#EUReporter - Influencing the EU influencers

Brussels is the self-proclaimed “capital of Europe” and while that may be disputed there is no denying that the Belgian capital is the heartbeat of the EU. The city is awash with key decision makers and, almost in equal number, those seeking to influence EU legislators. It is also home to the biggest press corps outside of Washington DC, with some notable players, including EU Reporter, writes Lucas Baltis in the Baltic Times.

The owner of EU Reporter is Colin Stevens (pictured). An award-winning news professional, he was recently appointed President of the Press Club Brussels just as it took over the presidency of both the European Press Clubs Federation and the International Association of Press Clubs.

As such he is now undoubtedly one of the most influential non-politicians inside the EU “bubble” and on the speed dial of most CEOs, politicians and others seeking high profile media exposure.

EU Reporter is, in fact, the leading online news portal, media & communications agency in Brussels offering news, analysis and comment on EU legislation and activity.

If objective proof of this was required, look no further than the findings from the EU Media Poll 'What Influences the Influencers'.

https://youtu.be/z9uzUM7et6s

The ComRes/Burson-Marsteller 2016 and 2018 surveys are significant because it gives an insight into the preferred news sources and social media channels used by MEPs, EU officials and opinion-formers in Brussels.

EU Reporter appears ahead of the Guardian Online in a list of “very influential” media, with more MEPs visiting EU Reporter online for news on EU issues than visit the Guardian Online.

EU Reporter, according to the 2016 poll, rates at 8%, equal to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and ahead of the Guardian Online (6%) as the online news provider of choice among MEPs, EU institutions staff and Brussels decision-makers and opinion-formers.

When it comes to the influence of news channels and social media on decision making, EU Reporter (11%) has forged well ahead of Instagram (3%).

EU Reporter TV in the European Parliament

The EU Reporter success story started nine years ago when it was launched by Colin Stevens, a vastly experienced media operator.

Back then it was a newcomer on the already crowded Brussels media scene covering the EU.

But, despite stiff competition from often much bigger rivals, it very quickly established itself as a respected and informative news provider.

Key to its success is its ability to provide a platform for those wishing to have a say in the EU legislative loop and, crucially, get their message across to the decision makers in institutions such as the European Commission and European Parliament.

Evidence of the huge strides EU Reporter has taken in a relatively short space of time comes when you consider some of the blue-chip companies on its client list such as the Chinese tech giant Huawei and LUKOIL the Russian energy company, US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, Ukrainian nuclear energy company Energoatom, and Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom.

It also works closely with NGOs and leading public relations companies in Brussels, Beijing, Kiev, London, Moscow, New York, Paris, Rome and Tallinn, each of whom value the opportunity to disseminate their often disparate messaging via a respected media partner.

Stevens says that EU Reporter is now actively seeking new business opportunities in the Baltic States.

EU Reporter also collaborates closely with the huge diplomatic corps in Brussels, has at least two embassies as clients, and has a partnership agreement with the People’s Daily of China.

One Central European client explains the importance of EU Reporter’s contribution, saying, “It is a fantastic outlet for those who, for instance, have an interest in EU accession applications or for business developments. It is also an invaluable service if your interest is in the emerging markets.

“Brussels is, of course, full of very influential people and ‘partnering’ with EU Reporter is a great way of getting your message across to these people. It is all about ‘influencing the influencers’ if you like.”

It is worth noting that EU Reporter not only publishes online but, unlike most of the other media operators in Brussels, it also has a web TV platform EU Reporter.TV

Its website is currently getting over 150,000 visits per month and building (source Google analytics).

EU Reporter is not a mass market publication but rather one with a dedicated and interested readership/viewership. It also makes fullest use of social media, in particular Twitter and Facebook. The portal has Twitter and Facebook pages for each language published on its web site – a total of 58 Twitter sites.

Subjects covered are as diverse as its clients, ranging from politics, defence and the economy to energy, the environment and education. Other issues include health, human rights, lifestyle and animal welfare.

As the ComRes/Burson-Marsteller survey showed, EU Reporter’s quality video news and video features gives it an undisputed edge, as does its ability to broadcast video advertisements, sponsored videos and video news releases online.

It boasts several unique features, not least the fact that its website is available in no less than 57 different languages, ranging to Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian to Irish Gaelic and Welsh.

No other media operator in Brussels offers anything remotely like the linguistic reach of EU Reporter and its availability even in Welsh is particularly appropriate as the man behind the rapid rise of EU Reporter is Colin Stevens who is originally from Cardiff, the Welsh capital.

Stevens launched the UK limited company nine years ago after running his own media and communications company for 11 years until 2010.

He boasts a particularly impressive professional background, having been Director of Broadcast and Digital Media at Quadrant Media & Communications and a former editor of news related programmes during a 25 year career with ITV in the UK.

An experienced media professional, he is well known for his knowledge of the digital agenda and the political and regulatory dynamics of the EU.

Almost uniquely in Brussels, he has intimate experience of both sides of the media ‘divide’: those wishing to influence decision-making and, on the other hand, those in the media who are targeted by the PR world.

Being able to draw on such experience in both the media and PR industries has helped him propel EU Reporter to the top of the tree in a massively competitive sector.

But EU Reporter is not one to rest on its laurels with the company forever seeking new ways to innovative and stay ahead of the pack.

That is why the UK company has now been absorbed into a new Irish company, EU Reporter Media & Communications Ltd, registered in Dublin.

“The move partly reflects the ongoing uncertainties caused by Brexit and possible ramifications for the business world” said Stevens.

“The decision means that EU Reporter is now headquartered in Dublin but will continue to be operationally based in Brussels.”

Stevens, who himself has dual Irish and UK citizenship, said “It is vital the company’s hard-earned “EU identity” is safeguarded, whatever happens regarding the UK’s EU exit.”

The EU Reporter stable has now also recently been expanded to embrace additional online platforms and reinforce its international presence.

These are: Brussels in View; London Globe; New York Globe; Le Globe France; Globus Deutschland , and Globo Espana. With other country specific news sites under development.

With a website that can be viewed in some 157 countries and an invaluable EU-related rolling news and features service, there is no doubt the impact EU Reporter has had on the 'Brussels Bubble'.

Please view EU Reporter.

For further information contact Colin Stevens at [email protected]

Comres EU Media Poll 

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