Randa Stephan has announced that she is taking on additional responsibilities as Global Chief Corporate Strategy Officer at Burson, alongside her current position as Global Chief Brand Officer.Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Stephan wrote, “New(ish) chapter, same mission. Alongside leading Burson’s brand through global marketing & communications, I’m excited to take on additional responsibilities as Global Chief Corporate Strategy Officer, focused on accelerating the capabilities and solutions our clients need most.”In this expanded role, she will continue to build on Burson’s momentum from its first year, focusing on strengthening how the agency shows up for clients and shaping initiatives that bring its values to the forefront. “The focus is strengthening how we show up for clients and shaping strategic initiatives that bring even more of our values to the industry, our amazing alumni and future leaders,” she added.Stephan also reflected on the importance of mentorship and support in career growth, noting, “Every career step is possible because of an advocate (or a handful of them). I am grateful for mine.”Based in the New York City Metropolitan Area, Stephan has been with Burson for over a year, previously serving as Global Chief Brand Officer before stepping into her new, expanded remit in October 2025. She led Burson’s brand launch, steering the newly merged team through brand development and implementation across more than 40 markets.Before joining Burson, Stephan served as Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Hill & Knowlton, where she oversaw the global rebrand and managed communications around the merger between Hill & Knowlton and BCW Global. Her earlier career includes senior leadership roles at Weber Shandwick, where she led the agency’s brand transformation, and at The Wall Street Journal, where she co-launched WSJ Custom Studios, the publisher’s first global content marketing practice.With a career spanning marketing, communications, and brand transformation across major global agencies, Stephan continues to shape the intersection of brand, reputation, and strategic growth at Burson.

Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation published its highly anticipated 2025 Ranking of Sport Cities, revealing Paris as the world’s top sports city for the third consecutive year. Los Angeles maintains second place with New York City securing third. London remains in fourth position, while Madrid completes the top five. Among Indian cities, Mumbai soared to 39 from 64 last year while New Delhi slipped slightly to 76 from 75 in 2024. The annual ranking identifies the top 100 cities from around the world with the strongest association with sport. It is based on both perception and in-depth quantitative analysis, including feedback from international sports leaders, sports media representatives and industry experts, as well as social media and media coverage analytics. For the first time, this year's edition also includes PR metrics derived from comprehensive media tracking. Following the annual tradition, the five lowest-ranked cities will be removed in the next edition and replaced by the five most frequently cited by respondents. Among them is Ahmedabad (Amdavad), which will make its debut in the ranking next year. The 2025 ranking highlights five key trends reshaping the global sports landscape: • The Olympic lifecycle effect: rise, peak, decline, recovery: Olympic hosting follows a predictable cycle: pre-Games momentum, peak visibility during the event, followed by postGames decline. Strategic cities, however, can achieve recovery through legacy activation, as seen with Rio de Janeiro's remarkable 41-position jump since 2023 (#74 to #33). Milan's 18- position rise to #9 ahead of the 2026 Winter Games also highlights pre-Games momentum, while Salt Lake City (#31) is already improving as it prepares for the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. • Major international events boost North America’ sports cities’ profile: North American cities are significantly elevating their global sports standing by attracting major international events. The unprecedented series of upcoming events in the U.S., including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2028 Olympic Games, is driving this. Miami's climb to #8 (from #16 in 2023) and Boston's nine-spot jump to #17 exemplify this impact. This trend extends beyond the US: Mexico City (#18) rose 12 spots in anticipation of 2026. Canadian cities are also seeing a rise in their ranking, especially Montreal (#27 – gaining 31 positions) and Edmonton (#22 – gaining 13 positions). • Investing in women's sports is a strategy that pays off: Strategic investment in women's sports directly correlates with a city's accelerated rise in sports prominence and overall profile. Lyon's entry at #75, largely due to its dominant women's football team, underscores this trend. Established sports hubs like London (#4) are consolidating their women’s sports leadership, for example, with the return of a WTA 500 tournament and hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup finals in 2025. • Diversification beats one-off events for sports tourism: Top-performing cities are moving beyond isolated events to embrace year-round sports ecosystems. Madrid (#5) balances elite football clubs and major tennis events, while Miami (#8) leverages a diverse mix including Lionel Messi's presence, Formula 1 and tennis. Lausanne (#11) excels as both a sports governance hub and event host. In the Middle East, Abu Dhabi (#23) and Riyadh (#38) 2 | © Burson leverage consistent hosting of major international events, from Formula 1 to golf and football, to boost tourism and global appeal. • AI is reshaping the sports landscape: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the sports landscape, offering new competitive advantages. Cities benefit as their hosted events and leagues use AI to amplify reach and engagement. Real Madrid's "Madrid Innovation District" and partnership with Adobe, leveraging AI for fan engagement, bolsters Madrid's #5 ranking, while Munich (#7) and Boston (#17) also show gains from digital initiatives and advanced fan experiences. Dolly Tayal, Managing Director, Burson Genesis, India, said, "Sport has become an integral part of how cities build their global identity and connect with communities. The 2025 rankings offer crucial insights that will help cities elevate their global sports profile. As India continues to emerge as a significant player in the global sports arena, understanding these dynamics will be vital for our cities to build sustainable sports ecosystems and enhance their international reputation." “The 2025 Ranking of Sport Cities underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of the global sports landscape," said Greg Curchod, CEO of Burson Switzerland. "While mega-events remain crucial, this year's findings highlight the increasing importance of strategic long-term planning, investment in diverse sports offerings, particularly women's sports, and the innovative application of technology like AI to enhance a city's sports reputation and engagement.” The complete 2025 Burson Ranking of Sports Cities, including the full methodology and in-depth analysis, is available HERE. Earlier this year, Burson announced new client wins and the expansion of its Sports & Entertainment offering, solidifying its position as the world's leading sports & entertainment capability within a top PR firm. This activity further underscores WPP’s continued momentum and sustained growth across its global network, with significant new business wins and expanded remits with leading brands worldwide, including Mastercard, Electronic Arts and more, where the company’s proprietary AI platform for marketing, WPP Open, was instrumental in securing these successes. 

Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, today announced that Fouad Bou Mansour will join the agency as Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) CEO.Bou Mansour joins Burson from the Saudi Tourism Authority, where he spent two years as Vice President Creative Studio. In this role, he partnered with the marketing and brand teams on the development and implementation of the ‘Saudi Welcome to Arabia’ brand across all touchpoints. His prior experience includes a seven-year tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Impact BBDO Group UAE, where he led operations for Impact BBDO, FleishmanHillard, and Impact Porter Novelli, managing a team of 115 professionals. Before becoming COO, he was Managing Director at Impact & Echo BBDO in Kuwait."Fouad brings a blend of deep regional knowledge, an integrated mindset, agency experience, and client-side experience and perspective,” said Jon Hughes, CEO, EMEA, Burson. “He has a proven track record in delivering great work, developing talent, driving innovation and unlocking growth. I am thrilled to see him take up this critical role in the region and confident that under his leadership, Burson will build on its legacy and reputation for being great client partners and delivering outstanding work.”Bou Mansour is fluent in Arabic, French and English and holds a degree in Computer Science from the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon. “It’s a privilege to join this talented team and an agency with such a rich heritage and strong reputation for driving results,” said Bou Mansour. “My previous experience as a client provides a unique perspective on the opportunities ahead. We will build upon Burson’s incredible foundation by delivering the bold, integrated, and creative solutions that position our clients to lead on the local, regional, and global stage.” 

Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, today announced the launch of Reputation Capital, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered technology and consulting solution designed to connect drivers of reputation to specific business outcomes such as stock price, sales or purchase intent. This new offer fundamentally advances how reputation is measured, valued and managed, offering leading businesses a live view of this dynamic, multi-faceted asset. Burson?ÇÖs approach facilitates immediate decision making so businesses can act with speed and precision against reputational shifts that have a direct bearing on commercial success. Reputation Capital is available through WPP Open, the AI-enabled marketing platform. ?Ç£Our core belief at Burson is that reputation is the most valuable asset that any organization possesses,?Ç¥ said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, Burson. ?Ç£It?ÇÖs complex and constantly evolving, influenced by a variety of factors beyond any singular element such as trust. Traditional tools for measuring and shaping reputation simply can?ÇÖt keep pace with the velocity and volume of challenges our clients are navigating today. With Reputation Capital, we're pinpointing the specific drivers of reputation, forecasting the impact of potential actions, connecting these insights directly to business outcomes, and pairing them with expert counsel. This empowers our clients to make informed decisions with speed and agility, ensuring their actions and communications positively impact corporate perception and business performance, and ultimately build a lasting competitive advantage in the marketplace.?Ç¥ Deepshikha Dharmaraj, CEO, Burson Group India, said, ?Ç£We have always known and demonstrated the impact of reputation on business. But now, Reputational Capital gives us a more tangible, AI-powered solution for understanding and even predicting that impact. It empowers us to move beyond traditional metrics, providing clients with a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between reputation and business performance. And we are then pairing these insights with expert counsel, and helping clients make their reputation a competitive advantage.?Ç¥ Advanced AI Modeling Pinpoints Reputation Drivers and Impact on Performance The Reputation Capital methodology defines eight levers of reputation management, ranging from citizenship & social responsibility to management & leadership, to creativity & innovation, among others, and uses advanced data and AI models to predict the potential impact of the media environment, news, narratives, events, or actions on each lever. The models ingest and analyze information 24/7 from proprietary sources and technology platforms, capturing signals ranging from client-owned information to digital and social media. This analysis yields an up-to-the-minute reputation score that illustrates how a brand is perceived overall and isolates which specific levers need action to improve reputation with a direct impact on business. Burson?ÇÖs expert counselors then develop strategic and creative messages and ideas, which are then tested and perfected for their potential for impact. Reputation Capital analyzes brand-specific signals across segments ?Çô including geography, sector, reputation lever and audience - and uses near real-time AI analysis to pinpoint hidden or emerging reputational risks and opportunities and forecast their likelihood of scale and impact. Reputation Capital?ÇÖs breadth of data and its modeling capabilities can deliver reputation scores and insights for thousands of global companies, both public and private. ?Ç£Traditional reputation management tools only offer a backwards view of corporate perception,?Ç¥ said Chad Latz, Global Chief Innovation Officer, Burson. ?Ç£Reputation Capital changes the game by providing a dynamic understanding of a brand?ÇÖs reputation in the marketplace and predicting the impact of actions relative to key business metrics. This latest innovation is unique in the marketplace and especially valuable during periods of turbulence or emerging opportunity, when advanced intelligence, urgent action, and sophisticated communications counsel are critical for safeguarding reputation or seizing potential.?Ç¥ Direct Connection Between Reputation and Shareholder Value The Reputation Capital platform models the shareholder value of a company's reputation by focusing on business outcomes, such as stock returns, that differ from market expectations ?Çô to provide a clear picture of the impact of specific factors, like reputation, on shareholder value.  Modeling of technology sector companies proved that reputation contributes significantly to shareholder value. In this sector, shifts in company reputations contributed, on average, 0.97 percent in additional weekly returns ?Çô which in shareholder value ranges from USD $2.5B to USD $38B depending on the company being analyzed. Simply put, a one percent increase in its Reputation Capital score equated to USD $2.4B in added shareholder value for a technology company profiled in the platform. ?Ç£This profiling exercise underscores the critical role of reputation in driving financial outcomes,?Ç¥ duBrowa noted. ?Ç£For businesses, it highlights the tangible economic value of building, maintaining and enhancing reputation. For investors, it emphasizes the importance of considering reputation when evaluating potential investments. For boards, it makes reputation ?Çô always a subject in the boardroom ?Çô a more tangible asset for every company and brand.?Ç¥ Added Grant Toups, Global Chief Digital and Intelligence Officer, Burson, ?Ç£Imagine knowing that perception around corporate integrity and governance, for example, or creativity, was having outsized impact on shareholder value creation compared to the other levers of reputation. Reputation Capital delivers that specificity, arming our clients with the predictive intelligence needed to build and sustain the reputational currency that drives business performance. By transforming perception into actionable intelligence, we can help clients make reputation a distinct and quantifiable competitive advantage that can be optimized for maximum ROI.?Ç¥Reputation Capital was validated by Augmented Intelligence Labs, a University of Oxford enterprise, and includes features that are part of Burson?ÇÖs proprietary cognitive AI solution, Decipher, created in partnership with Limbik. ?Ç£Burson?ÇÖs Reputation Capital is an exceptionally advanced platform that takes the most comprehensive view of reputation ?Çô and provides the most actionable intelligence - of anything that?ÇÖs currently on the market,?Ç¥ said Dr. Felipe Thomaz, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Oxford, and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Augmented Intelligence Labs, who counseled Burson on the solution?ÇÖs development. ?Ç£The empirical evidence that Reputation Capital reveals about the attributes that comprise reputation is extraordinarily valuable information that can guide Burson?ÇÖs counselors and the C-suite.?Ç¥ Reputation Capital is the latest addition to the Burson Innovation Portfolio, a suite of AI-enabled tools that equip Burson?ÇÖs communications experts to provide clients with faster, better insights; precision audience targeting; and culturally relevant creative.

