US communications analytics and advisory firm PublicRelay has announced plans to establish a media analytics centre in Waterford city, creating c40 new jobs over the next two years.
The company, which is headquartered in Virginia and has operations in Denver, San Diego and Portland, provides clients with insights drawn from their media coverage across print, online, broadcast and social media.
PublicRelay opened its first European office in Dublin in 2018 and set up a site in Cavan the following year. The Waterford city facility will be its third in Ireland, and the investment is supported by the government through IDA Ireland.
The media monitoring and analytics firm will operate on a hybrid basis with its south-east hub located in BoxWorks 2, a co-working space in the city, and it is hiring associate analysts to work at the media analytics centres as well as for a number of open positions at its EU HQ in Dublin.
"Our experience in Ireland has been outstanding since we opened our first office here in 2018," said Eric Koefoot, president and CEO of PublicRelay.
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"We’ve been able to access a hardworking, highly educated, and friendly work force, and our Irish team has been a big factor in our company success over the past four years. I’m delighted that we are now in a position to open our third office in Ireland, and I am looking forward to visiting Waterford very soon."
Karl Finn, the company's director of Irish operations, said PublicRelay had looked at a number of locations around the country, but the "great" Waterford facility stood out for its proximity to Waterford Institute of Technology and its location in "such a vibrant area of the city".
"I was impressed with BoxWorks’ flexibility and willingness to adapt to our needs as we built out the team," he added.
Commenting on the announcement, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said: "I’m really pleased PublicRelay has chosen Waterford City as the location for its new media analytics centre, which will create 40 new jobs over the next couple of years.
"It’s a real sign of the company’s confidence in Ireland and the wealth of talent we have here. Thank you to the team for their continued commitment and investment and the very best of luck with this latest expansion."
Mary Buckley, executive director of IDA Ireland, added: "PublicRelay’s decision to open a third Irish site in Waterford following the success of their Cavan and Dublin operations, demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to Ireland and confidence in the country’s highly skilled and talented workforce.
“This further investment exemplifies IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investment for the regions. I’d like to wish PublicRelay every success with this latest expansion."
(Pic: Getty Images)
