STW Group Limited (“STW”) today announced it has acquired 70% of Hawker Britton, one of Australia’s leading specialist government relations and strategic communications companies.
Established in Sydney in 1997, the company is led by Chief Executive Bruce Hawker, who continues to serve as a key political strategist to the Australian Labor Party on State, Territory and Federal election campaigns.
A national pioneer in specialist government relations, Hawker Britton has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Wellington, with a representative in Beijing.
Hawker Britton’s client base has grown to include companies from a wide range of sectors including banking and finance, infrastructure, utilities, manufacturing, retail and health.
“Hawker Britton has built an outstanding business and reputation as leaders in government relations, especially at state level and with Labor administrations,” STW’s Chief Executive Mike Connaghan said. “Its substantial business in general public affairs and issues management has been an added strength as the company has grown over the past decade.
“More and more companies are recognising good government relations, reputation management and public affairs are critical to being successful. Hawker Britton’s expertise will be a formidable addition to STW’s established suite of specialist public relations capabilities, bringing complementary skills, expertise and insight,” Mr Connaghan said.
Mr Hawker said the partnership with STW would help ensure Hawker Britton remained at the forefront of the nation’s public affairs industry.
“STW is the natural choice as a partner for Hawker Britton as we continue to build our business and look to the future,” Mr Hawker said.
“Our existing clients will continue to be served by the same Hawker Britton team of dedicated specialist advisers,” Mr Hawker said.
With the Hawker Britton acquisition, STW now has investments in public relations and government affairs businesses with total forecast 2007 fee revenues in excess of $40 million.
STW owns specialist financial PR firm, Canning-Debelle, and a 49% stake in the Australian PR industry leader, Ogilvy Public Relations, which comprises six specialist firms:
- Parker & Partners (government and public affairs)
- Savage & Partners (financial)
- Impact (employee)
- Howorth (technology and business to business)
- Pulse (consumer)
- Ogilvy PR Health.
“Specialist public relations capabilities are an increasingly critical offering to our clients," Mr Connaghan said.
”PR is key in delivering genuinely integrated campaigns, in helping clients protect and build corporate and product brands in an increasingly complex environment, and in building informed opinion and support for our clients on critical business issue.”
CONTACT:
Mike Connaghan
Chief Executive
STW Group Limited
(02) 9373 6305
Bruce Hawker
Chief Executive
Hawker Britton
(02) 9279 0200
