Proximus chooses SILK as a partner to build a unique communication and media ecosystem

Through the creation of a unique ecosystem of media and communication partners, Proximus regroups strategic, creative and digital expertise in a new agile and innovative operating model. The selection fits Proximus’ aim to accelerate its digital transformation and become part of the digital daily life of every Belgian.

Proximus has the ambition to become a digital service provider offering a superior customer experience. In today's rapidly changing world, agility, customer focus and a digital mindset are key concepts for a successful marketing and communication strategy. As the expectations and needs of its customers are constantly evolving, Proximus continues to innovate in all interactions with its customers.

As the first telecom operator in Belgium, Proximus started exploratory talks in June with various creative and innovative communication and media agencies to reflect on the role they can play in the development and joint construction of a new partner mix. The aim is to build, together with various partners, an ecosystem that can provide the combination of strategic, creative and naturally digital solutions in a renewed operating model.

Thorough selection procedure resulting in an innovative and future-proof media approach

After an extensive agency pitch process, the Proximus team has decided to start working with the SILK ecosystem for all communication towards residential and professional customers. The new ecosystem is  composed of:

• Famous Grey as strategic/creative partner and ecosystem leader
• Maxus as media partner (Group M)
• Prophets as digital creative agency
• Altavia Act being responsible for points of sale and packaging.

The decision to work with one ecosystem of partners positions Proximus as a frontrunner in terms of media and communication approach, able to unlock substantial creative power with regards to the strong evolution of consumer digital needs. Throughout the pitching process, SILK distinguished itself with its ability to boost creativity and bring ideas to the table that are naturally digital, embedding media and creation as from the start.

The ecosystem will start in the second quarter of 2019. Until then Proximus will continue to work with current partners. 

Guillaume Boutin, Chief Consumer Market Officer: "We are proud to announce the selection of SILK as unique partner to come up with creative messages, develop digital ideas and shape these ideas within an innovative communication framework. SILK will help us deliver the right message to the right target audience at the right time and throught the right channel. This will enable us to achieve our ambition to become part of the digital daily life of Belgian households and companies. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all agencies who participated to the pitch for their huge efforts and qualitative, creative work. A special word of gratitude goes out to our current partner BBDO after 12 years of intense collaboration.

Marc Fauconnier, CEO FamousGrey: “We enjoyed the SILK route as much as the destination. This whole journey has been a laboratory for new forms of collaboration. Working closely together between experts from different agencies and Proximus was unprecedented for most of us, but turned out to be a great added value, both in terms of innovative media thinking and creative power. All SILK-partners look forward to put our new inspiration into practice.

For more information, contact the Press Relations department: press@proximus.com or +32 2 202 44 44:

Fabrice Gansbeke                         Haroun Fenaux          

+32 472 050 702                           +32 476 600 333                                                                                                  

_{About Proximus}

_{The Proximus Group is a telecommunication & ICT company operating in the Belgian and international markets, serving residential customers, companies and public institutions. Proximus’ ambition is to become a digital service provider, connecting everyone and everything so people live better and work smarter. Through its efficient, integrated fixed and mobile networks, Proximus provides access, anywhere and anytime, to digital services and user-friendly solutions, as well as to a broad offering of multimedia content. Proximus transforms technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud and Security into solutions with positive impact on people and society. With 13.391 employees, all striving to offer customers a superior experience, the Group realized an underlying Group revenue of EUR 5.778 million end-2017.}

_{Proximus (Euronext Brussels: PROX) is also active in Luxembourg through its affiliates Telindus Luxembourg and TanGB, and in the Netherlands through Telindus Netherlands. BICS is a leading international communications enabler, one of the key global voice carriers and the leading provider of mobile data services worldwide.}

_{For more information, visit www.proximus.com and www.proximus.be}

_{About FamousGrey}

_{FamousGrey was founded in 1997 as an independent agency. In 2016 it became part of the Grey Group, one of the world’s most innovative and creative advertising networks. Under the motto, Famously Effective, the agency not only aims to build its clients’ brands but also their business, via creative, result-driven campaigns. All of which takes place thanks to the dedication of 75 employees, including specialists in every discipline of relevance to today’s advertiser. Many of these specialisations have since grown into genuine expert hubs, such as Famous Performance, Famous Relations, FamousGrey Productions and Buyerminds Brussels.}

_{FamousGrey creates campaigns for national and international companies such as the Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS), Volvo, Hyundai, Thomas Cook, Alken-Maes, VRT, Vittel, IGLO and Mediafin.}

_{FamousGrey’s offices are located in a former 18th century monastery on the outdskirts of Brussels.}

_{For more information, visit www.famousgrey.com}