Press Room
February 8, 2007
German Version Communications across borders – Cognis challenges students to develop great ideas
Global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis is supporting the Global Communications Project 2007, an international competition for students. The aim of the project is to increase awareness and understanding of the issues around international communications among university students studying public relations and communications. The competition gives participants from eleven different countries around the world the opportunity take theory and put it to practice by applying it to a real-life situation: this year, they will be asked to develop strategies that will enable Cognis to even better align its communications activities to selected local markets and their demands.
Globalization is changing the way companies communicate. “In fact, globalization and localization go hand in hand,” says Susanne Marell, Vice President Corporate Communications at Cognis. “Global businesses can only communicate effectively if they tailor their message to local markets. The key is finding the right balance between global objectives and local implementation. We are looking forward to working together with the students, and can’t wait to see how the international teams use their knowledge of their own countries in developing their proposals.”
The jury, which is made up of lecturers from the universities involved and representatives of Cognis, will evaluate the teams’ ideas in the middle of this year. The students will be put into six teams, all with at least one representative from each country. Every team will be given the same briefing, and must collaborate online and over the phone to develop their solutions. The team members will meet each other for the first time at the award ceremony, where the results and the winning team will be announced.
The Global Communications Project was founded and is headed by Volker Stoltz, a visiting lecturer in international PR at the University of Erfurt. This is the fifth year that the competition will be held. This year, approximately 100 students take part, from countries including Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the UK, South Africa, the USA, Brazil, India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. “With Affiliates in more than 30 countries, Cognis is the ideal partner for this competition,“ says Volker Stoltz. “In developing their strategies, the students will benefit from the experience of a truly international company, and will learn what it’s like to work in and with a multicultural team.”
(Caption) The participants of the “Global Communications Project 2007” come from countries all around the world. They work together online, analyzing Cognis’ communications.
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Printable image available on request.
About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 8,000 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The company holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2005, Cognis recorded sales of 3.18 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 356 million euros.
Contact
Susanne Marell, Vice President Corporate Communications
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-2173-4995-222
E-mail: susanne.marell@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com