FleishmanHillard Middle East, part of the Omnicom Group, has become part of the Impact BBDO MENA group of companies. Impact BBDO, has operated in the region for more than 45 years and is also part of Omnicom. It says the move, which takes place in the Middle East only, means FleishmanHillard Middle East can meet client needs in the MENA region on a larger scale, and can give clients access to the full-scale integrated creative services housed within the Impact BBDO group of companies.
The FleishmanHillard team in the UAE will move to Dubai’s Emirates Towers, where it will collaborate with the other Impact BBDO group companies, including Impact Proximity, Impact Plus, Impact Porter Novelli and Impact BBDO.
Dani Richa, chairman and CEO of BBDO Middle East & Africa, said: “We are excited to have FleishmanHillard join the Impact BBDO group of companies, as it broadens the range of services we can offer our clients across the region. FleishmanHillard Middle East and its clients will benefit from the collaboration opportunities within the Impact BBDO group of companies, and we will now be able to give clients the choice of working with two of the world’s most respected communications brands, FleishmanHillard Middle East and Impact Porter Novelli, with all the expertise and access to global markets that they bring.”
As part of the move, there will be “natural synergies and collaboration between the FleishmanHillard Middle East and the Impact Porter Novelli teams,” said Impact BBDO in a statement. Across the region they will employ more than 50 communications professionals. As with the similar moves undertaken by Omnicom Public Relations Group in other markets around the world, the individual brands will continue to exist but the economies of scale of combining resources will “ensure both a continued high-quality service for existing clients while simultaneously providing access to more resources and services across the region”.
Lucy O’Brien, general manager and Partner of FleishmanHillard Middle East, said: “Our team is thrilled by the move and the potential it brings us to build the FleishmanHillard brand in the Middle East and Africa, as well as the benefits of giving our clients access to integrated creative services under one roof.”
