PRESS INFORMATION
MILAN LAUNCH FOR GLOBAL WOMEN IN PR
GWPR - Connecting Women in PR around the world
Milan, October 6th 2015 - A new international association, linking independent networking groups of
senior women working in PR, is being launched at the forthcoming ICCO (International
Communications Consultancy Organisation) Global Summit in Milan (October 8th – 9th).
Global Women in PR (GWPR) has been formed to act as an umbrella organisation to enable groups
of senior PR women worldwide to come together to share ideas, contacts and experiences and to
campaign on the major issues directly affecting women working in the PR industry today.
The development of GWPR is fully supported by ICCO and their President David Gallagher had this
to say about the new initiative “women are the heart, soul and mind of PR consultancy all over the
world, and we at ICCO are pleased to be associated with GWPR's ambitious global plans.”
Following the recent success of Women in PR (WPR) in the UK and its resurgence as a significant
and powerful networking organization; former Joint-Presidents Angela Oakes and Susan Hardwick felt
that the time was right to encourage other countries to form their own WPR associations.
“The widely reported gender pay gap and the lack of women in the boardroom are two major issues
which are not limited to the UK PR industry, but affect those working in PR worldwide. Coupled with
what we believe to be an important vehicle for senior women to meet in a non-competitive
environment, WPR also offers its members a chance to help shape the future of the industry and to
act as mentors to the next generation. We want our successful networking blueprint in the UK to be
rolled out globally and are taking the first steps to make this happen,” commented Angela and Susan.
The launch of GWPR is being supported by Business Wire (a Berkshire Hathaway company) and a
major sponsor of WPR in the UK. “We are delighted to be supporting this important launch,” said Kim
Deonanan Business Wire Regional VP, Northern & Central Europe.
www.globalwpr.com
For more information contact:
Sue Hardwick sue@globalwpr.com +44 (0)7710 260743
Angela Oakes angela@globalwpr.com +44 (0)7860 492914
Notes to Editors:
ICCO
The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is the voice of public relations consultancies around
the world. The ICCO membership comprises national trade associations in 31 countries across the globe: from Europe, Africa,
Asia, the Americas and Australasia. Collectively, these associations represent over 2,000 PR firms.
http://www.iccopr.com
Business Wire
Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Investor relations, public relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire to accurately distribute
market-moving news and multimedia, host online newsrooms and IR websites, build content marketing platforms, generate
social engagements and provide audience analysis that improves interaction with specified target markets. Founded in 1961,
Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities,
delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented simultaneous NX Network.
Business Wire has 32 offices worldwide to securely meet the varying needs of communications professionals and news
consumers.
www.businesswire.com
WPR is a sector group of the PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) in the UK and a networking organisation for
senior women working in the PR industry. It provides an important platform to enable members to share their experiences,
assist one another in business and exchange ideas. Founded in 1962, WPR offers support for its members and has helped to
shape the development of the PR profession as a whole. WPR works to encourage and promote the highest standards of
professionalism and to assist and support younger members within the profession.
www.womeninpr.org.uk