide make informed decisions and take proper responsive action.

A website created as part of this initiative (realvoicesrealjapan.com) will be a key component of the program, providing expert insights on:

• The Voice of Consumers: Monitoring the public mindset with support from online news outlet Business Media Makoto, market researcher Macromill INC, and marketing communications and fellow IPG company McCann Worldgroup Japan Inc.
• The Voice of Social Media: Tracking post-quake online conversations with insights from digital marketing company Le Grand Co., Ltd.
• The Voice of Tohoku: Providing local reports on the rebuilding of the Tohoku region, facilitated by Japan-based photographers, 37 Frames, and nonprofit organization MAKE THE HEAVEN (MEGUMI JAPAN Project).
• The Voice of Communication Professionals: Offering tips and observations from the communication experts at Weber Shandwick.
• The Voice of Business: Outlining views of the current situation and outlook from the foreign business community.

Real Voices, Real Japan has the endorsement of the American and British Chambers of Commerce, European Business Council in Japan and foreign companies in Japan, among others, with English translation support by volunteers and KY Trade Co. Ltd., an interpretation and translation services provider.

"Weber Shandwick has been issuing its daily Quake Update since shortly after March 11. We understand that the international business community is keenly interested about when and how the Japanese economy will recover. As an international communications service provider, we are in a unique position to contribute to the recovery by communicating the real voices of Japan to the global business community," said Akihiko Kubo, President and CEO of Weber Shandwick's Japan office. "Through Real Voices, Real Japan, we wish to create a more accurate understanding of the real economic situation in Japan, and thereby support the process of reconstruction now underway."

For real-time updates, Real Voices, Real Japan can be followed on Twitter (http://twitter.com/RVRJ).

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 74 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 or http://www.webershandwick.asia.

SOURCE Weber Shandwick