Bashar AlKadhi has announced his decision to retire from his role as CEO for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Burson.Before joining Burson, AlKadhi served as CEO of EMEAx (Europe, Nordics, Middle East, Turkey, India, and Africa) at Hill & Knowlton, overseeing the agency's network of wholly owned offices and affiliate partners across the region.Earlier in his career, AlKadhi was the Chief Operating Officer at ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, which later merged with Hill & Knowlton to form Burson in the previous year.He posted on his LinkedIN: ?Ç£It?ÇÖs nearly impossible to encapsulate a career spanning four decades into a few paragraphs, so I won?ÇÖt attempt to do so, but the time has come for me to hang up my proverbial boots and spend much more time with my family and close friends.Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has helped me along the way. It has been a most fulfilling career. I wish Corey and everyone in the Burson Family every success. Special gratitude to my magnificent Leadership Team and all my outrageously talented colleagues in this incredible region that is full of promise. Super proud of them all.?Ç¥

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has announced a leadership change, appointing Jennifer Temple as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMCO). Effective August 1, Temple will assume responsibility for both marketing and communications, expanding her role from her previous position as Chief Communications Officer.With a career spanning over three decades, Temple brings extensive experience in brand building and strategic communications to her new role. Prior to joining HPE in 2018, she held leadership positions at prominent organisations including Wells Fargo, Hill & Knowlton, and The Irvine Company.Temple succeeds Jim Jackson, who is retiring after a 26-year tenure at HPE, including six years as Chief Marketing Officer. Under Temple's leadership, HPE aims to streamline its operations and enhance its market position through a unified approach to marketing and communications.HPE President and CEO Antonio Neri expressed confidence in Temple's ability to drive the company's strategic direction and deliver exceptional results."HPE has innovated and inspired the world for more than 80 years, and our brand strength is essential to our future ability to transform enterprises and entire industries. Jennifer was one of my first hires as CEO and is a trusted partner. She is a creative, purpose-driven executive who engages thoughtfully with stakeholders, develops high-performing teams, and delivers results. She has strengthened our corporate culture, distinguished us in the marketplace, and demonstrated our societal impact. I am excited to see her guide all facets of our marketing strategy so that we capitalize on the incredible moment we have ahead of us. Neri also thanked Jackson for his contributions to HPE. "Jim has been a fantastic CMO and has built a world-class marketing function,?Ç¥ Neri said.  (Image credit: hpe.com)

