Michael Frohlich, former EMEA chief executive of Weber Shandwick, has assumed an expanded role at WPP as Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer. He was appointed in August as WPP’s Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, succeeding Chris Wade, and his remit has now been broadened to include marketing.The newly created role combines the responsibilities of outgoing communications and corporate affairs director Chris Wade and former chief marketing officer Laurent Ezekiel. Ezekiel has since returned to WPP as global chief executive of Ogilvy after a brief departure to Publicis.Frohlich’s expanded remit reflects WPP’s integration of its marketing, communications, and corporate affairs functions, aiming to align efforts across these areas.This appointment also marks Frohlich’s return to WPP following four years at Interpublic Group, where he served as EMEA CEO of Weber Shandwick. Before that, he was CEO of Ogilvy U.K. and held senior roles across Ogilvy PR in the U.K. and EMEA. During his earlier tenure at WPP, he also acted as client leader for IAG and British Airways.His appointment comes during a broader restructuring period at WPP. Earlier this year, the company rebranded its media arm from GroupM to WPP Media and reorganized its U.K. leadership structure, introducing new president roles and additional strategy and investment functions.

Avra Goldstone Lorrimer, a longtime senior leader at H&K, is set to leave the firm for a "new country, new company, new role."Reflecting on her journey, Lorrimer shared on LinkedIn: "H&K has taken me from Dubai to Davos to Detroit and so many extraordinary places in between, and I have been privileged to work with insightful, intelligent, and inventive colleagues and clients along the way." She continued, "Throughout my H&K era, my understanding of communications and leadership has continued to evolve and grow, and I leave this chapter with belief in the power of public relations to solve business and societal issues in meaningful ways."While she did not provide specifics on her next steps, she teased, "more to come."Lorrimer spent 11 years with H&K, holding a variety of roles, including her most recent position as executive VP and chief growth officer. Since relocating from London to New York in 2020, she has served as a WPP global client lead and head of H&K?ÇÖs New York office. Before that, she led the consumer packaged goods practice at the London office for seven years and was also the WPP PR lead on the Ford of Europe account.

Advertising conglomerate WPP is on the verge of finalizing a deal to sell its majority stake in financial communications firm FGS Global to private equity firm KKR for approximately $800 million.The announcement is expected as soon as Wednesday, coinciding with WPP's upcoming financial results release, according to Financial Times.The proposed agreement involves WPP selling its 50.5% stake in FGS for around $800 million, thereby valuing the entire communications business at about $1.6 billion. KKR's ownership would increase from roughly 30% to around 80%, while the remaining shares would be held by the firm's numerous partners and management team.Sources emphasized the importance of retaining some equity for partners as a retention incentive. However, they noted that as of Tuesday, the deal had not been officially finalized. Both WPP and KKR declined to comment.FGS Global was established through the merger of London-based Finsbury, Frankfurt-based Hering Schuppener, and Washington DC-based Glover Park Group. The firm operates nearly 30 offices worldwide, serving over 1,600 clients, and generated about $450 million in revenue last year, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of approximately $95 million.KKR?ÇÖs acquisition of FGS is a strategic bet on expanding the business further, with potential exit options either through a sale or public offering in the future.The financial communications sector has seen significant consolidation, as businesses that once operated domestically now seek to offer comprehensive services to top executives, corporations, and financial groups globally.However, not all investments have been smooth. For instance, private equity firm CVC encountered challenges with its 2019 investment in FGS competitor Teneo, following a series of scandals and the abrupt departure of two of its three founders during the pandemic.This sale marks the first major transaction since WPP appointed Philip Jansen as its new chair last week. Jansen, who has extensive experience at BT and Worldpay, is expected to reassess the company?ÇÖs future strategy.The deal would enhance WPP's financial standing, which has been under scrutiny due to its relative underperformance compared to rivals like France?ÇÖs Publicis. It could also spark discussions about whether WPP?ÇÖs share price accurately reflects the value of its diverse businesses, which include media, marketing, PR, and advertising globally.WPP is increasingly positioning itself as a technology-driven company, leveraging artificial intelligence and data-led services to deliver more targeted and efficient campaigns for clients.Those familiar with the discussions indicated that FGS had become seen as less central to WPP?ÇÖs core operations, which already include major PR firms such as Burson, BCW, and Hill & Knowlton, as well as agencies like Ogilvy that provide PR services.Earlier this year, the Financial Times reported KKR's approach to acquire majority control of FGS. The private equity firm initially acquired about 30% of FGS in a deal valuing Finsbury at nearly $1.5 billion in 2023, with WPP retaining a 50.5% stake and FGS employees holding the remainder.The deal may also postpone plans to take FGS public within the next two years. Goldman Sachs has been advising WPP on the transaction.

