Edelman has formally established a beachhead in Africa by acquiring its long-time affiliate, Baird's Renaissance, in South Africa.
BR is being recast as Edelman South Africa with the firm's founder Francois Baird (pictured) as chairman. He reports to David Brain, CEO of Edelman Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa.
The No. 1 independent firm is dispatching Tod Donhauser, executive VP/head of the technology policy group in D.C. to Johannesburg for the managing director slot of ESA.
Peter Magezza, currently deputy chair of BR’s CMC, communications management offering, takes the vice chair of ESA.
BR boasts of 20 full-time staffers and a track record in 29 of Africa's 55 countries.
Matthew Harrington, COO of Edelman, expects to use BR as a platform to build new ties among companies in Africa.
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