Castro EU can help you effectively navigate the complex world of the European Union. Our experienced team with a strong network of European institutions and Dutch European stakeholders is ready to help you with European policy and communication challenges. We help clients with Corporate Affairs, Government Relations and Policy Communication & Campaigns. This includes lobbying advice, communication advice, European policy monitoring and training in dealing with European stakeholders and the media. Together with our partner New Balls Please, we organize events with and for European stakeholders.
Strenghten your company’s reputation through strategic advice, media monitoring, and training
Castro EU helps to maintain and develop your relationships with crucial stakeholders and provide valuable political insights
Delivering effective communication strategies and campaign executions, including targeted media buys
Castro is happy to work with you in concrete terms. Together we'll determine the goals and the strategy to achieve them. Of course, our team of experts can also help you with the implementation. Castro has been in existence for more than 5 years and we have already worked with and for more than 70 companies, organizations and governments. From large to small and from multinational to local companies and organizations.
Short lines of communication are important for successful cooperation. We like to work intensively with our clients to achieve the right result.
Castro believes you are most successful when you have a clear focus. Together, we determine what the goals are and how we can and will achieve them. Measurable.
Castro works rapidly and enjoys actively contributing to achieving your goals. We are pragmatic and goal-oriented. With concrete actions, we will make the difference for you.
The world of (corporate) communications and lobbying are dynamic. There's no 9-to-5 mentality to match. At Castro, you won't find one. We're always available.
Uber | Communications
Uber is a technology company best known for its ride-sharing app, which connects passengers with drivers of private vehicles through a mobile app. In addition to passenger transportation, Uber also offers delivery services such as Uber Eats, which allows people to order meals from local restaurants and have them delivered. Uber's EMEA headquarters is located in the Netherlands.
In 2021, Uber reached out to Castro for communications support. Uber specifically sought our expertise to develop and refine their communications strategy, with the goal of getting their messages across clearly and effectively.
Our services for Uber range from strategic advice on key announcements and activities to hands-on execution, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Among other things, we help develop new campaigns, guide media requests and liaise with the press. This led, among other things, to extensive interviews with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in the Telegraaf and EW Magazine.
"I have come to know Castro as a very hands-on agency in that they are always accessible and quick to respond. It is nice to spar with Castro on strategy and they have an excellent network."
Rick Janse Kok | Uber, Head of Communications Northern Europe
J&J Innovative Medicine Netherlands | Communications
J&J Innovative Medicine Netherlands (formerly Janssen, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson) approached Castro in the summer of 2023. The company asked if, in the run-up to the Lower House elections, we could organize an election activity around the theme of healthcare. Eventually, in consultation with J&J and the other two clients (Amgen and MSD), an election debate was chosen.
The organization of the debate ended up being a co-production of Castro and New Balls Please Netherlands (our joint venture together with Belgian event organizer New Balls Please). Humberto Tan acted as debate leader and Frits Huffnagel as co-host. Participants included Fleur Agema (PVV), Mona Keijzer (BBB) and Sophie Hermans (VVD). Many thousands of guests watched live online via telegraaf.nl.
NPO found the recording and debate so successful that the broadcaster broadcast the election debate many times until the elections on NPO Politics.The success of the debate in The Hague was repeated in April 2024 ahead of the European elections. In Brussels, Castro EU and New Balls Please organized another debate, this time with Frits Wester as debate leader. The list leaders of D66 and NSC participated, as well as directly eligible candidates from VVD and BBB. Once again, NPO broadcast the debate many times.
"I experienced the cooperation with Castro and New Balls Please as incredibly pleasant. It was a conscious choice because they combine an excellent network in politics and media with a lot of experience in organizing events and all the technology involved. Castro and New Balls Please do not settle for a six, they go for a top result and, as far as I am concerned, they succeeded."
Koen Venekamp | Lead Government Affairs & Policy at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Netherlands
Smart Delta Resources | Communications
Smart Delta Resources is a cross-border collaboration between companies, port, knowledge institutions, network operators and governments in the Scheldt-Delta region. Their ambition is a competitive, climate neutral and circular industry in 2050.
An ambitious goal, which created a major challenge: how can Smart Delta Resources communicate that mission and vision as effectively as possible, both internally toward and with all members, and to the outside world, including policymakers?
That's why they approached Castro Communications. By developing a clear positioning, storyline, and communication strategy, we helped Smart Delta Resources articulate their ambitious goals in an understandable and appealing way. This forms the basis for all Smart Delta Resources' communications.
Castro Communications is now helping to further develop the positioning into a clear communication approach, communication tools and a media campaign.
"Castro Communications' expertise and hands-on approach enabled us to translate our message into a clear and compelling strategy. Many people are impressed with how well our vision is now articulated and further implemented. It really felt like Castro was part of our team."
- Onno Sinke | Communications Manager Smart Delta Resources