Ex-BSMG staff set up Four Communications

A group of senior ex-BSMG staff led by industry veteran Nan

Williams this week launched a new agency, Four Communications.

The agency's formal launch is planned at next week's PRWeek Forum, but

it has already acquired specialist CSR agency Synapse Communication,

with a pledge to acquire further shops in the next year.

Synapse founder Tim Lewis becomes a partner in Four, alongside former

BSMG Worldwide CEO Williams, ex-BSMG and Countrywide Porter Novelli

director Ray Eglington, and independent consultant Einir Williams.

The agency claims to have specialisms in corporate and brand reputation,

crisis and issues comms, CSR and internal communications.

According to Nan Williams the agency will look to acquire two new

capabilities in the first half of 2002, with PA, sponsorship and

editorial capabilities targeted. She said creating these divisions would

involve both acquisition of agencies and hiring of staff.

Four has been funded by the partners, along with chairman and ex-Ketchum

MD Christopher O'Donoghue.

The partners bring their own clients to the firm, having acted for them

as solo practitioners - the list now includes Shell's Better Britain

campaign, Kia Cars, and Northcliffe Electronic Publishing.

Williams said she and Eglington were still bound by non-compete clauses

following their departures from BSMG earlier this year (PRWeek, 1

December 2000).