SINGAPORE- Networking giant Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) is on the hunt for an agency to help it make the case for free trade and fair competition among Asia-Pacific political audiences.
The Holmes Report understands that the company issued a tender to agencies earlier this year, and is currently reviewing proposals ahead of a decision next month.
Sources told the Holmes Report that NSN is aiming to make a stronger case for free trade, fair competition and globalisation, on the basis that it will help both the company itself and its customers. In addition, it is thought that NSN wants to ensure the ICT sector’s importance to regional economic prosperity is better understood.
Accordingly, NSN is searching for an agency to promote the company as a thought leader on these issues, focusing on regulators, politicians and opinion leaders - such as media, academia, trade bodies and NGOs.
Key markets are understood to include Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Australia and Indonesia. In addition, Japan and India are also expected to play an important role.
The pitch is being overseen by NSN global head of policy and government relations Stephen Crisp, who joined the company last year from BT. Crisp did not respond to request for comment as this story went live.
NSN is a 50:50 joint venture between Nokia and Siemens, and is currently ranked second in global market share, behind Ericsson and ahead of Chinese rival Huawei. The company is aiming to boost its Asia-Pacific business by buying Motorola Solutions but is awaiting clearance on the deal from regulatory authorities in China.