PR consulting firm Ivy+Partners concluded yet another successful year in 2023, showcasing remarkable revenue growth of 60%. The firm, based in Ho Chi Minh City, made a name for itself by bridging the divide between local and international agencies – by producing deep-rooted local insights while operating at the pinnacle of global standards. Since 2021, Ivy+Partners has been a key player in fostering Vietnamese brands internationally while assisting overseas brands in thriving within the local market.

In recent years, Vietnam emerged as one of the fastest expanding economies in the region, witnessing an 8% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022. In the three months ending September 2023, the Southeast-Asian economy continued to grow for a second straight quarter with a GDP of 5.05%.

Despite the slowdown in momentum in 2023, due to reduced global demand, Ivy+Partners experienced substantial growth in revenue, team, and forged strong partnerships with clients.

Ivy+Partners team

Strengthening client ties, expanding beyond borders

Ivy+Partners collaborates with various business partners and clients, including Google, what3words, Metiseko, Green Rebel, Vietcetera, Crystal Waters Global, and the German Business Association (GBA) in Vietnam.

Bloomberg foresees a strong 6% growth in Vietnam’s economy for 2024, with aspirations to be the fastest-growing in Asia by 2025. Ivy Nhi Chau, Founder and CEO of Ivy+Partners, observes a rising trend of global and regional companies leaving their mark on the Vietnamese market. “Notably, our client base is diverse – half international, including Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the UK, and the other half a vibrant mix of local businesses.”

To strengthen its ties within the tech community, Ivy+Partners teamed with Ascend Vietnam Ventures and Young Entrepreneurs Saigon to launch Tech After Dark (TAD). Leveraging the firm’s extensive experience working with tech companies, this partnership aims to create a top-notch networking event for startup and tech communities in Southeast Asia. TAD has already hosted four successful events in Ho Chi Minh City, and the most recent one in Hanoi marks its first anniversary.

Ivy Nhi Châu

2023 also marked the beginning of a partnership with One Asia Communications Group, a network of comprehensive PR and marketing services for countries in the Asian-Pacific (APAC) region. Some founding member countries include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Joining One Asia Communications Group advances the firm’s vision to become an APAC-focused firm with a strong regional network and provides Ivy+Partners with access to greater resources.

Wrapping up the year, Ivy+Partners partnered with Fidinam through The Momentum Programme to build and nurture the startup ecosystem in Vietnam. The partnership aims to create a hub that fosters innovation, drives growth, and provides a supportive environment for startups and support for new entrepreneurs seeking to start their businesses and scale up. The programme will be soon open for early applications from start-ups to enjoy consultancy services from both firms at attractive prices, for a limited time.

A continuous growth trajectory marked by new senior leadership

Ivy+Partners also achieved a significant milestone in its strategic growth by appointing Huyen Tran as Communications Director. With over 15 years of experience, Huyen is a seasoned communication professional with a robust business acumen. Her expertise lies in planning and implementing various communication strategies to support the sustainable growth of businesses. She excels in crafting compelling stories that connect companies and their brands with key stakeholders, resonating with them. Prior to joining Ivy+Partners, she held positions in renowned corporations, including Unilever, FrieslandCampina, AkzoNobel, H&M, and British American Tobacco (BAT), working across Vietnam and Singapore.

Huyen Tran, Communications Director

Huyen’s appointment is a significant contribution to the team to ensure communication consistency and seamless execution of integrated communication campaigns for local and international brands.

“Joining Ivy+Partners has been such a pivotal turning point in my career. I believe the experience and insight I have cultivated through many years working at corporations, combined with the dynamism and creativity of the young team at Ivy+Partners, would be a great match to help our business excel this year and the many years to come. We have an ambitious plan ahead, not only in growing our business and fostering relationships with our client-partners for more successes but also in developing our internal team, building a strong culture that wins hearts and minds of our talents,”

said Huyen.

New Year, New Heights

Looking into 2024, the Ivy+Partners team looks toward achieving even greater results as well as exceeding client expectations for business partners. Beyond commercial growth, the firm maintains optimism for strengthening the culture within the team and further enhancing its brand presence in the international market.

“A new year is here, and we continue our vision to bridge the gap between global and regional players entering the Vietnamese market and local brands aiming for international expansion through strategic PR communication and our solid partner network. In terms of our clientele, while we take pride in having served and worked with a broad, diverse portfolio of businesses over the last few years, we will put more focus on two key categories: Tech and Corporate – to serve our clients from SMEs, startups, and big corporations; and Lifestyle – to serve our B2C clients in Hospitality, FMCG, and Entertainment. This also means growing and developing our team of consultants to become more well-rounded and accomplished, from strategic planning and account management to excellence in execution. This operational model has set us apart from the classic structure of PR agencies since day one, and we will keep pursuing it,”

shared Ivy, outlining her vision for 2024.