Skanska“Speaking Truth to Power”Crisis communications, media advocacy

CASE STUDY “Ewing PR has a great ability to analyze and offer sound solutions to problems. It's one of the very few agencies I've worked with who thinks about our commercial bottom line and the long-term big picture, not just the immediate communications issue.“

Lucie Nováková, Former Communications Director of Skanska a.s.

Without any warning, the Czech Minister of Transportation attacks one of the world’s largest construction companies on a live news program.

His accusations of poor workmanship and bad faith business dealings surprise everyone –including his own Highways Authority. At first, his party’s ‘anti-corruption’ platform seems to provide the only credibility he needs.

CASE STUDY

Imagine the Unthinkable:

THE CHALLENGE

When this happened to Skanska in 2011, they called Ewing PR. And quickly we agreed: these empty accusations couldn’t go unchallenged.

Within 48 hours, we launched an aggressive response - starting with an open letter to the Minister, requesting an urgent meeting.

Calling his bluff, we asked that journalists be invited along to ensure transparency.

THE SOLUTION

The tables turned.

The Minister’s unfounded accusations couldn’t withstand public scrutiny. Within weeks, members of his own party began to raise concerns about his ethics. Less than a month after his initial ambush interview, the Minister was forced to resign.

THE RESULTS

• Strong relationship re-established with the Czech Highway Authority

• Won legal injunction to remove the Minister’s slanderous highway signs

• Subsequent opinion polls showed that journalists believed Skanska had acted appropriately in face of the Minister’s corrupt allegations

• Skanska CEO Dan Ťok was awarded the American Chamber of Commerce ‘Wings Award’ for encouraging greater transparency in public tenders

• Global Sabre Award 2012• Central and Eastern Europe

Sabre Award 2012

Ewing PR‘s successful crisis support for Skanska earned:

AWARDS