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| Matt Lauer |
Publicis Groupe has sold Washington-based PA shop Qorvis Communications to a management group led by its long-time executive Matt Lauer.
The French firm acquired Qorvis in 2014 when it ranked No. 10 on O’Dwyer’s rankings of independent firms with fees of $30M and 80 staffers.
Lauer, who joined Qorvis in 2004 and launched its public diplomacy brand, will helm what he calls a “reborn agency” that is ready to serve “in the nexus of finance, transparency and public affairs.”
Maria Jose Abad, a ten-year Qorvis veteran who has counseled consumer and corporate clients, will serve as COO of the independent firm.
Grace Fenstermaker will take on the managing partner–EMEA position based in Dubai, while CFO Ozkan Yilmaz will be stationed in Geneva.
Qorvis has provided PR services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since it took over crisis duties from Burson-Marsteller in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Saudi Arabia’s fees hit the $6.3M mark during the 12-month period ended Sept. 30, 2022.
The Mecca-based Muslim World League spent $2M at Qorvis during the same period.
Columbus-based Geben Communications has acquired New York’s LBR/PR, which handles professional services, consumer products, luxury and health/wellness clients.
FINN Partners has acquired Honner, a 25-member Sydney shop that serves the financial communications and corporate sectors. The move bolsters FINN’s APAC team to about 250 members.
Public Policy Holding Company has acquired London-based Tancredi Intelligent Communication for $10.8M, of which $9.6M is in cash and the balance in stock.
Infinite has acquired Greentarget UK B2B communications shop, a move that doubles its footprint in the London market.
Accenture has acquired Whalar, which had billed itself as the “world’s leading independent creator and social agency,” from Whalar Group.
