Our offers for businesses

Pioneering

Since the foundation of our PR and advertising agency in Berlin in 1995 we have relied on pioneering, which means we support our clients in opening up new countries, new business areas and new sales channels. Whether tough lifestyle watches, environmentally-friendly propulsion technology, pocket, laser or 4K TV, LCD monitors, digital cameras, E- or M-commerce, tablets, smartphones or 3D scanners and printers – quite often united communications is active in totally new markets before others.

For us, pioneering also means breaking new ground in all areas of our work. For instance we as a communications agency established ourselves as sustainable and socially responsible very early on. Our CSR report as well as our commitment to non-profit organisations and foundations are proof of this.

united CHANNEL INSIGHTS

united CHANNEL INSIGHTS

Starting up with Philips

Starting up with Philips

cmooth [smu:ð]

cmooth [smu:ð]

Mobile Wi-Fi

Mobile Wi-Fi

united CHANNEL INSIGHTS

Initial situation

Many companies do not exactly know which measures can increase their success with trade partners and thus sales. Market research generates a wealth of data but nothing that can be effectively translated into a successful strategy that increases the satisfaction of their channel partners or will provide them with a clear overview of how they perceive their or its competitors. 

Our approach

united CHANNEL INSIGHTS is a market research method that analyses a company's distribution channels so precisely that it becomes very clear what it need to change in sales, marketing, services or other areas to improve its position, as it provides them clear actionable recommendations.

More information can be found here and on the website www.united-channel-insights.de

Starting up with Philips monitors

Initial situation

For most working people monitors are indispensable tools that contribute greatly to a company's success. However, only few are aware of this even though the screen right in front of them features very prominently on their desk. Philips MMD have been known and successful in the display market as a manufacturer of innovative, ergonomic and reliable for a long time. However, among the target group of young entrepreneurs, this was not the case.

Our approach

With a proactively developed campaign, united communications was able to convince the display specialist headquartered in Amsterdam to tell completely new stories on the topic of business monitors and at the same time present itself as an innovative brand to young professionals. Under the title"Starting up with Philips monitors" we initially produced four videos in collaboration with four Berlin start-ups busy in the fields of smart home, fashion, photography and co-working space. They show what they are enthusiastic about, what drives them and what they are aiming at with their start-up. They also show how they work and which role computer monitors play in their work &ndah; be it with precise colour reproduction for professional photography work or fashion presentation, 4K resolution for the rendition of fine details during the design process or an extra wide image format for several program windows side by side during programming. More information in our blog (in German).

The first four videos of this campaign can be watched on bei YouTube . Philips MMD were so excited by the campaign that it will be continued in other countries. Start-ups can apply to participate here.

cmooth [smu:ð] - united CHANNEL MANAGEMENT

Initial situation

At the top of all ICT and CE brand manufacturers' wish list are more and perfectly managed specialist trade and B2B customers in the DACH region. To acquire these, however, is a task that due to a lack of time and resources is hardly ever or only partially accomplished..

Our approach

The cmooth [smu:ð] specialists deliver exactly that – with a difference that has more influence on success than ever before: they are not content with acquiring and developing new channel partners and B2B customers for their clients. cmooth [smu:ð] rounds off these classical channel acquisition and management services with a perfectly synchronised, tightly integrated and well-targeted sales communication. Not least through a stronger retail presence and high-volume project business cmooth [smu:ð] helps its clients achieve faster and more sustainable growth.

For more information see here and the website www.cmooth.de

Mobile Wi-Fi

Initial situation

Passengers in Germany used short and long-distance transport with buses and trains over eleven billion times in 2016. (1). And their desire for Internet access on the go is increasing constantly. Our client HOTSPLOTS has been in the market for mobile Internet for many years. Their mobile Wi-Fi solutions are in strong demand and urrently in use on buses and trains in four-digit numbers.

