Weber Shandwick and McCann PR Merge to Expand Industry-Leading Offering in South Africa 

JOHANNESBURG, 2 October 2014 – Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global public relations firms, today announced the significant strengthening of its offering in South Africa as the firm’s sister agency, McCann PR, merges with Weber Shandwick in a move to deepen collaboration and expertise in this important and growing market.

Weber Shandwick Acquires Prime, Leading Creative PR Firm in Europe

“Weber Shandwick has for a long time recognized the potential and vast opportunities that lie within Africa, highlighted not only by this growth in our South African presence, but by our longstanding and leading network in the region spanning 15 sub-Saharan markets,” said Jack Leslie, chairman of Weber Shandwick. “This new collaboration will strengthen our current business, and unite the deep talent across our teams to produce the best, most innovative solutions for our clients.”

 

Weber Shandwick offers deep expertise in integrated PR, digital and marketing solutions, in addition to a reputation steeped in understanding of the local market, the legacy of an advertising heritage spanning nearly 60 years in South Africa.

Africa is home to many of the world’s fastest-growing markets and one of the most exciting business environments for the communications sector. This great step gives us an even more robust springboard across the continent. We look forward to providing clients with an even stronger offering.

Colin Byrne

CEO of Weber Shandwick in EMEA

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries. The firm’s diverse team of thinkers, strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work, including being honoured as a 2014 Ad Age A-List Agency, The Holmes Report’s 2014 Global Agency of the Year, and winning 23 Cannes Lions together with its Prime unit since 2009. Weber Shandwick was also named PRWeek’s International Consultancy of the Year and The Holmes Report’s Best Healthcare Consultancy in the World in 2013, in addition to earning numerous best place to work accolades. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate social responsibility, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit https://www.webershandwick.com/.