Managing communications in Spain and Portugal for 60% of its key clients, including Adyen, Vivid Money, and VTEX
Canela, a public relations agency with offices in Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon, has strengthened its position in the Spanish and Portuguese markets over the past year. Currently, 60% of its key clients have entrusted the agency with managing their communications in both countries. This further solidifies Canela’s commitment to the Iberian market, as one of the top five agencies to work for in EMEA, according to PRovoke Media.
Founded 15 years ago in Barcelona, Canela opened its Lisbon office in 2016 to expand its operations into Portugal and offer clients synergies between the two markets. Since then, the agency has continued to grow its client base in both countries. Today, six of Canela’s largest accounts work with the agency in both Spain and Portugal. Additionally, 80% of its clients in Portugal also operate in Spain, including brands such as Adyen, Cradlepoint, KONE, Ukio, Vivid, and VTEX.
Canela’s Lisbon office is led by Catarina Oliveira, the agency’s Director in Portugal, working closely with the teams in Barcelona and Madrid. Across its three offices, Canela has a team of 30 professionals, having expanded its workforce over the past year with several new hires.
New clients and key campaigns in Spain and Portugal
In 2021, Canela managed major communication campaigns for its clients in both countries. Among the most notable in the Iberian market was the launch of the Adyen Retail Report, an annual study on commerce conducted by the payments platform, which received extensive media coverage. The launch of the Vivid brand, a platform that integrates banking and investment services into a single application, was also very well received, being carried out simultaneously for Spain and Portugal.
Another key campaign managed by Canela this year was VTEX’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: VTEX), a digital commerce platform aimed at large enterprises and retailers. Additionally, Canela supported Sony in celebrating its 75th anniversary, creating a commemorative logo and slogan, along with a media campaign.
“We end 2021 celebrating the fact that we are now a fully established Iberian communications agency, thanks to the growing number of clients who trust us with their communications in both countries,” says Deborah Gray, Founder and Managing Director of Canela. “Although there are numerous synergies and cultural similarities, Spain and Portugal are two distinct markets. That’s why we have excellent professionals in our Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon offices who bring a local touch to each campaign.”
One of the top five agencies to work for in EMEA
Alongside its Iberian positioning, another key aspect that distinguishes Canela is its human resources policy, which has earned it multiple industry accolades. For the fifth time, Canela has been included among the Top Five Agencies to Work for in EMEA, according to the ranking compiled by the prestigious PR publication PRovoke Media (formerly Holmes Report).
