akkanto

This year has been an exceptionally challenging one for McDonald's crisis team. From a serious food safety incident to international boycotts and a side of Trump on the menu, the fast-food giant faced a series of reputation-threatening events that tested their response capabilities worldwide. You'll read all about it in our latest newsletter. Three crises tested the Golden Arches in 2024: • An E. coli outbreak in their Quarter Pounders that hospitalized 34 people and killed one • Their Israeli franchise's decision to provide free meals to military forces, triggering widespread boycotts across Muslim-majority nations • Trump's surprise visit to a Pennsylvania McDonald's, pushing the company to maintain political neutrality Click below to read how even the most experienced global brands can falter when serving different messages from the same corporate kitchen. #CrisisManagement #CorporateCommunications #ReputationManagement #BusinessStrategy

✨ Meet our newest team member! ✨   With more than a decade of experience as a journalist at RTL Belgium, Taoufik Talbi is a seasoned expert when it comes to news and storytelling. His insights in how stories can click and resonate with audiences, his expertise about the unwritten rules of the media world, and his broad network make him a valuable addition to our reputation team - and our clients.   It’s great to have you on board, Taoufik!

🇧🇪🏆 European Powerchair Hockey Championship - Wrapping up the 1st Round! 🏆🇧🇪   Team Belgium Powerchair Hockey showed incredible determination as they faced Denmark, Italy, and Finland. Despite facing two tough losses and securing a hard-earned draw, their winners’ spirit remains strong, and their positive energy can’t be beat.   Tomorrow, they’re hitting the court again, with their hopes set on a spot in the World Championships. To the entire team: best of luck and enjoy the game! We’re incredibly proud to be your partner.   Want to see our National Team defending our colours in Denmark? Follow this link!: https://lnkd.in/et9yDUx8   #PowerChairHockey #EuropeanChampionships #InclusiveSports

Today, The Belgian Power Chair Hockey Team is playing their first game at the European Championship in Denmark! 🇧🇪🏆   As proud partners, all of us at akkanto are cheering for our national team ! To each of the 9 players, 2 coaches, and everyone involved: best of luck!   We’re crossing our fingers they beat Denmark in the opening game, then Italy and Finland, and make it to the next round, all the way to the European Championship. Go Team Belgium!   You want to see this fast-paced game yourself? Here’s the livestream 👉https://lnkd.in/erMbD65Q   #PowerChairHockey #EuropeanChampionship #Inclusivesports

🗳️ Fresh analysis: What Belgium's October 13 local elections mean for public affairs👇 Key insights from our latest report: • N-VA maintains control in Flanders • "Azur" coalition strengthens in Wallonia • Complex coalition dynamics emerging in Brussels • Rising political stars to watch in all regions These results will reshape Belgium's political landscape well beyond the local level. Read our full analysis of how this impacts your public affairs strategy (link in comments). #BelgianPolitics #PublicAffairs #LocalElections2024 #Belgium

Full house at VBO FEB’s inspiring conference on energy yesterday. All actors in the energy chain were present to discuss the many challenges they are confronted with in aiming for a more sustainable energy production and consumption, while ensuring supply security and affordable/competitive prices. Various speakers showed the magnitude of hurdles to take: shift from OPEX to CAPEX, adaptation of networks, increased efficiency targets, NIMBY, new energy vectors and growing interdependencies (non-domestic offshore wind, green hydrogen, CCUS), volatile prices, a feeble hydrogen market and an intensifying war for talent. Confronted with these many challenges, the sector is increasingly looking at decision makers for answers. A long-term vision that makes clear policy choices, enables the much needed market impulses and works on consumer behaviour are asked for to enable energy producers, networks, industry, transport and building sectors to accelerate their transition journey and turn challenges into opportunities. Or as one of the speakers said: “we all have a roadmap in front of us to attain our transition goals, we just don’t know yet how fast we will (be able to) travel”. #energy #innovation #energytransition #publicaffairs

Exciting news: akkanto partners with Caliber for cutting-edge reputation measurement and management! We're happy to share the results of our first study. We just unveiled this partnership and the first results of our joint study at our Lunch&Learn event on Thursday, September 19. Why reputation management matters: • In today's business landscape, intangible assets like reputation account for over 90% of a company's value • Our partnership bridges the gap between understanding reputation factors and implementing effective strategies • We're now equipped to offer continuous, real-time measurement and benchmarking of corporate reputation in Belgium 🇧🇪 First insights from our joint research: • Belgian perceptions are heavily influenced by current societal concerns • ESG scores often negatively impact overall reputation, presenting opportunities for improvement • Excellence in products and services remains the foundation of a strong reputation Don't forget to check out our blog: "Measuring the 20-year asset: akkanto partners with Caliber on reputation management" for more details on our approach and initial findings (link in the comments below). Let's connect to explore how this partnership can elevate your reputation management strategy! #ReputationManagement #BelgianBusiness #CorporateStrategy

Gisterenavond organiseerde Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Antwerpen-Waasland in Antwerpen een lijsttrekkersdebat met nadruk op economische thema’s en ondernemerschap. De nervositeit rond de werkzaamheidsgraad, de mobiliteitsproblematiek, de transitie naar groener en duurzamer ondernemen was tot in de zaal te voelen. Het laatste woord is nog lang niet gezegd … #Antwerpen #gemeenteraadsverkiezingen

📣 We are very happy to welcome our new colleague, Jean-Luc Bodson who joins akkanto as Senior Advisor.  An honorary ambassador for Belgium 🇧🇪, Jean-Luc has worked as a diplomat for over 30 years across all continents 🌍. After concluding his most recent assignment in Tel Aviv 🇮🇱, he has decided to return to Belgium and put his extensive expertise and network to good use at akkanto. With his experience as a bridge builder and supporter of Belgian companies, he’s a valuable addition to the akkanto team. Welcome Jean-Luc!

🚀 Our September newsletter is out! Three topics: AI, hype vs. reality; the internal conflict turned street brawl at VRT; and a new Lunch & Learn this month at akkanto! Dive into "Reputation Unlocked", your monthly dose to help build, strengthen, leverage and protect your reputation. #ReputationManagement #AI #EmployerBranding #CorporateCommunication