Public relations giant Burson, a recent merger between BCW and Hill & Knowlton under the WPP umbrella, has appointed Steve Rubel to the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Media Insights and Measurement. Rubel, a former digital leader at Edelman, began his new position at the end of April, reporting to Kari Butcher, Burson Americas Chair of Insights, Data, and Intelligence, who joined the firm earlier this year.Butcher emphasized Rubel's unique blend of deep understanding of earned media and strong analytical skills, stating via email that this combination will be crucial in developing innovative programs and demonstrating their business impact for Burson's clients.In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Rubel reflected on his nearly two decades at Edelman, an "original agency," and expressed his enthusiasm for joining another established PR firm. He described this new opportunity as the "most exciting chapter" of his career.While Rubel's new title at Burson shares similarities with his previous role as EVP of Media Insights and Strategy at Edelman, he noted that his responsibilities at Burson will specifically include a measurement component. He explained his focus will be on establishing a more analytical and data-driven approach to developing and executing earned media strategies, as well as refining Burson's methods for quantifying the value of earned media in a way that resonates with Chief Communications Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, and Chief Executive Officers.Rubel's departure from Edelman followed a significant workforce reduction of 5.3%, affecting 330 employees, which the agency attributed to revenue declines in the previous year. This restructuring also involved the discontinuation of several sub-brands and conflict shops under DJE Holdings. Edelman ultimately reported an 8% revenue decrease in the U.S. and a 5% global drop to $986 million in 2024. This second consecutive year of revenue decline resulted in Edelman losing its position as the top PR firm by U.S. revenue to Real Chemistry.Following his layoff in December, Rubel spent four months considering his next career move, seeking an agency where his skills and experience could make a significant contribution. He stated that Burson was his top choice.Rubel also highlighted Burson and WPP Open's "incredible stack" of artificial intelligence resources and indicated that AI will play a key role in the agency's approach to measurement. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to help Burson develop a unique and innovative approach to measuring the impact of earned media, acknowledging that no one currently has all the answers in this area.Rubel's extensive experience includes nearly 20 years at Edelman, where he held various leadership positions, including SVP and Director of Insights, Chief Content Strategist, and most recently, EVP of Media Insights and Strategy. Before joining Edelman in 2006, he worked at CooperKatz & Company (now G&S Business Communications) and Schwartz PR Interactive, which was acquired by Publicis in 2011.Rubel joins a growing list of recent executive hires at Burson, including Amy McMichael Paddock as EVP and Samantha Wolf as EVP of Corporate and Public Affairs.According to PRWeek?ÇÖs Agency Business Report 2025, Burson experienced a global revenue decrease of 5% to $915 million and a 5% drop to $375 million in the U.S. in 2024. WPP's broader PR division, which also encompasses Ogilvy PR, reported a like-for-like revenue decline of 6.6% in the first quarter. Burson's performance during this period mirrored the previous quarter, where like-for-like revenue in WPP?ÇÖs PR arm fell by 5.3%. In December, WPP finalized the sale of a majority stake in FGS Global, a financial, corporate, and crisis specialist firm, to private equity firm KKR.

Burson, the global communications leader  purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, has been named the agency of  record for the Amdavad, India, bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games on  behalf of Gujarat Sports Infrastructure Development Company Limited (GSID).  The agency will lead strategic consulting for the development of the bid?ÇÖs brand, competitive  narrative and will drive its media relations campaign.   Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department said, ?Ç£With  Burson as our communications partner, we are delighted to pursue our shared vision of  bringing the Olympic Games to Amdavad. Their deep understanding of the global sports  landscape and past experiences with the Olympics and other global sports organisations will  be instrumental in supporting India?ÇÖs bid.?Ç¥   Dolly Tayal, Managing Director, Burson Genesis, India, said, ?Ç£It?ÇÖs an absolute privilege for us  to engage with Gujarat Sports Infrastructure Development Company Limited (GSID). We will  leverage our proven expertise in sports communications and creative storytelling to provide  strategic consulting and craft a compelling narrative that captures India?ÇÖs Olympic aspirations.  The current focus is to continue to build support for the project in India.?Ç¥ 

Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, recently published a global report on Gen Z adults?ÇÖ attitudes toward health, Gen Z: Calling for Healthcare Connection and Change. The report?ÇÖs India-specific findings offer interesting insights into Gen Z?ÇÖs perceptions and preferences related to healthcare services and providers. Gen Z is redefining health and wellness, prioritising preventive care like never before. With access to digital health tools, personalized wellness plans, and mental health resources, they are making informed decisions about their well-being. Their emphasis on self-care, technology-driven health management, and demand for transparency from healthcare providers reflects a shift toward a more engaged and empowered approach to personal health. The report?ÇÖs key findings include: Positive outlook on healthcare: Nearly four in five (78% of respondents) say they experience one positive emotion when taking responsibility for their healthcare.Shifting priorities post-COVID: 67% of respondents say they increasingly focus on physical health and 63% give high importance to mental health.Challenges faced: 53% of the respondents said facing significant challenges regarding affordability and access to quality care as well as misleading information related to health in the online space. In-person care: 66% of Gen Z in India prioritise in-person care and value connections. 77% of Indian Gen Z surveyed further said that they trust doctors and 68% rely on hospitals and clinics. Importance of healthcare service providers: 59% of the Gen Z respondents said that they understand the integral role of healthcare companies in their wellness journey.Alternative treatment options: 53% of Gen Z respondents said they are open to holistic or alternative medical treatment. Deepshikha Dharmaraj, CEO, Burson Group India, said, ?Ç£Gen Z, the digital-native generation, is gradually taking responsibility for their own healthcare. However, a lot of misconceptions and generalisations around their approach to health exist. It?ÇÖs important to share the true picture, and this study provides a comprehensive overview of what this generation values. The insights will be important for healthcare providers, policymakers, and communicators seeking to effectively engage with this demographic.?Ç¥Hemali Mahajan, Managing Director, GCI Health India, said, ?Ç£This report captures key trends and insights essential to understanding the future of the healthcare in India. Gen Z's emphasis on in-person care, coupled with an openness to digital health solutions, presents a unique opportunity for healthcare providers to create integrated and personalised experiences that meet their evolving needs. By addressing the challenges of affordability and accessibility, we can empower this generation to take greater control of their health and well-being.?Ç¥In addition to the global survey, the report includes believability findings from Decipher Health that analysed a select set of the survey?ÇÖs findings affecting?Gen Z audiences. Burson?ÇÖs cognitive AI solution forecasted very high believability scores relative to the survey. Decipher Health, a solution created in partnership with AI company Limbik, is an offer through PR Studio in WPP Open, WPP?ÇÖs intelligent marketing operating system powered by AI.

Burson has named Jonathan Hughes, former Edelman EMEA COO and Golin CEO, as its new EMEA chief executive. Current EMEA CEO Scott Wilson will leave Burson later this year after 14 years with the company.Hughes will join Burson in June. He had recently announced his departure from Edelman, where Justin Westcott has taken over as EMEA COO.This is Burson's second major leadership change in Europe this year. In January, former Google, Starbucks, Salesforce, and Ofcom communications leader Simon Redfern became the agency's new UK CEO, following Simon Whitehead's move to Portland.Hughes's background includes: * 14 years at Golin, starting as co-MD of the London office and eventually becoming joint CEO. * Roles focused on growing Golin's teams, revenue, Asia network, and digital capabilities. * Previous positions at Weber Shandwick and Ketchum.Hughes said he is excited about the opportunity at Burson, particularly with the agency's focus on innovation, AI technology, and creativity. He believes clients in EMEA face significant opportunities and uncertainties, and he aims to position Burson EMEA as a leading partner for them.Burson global CEO Corey duBrowa praised Hughes's client counseling, innovation, and business-building skills, highlighting his experience in corporate and crisis communications.Wilson, who has been with Burson for over 14 years, oversaw significant mergers within WPP. He expressed his readiness for a change and acknowledged the personal challenges he faced during his tenure.DuBrowa thanked Wilson for his contributions to Burson, BCW, and Cohn & Wolfe.

Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, today published a global report on Gen Z adults?ÇÖ attitudes toward health, revealing a misunderstood generation eager to take charge of their healthcare.The report, ?Ç£GenZ: Calling for Healthcare Connection and Change,?Ç¥ is based on a global survey of 5,000 Gen Z adults (aged 18-27) across 10 countries and represents the largest global study of its kind by a communications company. The findings were complemented with data found using Decipher Health, Burson?ÇÖs new cognitive artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to assess believability and virality to optimize communications impact and stakeholder engagement across patient, advocate, healthcare provider, health decision makers and analyst communities. There has been considerable discussion about Gen Z and their preoccupation with mental health. However, the Burson survey identified that emerging from the pandemic, this generation is equally concerned with physical (56%) and mental health (57%) and are prioritizing both mental (59%) and physical (59%) health. ?Ç£Gen Z isn't the future of healthcare ?Çö they're the present, so now is the time to create a meaningful dialogue that can empower them as newly independent health consumers,?Ç¥ said Brenna Terry, Global Healthcare Client Leader, Burson. ?Ç£Our research confirms that there is a considerable opportunity for healthcare companies and communicators to connect with this digitally native, values-driven generation. With our new insights about Gen Z?ÇÖs needs and interest in action, we can build trust, drive collaboration and shape a more satisfying healthcare experience for them.?Ç¥ Additional findings reveal several global trends in Gen Z?ÇÖs healthcare experience: ?Çó Gen Z is taking control of their healthcare despite a frustrating system. They're proactive and hungry for information. In fact, 67% of Gen Z report feeling positively about taking charge of their health but say they face barriers like cost, communication gaps and misinformation. Forty-six percent (46%) of Gen Z say they find it challenging to get enough time and attention from healthcare providers. ?Çó Gen Z values connection and in-person care. Despite being known as the digitally native generation, Gen Z is skeptical of online health information and even tele-health appointments. Eight-in-10 of Gen Z say they?ÇÖve encountered false or misleading health information online and more than 60% say prioritizing in-person visits over virtual ones is important to feeling respected by healthcare providers. ?Çó Gen Z acknowledges a role for healthcare companies in their wellness journey. They?ÇÖre ready and eager to listen to trusted sources of information with proactive and educational communications. Fifty-five percent (55%) of Gen Z say that they believe pharmaceutical companies may be able to meet these needs. ?Ç£As a member of Gen Z, the findings of this report resonated with my experience that my generation not only deserves but wants a seat at the healthcare industry?ÇÖs table,?Ç¥ said Hayley Scandura, Account Executive, Health & Wellness, Burson, a Gen Z member and report leader. ?Ç£Despite commonly held misconceptions that my generation is disengaged from their health experience, I know more time, attention and communication from both healthcare providers and companies may help alleviate the frustrations of my generation and set us up for better health earlier in our lives.?Ç¥ Decipher Health: A Role in Audience Understanding and Communication In addition to the global survey, the report includes believability findings from Decipher Health that analyzed a select set of the survey?ÇÖs findings a^ecting Gen Z audiences. Our AI solution forecasted very high believability scores relative to the survey. For example, the traditional survey found that misinformation is pervasive in Gen Z spaces online, particularly on social media. This had a 92% believability score on Decipher Health, indicating that the simulated Gen Z population agreed with this fact or found it believable. When extended to Millennials and Gen X, Decipher Health revealed equally high scores (91% and 89% respectively), demonstrating that Gen Z has similar concerns to audiences that are regularly addressed by the healthcare industry. ?Ç£With Decipher Health, we were able to complement our traditional research methods to provide additional confidence about our Gen Z insights,?Ç¥ said Vicky Lewko, Global Head, Digital Health, Burson. ?Ç£This new capability gives us a way to e^iciently design communications that resonate with Gen Z audiences and beyond ?Çô taking the guesswork out of content and conducting always-on testing that allows us to go to market faster than ever before.?Ç¥ Decipher Health, a solution created in partnership with AI company Limbik, is an o^er through PR Studio in WPP Open, WPP?ÇÖs intelligent marketing operating system powered by AI. The complete report, including the full methodology and in-depth analysis, is available 

Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, has announced that Matt Reid has joined strategic communications and financial markets advisory firm Burson Buchanan as US CEO, effective December 2. Reid is based in Washington, D.C. and will oversee the expansion of the brand and business in the U.S. market. Reid uses his deep experience in financial and corporate communications, public affairs and crisis management to provide strategic counsel to clients facing ?Ç£bet the company?Ç¥ opportunities and threats. His expertise includes managing financial transactions and issues; complex litigation matters and government investigations; policy and regulatory challenges; and major corporate crises. He has also managed communications for numerous corporate acquisitions, mergers and SPAC transactions. ?Ç£Businesses are facing pressures from all quarters ?Çô both internal and external ?Çô that can create high-stakes threats, imperil reputation and undermine financial confidence,?Ç¥ said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, Burson. ?Ç£Matt brings a successful three-decade career in advising clients through myriad complexities, opportunities and strategic scenarios to protect and build reputation and optimize valuation. I benefitted from his steady hand and wise counsel during my time as a client and when we were colleagues at WE Communications, and know his considerable expertise will be a tremendous asset to our clients and potential clients as we build Burson Buchanan in the United States.?Ç¥ Before joining Burson Buchanan, Reid was Managing Director and Head of the Los Angeles office for H/Advisors Abernathy, as well as lead of the firm?ÇÖs cybersecurity and litigation communications practices. He also contributed to the firm?ÇÖs capital markets work in the U.S. and its global public affairs efforts. Prior to that, Reid was Managing Director and co-head of the Los Angeles office of Sard Verbinnen & Co. (now FGS Global), where he oversaw mergers & acquisitions, activist defence, executive transitions, crises, regulatory and litigation matters for clients across numerous industries, including technology, life sciences and education. Earlier, he was Senior Vice President, External Affairs for BSA | The Software Alliance, the leading global trade association for the software industry, where he oversaw global communications and government relations. He has also held senior corporate communications and public affairs roles at agencies including WE Communications, FleishmanHillard and GCI Group. He began his career working on high-profile political campaigns. ?Ç£Burson Buchanan has a well-earned reputation in the UK across 30 years for helping clients manage issues, markets and corporate reputation to build stakeholder confidence and facilitate innovation and growth,?Ç¥ said Reid. ?Ç£As a boutique strategic communications and financial markets advisory firm within Burson Group, we offer highly specialized expertise, backed by the resources of the global communications agency that set the gold standard for reputation management and strategic advisory. I couldn?ÇÖt be more enthusiastic about what we?ÇÖll be able to achieve as we expand Burson Buchanan into the US.?Ç¥

Burson, the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation, has been named the strategic communications partner for Eastman Auto & Power Limited (EAPL). Burson will provide integrated communication services to enhance its brand presence and build long term corporate reputation.Burson will focus on strengthening Eastman Auto & Power Limited?ÇÖs reputation through comprehensive communications strategies, tailored content and proactive media relations, ensuring the company?ÇÖs growth story resonates with its customers, partners and potential investors. With a proven track record of driving brand success, Burson will work alongside EAPL to elevate the company?ÇÖs positioning in the competitive energy and automotive sectors.The partnership is poised to drive awareness around EAPL's cutting-edge solutions, particularly in the areas of clean energy and e-mobility. Burson's expertise in creating highly effective communication strategies will help ensure that EAPL?ÇÖs message of progress and sustainability reaches its target audience, reinforcing the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and technological advancement.Sudham Ravinutala, Chief Marketing Officer at Eastman Auto & Power Ltd., said, ?Ç£We are excited to collaborate with Burson as our strategic communications partner. Their expertise in delivering impactful communications strategies, combined with their deep understanding of our industry, makes them the ideal partner to help us further strengthen our brand presence and market leadership in Solar Rooftop Solutions, Last Mile E-Mobility Solutions and Continued Energy Solutions.?Ç¥Spotlighting the significance of this partnership, Deepshikha Dharmaraj, CEO of Burson Group India, said, ?Ç£Eastman Auto & Power Ltd. is a renowned brand at the forefront of energy innovation. We look forward to leveraging our creative expertise to build their reputation and share EAPL?ÇÖs story of progress, sustainability, and industry excellence. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions support their growth vision.?Ç¥ 

Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, has announced that Taj Reid will join the agency as Global Chief Creative Officer, effective January 8th, 2025. ?Ç£In a fragmented media landscape, with consumers of information facing an unprecedented volume of noise and clutter, brands and organizations need to reach their most important audiences not only via the right platform at the right time but also through a range of messages and experiences that earn their attention and inspire action,?Ç¥ said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, Burson. ?Ç£Taj is an exceptional talent who understands how to reach and motivate audiences at the intersection of creative, design and technology to drive preference and build reputations for clients across industries.?Ç¥ Reid spent the last five years with Edelman, most recently as Global Chief Experience Officer and U.S. Chief Creative Officer. Before that he spent two years as Principal Creative Director at Microsoft, where he led a cross-discipline team of designers, developers and content strategists crafting digital products and community experiences for Mixed Reality. Earlier in his career he served as Vice President, Creative Director at Edelman. Reid was named to the ADWEEK 50 in 2022. ?Ç£Burson has an ambitious vision that blends the promise of technology with the unique inspiration and insight of human creativity,?Ç¥ said Reid. ?Ç£By crafting engaging experiences powered by creative, design and technology, we can build future-ready brands that resonate and connect meaningfully with people. I?ÇÖm thrilled to join Burson and help its clients create this kind of impact.?Ç¥ Simon Shaw, who had previously served as Burson?ÇÖs Global Chief Creative Officer, will leave the agency at the end of the year. ?Ç£I?ÇÖd like to thank Simon for his leadership during this past year with Burson and for the contributions he made to Hill & Knowlton over his 10 years with the firm,?Ç¥ duBrowa added. ?Ç£I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.?Ç¥

