US communications analytics and advisory firm PublicRelay is to set up a media analytics centre in Waterford City, creating about 40 jobs over the next two years.
PublicRelay opened its first European office in Dublin in 2018, followed by its Cavan site in 2019. Its expansion in Waterford is the company's third site in Ireland.
Founded in 2008, the company provides clients with insights based on their media coverage in print, online, broadcast, and social media.
Its expansion in Waterford is supported by IDA Ireland.
PublicRelay said it will operate on a hybrid basis with its South-East Hub located in BoxWorks 2, a co-working space in Waterford City.
"Our experience in Ireland has been outstanding since we opened our first office here in 2018. 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, " Eric Koefoot, the company's President and CEO, said.
"We are excited to be further expanding our operations in Ireland. We looked at a number of locations around the country, but the proximity of the university combined with a great facility in such a vibrant area of the city won us over," commented Karl Finn, Director of Irish Operations at PublicRelay.
"I was impressed with Boxworks' flexibility and willingness to adapt to our needs as we built out the team," he added.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar said he was pleased PublicRelay had 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," he added.
