NEW YORK, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and engagement firms, was named Agency of the Year at the 2017 North America SABRE Awards. This marks the third time in four years that The Holmes Report has recognized Weber Shandwick as North America Large Agency of the Year, and the second time it has earned the overall Agency of the Year distinction. The firm also earned Gold SABRE awards for its work with client partners Lockheed Martin and Mattel/Barbie. During the event, Weber Shandwick President Gail Heimann was presented with The Holmes Report's Individual Achievement Award, celebrating her creative vision, leadership and commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion within the PR industry.

"These honors speak to the passion and expertise our teams bring to bear every day on behalf of our client partners," said Andy Polansky, Chief Executive Officer, Weber Shandwick. "Across our agency, we're laser focused on creating value for our clients and our people, working together to solve client problems and deliver outstanding work. Thank you to The Holmes Report for honoring our success, and to our teams and partners for their incredible contributions."

The North America SABRE Awards, selected from more than 2,000 entries, recognize superior achievement in branding, reputation and engagement. Agency of the Year recipients are determined after an extensive research process involving more than 150 submissions across the United States and Canada. The Holmes Report pointed to several driving factors in awarding Weber Shandwick the Large Agency of the Year distinction, including the firm's "impressive restlessness," competitive growth, collaborative culture and breakthrough client work. The Holmes Report Founder & Chair Paul Holmes noted, "Weber Shandwick now works for almost half of the Fortune 100, and has been working overtime to deliver a customer experience that ensures client longevity."

Heimann, recognized with an Individual Achievement award, has played an instrumental role in accelerating innovation across the firm's global practice areas, weaving strategy and creativity into the heart of the agency. For over two decades, she's worked to build brands and strengthen reputations for some of the world's largest companies across a wide range of industry sectors, including consumer, food and beverage, beauty, healthcare, finance and technology. Her keen insights and unmatched creative talents have been a catalyst for Weber Shandwick's most forward-thinking work with clients across the globe.

"For as long as I've known Gail, she's pushed the limits of public relations and marketing services - executing ideas that defy convention and break boundaries," Polansky said. "It's been an honor to work alongside Gail for the past 20 years, and I couldn't be prouder to celebrate her and the tremendous impact she's made on our firm and our industry."

Weber Shandwick and its client partners were also recognized for outstanding campaigns across categories, including work with Lockheed Martin for "Generation Beyond," which won a Gold SABRE in the Corporate Media Relations category, and with Mattel for "Barbie: Evolve the Doll," which earned a Gold SABRE in Issues Management.

The North America SABRE Award recognitions are among several honors earned by Weber Shandwick in 2017, including being designated an Advertising Age Agency A-List Standout and being named PRWeek's U.S. Agency of the Year and Large Agency of the Year for three consecutive years. The firm was also named 2016 Global Digital Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report, 2016 Global Agency of the Year by PRWeek and was the most awarded PR firm at the 2016 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications and engagement firm in 79 cities across 34 countries, with a network extending to 127 cities in 81 countries. The firm's diverse team of strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work. Weber Shandwick was the only public relations agency included on the Ad Age Agency A-list in 2014 and 2015 and the only PR firm designated an A-List Agency Standout in 2017. Weber Shandwick was honored as PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015 and 2016, The Holmes Report's Global Agency of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 and The Holmes Report's Global Digital Agency of the Year in 2016. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate social responsibility, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

Contact: Kimberly Dixon, 212-546-7876

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