Perkins&Will
Marketing & Media Relations
Background
One of the leading global architecture and design firms, Perkins&Will, sought media relations counsel to assist its Chicago marketing and firm-wide corporate public relations teams to raise the visibility of new projects, leadership, and its contribution to design innovation. The Chicago founding – and largest – office had recently named a new managing director, and was nearing completion of important new buildings in Chicago and around the world. In 2015, Perkins&Will celebrated its 80th anniversary, a signal achievement.
Our Work
Beginning in mid-2013, in preparation for the opening of William Jones College Preparatory High School, one of the first vertical urban high schools in the world, Melcher+Tucker Consultants developed a multi-media communications plan informed by interviews with the principal architects and Chicago Public School officials. Following the initial engagement, we have helped promote Perkins&Will thought leadership and new projects across all business sectors, including education, healthcare, corporate/commercial, corporate interiors and social responsibility. We work closely with internal marketing and public relations teams to coordinate all outreach for opportunities for expert commentary, story ideas and speaking. We have taken the lead on preparing and executing media plans for all new projects led by designers in P&W’s Chicago office, ranging from the student center at Case Western Reserve University to the Shanghai Natural History Museum, from the Newell Rubbermaid Design Center to the world headquarters of SRAM, a leading bike components maker in Chicago.
Results
Visibility and new-business wins are growing for the Chicago office. Eight decades after its founding, Perkins&Will is recognized for the vibrancy of its ideas. The firm’s design and architecture is inspiring new ways to work, to learn and to respond to the natural environment. Major design awards have been earned by Chicago-led projects overseas and in the U.S., including Shanghai Natural History Museum, Newell Rubbermaid Design Center, Rush University Medical Center, Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve, and Jones College Prep. In 2015, Perkins&Will received the first Design for Learning Leadership award for its K-12 education work; five awards for Design Excellence from the American Institute of Architects; and, capping the year, the Firm of the Year from AIA’s Chicago Chapter. Media coverage has ranged widely, from the Chicago Tribune and Architectural Record to FastCompany and Travel+Leisure.