Ruder Finn has acquired the nine-year-old China operations of Kyodo PR, its Japan-based partner.
The new RF Kyodo includes offices in Shanghai and Beijing and builds on a base of Japanese clients operating in the Chinese market. RF Asia chair Jean-Michel Dumont noted "geo-political and economic challenges" afoot between China and Japan have created challenges for corporations carrying out business in the two counties.
RF vet Jefferson Hou is general manager.
RF, which has operated in China for 25 years, in October bought the Asia operations of London-based SharpeLankester and set up RF Thunder Hong Kong and Beijing operations earlier this year from its 2011 acquisition of Thunder communications.

Businesses operating in today’s fragmented global landscape face increasingly complex challenges, underscoring the crucial role they play in achieving meaningful impact.
Edelman is providing communications support to Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries under an agreement capped at $97,100 per month.
Ballard Partners has recruited State Department veteran Matt Bryza as a senior policy advisor.
Teneo has extended its contract with the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation for an additional four months to July 31, adding another $1.8M in fees to the New York firm’s coffers.
The Syrian Kurdish militia recruits Jim Dornan Strategies to press Congress for continued support in their battle against ISIS and Syrian president Bashar Assad.



