Arca Teams with SFM for Arkema’s International Employee Magazine

Global chemical-industry leader Arkema seeks new agency to give its international employee magazine a boost

In 2008 global chemical-industry leader Arkema approached Arca Director Marc Stoerr to revamp the company’s international employee magazine, Arketypes. Arca specializes exclusively in corporate journalism, and is known for high writing standards, mastery of editorial processes, and excellence in international publications.

The agency’s challenge was threefold: to significantly improve the quality of the reporting and the readability of the magazine’s English version, transition the magazine from a print to an electronic format, and free up Arkema employees from time-intensive publication management duties.

Professional journalism and “trans-adaptation” make the difference

From the agency’s standpoint, the number-one priority was to produce an effective magazine. “It’s all about the reader. Our goal was to deliver a magazine that would make employees want to read it, regardless of the format.” said Marc. “We are corporate journalists, and the benefits of our approach and organization were immediately obvious to the customer, who was thrilled with the reporting from the very first issue.”

Arca Editorial Project Coordinator Véronique Stoeckel, who oversaw production of Arketypes from 2008 to 2009, added, “Right from the beginning the English version really resonated with our contacts at Arkema in the United States. SFM Traduction showed great skill in adopting the customer’s language, and hit just the right register.” Another of this ongoing project’s main challenges is the schedule. “Due to a complex publication cycle with various approvals, the deadlines are tight and often unpredictable. SFM Traduction gives us the responsiveness and flexibility we need to meet and exceed our customer’s expectations, maintaining the same level of enthusiasm and responsiveness right through the final draft rounds and corrections,” said Véronique.

A partnership based on service and professionalism

Arca has built a strong reputation for excellence in customer service, an ethic the agency’s partners must share. “We are in a service business. Arca’s reputation for service is what has helped us win national corporate contracts over the past 30 years, despite the fact that we are a small agency without a Paris office. SFM Traduction shares our high standards, enthusiasm, and professional approach to problem solving. Our conversations go far beyond per-word rates and deadlines. SFM Traduction is committed to the success of our projects.”