The Issuemakers team are a group of strategic communications advisors, with knowledge of the issues that arise play in society and with an eye for social impact. We advise and support organisations in defining and sharpening their social ambitions and then converting these into a positive impact for the organisation and in society. We focus on issue intelligence, issue making, issue and management crises, and training.

We help clients with media/political monitoring, stakeholder inventory/management, analysis of current policy and public affairs advice, advice on organisational social positioning and profiling, public relations, media strategy, media training, and environmental communication.

About The Netherlands office

Mayke van Keep

Sybrig van Keep

Pieter Idenburg

Lars Ykema

Bart van Zelst

Lisa van Dorp

Get in touch

**Issuemakers Rud Pedersen Group**
[Rembrandtweg 39
1181 GE Amstelveen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/rHH7BzBY2vGKKft19)

**Managing Partners:**

**Mayke van Keep** [Mayke.vanKeep@issuemakers.nl](mailto:Mayke.vanKeep@issuemakers.nl)
**Sybrig van Keep** [Sybrig.vanKeep@issuemakers.nl](mailto:Sybrig.vanKeep@issuemakers.nl)


Visit our office

Visit our website

For more information about our services, team, and expertise, visit our office website. Learn how we can help you navigate the Dutch political landscape and putting issues on the agenda.

Visit our brand website

Marking its fourth market entry investment in the past 12 months, Rud Pedersen Group today announces the acquisition of leading Dutch strategic communications agency, Issuemakers.  With this long-planned strategic move into The Netherlands, Rud Pedersen has further extended its unique geographic footprint, offering political engagement, stakeholder relations and corporate communications counsel across 19 European markets.

**Morten Rud Pedersen, Founder and CEO of Rud Pedersen Group**, commented on the acquisition:  

“We have been active in The Netherlands already for a number of years. As a result of ever-increasing demand from our clients, we are thrilled that we have found the right partner in Issuemakers to formalise our presence in the Dutch market.  

Issuemakers has a unique market position in The Netherlands. They are expert agenda setters, and we increasingly see the need to combine high level public relations and issue management alongside public affairs – both in this ever more dynamic Dutch market and across Europe.  Sybrig, Mayke and the whole Issuemakers team align well with our core values rooted in our Nordic origins - and we are excited to welcome them to the Rud Pedersen team.” 

Issuemakers was founded in in 2008 by Mayke van Keep and Sybrig van Keep. Together they bring decades of experience in strategy, communications and raising issues to the political and social agenda. They are co-authors of the book ‘Issue thinking, Real bosses make an impact’ and have both been named on TheNextWomen100 list.  

**Mayke van Keep Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Issuemakers** commented:   
"We are pleased with this acquisition. The RP Group appreciates and respects our approach and are strengthening our services as we now have access to the expertise and knowledge of over 600 international colleagues." 

**Sybrig van Keep, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Issuemakers** commented on the acquisition:   
“Discussions in the public sphere are becoming increasingly complex, and European legislation is becoming more decisive. As part of Rud Pedersen Group, we can better advise our clients on the latest European developments and trends and help them achieve their strategic goals. Moreover, our employees will have the opportunity to collaborate internationally with colleagues from across Europe, from London to Sofia and Stockholm to Madrid."  

Mayke van Keep and Sybrig van Keep will remain as Managing Directors of Issuemakers meaning clients can continue to count on the same personal and engaged approach they know and value. Working with issues will remain a key focus and starting point for the Group’s advisory services in The Netherlands.

![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/132232/3500x2333/5907ef54ec/issuemakers-team-photo-january-2024.jpg)

---  

**About Issuemakers**

Issuemakers was founded in 2008 by Mayke and Sybrig van Keep. The agency advises its clients on social and political issues that are or could become important to their reputation, profiling, and business continuity. It challenges its clients to see issues as opportunities rather than risks and to act accordingly. With its issue-focused approach, the agency often operates at the intersection of policy and communication, with a focus on content and impact. Issuemakers works for a diverse group of clients, including companies, government institutions, and social organizations. Since its inception, it has published the Issue Calendar annually, made the Issue Award possible, and organized the Issue Congress in January to highlight important developments in the field.  

**About Rud Pedersen Group** 
The Rud Pedersen Group is a partner-led and independently owned public affairs and strategic communications agency. Founded in 2003 by Morten Rud Pedersen in Sweden, the agency has grown from a single-person operation to over 600 highly specialized partners and employees, operating in 19 offices across 18 European countries. Rud Pedersen specialises in government relations, public and regulatory affairs, communications, and issue management. By combining a deep understanding of political systems and influencing mechanisms with public relations expertise, Rud Pedersen assists clients in navigating societal, political, and market dynamics relevant to their businesses. The agency equips clients with the tools needed to achieve their business objectives through public affairs and communication efforts at local, national, and EU levels. 

Rud Pedersen enters Dutch market with acquisition of Issuemakers

**What is Public Affairs?**
Public Affairs refers to the **engagement between businesses or organisations and the public** (namely government bodies).

Similar to public relations, strategic communication is at the heart of public affairs. Public affairs helps ensure businesses have an avenue to build relationships and communicate their point of view to relevant stakeholders, especially when it comes to the development of new policies and regulations.

**When Do You Need a Public Affairs Partner?**
Deciding to work with a public affairs partner often surfaces when:
- A business is subject to or affected by new or existing policies that could or have negatively affected a business.
- A business is expanding into new countries where the rules, regulations, or public opinions may differ and local expertise or stakeholder engagement is needed.
- A business is looking to build relationships or work with governmental bodies and needs assistance navigating processes and establishing relationships.

**How Can Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Help Your Business?**
Europe's fastest-growing and leading Public Affairs consulting firms, Rud Pedersen is made up of highly skilled consultants with strong stakeholder relationships across northern and central Europe and expanding quickly. We can help ensure your business is able to anticipate what governments and policy-makers will do, create a strategic plan, and engage the right stakeholders based on your business objectives to achieve your goals.

We are a leading European consultancy specialising in Public Affairs

Rud Pedersen

Get in Touch

The Netherlands

About The Netherlands office

Get in touch

Visit our office

Visit our brand website

News & insights

Rud Pedersen enters Dutch market with acquisition of Issuemakers

What is Public Affairs?

Rud Pedersen enters Dutch market with acquisition of Issuemakers

What is Public Affairs?