Fleishman-Hillard Appointed PR Agency for Discovery Networks

Fleishman-Hillard, one of the country’s leading public relations agencies, has recently been appointed as the PR partner to Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) in South Africa.

In a seven way pitch, Fleishman-Hillard ticked all the boxes in terms of what the Discovery Networks CEEMEA team was looking for.

“We embarked on a gruelling process to identify the perfect PR partner for Discovery Networks. An Agency that could not only represent us effectively in South Africa, but also raise the profile of Discovery Networks as the number one factual entertainment broadcaster in the region,” says Lee Hobbs Channel Director, Emerging Business, Discovery Networks CEEMEA.

Hobbs says they were impressed by Fleishman-Hillard’s creativity and strategic intent as well as the passion and insight the agency’s team had for the Discovery Networks brand and its various channels. “Their approach to an integrated solution to media and communications was refreshing and it became obvious that Fleishman-Hillard are experts,” says Hobbs.

Kevin Welman, MD of Fleishman-Hillard says, “At Fleishman-Hillard we pride ourselves on the brands that we are trusted to represent. Winning the Discovery Networks pitch was the culmination of true seamless integration between displaying solid account management, our approach to traditional media mixed with the new media environment.”

“We are proud to add Discovery Networks to our growing client list,” adds Welman.

Fleishman-Hillard will be responsible for managing and executing various communications campaigns for Discovery Networks’ corporate and consumer portfolios in South Africa with project work extended into other African countries. Upcoming campaigns will include a special ‘Thrill of Discovery’ campaign tied to a major programming stunt on Discovery Channel in September as well as activity around the first birthday of TLC, Discovery’s flagship female brand, in October.

Discovery Networks has been broadcasting in South Africa since 1996 and started off with two channels. In 15 years the media company has become the biggest broadcaster of factual entertainment in South Africa and viewers now have access to seven of the Discovery Networks channels: Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Investigation Discovery, Discovery HD Showcase and Discovery World.