Munich 2018 Appoint Weber Shandwick in Bid Push

The Munich bid committee hoping to host the 2018 Winter Games has appointed global public relations firm Weber Shandwick, who worked on Sochi’s successful bid to host the 2014 edition, to help win its campaign.

With offices situated in 74 countries, Weber Shandwick is the world’s largest global PR company and has worked on several successful Olympic campaign’s, including Turin’s bid for the 2006 Winter Games and Beijing 2008.

Bernhard Schwank, the chief executive of Munich 2018, stated: “We are extremely happy to be able to work with Weber Shandwick.

“The agency’s ability to develop impactful international campaigns, expertise and experience in Olympic and sport bidding, geographical spread we need and strong presence in Munich have been the decisive factors to select it as our international public relations partner and we have been happy with its support around major Olympic events to date.”

On a less success note Weber Shandwick also worked on England’s disastrous bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, however, CEO for the UK and EMEA Colin Byrne, was confident that they could help Munich prevail over its rivals Annecy and Pyeongchang.

Byrne added: “We are honoured to be engaged to support Munich 2018. Our goal is to provide a winning global communications programme for Munich 2018 and support them throughout their journey across the world. 

“Our Global Olympics practice, which helped lead the past three Weber Shandwick bidding campaigns including Sochi 2014, will bring to bear the best bidding and campaigning experts we have in our roster to support this effort.”