Strategic communications company Hill & Knowlton once again took the top spot in Marketing magazine's annual survey of public relations agencies operating in Singapore, taking the gold award for the public relations category for the third time in four years.

The firm also clinched first place last year and in 2005, when the awards were inaugurated.

Jimmy Tay, Hill & Knowlton's Chief Executive for Southeast Asia, said: “This award is especially gratifying because only senior client marketers' opinions count towards the annual Marketing ranking. This represents a strong recognition of the value we deliver to our clients.”

Tony Kelly, Editor-in-Chief of Marketing, added: “It's the client decisions that drive the business we operate in and comment on and their perceptions of agencies are therefore a critical barometer of how agencies are performing, branding themselves and managing their relationships.”

Hill & Knowlton also scored first in the ranking of public relations agencies by votes from competing agency professionals.

Tay said: “We are immensely proud, yet deeply humbled, by the double honour. The stronger affirmation we received this year by way of a wider margin reflects the reputation of both Hill & Knowlton and our employees in the market.”