Clarion, a WPP agency, has been awarded the B2B brief for Danone without a competitive pitch. The agency will work across Danone's portfolio of dairy and plant-based products, waters and nutrition, including brands like Evian, Volvic, Activia, Actimel, Alpro and Cow & Gate.Clarion's success is attributed to its prior B2B PR and marketing experience with brands like Diageo, Unilever, Jacobs Douwe Egberts and Soreen.The agency's objective is to strengthen Danone's presence in trade media, elevate brand awareness, and engage with retailers and decision-makers across grocery, impulse and foodservice sectors. They will achieve this through thought leadership initiatives, brand support, and retailer engagement campaigns.Danone UK & Ireland will maintain its relationship with Ketchum, responsible for consumer and corporate communications for its dairy, plant-based and baby-feeding brands. Additionally, Freuds holds a global retainer for the Evian and Volvic brands.Louise Robinson, Customer Category Director for Danone UK & Ireland, expressed her satisfaction with Clarion's proven track record, industry expertise, and trade communication skills. She emphasized their positive initial interaction and is excited about the collaboration.Rebecca Wainwright, Clarion's managing partner and head of the B2B division, (pictured), considers Danone a dream client. She acknowledges the company's strong mission and Clarion's role in enhancing their trade communication to drive engagement.

Pure Consulting, a prominent Saudi consulting firm, has announced the appointment of Peter Bellini, a seasoned professional with experience at Edelman and WPP, to lead its new International Communications unit. This strategic unit, launched in line with the Kingdom?ÇÖs Vision 2030, was unveiled on Monday, 3rd June 2024, at the Saudi Management Consultants Association (SAMCA) Forum.Peter Bellini brings nearly fifteen years of experience from a twenty-year career at top global agencies, where he has excelled in creating integrated, insight-driven communication strategies. His roles have spanned senior positions at WPP in the Middle East with Hill & Knowlton and Ogilvy, as well as a decade at Edelman across the UK, India, Indonesia, and the UAE, which prompted his move to the Middle East in 2018. Bellini began his career in communications with the UK Conservative Party.Speaking about his new role at Pure Consulting, Bellini remarked, ?Ç£The opportunity to build and grow the best international communications offer to deliver the narrative of Saudi Arabia?ÇÖs transformation to the world is a hugely exciting challenge. By combining a deep understanding of the local context and vision, exceptional local and international insight, and the best communicators globally, we will help Saudi engage the world in its transformation in the most relevant and effective way.?Ç¥Anas Al Safi, Managing Partner at Pure Consulting, shared, ?Ç£After announcing this new unit at the SAMCA Forum, the response from potential clients has been phenomenal. Our clients have expressed a strong desire to work with partners who deeply understand the Saudi context and vision. This demand has highlighted the need for a homegrown offer that can contribute to the nation's progress. We are thrilled to have Peter on our team, with his passion for the Kingdom?ÇÖs vision and his comprehensive understanding of its international communication needs.?Ç¥The newly formed Pure International Communications unit will provide international communication strategies for Saudi clients aiming to reach critical global audiences, from investors to tourists.Pure Consulting, established in 2014, employs 100 professionals in its Riyadh and Jeddah offices. The firm leverages extensive local and global expertise in strategy, marketing, and communications to empower its team, partners, and community to realize Saudi Arabia?ÇÖs ambitious future. Led by industry leaders in Saudi Arabia, Pure Consulting is committed to driving transformative endeavors and helping organizations navigate a rapidly evolving world. The team?ÇÖs shared commitment focuses on delivering sustainable impact and driving positive change through strategic initiatives.