(1) www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/EconomicSectors/TransportTraffic/PassengerTransport/PassengerTransport.html

Our approach

When we began working for HOTSPLOTS the company was a classical start-up with only a very small marketing budget. Despite that, we did our best to charge the brand through emphasising the two founders' and the constantly growing team's high level of technical expertise. We accomplished this through PR mailings, tailored content, case studies and by taking part in trade fairs and other events. Moreover, through a logo redesign, a new website with many references as well attractive information and acquisition material we ensured that HOTSPLOTS, not least through their over 300 installation partners throughout Germany, became better known and more successful – even across Europe.By the way: HOTSPLOTS has been a client of united communications since 2004 – a time when Wi-Fi and above all mobile Internet was still a novelty. Today, Internet access via stationary hotspots is part of everyday life. And mobile Internet on buses and trains is growing rapidly.

 

 

Western China International Fair (WCIF)

Western China International Fair (WCIF)

MENT Initiative

MENT Initiative

3D printers

3D printers

16th Western China International Fair

Initial situation

For 16 years, the Western China International Fair has been one of the most important trade fairs in Asia. In 2016, Germany will be the guest of honour at this renowned exhibition. As the trade fair was hardly known among local business associations and politicians we were commissioned to organise an information event in the heart of the German capital before the actual event.

The challenge: very little time. We had only four weeks until the scheduled date. And at the same time the Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB) was held – not exactly favourable circumstances for scouting a top location in the centre of Berlin next to getting at least 50 high-calibre people from politics and business interested in attending.

Our approach

Since 2010, we have our own China Division and through numerous projects have been able to create good relations to Chinese clients, important Chinese business representatives as well as the Chinese embassy in Berlin. Thanks to our large network we succeeded in securing a 5-star location and 76 participants for the event. Thus we could clearly exceed our client’s expectations.

First-class speeches and presentations successfully showcased the 16th Western China International Fair and raised great interest in the economic region of western China among the guests. Afterwards, during an “Eat & Talk” time, participants had the opportunity to exchange views with the Chinese delegation and other visitors. A wide choice of European and Chinese food and drinks was served by cooks from the Hilton and the Ming Dynasty, one of the best Chinese restaurants in Berlin, an offering the international guests thoroughly enjoyed.

By the way, the client liked the event so much that they are going to talk about their next project with us soon.

MENT Initiative: social innovations for SMEs

Initial situation

Taking on social responsibility is a decisive factor for the success of brand companies because: the shortage of skilled labour, the demographic change, dwindling resources, technological developments, changing consumer needs and the growing complexity of our society are factors that not just global corporations have to deal with but increasingly also medium-sized enterprises. In the long run, they can only secure their economic survival if they align their business activities with the current social and ecological conditions i.e. have innovative (CSR) concepts at hand: for new product or service offerings, alternative production and delivery chains, energy supply and raw material utilisation and/or the recruitment and promotion of employees. But a lot of SMEs have a very critical attitude towards social innovations and consider such approaches to be marketing blurb if not outright consumer deception.

Our approach

Particularly medium-sized businesses need impulses to develop innovative answers to the aforementioned challenges. That's why the MENT Initiative brought companies and social entrepreneurs together and arranged company specific mentorships (mentor/mentee tandems). By way of a mutual dialogue with these social innovators, who seek to solve social and ecological problems with their business ideas, the participating "classical" companies questioned their previous CSR strategies, developed and tested innovative approaches for social and thus economic challenges of our times, which can be implemented in their day-to-day business operations. The respective partners were attended to individually; specialist events, discussions and workshops on company specific questions concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR) rounded off the offer.

united communications, as one of the project partners, was responsible for the internal and external project communication (including logo development, concept, design and editorial work for the website and the information materiel as well as media relations) and for the development of acquisition and communication formats.  Moreover, united communications supported participating companies in communicating their commitment and turning it into a credible distinguishing factor - through lectures, workshops and joint project work.

During the period from December 2011 to February 2014, the MENT Initiative was sponsored by the ESF federal programme "Social responsibility in medium-sized businesses" within the national strategy "CSR - Made in Germany" funded by the European Social Fund and the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs.

3D printers

Initial situation

Until 2013, 3D printers were only used in a business environment as they then cost tens or hundreds of thousands of euros. Mail order company Pearl wanted to open up the market for 3D printers to consumers with a 799 euro model. The printer, designed by Luigi Colani, was initially going to be presented at an international press conference during IFA 2013.

