OMC POSTS 13% GAIN IN Q2 NET
Omnicom on July 19 reported a 13.1 percent rise in second-quarter net income to $275M on a 14.7 jump in revenues to $3.5B. Its Fleishman-Hillard, Porter Novelli and Ketchum-led PR operation grew 7.1 percent to $311.7M in Q2, outpaced by the $1.6B advertising unit, which was up 18.5 percent, and the $1.2B CRM operation, up 15.1 percent.
The PR division registered a 1.3 percent increase in organic growth for the latest quarter.
OMC CEO John Wren spent $277M for acquisitions during the first-half, $44M of that amount were “earn-outs.” Synergy, a London-based scientific communications shop, was the biggest pick-up for the quarter. It is now part of DDB Health.
For the first-half, OMC earned $477M (+17.3 percent) and recorded revenues of $6.6B (+11.4 percent).
WPP MERGES RLM, FINSBURY
WPP is merging New York’s Robinson Lerer & Montgomery and London’s Finsbury Group to create RLM Finsbury, a move that creates a trans-Atlantic financial and corporate PR combination from two firms that have worked closely together over the years.
Walter Montgomery becomes CEO of RLM Finsbury, while Richard Rudd, co-founder of Finsbury, takes the chairman role.
Montgomery says the merger provides a “worldwide platform.”
The new entity launches with 180 staffers in New York, London, Brussels, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A Hong Kong office is slated to open during Q3.
THEME PARK OPERATORS SEEK PR PITCHES
The Virginia-based, global trade group for amusement park operators is on the hunt for a PR firm with an RFP open through Aug. 3.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has 4,000 individual members from entities like zoos, theme and amusement parks, museums and aquariums.
The Alexandria-based group, led by new CEO Chip Cleary, wants media relations support with experience in crisis communications and the travel/tourism PR sector as it engages consumers through the media and reacts to situations. Colleen Mangone, manager of media relations, is taking pitches with in-person meetings slated for mid-August in Virginia.
Download the RFP at http://odwpr.us/oxlFJv. |
