 Barbara Bates |
Hotwire has formed an exclusive partnership with The Hoffman Agency to collaborate in Asia. The agreement will see Hotwire work with The Hoffman Agency’s wholly owned offices in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Indonesia as part of its global network of offices and exclusive partners. By consolidating Hotwire’s current multi-agency solution in Asia down to one firm, Hotwire Group CEO Barbara Bates says the agency will further strengthen its credentials as an alternative to the established global owned networks. Hotwire operates through 11 wholly owned offices across North America, Europe and Australia and supports this with a network of exclusive partners and affiliates in another 21 cities worldwide, including the locations represented by The Hoffman Agency.
 Charles Lewington |
Montreal-based holding and management company Avenir Global has acquired Hanover, an independent U.K. public relations consultancy with offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Founded in London in 1998 by CEO Charles Lewington, Hanover advises global companies on building recognition and enhancing reputation. The Hanover Group also includes creative communications agency The Playbook, and Multiple, a brand and culture consultancy. The agency’s leadership team will remain in place following the transaction. Together with the November 2018 acquisition of London-based healthcare creative agency, Cherry, the deal bolsters AVENIR GLOBAL’s EMEA offering. The group was already represented in the region by healthcare communications firm AXON Communications and by its strategic communications consultancy Madano Partnership.
 Dan Pender |
PR360, a Dublin-based communications agency, is the newest addition to global partnership PROI Worldwide. Founded in 2011 by managing director Dan Pender, PR360 has corporate, public affairs and brand practices as well as an in-house digital content studio. The agency works with clients in the healthcare, aviation, finance, professional services, and technology sectors in Ireland and internationally. “PR360 is an exceptional communications agency which, like our other PROI agencies, has seen significant growth opportunities by offering integrated services,” says PROI Worldwide global chairman Clare Parsons, chair of London-based Lansons.
 Ryan Hallett, Whitney Creighton |
CEO Ryan Hallett and CSO Whitney Creighton have launched Otto & Friends, a new brand-amplifying agency. Hallett was formerly a vice president at WPP’s Grey and Creighton previously served as associate director of content & community Omnicom's Serino Coyne. Claudia Strauss, former CEO of Grey’s activation and PR practice, is also working with Otto & Friends as a marketing advisor. The new agency’s offering will include media relations, social media, digital content, influencer marketing, events, live experiences, partnerships, sponsorships, crisis communications, expert positioning and executive visibility. Their current client roster includes Marriott International, Royal Caribbean Productions, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, Revactin, Freddie Set Go, Jason Mitchell Kahn and VideoOut.
4media group completes its acquisition of Family Features Editorial Syndicate... Illumination PR, which represents lifestyle brands, influencers and celebrities, launches DR Media Group... EAG Advertising and Marketing acquires pay-for-performance firm INK inc. Public Relations. 
LLYC launches Signs of Pride, a campaign that revives the original protest banners of the first Pride marches... The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry forms the Public Relations and Digital Marketing Working Group... Circle of One Marketing, a Miami-based, minority-owned marketing agency, is named official agency of record for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. 
Vogel Group, a DC-headquartered government affairs and consulting firm, forms a strategic partnership with Montreal-based public affairs firm Boléro Stratégies... Matter Communications launches project-based offerings for B2C companies looking to increase brand awareness and visibility... Tucker/Hall, a Tampa-based PR and public affairs firm, opens a new office in Orlando. 
Why investing in public relations is ultimately about building bridges in a connected world.
Edelman is laying off 330 people (5.3 percent of its workforce) to cope with an anticipated eight percent shortfall in 2024 US revenues, and client demand for one-stop shopping for speciality services.
