The return of the “Nutcracker”

Last week in a national survey, Aker was ranked as the 3rd most admired company in Norway. The media has referred to this as the ‘Nutcracker’ effect.

“The ‘Nutcracker effect’ does not come from a film alone. The Nutcracker reflects the pride that is felt from hard work and delivery. It is the people in Aker Kvaerner that bring the Nutcracker spirit to life,” Inge K. Hansen said today at an all employee meeting in Aker Kvaerner’s Lysaker offices. “To show our gratitude we have dedicated the NOK 1 million air time on TV2 won at the ‘Gold Fish Awards’ for *Best Television Commercial 2005’ to publicly thanking you and the future employees of Aker Kvaerner,” he concluded.

Recruiting people with the right attitude

Spirited corporate culture, focus on developing people and groundbreaking projects are the basis of an Aker Kvaerner joint HR/Communications campaign in 2006/7.

In the last 12 months, Aker Kvaerner has employed over 3000 new employees. 

The “Return of the Nutcracker” is the kick off of the new Aker Kvaerner employer branding campaign. Aker Kvaerner’s numerous HR and branding initiatives have been streamlined into a comprehensive campaign communicating the company’s competitive advantages as an employer.  Materials, messages and PR support are key elements of the campaign: “Preferred Employer.”

A new series of advertisements by Grey Worldwide (the agency that created the Nutcracker film) will drive the campaign. The campaign was previewed to Aker Kvaerner employees today.

The emphasis is on attitude, Aker Kvaerner’s hands-on approach, and its impressive track record. The ads feature an Aker Kvaerner employee in extreme conditions: Arctic weather, or hundreds of metres under the sea, with their sleeves rolled up.  The caption reads:

Attitude is everything since 1841 Innovative and dedicated people who believe that nothing is impossible, have solved tomorrow’s challenges for over 150 years. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves? Visit www.akerjobb.no for more information.

The ads will make their debut in Norwegian papers on 11 June and will be used globally by Aker Kvaerner in the more than 30 countries in which it currently operates. Additional ads in different environmental settings will follow later.

New HR programme

Aker Kvaerner has over 20,000 employees worldwide.  What better endorsement of the company can there be than an enthusiastic “insider”?

The Delegate Programme aims to communicate Aker Kvaerner’s positive work environment through its own people’s natural and sincere enthusiasm.  Delegates representing various business areas will be selected.  They will receive the training and tools to be a valuable resource in Aker Kvaerner’s recruiting efforts, such as speaking engagements, university fairs, and trade shows.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Karen Romer, VP Corporate Communications,  Aker Kvaerner ASA Tel: +47 67 51 32 60, Mob: +47 950 74 950

For career opportunities, visit www.akerjobb.no

AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Aker Kvaerner”), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner comprises several industries, including Oil & Gas, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. The Aker Kvaerner group is organised into two principal business streams, namely Oil & Gas and E&C, each consisting of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.
The parent company in the group is Aker Kvaerner ASA. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 41.4 billion and employs approximately 21 000 people in more than 30 countries.
Aker Kvaerner is part of the Aker Group (www.akerasa.com), a leading multi-industry powerhouse with more than 40 000 employees and NOK 62 billion revenues. Aker owns 50.01 per cent of Aker Kvaerner, and the group is also a major European shipbuilder and a significant participant in the fisheries industry.
This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com