North by Northwest bolsters growth with corporate PR and reputation agency in Brussels
Belgian content group behind MediaMixer and The Fat Lady launches Fama Relations with corporate PR experts Sam Jaspers and Erik Struys
Sam Jaspers and Erik Struys are joining the shareholder structure of North by Northwest and, together with their team based in Brussels, are expanding the new PR and reputation division. This further establishes the independent Belgian content group as a full-service communications partner for brands, companies and organisations. There is a growing need for local corporate communications experts who combine strategic insight with an integrated, content-driven approach. With this investment, North by Northwest is creating a springboard for growth and consolidating the group’s presence in the Antwerp-Brussels-Ghent triangle.
Following the merger of MediaMixer with The Fat Lady and the integration of Studio Sonart into MediaMixer, Fama Relations becomes the fourth pillar within the group. This expands North by Northwest’s expertise in strategic content marketing, digital marketing, events and audiovisual production to include corporate PR, reputation management and crisis communication. The addition of Fama Relations and Studio Sonart brings an additional 2 million euros in turnover to the group. North by Northwest currently has 70 employees across Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent, generates a consolidated turnover of 12 million euros and is aiming for double-digit growth by 2030.
“We have been working with Sam and Erik for several years now and have seen just how valuable their expertise in corporate PR and reputation management is for our clients. With their arrival as new shareholders, we can now offer a multidisciplinary range of services covering content creation, events, content marketing, corporate PR, reputation management and crisis communication. In doing so, we are responding to the growing demand from companies and organisations for an integrated approach to increasingly complex communication and reputation issues,” says Antoon Theunissen, CEO of North by Northwest.
Over recent years, Sam and Erik, together with their team, have built up strong expertise in corporate PR and reputation management across various sectors for leading organisations such as the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel, Korian, Auto5, Cera, De Koninklijke Muntschouwburg, Moore Belgium, Valipac, Cepani and Midas. Within North by Northwest, Sam and Erik’s team will provide clients with strategic and operational support in stakeholder and sustainability communication, reputation building, thought leadership, CEO branding, crisis communication and spokesperson services.
Complementarity as a lever for growth
Fama Relations not only strengthens the group’s geographical presence but also enhances complementarity within the group. This combination will be a key driver of new growth, supported by the recruitment of additional communications consultants.
For MediaMixer and The Fat Lady, the arrival of Fama Relations means that content strategies and campaigns will henceforth be more closely aligned from the outset with reputation, credibility and the expectations of various stakeholders. In this way, North by Northwest helps organisations to be visible and relevant, but also to build trust, strengthen their position and protect their reputation in the long term.
Brussels bolsters national presence
With the arrival of Fama Relations, North by Northwest is expanding its presence in Antwerp and Ghent to Brussels. This creates a strong communications triangle, enabling the group to better support clients throughout Belgium in a local and integrated manner. The Brussels presence also enhances the group’s bilingual and local capabilities for clients in the north and south of the country.
“In an environment where news, social media, stakeholders and public opinion are constantly interacting, protecting and strengthening reputation and brand awareness is of crucial strategic importance,” say Sam Jaspers and Erik Struys, client director and strategy director respectively at Fama Relations. “By combining our expertise in corporate PR and reputation management with North by Northwest’s expertise in content and digital marketing, we can support clients even more comprehensively, from strategy and content development through to implementation and distribution to diverse target audiences across all channels.”
About Fama Relations
Fama Relations is a specialist corporate communications and reputation agency that helps companies and organisations to build, strengthen and protect their reputation. The agency combines strategic insight with compelling stories, clear messaging and lasting relationships with the media, influencers and stakeholders. Fama Relations supports clients in areas including media and stakeholder relations, reputation management, crisis communication, communication strategy, social media, opinion leader and influencer relations, and media training. The team offers a personalised and bespoke service, with short lines of communication and direct senior involvement. As part of North by Northwest, Fama Relations can, where necessary, scale up its services with expertise in content, digital marketing, events and audiovisual production. Further information: https://famarelations.be/
About North by Northwest
North by Northwest is an independent Belgian communications group that brings together four complementary entities: MediaMixer, The Fat Lady, Fama Relations and Studio Sonart. The group supports brands, companies and organisations with complex communications challenges, from strategy and creation to production and distribution. With expertise in strategic content marketing, digital marketing, events, audiovisual production, corporate PR and reputation management, North by Northwest brings together various disciplines around a single central narrative. The agencies each have their own focus and identity, but share their expertise and capabilities when the client requires it. With teams in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels, the group combines local presence with an integrated communications approach. Further information: https://northbynorthwest.be/
Sam Jaspers