WPP's Public Relations division emerged as a relative bright spot in the company's preliminary results for 2023. The division, which includes agencies like BCW, Hill & Knowlton, and FGS Global, achieved a modest 1.4% like-for-like revenue growth across the year. This performance outperformed both WPP's Global Integrated Agencies (0.7% growth) and Specialist Agencies (6.8% decline).Highlights:  Overall growth: 1.4% like-for-like revenue growth across 2023.  Q4 performance: 2.4% like-for-like revenue increase in Q4, reversing a Q3 decline.  Agency performance: FGS Global led with "strong" growth, Hill & Knowlton saw "modest" growth, and BCW had a "weaker" year.Global performance and outlook:  Overall WPP revenue: ?ú14.8 billion (2.9% increase, 3.2% like-for-like)  CEO Mark Read: Acknowledged a "more challenging" year due to tech client cuts, but highlighted opportunities in AI and data.  Growth drivers: Strong performance in India (up 7.7%) and the UK (up 5.6%).  Challenges: Decline in North America (down 2.7% across the year) and China (down 3.3%).Efficiency focus: WPP expects to achieve cost savings of ?ú125 million in 2025 through agency mergers and group simplification.Optimistic outlook: CEO Read expressed confidence in "accelerated and increasingly profitable growth" in the medium term.While the PR division demonstrated resilience, WPP acknowledges the broader challenges present in the industry. Technology client cuts and regional uncertainties remain hurdles, but the company is looking to capitalize on AI and data opportunities and implement cost-saving measures to ensure future growth.

WPP has announced the merger of its two largest communications agencies, Hill & Knowlton and BCW, to form Burson, a powerhouse delivering modern communications leadership at scale to clients across the world. The merged company will become an industry-leading, full-service communications agency focused on building and protecting reputation.Corey duBrowa, currently global CEO of BCW, has been named global CEO of Burson and AnnaMaria DeSalva, currently global chairman and CEO of Hill & Knowlton, has been named global chairman of Burson. Together, they will oversee agency strategy, client service, employee experience and culture. Burson will be operational from July 1, 2024, and its new brand will be unveiled later this year.This union of agencies will enable Burson to best serve clients in a complex and volatile environment in which strategic stakeholder communications has never been more critical. The new agency will draw on both organisations?ÇÖ unrivaled talent base, exceptional global networks, investments in technology, creative capabilities, and public affairs and advisory specialties to drive reputation and value creation through the interdisciplinary solutions that clients demand now.The combination also creates immediate scale in sectors driving today?ÇÖs most consequential innovation and economic growth, including healthcare and technology. The newly formed Burson will have more than 6,000 employees in 43 markets worldwide. Its name honours the late Harold Burson, a pioneer and founding figure of modern public relations and strategic communications.?Ç£Harold Burson believed strongly that actions are stronger than words, and he established honesty, transparency, integrity and excellence as the guiding principles of his business,?Ç¥ said Corey duBrowa. ?Ç£Those principles are the foundational ideals of Burson, upon which we will set the bar for modern communications through our AI-first innovation pipeline. Together as Burson, we will bring insights, expert strategic counsel and technology solutions into a higher value offering for our clients to help them innovate and lead in today?ÇÖs complex operating environment.?Ç¥?Ç£The combination of Hill & Knowlton and BCW is highly synergistic, creating a premier partner for business leaders who are focused on commercial growth, risk management, and reputational capital,?Ç¥ said AnnaMaria DeSalva. ?Ç£Our body of work increasingly demonstrates that strategic communication, elevated by creativity, is a primary force for sustainable value creation. By accelerating our transformation through this combination, we will enable the investments in talent and technology that advance communications leadership when it has never mattered more.?Ç¥Burson?ÇÖs leadership team will comprise a cohort of top-tier former chief communications officers and other experienced agency senior executives from both companies who bring deep expertise and knowledge of what business leaders need to succeed. Appointments will be announced throughout 2024 as the integration progresses.Hill & Knowlton brings significant business momentum, talent and innovation into the new Burson entity. The brand will operate within Burson serving a select group of clients globally through strategic communications, advisory and public affairs services.GCI Health and AxiCom will continue to operate as brands within Burson, offering specialised healthcare and technology communications expertise, respectively, at scale.Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said, ?Ç£Hill & Knowlton and BCW are two high-performing businesses with complementary strengths, shared ambitions and many shared clients. I am delighted to see the Burson brand brought back to unite them. The new agency will be the standard bearer as the most modern, strategic, technology-driven, full-service communications offer in the industry.?Ç¥The new agency will support a client roster that includes more than half of the Fortune 100 across corporate and public affairs, healthcare, technology and brand marketing.