Our approach

In co-operation with a partner agency, united communications invited the press to the German launch event into the Pearl TV IFA studio. The result exceeded all expectations so that many journalists did not even find a seat. From TV to print and online: the response was overwhelming and the client also considered it a great success.

By the way: in 2014 and 2015 we also supported the Taiwanese 3D printer manufacturer XYZprinting in introducing of new products. XYZprinting is a subsidiary of the Kinpo Group, an EMS company with annual sales of over 30 billion dollars.

Successes with passion

Besides our pioneering spirit passion also drives us. Yes, we are ready to go the famous extra mile with our clients - and to invest our life blood in partnerships. Because we believe that only genuine passion can yield above-average results off the well-trodden path. And that only continuous striving for innovative communication solutions enables us to give adequate answers to the challenges of constantly changing markets, distribution structures, communication habits and target group preferences.

What excites us

To support brand companies in making technical innovations and products in need of explanation or even their own brand more well-known and successful ...

Angelika Schulz
Brand communication

To support brand companies in making technical innovations and products in need of explanation or even their own brand more well-known and successful ...

Angelika Schulz
Brand communication

IT/CE

"I have a soft spot for CE and everything digital that makes life better, more pleasant and comfortable. This passion has been driving me professionally for 25 years now. However, the short life cycle of most CE products of just six to twelve months requires that communication reach customers very quickly.

As in the early 90s, when I was the CEO of an international advertising agency network, I prefer to plan PR and advertising transnationally. For this reason, Europe-wide services have always been part of what united communications offers.

Today, interaction with many different people in their cultures and markets, the co-operation with partner agencies as well as the direct contact with all relevant IT/CE editors guarantee our success. This is how we contributed to the top position our client MMD has reached in the European monitor market."

Peter Link

Brand communication

"To support brand companies in making technical innovations and products in need of explanation or even their own brand more well-known and successful fascinates me - after all, it is important to adequately and comprehensibly present the features, advantages and special features for the different target groups and channels.

I have a natural scientific background and many years of experience in healthcare communication, so I love to get to grips with the background and interrelationships and at the same time question them critically. This is exactly what is needed to communicate credibly and successfully in complex industries.

Our clients from the IT and CE sectors also benefit from this: With a love of detail and an understanding of complex interrelationships, my team helps international companies to become more and more successful in Germany and Europe."

Angelika Schulz

Our other enthusiasm examples can be found here.

I am fascinated with photography. So it's a real stroke of luck that I have been able to work for Olympus since 1998.

Katja Drießen
Photography

Katja Driessen

I am fascinated with photography. So it's a real stroke of luck that I have been able to work for Olympus since 1998.

Katja Drießen
Photography

Katja-Driessen

For over 7 years I have been enthusiastic about the possibilities of data-driven advertising (Programmatic Advertising)...

Simon Hefke
Programmatic Advertising

For over 7 years I have been enthusiastic about the possibilities of data-driven advertising (Programmatic Advertising)...

Simon Hefke
Programmatic Advertising

Photography

"I am fascinated with photography. So it's a real stroke of luck that I have been able to work for Olympus since 1998. Of course photography is about technology but also always about emotion and creativity. People want to capture their most beautiful moments as they experience them. Digital photography has made these wishes come true. And united communications has been part of it right from the start: when Olympus launched their first digital camera in 1996 we provided strategic advice and guidance. Since then we have delivered communication support for the launch of hundreds of cameras and lenses. Milestones which immediately come to mind are the first digital camera for the mass market, the first waterproof digital camera or the first mirrorless system camera from Olympus."

Katja Drießen

Programmatic Advertising

For over 7 years I have been enthusiastic about the possibilities of data-driven advertising (Programmatic Advertising). The data-based purchase of advertising space on the Internet is one of the most important instruments in display advertising and enables us to control online campaigns efficiently and in real time. I benefit from my many years of experience with the largest German marketer of quality media, where I was responsible for the programmatic marketing of leading daily newspapers and magazines. The skills I learned during this time and the experience generated on the agency side from a large number of international branding and performance campaigns for renowned ICT companies as well as banks, associations and insurance companies enable me today to use the potential of Programmatic Advertising holistically. Together with united communications, we offer our clients not only classic implementation, but also the conception and implementation of innovative, data-driven campaign strategies based on state-of-the-art programmatic approaches.

