German PR company buys stake in SA

“As a frequent visitor to South Africa for the past 15 years, it has always been my intention and vision to establish business links with this continent,” says Magnus Ehrenberg, the consultancy's owner and MD. “I strongly believe that we in Europe have a lot to learn from the way in which South Africa's economy develops. At the same time, South African businesses can benefit from our knowledge of large and wealthy overseas markets.”

The company is based in Lübeck Germany, with branches in Berlin, Copenhagen (Denmark), Malmö (Sweden) and Oslo (Norway). Other markets are served through partnerships with agencies in the United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, the Baltic States, the Benelux States and Italy. Ehrenberg Kommunikation has 20 staff members and generates an annual total turnover of approximately €3.5m.

Among the clients served by Ehrenberg Kommunikation are destinations, such as Greenland, Europe's biggest supplier of holiday homes, NOVASOL/dansommer and the largest ferry-operator in the Baltic Sea, Scandlines. Through the owner's love for South Africa, strong links have also been established with well-known companies, such as Sun International, SA Tourism, Rovos Rail and Lindhorst Wines. The aim of the closer co-operation with Rosemary Hare Public Relations is to strengthen these business activities in future.

According to Rosemary Hare, owner of the South African consultancy and accredited public relations practitioner, this development has been in the pipeline for some time and is welcomed. Past work has included provincial and local government and the pharmaceutical industry. However, there has been a shift in recent years to Swedish men's fashion and skin care.