Brussels, Belgium., 09. September 2009 - The Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading network of independently owned public relations counseling firms, today announced that its EMEA Regional Meeting will be held in Taormina, Italy, from 24 to 26 September. The keynote speaker is Martyn Hope, managing director of online sales conversion agency WRS. Hope’s presentation focuses on how PR firms can increase the return on investment of PR campaigns by integrating a ‘convert on arrival’ web approach.

Key conference theme: social networks
The dominant topic for the EMEA regional meeting is “Social Relations – the new ‘always on’ PR”. The conference will feature several workshops and round table discussions on how member agencies can best utilize social networks to the benefit of their clients. By sharing their knowledge and experience, Worldcom EMEA partners will come away from the autumn meeting with a wealth of tips and ideas around this key topic.

Maintaining quality: Worldcom Next Generation Group and peer reviews
For younger employees of Worldcom PR Group’s EMEA partners, the conference will include training sessions within the framework of the Next Generation Group. This is a new program developed by Worldcom partners to coach their younger staff and act in concert with the younger generation. Several youngsters from EMEA member agencies have signed up to participate in the training at the autumn meeting.
Worldcom’s established peer appraisal sessions will also be held at the meeting as a further measure to uphold the Group’s stringent quality standards. Peer reviews involve partner agencies regularly assessing each others’ work and providing suggestions for improvement if necessary. 

Helping clients develop integrated campaigns
“At this year’s autumn meeting, we’re putting a strong focus on social networks as they’re growing in importance in both the B2C and B2B sectors,” says Crispin Manners, EMEA chair of the Worldcom Public Relations Group. “By combining the considerable expertise of our members, we can help our clients develop coherent social media strategies and integrate them with PR in end-to-end campaigns that really deliver results.” 

About Worldcom PR Group
Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with some 105 offices in 91 cities worldwide. Established in 1988, it was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent public relations firms could serve national, international and multi-national clients while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through The Worldcom Group, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. Visit www.worldcomgroup.com for more information.
Worldcom EMEA currently comprises 29 agencies with strong expertise in consumer, healthcare, travel & tourism, technology, energy & environment, financial services, investor relations, public affairs and crisis & issues management. Thanks to a collaboration model that focuses on high quality and results, the Worldcom EMEA regional agencies today share a broad range of international clients including Cotton Council International, the EU Anti-Tobacco Campaign, Verbatim, Palm and Gemalto/YuuWaa. Visit www.worldcomemea.com for more information.