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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.
Miami’s Newlink Group has acquired Italy’s EJ to strengthen its position in southern Europe, where it has offices in Madrid and Barcelona.
Hodges Partnership co-founders Jon Newman and Josh Dare are selling the Richmond-based firm to four senior VPs who will assume ownership of the shop over the next couple of years.
Interluxe Group, luxury experiential shop, and North & Warren digital-first media agency, have acquired Quinn, the strategic communications shop that services upscale brands.
H/Advisors Abernathy and FGS Global work Keurig Dr Pepper $18B deal to acquire coffee company JDE Peet's. The coffee brands will then be spun off as a separately traded public company.
Shamrock Capital has acquired Penta Group, stakeholder communications firm, from Falfurrias Management Partners.