Simon Hefke

Peter Lindheim

For every product and company there is a gripping story worth being told. Sometimes quite obvious, sometimes hidden...

Peter Lindheim
Corporate publishing

Peter Lindheim

For every product and company there is a gripping story worth being told. Sometimes quite obvious, sometimes hidden...

Peter Lindheim
Corporate publishing

Brand and product communication is a critical instrument for success, especially for ITC manufacturers and service providers...

Arno Schambach
Digital marketing & technology PR

Brand and product communication is a critical instrument for success, especially for ITC manufacturers and service providers...

Arno Schambach
Digital marketing & technology PR

Corporate Publishing

"For every product and company there is a gripping story worth being told. Sometimes quite obvious, sometimes hidden. Whether developers in a software start-up, marketing representative at a medical technology company or the person in charge of the new Italian restaurant around the corner: I love dealing with people from all walks of life and discovering their individual stories.

For example the on-site magazine “Oberbaum CityLights”, which targets companies and employees in the Oberbaum City business park as well as prospective tenants. We have been producing this publication for the HVB Immobilien AG for over ten years now. For us at united communications this is a home match in the truest sense as our offices are in the centre of the former industrial area, which, after extensive renovation in the 1990s, is one of the most modern service centres in Berlin. I never cease to be amazed at how many creative heads are gathered here in close proximity, what kind of ideas are born here and what type of projects are controlled from this place. With the Oberbaum CityLights we do more than just make our contribution to neighbourly networking. With the magazine we also contribute to conveying an image of the quarter that it deserves."

Peter Lindheim

Brand and product communication is a critical instrument for success, especially for ITC manufacturers and service providers: in an increasingly fast-moving market they have to convince potential customers of their competence and trustworthiness and shorten decision-making periods. Today it is more important than ever to reach the respective buyer personas and channels with the right messages in suitable digital and analogue formats. Especially the latest information technologies in the fields of performance marketing, lead generation and marketing automation in connection with the optimisation of website(s) for search engines (SEO) hold a high disruptive potential that companies can use for their business development. For more than 15 years I have been advising decision makers in the ICT industry strategically as well as operationally on the planning and implementation of creative, sustainable and integrated online and offline campaigns.

Arno Schambach

Many international projects fail because everyone involved believes everyone understands one another...

Basak Evran Gümüs
Senior Partner

Many international projects fail because everyone involved believes everyone understands one another...

Basak Evran Gümüs
Senior Partner

Electra Wolfe

Top of the line medical technology. Based in the USA and Germany. An international success story spanning more than 70 years. That’s MAICO.

Electra Wolfe
Healthcare

Electra Wolfe

Top of the line medical technology. Based in the USA and Germany. An international success story spanning more than 70 years. That’s MAICO.

Electra Wolfe
Healthcare

International Brand Communication

"Many international projects fail because everyone involved believes everyone understands one another. But to 'really understand' may mean something different.

Sure, trade barriers have opened up. Year by year the international exchange of goods as well as the number of cross-border joint ventures increases. But it’s been my experience time and again that more often than not seemingly successful projects only hide totally frustrated and stressed-out partners, who have made each other’s lives harder. Not because they intended to, on the contrary: every one of them started out in a positive mood and was convinced that the project would run smoothly and surely be a success. However, they underestimated the huge problems “not really understanding” could cause. And one thing is for sure: if a co-operation already starts under an “ill omen” it should come as no surprise if in the end all time and cost plans crumble. The fact that this can be done differently, in the end a lot more cost-efficiently and above all far more easily is demonstrated by our projects for many international IT/CE clients."

Basak Evran Gümüs

Healthcare

"Top of the line medical technology. Based in the USA and Germany. An international success story spanning more than 70 years. That’s MAICO. Our assignment: a brand relaunch. The biggest challenge: international brand companies that are active in very specific markets – MAICO for example produces innovative devices for diagnostic hearing tests – must precisely weigh up the opportunities and risks involved in deciding for, and implementing, a global communication strategy. If they are perceived as being too international, they run the risk of alienating publics in their local markets. However, if they are not active enough internationally, there’s a real danger that, through inefficiency and rising costs, they lose their economic edge i.e. profitability.

