2020 LatAm PR Agencies of the Year (Other Markets)

The 2020 Latin American PR Agencies of the Year are the result of a research process involving submissions and meetings with the best PR firms across the region.

Pizzolante (Independent)

In a year marked by political and economic crises, Venezuela’s Pizzolante in 2019 continued to thrive — winning new business, rolling out new offerings and creating a new structure that afforded employees new opportunities. All of which is a testament to the tenacity with which Pizzolante has operated since it launched in Caracas in 1976 as a TV production company, which quickly evolved in a full-fledged communications agency under the watch of self-taught leaders with a flair for storytelling. Today, founding partner Italo Pizzolante is an advisor to the firm’s multinational and regional clients, a member of an international think tank on corporate reputation and hosts Mexican and Venezuelan TV programs. Managing partner Thony Da Silva brings the full gamut of PR expertise, having counseled blue chip companies around the world. The firm has expanded into the Dominican Republic and Spain.

In the last 12 months, new business came from Grupo Popular Dominicano, Diunsa, J&J, Directv, Agrolibano, Del Monte and Banco Industrial among others, adding to a client roster of clients including Copa Airlines, Equinor, P&G, Grupo Universal, Corporación Multinversiones and MAKRO. 2019 included the launch of Pizzolante Digital Reputation, which offers social media tracking and analysis and brand intelligence. The firm coined three new areas of focus for client services—innovation communications, digital mindset and innovation culture. And, a hierarchy adverse organization, Pizzolante restructured in such a way that employees can participate in projects of their choosing. The year’s hallmark work included multifaceted internal and external campaigns marketing the 100th anniversary of auto distributor Santo Domingo Motors aimed at making employees and consumers feel like they are part of something big.— DM

URBAN Grupo de Comunicación (Independent)

Argentine independent Urban’s fee income was up nearly 10% to roughly $6 million in 2019, showing the firm’s focus on combining creativity with strategy is paying off. New business from Adecoagro, Torneos, Oracle, Datalytics (IDEA (Institute for business development of Argentina) and Uber Eats fueled the lift, as did ongoing work with Coca-Cola, Unilever, Mercado Libre, Facebook, American Express, General Motors, LATAM Airlines and Adidas-Reebok. Founded 20 years ago by CEO Verónica Cheja, Urban beefed up its leadership team during the last year, appointing longtime agency account leader Kiki Faure the firm’s Argentine general manager, while appointing 14-year agency vet Sol Revelant GM of its Chile operation.

Focused on consumer and corporate work, Urban is a regional leader in crisis, reputation management and sustainability, but in 2019 expanded its offerings to remain alive and well in an emerging market grappling with economic crises. The agency launched  stand-alone company focused on digital, helping clients leverage big data in decision making as well as rolling out campaigns. The year’s work spanned continents with Urban globally supporting the Barcelona debut of Messi10 by Cirque du Soleil, Cirque’s production with PopArt Music and Sony Music honoring Argentine soccer player Leo Messi, who is a FC Barcelona star. — DM