KISS - part of PROI Worldwide closing in on US$ one billion in revenue

KISS is proud to be a member of PROI Worldwide which has just announced it has increased its 2018 net fee income by 10% to almost US$ one billion.

This makes it the largest global communications company compared to other multi-national agencies and the fifth largest when compared to the world’s leading communications holding companies (according to statistics released by The Holmes Report, one of the world’s leading industry rating organisations). PROI’s growth compares with a 5% overall increase of the global public relations industry estimated at totalling US$15.5 billion.

The organisation’s 75 integrated independent Agencies, serving a total of 8,173 clients with 6,417 staff scattered among its 165+ offices around the world, continue the trend of outgrowing their competitors. Compared to PROI’s growth of 10%, the world’s other largest public relations firms grew by 4.9% and the Big 4 holding groups’ fee income grew by a meagre 3.3%.

“PROI Worldwide Agencies benefited from increased demand in all sectors and services including healthcare, reputation, crisis, issues and change management, digital and content marketing communications and social media,” said Clare Parsons, PROI Worldwide’s Global Chair and Chair of London-based reputation management consultancy, Lansons.

Parsons believes that PROI’s ability to share knowledge globally and its flexibility contributes to independently held PR agencies outperforming their publicly owned peers in growth. She added that PROI Worldwide continues to lead in business outcomes but also by assisting its agencies to grow. “We have incredibly strong relationships between our offices and staff exchanges are the norm. This allows us to share knowledge about business sectors as well as cultural norms which differ around the world and both our staff and our clients benefit.”

KISS CEO Simon Fryer, who founded KISS twelve years ago added, “I knew when we joined the PROI five years ago that this was a superb opportunity for us and our clients – It was always important to me and the senior leadership team to work with like-minded, integrated agency leaders and to enable us to access and provide insight for the benefit of our ambitious clients.

“As an agency that clarifies the complex & makes the memorable for world changing Science, Tech & Education brands, we are proud to be part of an international network that focuses on finding the most dynamic agencies in their market. We have forged long-lasting and mutually beneficial business and personal relationships, and in addition there are also some incredible cultural opportunities.

“Several members of our team have participated in work exchanges to Jackson Spalding in the US, fischer Appelt in Germany and most recently Anthea Hughes, our Head of Account Services, returned from India where she spent two weeks experiencing agency life with our Indian colleagues at AdfactorsPR.”

A key aim of the PROI is to focus on identifying agencies whose strategic direction includes an integrated approach and a global view of the communications industry. The organisation, founded in Europe in 1970, will mark its 50th anniversary in London in May 2020 and the whole team is excited at the prospects this hold for KISS.

“Our Managing Director Sarah Reakes recently attended the annual Global Summit in Canada where she and our PROI colleagues discussed plans for the celebration next year. I’m delighted to say KISS will play a role in bringing that event to life.”