What’s going on at MWWPR, Child’s Play Communications, Weber Shandwick, and Teneo Holdings
Evan Bayh’s Residency
Evan Bayh, former senator, governor, and secretary of state in Indiana, has been criticized recently for being a Washington insider – and while he denies it, Paul Tencher, Bayh’s campaign manager, is a senior vice president of MWW PR – an insider Democrat PR firm with DC offices – while attempting to convince Indiana voters of Bayh’s sincerity. He took a break from that job to work on the campaign. MMWPR, the company Tencher works for, lists lobbying as one of their services; they make millions of dollars from it. It is owned and operated by Michael Kempner, a major Hillary Clinton fundraiser.
Family Tech Expo
Child’s Play Communications launched the first Kids’ and Family Tech Expo at Conta Studios in New York City on September 13th. Tech products like smart toys, wearables, and baby products were shown to local and national press. The Expo gave makers of tech toys the opportunity to engage directly with media and others who influence buying decisions in a relaxed environment. Brands included Galxyz, Hamilton Buhl, Kinsa, Lansinoh, Learnique, Nam, Ozobot, PlayPointe, Primo Toys, SmartX, Spin Master, and Tynker.
Weber Shandwick Acquires Flipside
Weber Shandwick acquired the UK mobile agency Flipside. The buy bolsters the firm’s content marketing and digital capabilities. Former owner Marcus Dyer launched Flipside in 2013. Since then, he grew it to 35 people who designed and developed mobile apps and experiences for Diageo, Visa, GSK, Doddle, Nurofen, and others.
Teneo Holding’s Value
Declan Kelly, Irish businessman and brother of Labor Party TD and former minister Alan Kelly, may see his company stock market IPO go up to $1 billion. Teneo Holdings is a consulting firm set up in 2011 by Kelly, Paul Keary, and former Bill Clinton adviser Douglas Band. There are several reasons for the high evaluation It took over PSG Communications in July, bringing their total to 575 employees around the world. PSG had former Ireland and Lions rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll as its sports division advisor. Other advisors were Senator George Mitchell, and former British foreign secretary William Hague. Teneo already had tennis legend Billie Jean King and Northern Ireland golfer Graeme McDowell.
Monthly retainer fees are up to $300,000 and Xerox Corp and Coca-Cola are on its list of nearly 500 clients. The Wall Street Journal says that Teneo could go public next year. There could also be a merger with another firm or the sale of some of Teneo’s divisions.