Burson, the newly formed global communications powerhouse born from the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton, has bolstered its leadership team across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This strategic move strengthens Burson's ability to deliver innovative communications solutions for clients navigating today's dynamic landscape.Experienced Leaders at the HelmThe appointments include seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the communications industry. Rikki Jones, a 10-year veteran at GCI Health, will spearhead Burson Group Singapore as CEO, while concurrently leading GCI Health Asia-Pacific as President. Cindy Lim, with over three years at BCW Global, takes the reins as CEO of Burson Singapore. Lim brings a wealth of knowledge from her previous roles, including shaping marketing and communications strategies for prominent clients.Regional Expertise Across APACBurson's leadership extends beyond Singapore. Justin Then, formerly CEO of Malaysia for Hill & Knowlton, assumes the CEO position for Burson Malaysia. Additionally, Burson has appointed market leaders for key APAC markets:  Claire Li: CEO, Burson Greater China  Marianne Admardatine: CEO, Burson Indonesia  Tsuyoshi Takemura: CEO, Burson Japan  Wachiraporn Pornpitayalert: Market Leader, Burson Thailand  Tom Horn: Market Leader, Burson Australia and New ZealandHS Chung, CEO of Burson Korea, will continue to lead the Korean market while also serving as North APAC CEO.Focus on Client Needs and Innovation"In a rapidly changing world, clients require the best talent and resources to tackle complex challenges," said HS Chung, North APAC CEO. "Burson's extensive network across APAC offers clients access to a diverse team of specialists with proven experience."Adrian Warr, who will join Burson as South APAC CEO in September, emphasizes the agency's commitment to innovation: "We are dedicated to delivering exceptional value to clients through creative thinking and cutting-edge strategies. Burson's world-class talent will translate this commitment into building reputation capital, a crucial competitive advantage for our clients."Building on a Strong LegacyThis leadership announcement comes after WPP's merger announcement in January, combining BCW and Hill & Knowlton to create Burson. With over 6,000 employees in 43 markets worldwide, Burson honors the legacy of Harold Burson, a pioneer in modern public relations.Adrian Warr, the impending CEO for South Asia-Pacific, will cover Burson's business in India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Today marks the official launch of Burson, a newly formed global communications agency resulting from the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton. This new entity is poised to become one of the industry?ÇÖs largest players, introducing a modern approach to reputation management in today?ÇÖs dynamic environment. The merger will be finalized on July 1.Over the past five months, Burson has made multiple global leadership appointments and undergone strategic layoffs to streamline operations. The agency has also unveiled new products, programs, and a brand identity designed to communicate its innovative approach to building and protecting reputations.?Ç£Businesses and organizations are operating in a constant state of complexity and uncertainty, marked by rapid advancements in technology, economic volatility, wide-ranging activism, and social and geopolitical turbulence. A strong reputation grounded in action, communicated clearly and creatively, and deployed as capital across stakeholders will enable clients to succeed in this environment. Reputation is a company?ÇÖs most valuable asset for enhancing perception and growing performance, preference, valuation and return,?Ç¥ said global CEO Corey duBrowa, formerly BCW?ÇÖs global CEO.  Burson introduces a new framework and consulting methodology to assess and manage client work around four key pillars: company actions, communications, social narratives, and stakeholder beliefs. This work is supported by The Burson Innovation Portfolio, a suite of products leveraging AI technology to address clients' challenges.?Ç£In today?ÇÖs complex operating environment, business leaders are converting pervasive risks into opportunities for innovation and value creation. The Burson Innovation Portfolio, which draws on the technology strengths of our combined agencies and WPP, reflects our promise to combine artificial and human intelligence in ways that help our clients succeed at the intersection of risk, creativity and reinvention. Leading companies are already leveraging these solutions to build and protect reputation in highly material situations. We are committed to both our clients and our employees that Burson will be an engine for their growth and for the enablement of the transformations that the world needs now,?Ç¥ said global chairman AnnaMaria DeSalva.  The Burson Group also includes several specialist agencies: tech agency Axicom, financial communications agency Burson Buchanan, healthcare agency GCI Health, and Hill & Knowlton, which will continue operating under its brand.Burson is committed to professional development and will offer employees comprehensive training through The Burson Academy. This programme includes:Leadership: For career navigation, management, and leadership growth.  Client Excellence: For building strong consultative client relationships.  Craft of Reputation Management: With a focus on writing, media relations, issues management, and creative strategies.  AI/Innovation: For development in data & analytics, AI, the Burson Innovation Portfolio, and new methodologies.?Ç£Businesses and organisations are operating in a constant state of complexity and uncertainty, marked by rapid advancements in technology, economic volatility, wide-ranging activism, and social and geopolitical turbulence. A strong reputation grounded in action, communicated clearly and creatively, and deployed as capital across stakeholders will enable clients to succeed in this environment. Reputation is a company?ÇÖs most valuable asset for enhancing perception and growing performance, preference, valuation and return,?Ç¥ said global CEO Corey duBrowa, formerly BCW?ÇÖs global CEO.  The agency?ÇÖs new website, Bursonglobal.com, features executive profiles crafted by Wynn Burson, grandson of agency namesake Harold Burson, who served as art director for the project.

Hill & Knowlton (H&K) has hired Kelli Parsons as its new global CEO, effective July 1. This transition comes as Hill & Knowlton prepares to operate under its own brand following its merger with BCW to form the newly established Burson entity.Parsons, currently the global chair of corporate affairs and advisory at H&K, will succeed AnnaMaria DeSalva, who has served as global chairman and CEO of Hill & Knowlton since June 2019. DeSalva will take on the role of global chairman of Burson following the merger.?Ç£Hill & Knowlton has played a seminal role in our industry since its inception, and our team has pursued a period of rigorous development over the last several years,?Ç¥ said DeSalva. ?Ç£We are thrilled that H&K will continue to grow its central role in strategic communication as part of Burson, and that Kelli Parsons will lead the firm going forward. Kelli is a highly trusted and admired leader in our field. She has been a guiding force on our leadership team since rejoining H&K in 2020. Following her years in major client leadership roles and two substantial tours of duty as a senior leader at Hill & Knowlton, as CEO Kelli will bring deep knowledge of our industry, our people and clients, and vision for the opportunities ahead. I am proud to advance this leadership transition, and I look forward to continuing to work with Kelli and to supporting Hill & Knowlton?ÇÖs future success in my new role."Parsons has been instrumental in expanding H&K?ÇÖs global advisory business since rejoining the firm in 2020, after serving as chief communications officer for United Technologies. Her previous roles include chief communications and marketing officer at New York Life and chief communications officer at Fannie Mae. During her first tenure at H&K from 1998 to 2008, Parsons led the New York and Washington markets, corporate and technology practices, and managed the firm's largest global client relationships.Corey duBrowa, BCW global CEO and incoming global CEO of Burson, commented, ?Ç£Hill & Knowlton brings exceptionally complementary expertise and brand equity to the flagship Burson and will serve as a powerful offering alongside Axicom, Buchanan Communications, and GCI Health in our group of brands, which together offer clients world-class expertise across every global industry and sector. H&K?ÇÖs expert strategic counsel and focus on the business impact of reputation creates significant value for clients, and I look forward to its continued success under Kelli?ÇÖs leadership.?Ç¥Parsons also serves as the chair of Page (formerly the Page Society), reinforcing her prominent role in the communications industry.

