Three of the world’s largest public relation firms are competing to be awarded a contract by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
They are Burson-Marsteller, Hill & Knowlton, and Weber Shandwick – jointly with Jon Tibbs Associates.
Burson Marsteller is working with Beijing 2008 at the moment but had to retender because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was concerned about recent negative publicity surrounding Beijing’s 2008 bid. The firm was hired by the Chinese government to help counter international fears during the Sars crisis in 2003.
Hill & Knowlton worked on London 2012’s successful bid and has worked directly for the IOC, handling coverage of the Salt Lake City scandal.
Jon Tibbs worked on the Salt Lake account, while Hill & Knowlton ran international public relations for the Beijing 2008 winning bid
A decision is expected by November 1.
