Omnicom has revealed plans to restructure its international
technology PR network Brodeur Porter Novelli, bringing key operations
under the Brodeur brand.
The rejig coincides with Omnicom’s buy-out of UK hi-tech agency A Plus
(PR Week, 3 October). A Plus will be known as Brodeur A Plus from the
beginning of next year, while German sister agency Kohtes and Klewes
will change its name to Brodeur Kohtes and Klewes.
The new technology unit of Omnicom’s Australian PR agency Turnbull
Porter Novelli will be rebranded as Brodeur Technology.
Brodeur Porter Novelli is a subsidiary of Porter Novelli International,
which is in turn owned by Omnicom.
The consolidation of agency arrangements includes the establishment of a
new global executive team for Brodeur Porter Novelli, with senior
managers taking on regional roles. Mike Copland, currently group
managing director of A Plus will become managing director, Europe,
Middle East and Africa.
The other two members with regional responsibilities are Andrea Carney,
who becomes managing director North America, and Peter Connell as
managing director, Asia-Pacific.
A Plus director Stan Woods also gets a place on the executive team, with
specific responsibility for strategy development.
Brodeur Porter Novelli, which becomes the hi-tech umbrella group for
Omnicom, has also signed new affiliation deals with five agencies in
China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.The agency now has a
network of 18 affiliated agencies in countries from Colombia to
Israel.
’Companies needing worldwide technology PR support had two choices until
now,’ said Brodeur Porter Novelli chief executive John Brodeur. ’They
could either manage several good smaller agencies to get worldwide
coverage, or hope the global brand name PR players with limited
technology expertise could do the job.’