Finding exactly the right balance is always the most challenging part of the task. We began by working in tandem with the client’s various teams to find out and help them discover exactly how the brand values have developed and changed over the years.

Only after we had accomplished this, and established it as a basis, did we start working on the logo as well as all the other marketing materials. The main objective was not just to create one fabulous but static format but also to insure the freedom the client needs to address regional characteristics as well as make any other modifications."

Electra Wolfe

ENERGY FOR YOUR BRAND®

Show what you have (to say). And use direct dialogue to convince.

Brand communication only works as a whole. Use a single voice to communicate with your audience wherever they may be: at a trade fair, via the company's website, blog, newsletter or on Facebook. For this reason, brands are well-advised to attach great importance to clear messaging and a high degree of consistency in their communication.

Brand consulting

Brand consulting

CSR consulting

CSR consulting

Crisis communication

Crisis communication

Compliance consultancy

Compliance consultancy

Brand consulting

Brand communication always aims to win stakeholders' trust and esteem. It must always be aligned with the brand's values, but also contribute to increasing brand recognition and to building and strengthening the brand image. When brands need to be built and developed from the ground up we are supported by our proven brand experts, who have already worked for various international top brands' internal and external communication. Our in-house graphic design and editorial teams develop matching, coherent visualisation and content.

CSR consulting/Sustainability communication

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is a lot more than just nice, voluntary commitment. Customers, as well as a company's employees, banks or partners expect more from a brand than high-quality products and services. They expect entrepreneurially responsible actions. This is why brand companies need to question the consequences of their business activities and adjust their business models according to the underlying social and ecological conditions. For many companies, CSR has already become an integral part of their core business and forms the basis of their marketing repertoire.If you would like to draw the maximum benefit from a CSR commitment you ought to plan this area as professionally as any other marketing measure. Take advantage of the experience united communications has gathered in this area over nearly ten years.Just give our CSR specialist a call:

Gunhild Flöter, Account Director
Email: floeter@united.de
Phone: +49 30 78907619

Crisis communication

The probability of winning the lottery jackpot is 1:14 million. Despite this, millions of Germans regularly play the lottery. Statistically, the probability that a company will be confronted with a search warrant is much higher at around 1:1000. And the probability of becoming the focus of critical media reports is constantly rising. But with reporters, customs, the judiciary, tax authority and/or police on your doorstep the course the crisis will take is difficult to control.

Aim to defuse conflicts early. And be prepared for a crisis.
A lack of crisis planning and poorly defined responsibilities in a crisis are the main reasons for poor crisis communication. Yet crisis prevention and management plans are surprisingly easy to implement. Our Crisis Task Force specialists know what companies need to do to be prepared for emergencies, since they have managed crises in international corporations successfully in leading positions themselves.How to contact me:

Manfred Großert, Managing Director
Email: grossert@united.de
Phone: +49 30 789076-76

Compliance consultancy and communication

It is not just public authorities requesting compliance verifications, but increasingly private contractors. This is not a problem if you already have the necessary documentation in place. This should at least enable you to jump some of the formal hurdles you will face during a tender. Should you still be in the process of making your company "compliant", our team of experts can analyse your processes and help you align your business to clearly and verifiably conform to the rules. Nevertheless, corporate values that are conserved in regulatory documentation like trophies are generally of no great worth. Corporate values must be lived every day by everyone. We can show you manifold variety of ways to turn the obligatory "compliance" into something with tangible benefits.

Interested?
Then contact me:

Gunhild Flöter, Account Director
Email: floeter@united.de
Phone: +49 30 78907619

Workshop offer

Implementable results instead of meaningless phrases

In our conceptual workshop we analyse the hard facts around your business and work with you to develop an initial strategy that can be transformed into reality. This workshop will not burden your time or your budget but will provide you with an opportunity to examine existing strategies.

QUICK CONTACT

Manfred Grossert, Managing Director
Email: grossert@united.de
Phone: +49 30 78 90 76-76