By Greg Hazley
The Germany-based technology research and development giant Fraunhofer IIS has kicked off a search for a tech-savvy U.S. PR firm
Fraunhofer's audio and multimedia division, which licenses software and other technology to about 1,000 companies, is a unit of Much-based Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the No. 2 global applied research organization behind MIT.
An RFP circulating among US agencies says the company is on the hunt for a long-term pact of at least one-year based on a monthly retainer.
Fraunhofer is non-profit and partly funded by the German government so it cannot advertise or engage in sponsorships. The RFP acknowledges that its reputation is very good in Germany but "weak" elsewhere in the world.
Press releases, even support and other PR tasks are expected to strengthen the Fraunhofer brand in the US media, both on the technical side and general interest. The organization also wants to use social media tools and improve the press area on its website.
Propsals are due March 7. Selected candidates will be tapped for a videoconference in mid-March.
Dirk Schöneberg (dirk.schoeneberg [at] zv [dot] fraunhofer [dot] de) is point of contact. |