WPP Government & Public Sector Practice launches new hub for Canada public communications

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2019 /CNW/ - WPP's global Government & Public Sector Practice announced the launch of a new hub in Canada as it published new research into the effectiveness of global government communications.

Aiming to drive excellence in communications and research for public sector clients in Canada at Federal, Provincial and Municipal level the hub will give clients access to global best practice and unparalleled thinking by WPP agencies on government communications, behaviour change programmes, citizen engagement and digital government transformation. 

The new hub will open with an event launching the second edition of WPP Government & Public Sector Practice's The Leaders' Report: Increasing trust through government communication, in Ottawa and Toronto on February 25 and 26. Based on research in 50 countries, including Canada, The Leaders' Report is the only global report looking at how effectively governments build trust through citizen engagement.

The report looks at why governments are struggling to build meaningful relationships with those they govern, recommends how they can transform strategies, and identifies 10 key drivers that could help solve one of the most pressing social challenges of our era: how to build trust in government.  

Dr Michelle Harrison, CEO of WPP's Government and Public Sector Practice said: 

"Canada is a world leader in government communications. I am delighted to launch our second the Leaders Report here alongside our new hub that will share best practice and innovation between Canada and our clients in the rest of the world. This comes at a crucial time when government communicators tell us that they are walking a tightrope: they must do more with less, while also tackling any perceptions that government is out of touch.

"Our hubs bring together our local expertise with our global experience of public engagement, behaviour change programmes, and digital transformation for our public sector clients."

Mark Pender, Executive Director of WPP Government & Public Sector Practice says:

"Our agencies have a long history of partnering with governments on policy challenges where communications can have the greatest impact. We're very pleased to now be able to bring our Canadian public sector clients better access to best practice case studies and thought leadership from around the world, as well as a broader platform for sharing learnings from our region."   

The Government & Public Sector Practice Canada Hub builds on WPP agencies' long track record of outstanding work for Canada's public sector clients, in areas as diverse as health, destination marketing, recruitment, democratic participation and public safety.

The Government & Public Sector Practice now has active hubs in the UK, the EU, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, the US, Singapore and Canada.

About the Government & Public Sector Practice 

WPP's Government & Public Sector Practice advises policymakers and public sector communication leaders on strategy, innovation, capability development and global best practice. We partner with governments in over 70 countries on the policy challenges where communication can have the greatest impact.

We believe that governments today cannot achieve their public policy goals without effective communications.  Our team of senior consultants connects clients with the best ideas and expertise in WPP's global network. We invest continuously to advance our thinking and evidence on the strategic use of communication.

www.govtpracticewpp.com 

25 & 26 February Launch Events  

Ottawa
Toronto 

Mark Pender Biography

Mark Pender
Mark leads WPP's Government & Public Sector Practice for Canada. He advises public sector communication leaders across Canada on strategy, innovation, global best practice, capability and procurement. Based in Toronto and Ottawa, he identifies the best teams and talent within WPP to meet public sector communication challenges. He is a regular speaker on topics relating to digital communications.

Mark works with global Director of Consulting & Capability, Sean Larkins, to develop high-performing organisations with the required people, skills, tools and processes to engage citizens in the modern world. Previously a senior communications leader with the Canadian Department of Finance, he played a key role in improving citizen engagement and communications using digital tools. Earlier in his career, Mark held several communications and consulting positions in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Mark is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and has lived in Canada since 2003

Notes to Editors

Interview opportunities available on request with:
- Dr. Michelle Harrison, CEO of the WPP Government and Public Sector Practice
- Sean Larkins, Director of Consulting and Capability at WPP Government & Public Sector Practice

About The Leaders' Report
The Leaders' Report: Increasing Trust Through Citizen Engagement is the second in a series of reports into trends shaping public communications. The study was conducted by WPP Government & Public Sector Practice and the authors interviewed more than 60 government communication leaders, surveyed 400 government communicators in 50 countries and 8,000 citizens across eight countries. Authors leveraged desk research, online quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews between August and November 2018.

About WPP Government & Public Sector Practice
The Government & Public Sector Practice advises policymakers and public sector communication leaders on strategy, innovation, capability development and global best practice. We partner with governments in over 70 countries on the policy challenges where communication can have the greatest impact:

• Behaviour change
• Citizen engagement & participation
• Digital Government
• Place Marketing
• Public Sector Recruitment
• Communications Capability Development

We believe that governments today cannot achieve their public policy goals without effective communications. Our team of senior consultants connects clients with the best ideas and expertise in WPP's global network. We invest continuously to advance our thinking and evidence on the strategic use of communication. To learn more visit govtpracticewpp.com 

SOURCE WPP Government & Public Sector Practice

For further information: Jennifer Field, Vice President, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, [e-mail], 613-786-9956