UK financial services firm Buchanan Communications is joining Burson, expanding the number of brands under the new agency?ÇÖs umbrella.Buchanan becomes part of Burson immediately. The agency, which WPP acquired in 1997, provides private and public companies services including capital market advisory on transactions including M&A, and crisis and change management.Buchanan also provides a comprehensive sustainability offering, including sustainability reporting and communications, along with creative services, including brand, website design, financial marketing collateral design, and digital content. The Buchanan team serves clients across consumer, leisure and gaming; energy and renewables; financial services; industrials and infrastructure; investment companies; life sciences and healthcare; mining and metals; professional services; and technology, media and telecommunications.  Buchanan will operate as a brand within Burson along with Hill & Knowlton, GCI Health and AxiCom. The integration of Buchanan comes ahead of BCW?ÇÖs July 1 merger with sister WPP agency Hill & Knowlton into a single entity called Burson. The merger will create a $1bn PR firm that could arguably be the industry's biggest player.?Ç£Building reputation to grow brand and business value requires engagement across the full range of stakeholder audiences, including capital markets,?Ç¥ said BCW global CEO Corey duBrowa, who will be Burson?ÇÖs global CEO Burson when the merger is completed. ?Ç£Beyond strengthening financial confidence or ?Çÿinvestability?ÇÖ in an organization, managing relationships with investor audiences is crucial to optimizing and protecting a company?ÇÖs valuation and reputation. Bringing the exceptional team at Buchanan to Burson gives us immediate strength in financial communications in key international markets and the firepower to expand this expertise at scale.?Ç¥Buchanan chairman Richard Oldworth said, "The formation of Burson as the market-leading powerhouse in the global communications industry provides an exceptional opportunity for Buchanan to consolidate its leading position in London and expand its operations internationally. We share a common vision with Burson of building and protecting reputations, delivering significant value and placing our clients first, as capital markets evolve and present exciting global opportunities. Having the expansive global network and complementary skillsets which Burson provides will be of tremendous value to our existing and prospective clients."

BCW and Hill & Knowlton, which will merge as of July 1, 2024, to form Burson, today announced that leading financial communications and capital market advisory firm Buchanan Communications, part of WPP, will become part of Burson, effective immediately.Buchanan Communications specializes in supporting companies that require access to the capital markets to raise financing; optimize valuation; enhance reputation; and create new and lasting supporters among the investor, analyst and media communities. Founded in 1984 and acquired by WPP in 1997, Buchanan provides a fully integrated service for its publicly listed and private clients, which includes strategic counsel on relations with all capital market stakeholders, on all types of transactions (including M&A), as well as crisis and change management and all other corporate situations. Buchanan also provides a comprehensive sustainability offering, including sustainability reporting and communications, along with creative services, including brand, website design, financial marketing collateral design, and digital content.?Ç£Building reputation to grow brand and business value requires engagement across the full range of stakeholder audiences, including capital markets,?Ç¥ said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, BCW, who will hold the same role with Burson upon completion of the merger. ?Ç£Beyond strengthening financial confidence or ?Çÿinvestability?ÇÖ in an organization, managing relationships with investor audiences is crucial to optimizing and protecting a company?ÇÖs valuation and reputation. Bringing the exceptional team at Buchanan to Burson gives us immediate strength in financial communications in key international markets and the firepower to expand this expertise at scale.?Ç¥The Buchanan team serves clients across consumer, leisure and gaming; energy and renewables; financial services; industrials and infrastructure; investment companies; life sciences and healthcare; mining and metals; professional services; and technology, media and telecommunications."The formation of Burson as the market-leading powerhouse in the global communications industry provides an exceptional opportunity for Buchanan to consolidate its leading position in London and expand its operations internationally?Ç¥ said Richard Oldworth, Chairman of Buchanan.??Ç£We share a common vision with Burson of building and protecting reputations, delivering significant value and placing our clients first, as capital markets evolve and present exciting global opportunities. Having the expansive global network and complementary skillsets which Burson provides will be of tremendous value to our existing and prospective clients.?Ç¥Buchanan Communications will be a brand within Burson together with Hill & Knowlton, GCI Health and AxiCom.On January 25th, WPP announced it would merge its two largest communications agencies, BCW and Hill & Knowlton, 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. Burson will be operational as of July 1, 2024.