Albert Shu, a long-standing figure at Weber Shandwick, is stepping down from his role as President of the firm's Hong Kong and Singapore operations. His departure marks the end of a two-decade tenure with the Interpublic Group firm in Asia.Shu joined Weber Shandwick in 2004 and has been instrumental in driving the firm's growth in both Hong Kong and Singapore. He led the Hong Kong office for 16 years and was instrumental in securing numerous awards and accolades.A Weber Shandwick spokesperson praised Shu's contributions: "Albert has served over 20 years with the Weber Shandwick Asia-Pacific team. He has led his teams with dedication, strategic vision, and a commitment to excellence. We thank Albert for his contributions and wish him all the best.""Albert will work closely with the leadership teams in both Hong Kong and Singapore over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition," added the spokesperson. Shu will remain with the firm until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. In the interim, Robert Magyar, a senior advisor based in Beijing, will oversee the Hong Kong operations, while Carolyn Devanayagam, the regional corporate affairs head, will take charge of Singapore.Weber Shandwick's operations in both Hong Kong and Singapore are significant, with the firm being the largest international PR firm in Hong Kong. The departure of Shu, who previously worked at Deloitte and Burson, marks the end of a rare instance of a single executive overseeing both markets.(Image: webershandwick)

Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, has announced the launch of Decipher Health, its new cognitive artificial intelligence (AI) offering designed to optimize communications impact and stakeholder engagement across patient, advocate, healthcare provider, health decision-makers and analyst communities. This is the third AI offering of its kind from Burson and a key addition to the growing capability within PR Studio in WPP Open, WPP?ÇÖs intelligent marketing operating system powered by AI.Decipher Health by Burson has trained cognitive AI models on a broad spectrum of disease areas, including general health, oncology, neurology, diabetes, respiratory, and sexual health. It integrates predictive believability and virality indicators. The result is a robust framework for forecasting the potential impact of different types of content across healthcare-focused audience segments that is based on observable, repeatable data. The solution, created in partnership with cognitive AI company Limbik, makes predictions about communications impact by determining an audience?ÇÖs level of commitment to a particular topic and the believability of online content related to that topic. As part of WPP Open, Decipher Health will be made available to all WPP healthcare clients and is the latest innovation for Health@WPP.?Ç£The volume of information in the healthcare space can be both daunting and riddled with inaccuracies for people who are searching for material on a particular disease or therapeutic area,?Ç¥ said Chad Latz, Chief Innovation Officer, Burson. ?Ç£We created this capability to predict with near certainty the potential for impact ?Çô including credibility and engagement - that content can have on a wide range of healthcare-specific audiences. This ensures we can help our clients cut through with communications and marketing that build their reputations, but also deliver valuable and effective resources across the patient journey.?Ç¥In addition to message testing, Decipher Health tracks the impact of a variety of global macro themes that can affect the healthcare system, including: The economy; drug costs, pricing and access; supply chain; DEI; sustainability; elections; reproductive rights; women?ÇÖs health and armed conflict.?Ç£What makes this such an extraordinary tool is the depth of our audience modeling,?Ç¥ said Brenna Terry, Global Chair, Healthcare, Burson. ?Ç£Our patient audience is segmented beyond typical demographics to include a wide range of social determinants that can make people more ?Çô or less ?Çô likely to be susceptible to a disease and receptive to information. Drilling down to such a precise level ensures that we reach the right people at the right time with precisely the right content.?Ç£Decipher Health allow us to analyze gaps in message uptake among different critical healthcare stakeholders,?Ç¥ Terry continued. ?Ç£What resonates with a patient is different than what will make an impact with a physician or an analyst. With WPP Open, we can forecast what works well with each audience and then develop compelling content that facilitates high-impact communications with all stakeholder groups. We now have instant market research right at our fingertips.?Ç¥

Global public relations agency Burson has appointed Chris Creegan as the new Director of Gaming & Esports, based in Dubai. In this role, Creegan will lead communications strategies for clients within the rapidly expanding gaming and esports industry across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.Creegan joins Burson from TikTok, where he served as Gaming Partnerships Manager, driving key initiatives and collaborations within the gaming sector. His move to Burson reflects the agency?ÇÖs commitment to strengthening its expertise and services in the booming gaming and esports market in the MENA region, which has seen significant growth in recent years due to increased investment, a burgeoning player base, and a rise in esports events.Creegan's expertise in building strategic partnerships within the gaming community, combined with his deep understanding of digital platforms, will be instrumental in crafting compelling narratives and driving impactful campaigns for Burson's clients. His appointment comes at a time when the MENA gaming market is projected to continue its rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and a young, tech-savvy population.Burson?ÇÖs expansion into the gaming and esports sector is part of a broader strategy to cater to the evolving needs of the digital economy in the region, where gaming has emerged as a key cultural and economic force. Creegan will collaborate closely with Burson?ÇÖs global network to deliver innovative communication solutions tailored to the unique demands of the gaming and esports industries.

