FGS Global, the strategic leadership advisory, has appointed Justin Dini as Partner and Global Co-Head of its Strategy & Reputation offering. Based in New York, Dini will co-lead the group alongside Sir Craig Oliver, based in London.The Strategy & Reputation offering helps leaders and organizations shape and build their reputations as they navigate an increasingly complex world. FGS Global guides leadership teams in anticipating, influencing, and driving outcomes that mitigate risk and support their business goals. The practice is grounded in insights and research and integrated into the full spectrum of policy, advocacy, and communications counsel the firm provides to clients globally. Dini and Oliver will drive the growth and expansion of the practice, incorporating AI-powered tools to expand the firm’s offering to board and C-suite relationships and supporting communications leaders as demands intensify.“Justin is a highly respected communications leader, with a track record of successfully navigating both challenges and opportunities at some of the world's most iconic companies," said Alex Geiser, Global CEO, FGS Global."We have long admired Justin as a leader in the field, and had the privilege of working alongside him as a client for many years," added Winnie Lerner, Partner and North America CEO, FGS Global. “Justin is an insightful, thoughtful strategist who understands the power of communications as a problem-solving tool for leadership teams. He will be a terrific addition to the team.” Dini joins FGS Global following eight years at Paramount Global, where he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Communications Officer. In that role, he led corporate communications through an extraordinary period of transformation, including the merger of Viacom and CBS, the company's rebrand as Paramount Global, the acquisition of Pluto TV and launch of Paramount+, and the eventual merger with Skydance. Prior to Paramount, Dini was Partner and Co-Head of the US Telecom, Media & Technology practice at Brunswick Group during his decade-long tenure at the firm. He began his career as a journalist, with work appearing in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Institutional Investor, and Adweek, before serving as Special Assistant for Communications to the New York City Comptroller."Companies are navigating an increasingly volatile geopolitical, media, and economic landscape, and corporate affairs and communications leaders are often at the apex of that work," said Dini. "The opportunity to support those leaders, drawing on my experience as a former CCO, external advisor, and journalist at a firm with the geographic, functional, and sector breadth of FGS is truly energizing. Having worked with the team as a client, I have seen firsthand how this firm operates when the stakes are highest, and I could not be more excited to join FGS."

FGS Global has appointed Ethan Bauley as head of AI advisory.In this role, Bauley will advise organisational leaders on the impact of artificial intelligence on media, workflows and reputation. He will also lead integrated teams of data scientists, engineers and subject matter experts to support clients across their AI initiatives.His responsibilities include helping organisations build internal capabilities, develop AI agents, understand how AI models represent their brand, and apply AI in areas such as threat detection, scenario simulation and message testing.The appointment follows the launch of FGS Global’s AI advisory practice earlier this year, alongside the acquisition of threat intelligence consultancy Memetica. The practice operates within the firm’s AI and innovation unit, led by Aaron Kwittken.Prior to joining FGS Global, Bauley held leadership roles at Weber Shandwick, including within its data and AI unit, Weber I/O, where he worked on client advisory and the firm’s data and AI roadmap. He also previously worked at HP in global corporate communications, where he served as digital editor-in-chief and led media for HP Labs’ analytics and AI research teams.Commenting on the appointment, Kwittken said Bauley’s experience in AI-driven communications and strategic advisory will support the firm’s AI advisory capabilities.

Following an internal investigation, FGS Global has found no evidence to support claims of "colonial" management style in its Chinese offices. The allegations, made in an anonymous email purportedly from FGS Global employees in Hong Kong and mainland China, were thoroughly examined, and the firm concluded that there was no substance to the accusations, according to media reports.A spokesperson for FGS Global stated that the management conducted a formal investigation into the allegations and found no evidence to support the claims of unacceptable workplace practices. The investigation was prompted by a letter purportedly sent by staff, criticizing the leadership team for creating a "self-perpetuating enclave of privilege" that hindered collaboration and strategic alignment. In response, FGS Global's APMEA chair, James Murgatroyd, engaged with staff in the Greater China offices to address concerns and improve leadership transparency and connectivity in the region.The anonymous letter, circulated in May to staff in the China and Singapore divisions, had raised concerns about a "toxic" culture that marginalizes Chinese employees. The letter alleged "management dysfunction, nepotism, and questionable practices" by certain Greater China partners, which are impacting business performance and employee morale.The letter had claimed that the company is dominated by Western and Hong Kong managers who lack a deep understanding of Chinese culture.(Image for representation purpose only.)

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.