Finn Partners. 5WPR and WPP Company News Roundups
Chad Belisario has been appointed Vice President of FINN Partners’ US travel practice. Previously, he held leadership roles at 5WPR, Evins Communications, Parasol Marketing, and Millennium Hotels and Resorts. At FINN, Belisario co-leads the West Coast luxury travel team and manages accounts such as Habacoa in the Bahamas, Hapuna Estates in Hawaii, and Montage Hotels and Resorts in Montana, Utah, and South Carolina. Jennifer Hawkins, FINN Partners managing partner, praised Belisario for continuously expanding his expertise in the evolving travel industry and embracing new challenges.
5WPR has been named a 2024 Spring Global Award winner and a 2024 Spring Clutch Champion by Clutch, a top global marketplace for B2B service providers. These awards highlight 5W’s industry expertise, determined by client feedback on Clutch. Clutch, visited by over a million business leaders monthly, helps businesses find trusted agency partners through in-depth client interviews. Clutch has been recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company for six years and one of the fastest-growing private companies in the DC metro area by the Washington Business Journal in 2023.
WPP reported mixed results for its PR firms, including Burson, FGS Global, and Ogilvy, with a 1.5% revenue rise in Q2 2024 but a 0.9% dip in the first half of the year. FGS Global showed double-digit growth, but this was offset by Burson’s losses due to Pfizer’s business exit and reduced client spending amid economic and political uncertainty. Overall, WPP’s PR division saw a 3.3% decline in Q1 but a 1.4% growth for the year. WPP’s LFL revenue dropped 1% to £5.5 billion. WPP’s Mark Read highlighted investments in AI and company restructuring while moderating full-year expectations due to challenges in China and project-related businesses.
LDPR has been named the agency of record for Orient Express Italy. The agency will handle all PR efforts, including media relations and influencer strategies, for Orient Express Italy and the launches of La Dolce Vita Orient Express and two new hotels: Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice. The La Dolce Vita Orient Express, an exclusive train journey featuring eight “Made in Italy” itineraries, will begin in spring 2025. The train offers an intimate experience with 12 carriages accommodating up to 62 passengers.