Shubhreet Kaur, a seasoned media professional, has embarked on a new journey with Adfactors PR, the nation's leading and one of the most decorated PR agencies.Shubhreet Kaur, a dynamic figure known for her extensive experience in journalism, television anchoring, and integrated communications, has officially joined Adfactors PR as Vice President - Integration. This strategic appointment underscores Adfactors' commitment to enhancing its integrated communications capabilities and further solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the industry.Expressing her excitement, Shubhreet shared: "I'm thrilled to announce my association with Adfactors, a pinnacle in the PR domain. It's a privilege to join the team led by Madan Bahal, an industry stalwart whose vision and leadership are unparalleled. The warm welcome from Team Adfactors has truly made me feel at home, and I am eager to embark on this new journey of collaboration and growth."Bringing over 19 years of rich expertise encompassing news, television, production, PR, creative strategy, and influencer marketing, Shubhreet's multifaceted background positions her as a valuable asset to Adfactors' diverse clientele. Her previous stint at Hill & Knowlton has honed her skills in navigating the intricate landscape of communications, making her a perfect fit for her new role at Adfactors.Beyond her professional endeavors, Shubhreet embodies versatility as a full-time VP, part-time influencer, and dedicated mother to her daughters, Karma and Nirvana. When not immersed in work or digital engagements, she indulges in her passions for content creation, tin box collection, and the art of decluttering.

Burson, the soon-to-be launched $1 billion PR firm formed by the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton, has appointed Laura Anderson as Chair of Technology for the Americas. Anderson brings over 25 years of experience in communications, having held leadership positions at companies like Google's DeepMind, Silver Lake, and Intel (where she spent nearly two decades, including two years as VP and GM of global communications).Anderson will officially begin her role on July 1st, coinciding with Burson's launch. In the interim, she will work with BCW starting April 22nd."Laura's extensive experience positions her perfectly to lead our Americas technology practice," said Kristine Boyden, CEO of BCW Americas (and future CEO of Burson). "Her deep understanding of the tech industry, from navigating policy issues to driving innovation, will be invaluable to our clients."Boyden continued, praising Anderson's ability to guide tech brands through challenges and build strong reputations. This expertise, Boyden believes, will benefit both Burson's regional and global technology clients.

Hill & Knowlton and BCW, which will merge as of July 1, 2024, to form Burson, has announced new appointments across global functional roles, global practices and two specialty agencies. Additional leadership appointments will be announced throughout the integration process.?Ç£This is an exceptional group of leaders drawn from our two organizations, each of whom has considerable experience in building businesses and brands,?Ç¥ said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, BCW. ?Ç£Hill & Knowlton has a well-established and strong global practice structure in place which will be replicated at Burson, under the guidance of these chair appointments, to deliver clients access to the talent and services at the scale they need. I have great confidence in all of our colleagues to build a modern, full-service, technology-driven Burson focused on building and protecting reputation and grounded in the timeless values of our namesake.?Ç¥Appointments include:Jerry Lombardo, currently Global Chief Financial Officer, BCW, becomes Global Chief Financial Officer, BursonAzur??e Montoute-Lewis, currently Global Chief People Officer, Hill & Knowlton, becomes Global Chief People Officer, BursonBrooke Hovey, currently Global President, BCW, becomes Global Chief Strategy Officer, BursonSimon Shaw, currently Global Chief Creative Strategy & Innovation Officer, Hill & Knowlton, becomes Global Chief Creative Officer, BursonMichelle Hutton, currently Global Chief Client and Growth Officer, BCW, becomes Global Chief Client and Growth Officer, BursonRanda Stephan, currently Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Hill & Knowlton, becomes Global Chief Brand Officer, BursonBrenna Terry, currently Global Chair of Healthcare, Hill & Knowlton, becomes Global Chair of Healthcare, BursonSara Gourlay, currently Global Chair of Technology, Hill & Knowlton, becomes Global Chair of Technology, BursonSimon Whitehead, currently Global Chair of Energy & Industrials, Hill & Knowlton, becomes Global Chair of Energy & Industrials, Burson (in addition to his role as CEO, UK, Burson)Kristin Cahill continues as CEO, GCI GroupMatthew Lackie continues as CEO, AxiCom?Ç£As we bring our companies together, this group of leaders exemplifies a core premise behind the merger ?Çô that together we can draw on the industry's leading talent to create considerably more value for our clients and employees,?Ç¥ said AnnaMaria DeSalva, Chairman and CEO, Hill & Knowlton.?Ç£These functional, practice and agency leaders will enable the interdisciplinary solutions, global creative capability, and specialty counsel required by the world?ÇÖs leading client organizations. We are enthusiastic about the progress reflected in this announcement and look forward to sharing more as our integration continues."On January 25th, WPP announced it would merge its two largest communications agencies, BCW and Hill & Knowlton, 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. Burson will be operational as of July 1, 2024.