Burson has named Simeon Mellalieu as CEO of its Hong Kong office, effective October 2, 2024.Mellalieu brings extensive experience from his previous role at Ketchum, where he served as Partner for Client Development in the Asia-Pacific region and Managing Director of Ketchum Hong Kong. With over 25 years in the communications industry, he has guided multinational companies in developing and executing national, regional, and global communications strategies.His diverse client portfolio spans various industries, including fast fashion, semiconductors, automotive, gaming, food and beverage, and banking.Before relocating to Hong Kong, Mellalieu spent time in the UK, gaining valuable experience at two prestigious PR agencies: Bulletin International in London, specializing in international broadcast PR, and Warman & Bannister in Cambridge, focused on technology PR.?Ç£We are delighted to welcome Simeon to our APAC leadership team. Hong Kong remains a critical regional hub for Asian companies seeking to build their reputation on the global stage. Simeon?ÇÖs extensive experience will help us further bolster our ?ÇÿAsia Going Global?ÇÖ offer in Hong Kong, helping clients navigate pivotal market changes and seize opportunities, both in the region and abroad,?Ç¥ said HS Chung, North APAC CEO, Burson. Simeon Mellalieu serves on the board of PR Hong Kong, showcasing his industry expertise and leadership.

Ketchum UK has announced the hiring of Noor Kheir as the new managing director of corporate, effective from September. In her new role, Kheir will lead Ketchum?ÇÖs team of directors and senior personnel, managing corporate communications for some of the agency?ÇÖs most prominent global clients, including P&G and Samsung. Her portfolio will also cover multi-market clients like 3M and Collinson, along with key European accounts such as Adobe and Mastercard.Kheir brings a wealth of experience in corporate communications, mobility & transport, and sustainability, further strengthening Ketchum's expertise and senior leadership team.Previously, Kheir served as managing director at H+K/Burson, where she spent five years overseeing the firm?ÇÖs mobility & transport practice. Additionally, she held the role of managing director of WPP?ÇÖs Ford Europe integrated agency, gaining significant experience in EV and sustainability/ESG communications. Before her tenure at H+K, Kheir spent 12 years at Edelman.Reflecting on her departure from H+K, Kheir said, ?Ç£I?ÇÖve had an absolutely brilliant five years at H&K (now Burson!), working with amazing clients and amazingly talented people. I know everyone says that when they are leaving but that is 100% true of H&K. It is the right time for me to take on a new challenge, and I cannot wait to join the Ketchum UK team, leading the corporate community.?Ç¥Sera Holland, Ketchum's chief strategy & innovation officer, global markets, commented on the appointment: ?Ç£Our incredible bench of senior consultants and directors in our corporate team have been leading the practice successfully for a while now, but given the continued growth and opportunity we?ÇÖre seeing across the corporate mix combined with our clients?ÇÖ need for us to help them navigate through significant global and market change, the time was right for us to bring in a strong, experienced leader to take our offer and team to the next level. Noor?ÇÖs experience in leading high-performing, integrated teams across global brands, in addition to the depth of her experience and reputation as a senior client counsellor, meant she was the clear standout choice for the role. She?ÇÖs joining a stellar senior leadership team in the UK and has a real vision for where she wants to take our offer, and myself, Jo-ann, and the rest of our team can?ÇÖt wait to partner with her to make it a reality.?Ç¥Kheir?ÇÖs appointment follows a series of other senior hires at Ketchum UK, including Estelle Boon from Grayling as managing director, consumer brand, and Bibi Hilton as chief client officer, global markets.

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.

Damion Potter has joined Burson as Global Chair, Public Affairs, effective July 22. He will be based in London and will serve on Burson?ÇÖs global leadership team.Potter brings an extensive record in leadership roles in international diplomacy, government and public affairs, communications, crisis response, policy, trade and economic development, serving in both the public and private sectors in assignments spanning the UK, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia and the Americas. Most recently, Potter was Vice President and Global Head of Policy and Government Affairs for Haleon, the GSK consumer healthcare spin out, which was the largest listing on the London stock exchange in the past two decades. At Haleon, Potter was responsible for setting global public policy objectives and government engagement around the world.In his new role, Potter will lead the integration and further development of public affairs advisory assets across Burson, which includes teams in governmental centers globally, a network of expert external advisors, and several specialist companies in Washington D.C., including Dewey Square Group, Direct Impact and Prime Policy Group.?Ç£Damion is joining us at a time when government has never played a larger role in the business operating environment and when geopolitical shifts are also rapidly impacting trade, regulation, supply chains and commercial strategy,?Ç¥ said AnnaMaria DeSalva, Global Chairman, Burson, who oversees the agency?ÇÖs global practices. ?Ç£Today our clients require an integrated intelligence, government affairs and communications strategy to mitigate risk and build brands and reputation. Damion brings to Burson deep expertise and networks that will help us further empower our clients to foresee solutions, build support for key business decisions and transform business outcomes amid unprecedented complexity.?Ç¥Before Haleon, Potter led the Delivery Department for the UN Climate Change Conference hosted in Glasgow (COP26). In this role he represented the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, advising the UK Government on policy and leading implementation of the World Leader Summit, the largest-ever assembly of world leaders in the UK.Earlier, Potter was British Ambassador to Panama City and Head of Central America Network, directing UK interests in trade, prosperity, peace and security. He negotiated the UK?ÇÖs trade deal with six Central American countries following Brexit. He also served in diplomatic capacities in Sweden, Taiwan and Russia, with a focus on bilateral trade and investment in Taipei and Moscow.Before these roles, Potter was Communications Director and spokesperson for ESPN in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.?Ç£I?ÇÖm delighted to join Burson at this important time to help clients grow or defend their businesses and build their reputations in an ever-changing world,?Ç¥ said Potter. ?Ç£The Burson global public affairs team is renowned for its first-rate analysis and market intelligence; expert counsel to senior business leaders; its ability to work with local authorities on challenges and opportunities clients are facing in their markets; building government engagement; and leveraging its networks to positively influence the policies of decision-makers. Clients need this thoughtful and wide-ranging guidance right now and I am honored to join this outstanding team.?Ç¥Potter is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Swedish, with conversational proficiency in Russian.

Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to  create value for clients through reputation, has been named the strategic communications partner in India for Birla Opus Paints, a brand under Aditya Birla  Group's Grasim Industries. The agency will be responsible for developing and executing  a comprehensive communications strategy to establish Birla Opus Paints as a leading  player in the Indian paint industry.  Burson India will work with the Birla Opus Paints?ÇÖ brand team to amplify the brand?ÇÖs narrative and reinforce its commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability. Burson  India will leverage its extensive experience and network to create a strong brand identity  for Birla Opus Paints, enhance its brand image, foster thought leadership and deepen  engagement with its diverse audience, whilst also highlighting its association with the  prestigious Aditya Birla Group.  Inderpreet Singh, Head, Marketing, Birla Opus Paints, said, ?Ç£We are delighted to  partner with Burson India. The team?ÇÖs proven expertise in brand building, reputation  management and strategic communication aligns with our vision to establish Birla Opus  Paints as a formidable player in the industry. We are looking forward to partnering with  Burson to create engaging and powerful stories.?Ç¥  "At Burson India, we reinvent how reputation creates competitive advantage for our  clients, enabling them to lead today and into the future,?Ç¥ said Deepshikha Dharmaraj,  CEO, Burson Group India. ?Ç£Our legacy is built on providing creative and innovative  solutions that drive value for our clients and we are thrilled to partner with Birla Opus  Paints which shares the same values of innovation and quality. The brand's commitment  to expanding the decorative paint market perfectly aligns with our expertise in launching  new brands and establishing market leadership. We are confident that our experience in  reputation management and brand communications will help establish Birla Opus Paints  as a household name and a trusted brand in India." 

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.

Burson appoints Ruud Wassen, Chief Client Officer, BrusselsGlobal communications agency Burson has appointed Ruud Wassen as Chief Client Officer, Brussels. In this role, Wassen will play a key part in serving and growing the agency?ÇÖs clients in Brussels.Wassen will work closely with Burson teams, particularly in the sustainability and healthcare sectors, to enhance client service and innovation. His prior extensive experience includes serving as the Chief Marketing Officer for the international arm of Cigna Healthcare, a multinational health services company. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions at Teneo, where he established the Brussels office in 2013. He also previously led the Energy practice at Burson-Marsteller.Andrew Cecil, CEO of Burson Brussels, said: ?Ç£Wassen brings deep expertise in advising businesses at the most senior levels on strategic communications and EU policy. His considerable expertise will be particularly valuable to our clients during this unprecedented period with multiple elections around the world and constant state of political change.?Ç¥?Ç£I am thrilled to return to Burson and to work alongside a talented team and in a dynamic business focused on building and protecting reputation for clients,?Ç¥ said Wassen. ?Ç£Having counselled some of the world?ÇÖs most respected companies, I am eager to leverage my experience to further strengthen Burson?ÇÖs client focus, offer and services. With a year of political change ahead, I?ÇÖm delighted to have the opportunity to be part of this premier global communications firm with such a strong legacy in public affairs.?Ç¥

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.

Burson has appointed Adrian Warr, former Edelman leader, as CEO of South Asia-Pacific, a position initially designated for Matt Stafford, the former president of BCW Asia-Pacific who has departed from the company.Stafford's departure from BCW comes after his tenure as Asia-Pacific president since 2016, having joined BCW's predecessor, Cohn & Wolfe. Additionally, Stafford held the role of BCW global president of practices & sectors since 2022.In February, BCW and H&K had announced Stafford as Burson's CEO of South Asia-Pacific, as part of the initial round of regional leadership appointments. However, details surrounding Stafford's departure were not disclosed by a spokesperson.Warr will be responsible for overseeing Burson's operations in India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. His tenure with Burson will commence on September 16, approximately two months after the official launch of Burson on July 1, following the merger of BCW and Hill & Knowlton Strategies.Having spent the past decade with Edelman in Asia, Warr held various roles, including APAC vice chair of practices and sectors. Before that, he served as APAC head of employee experience, CEO of Southeast Asia, and CEO of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand.Prior to his tenure at Edelman, Warr spent 12 years in London, holding positions such as a partner at Portland and an associate board director at Freuds Communications. Additionally, he served in various roles during his seven-year tenure with H&K.Corey duBrowa, the global CEO of BCW, who will also hold the same title at Burson, expressed confidence in Warr's ability to lead the South APAC business. He highlighted Warr's expertise in blending creativity with innovation to assist clients in navigating challenges and building their reputations amidst geopolitical, social, and commercial complexities.

Burson has appointed Chad Latz, Grant Toups, and Chris Kief as the global heads of innovation, digital and intelligence, and technology respectively.Chad Latz, (pictured), currently serving as the global chief innovation officer at BCW, will maintain this role after the merger with Hill & Knowlton, forming Burson. He will spearhead Burson's innovation endeavors, particularly focusing on AI-driven solutions, and continue to cultivate a team of AI specialists spanning data, technology, and academia.Toups, the current global chief technology officer at H&K, will transition to the role of global chief digital and intelligence officer at Burson. Tasked with streamlining digital-first client solutions, Toups will lead a global team specializing in digital and social communications, reputation management, technology advisory, and advanced intelligence services.Additionally, Kief, currently holding the position of BCW's global chief technology officer, will maintain his role at Burson. He will oversee the enterprise technology strategy, including investments, deployments, and governance, while also driving product development through engineering teams.BCW global CEO Corey duBrowa, who will assume the role of global CEO at Burson, emphasized the significant impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on the communications sector. He highlighted Burson's commitment to leveraging these technologies to deliver innovative communication solutions, citing tools like Decipher and Sonar for predictive analytics and message testing. duBrowa expressed confidence in the appointed team's ability to uphold Burson's reputation as a leader in the 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.

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.

Allison Cirullo, formerly Edelman's COO of global brand for nearly 17 years, has joined Burson to lead their consumer and brand division. She will also serve as global chair of consumer and brand, launching July 1 with the merger of WPP agencies BCW and Hill & Knowlton. Cirullo will additionally hold the position of North America chair of consumer and brand, starting April 15 until Burson's official launch.In her previous role, Cirullo oversaw the growth and operations of Edelman's global brand practice. Her extensive experience includes roles such as managing director of US brand and managing director of Chicago brand. BCW's global CEO, Corey duBrowa, who will lead Burson as CEO, praised Cirullo's expertise in building brands and enhancing reputation across various industries.Cirullo's move follows a series of senior departures from Edelman, including Jim O'Leary, who left after 15 years to join Weber Shandwick as North America CEO.