John Bailey and Associates Public Relations of Troy landed Volkswagen of America's product and technology counsel account. Vice-president Curt McAllister says the relationship was formalized after "a two-month courtship."
The company's bread-and-butter is the automotive industry, with over 20 clients in the automotive realm, from dealers to manufacturers. Although they have had large accounts in the past, this will be their first expansion from the local and regional arena to the national one. McAllister says the firm mulled over the thought of going for the VW account, and ultimately decided to "spread our national wings."
The VW account necessitated the severing of an 8-year relationship with Hyudai, for Midwest public relations. McAllister says, "In the last six years, five different automakers approached us." Bailey never bit, he says, "out of loyalty to Hyundai. But we couldn't pass it up this time around. It's a chance to do something on a national scope, not just a regional scope."
McAllister calls the VW brand "truly iconic. We are going to have a lot of opportunities to do fun stuff, lifestyle-related stuff."
Seven of the 30 employees at Bailey's Troy office – they also operate a public affairs practice in Lansing – will be on the VW account, "a little larger than our Hyundai team," says McAllister, who does not see job hiring in the firm's immediate future. "Maybe one day," he muses, "but for now, we're going to stay with the really good team we have."
Source: Curt McAllister, Bailey PR
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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