WPP – Conflicts of Interest Almost Inevitable Between Clients and Rival Brands
WPP counts over 400 agencies around the world under its corporate umbrella. That means that there are bound to be some conflicts looming between rival clients and brands that must be juggled between their advertising and PR interests. Recently the issues culminating from the hostile takeover bid of Unilever by Kraft Heinz was the latest, and one of the biggest. These two brands are the two largest in the global food industry. The two entities are also two of the largest advertisers worldwide.
According to The Financial Times, Kraft Heinz hired Finsbury, WPP’s financial PR agency, led by Roland Rudd, to help in that process … but the problem is… Unilever is the second largest advertiser with WPP. Finsbury, however, was removed from the Kraft advisory team once Unilever learned of their participation in the deal. Kraft then brought in Finsbury’s rival – FTI Consulting. An executive with WPP said, “When the chief executive of one or your biggest clients phones up and asks you to get out of the way, you generally don’t tell them where to go.”
Rosica Communications Offers Direct Campaigns Through Act-On
Act-On is an intuitive marketing automation platform being offered to clients of Rosica Communications for direct social and email marketing services and campaigns. Rosica specializes in thought leadership, content marketing, SEO, social media, and media relations. The new platform makes it easier for clients to measure integrated social media and email marketing campaigns used for sales, content marketing, influencer outreach, B2B communications, fundraising for nonprofits, influencer outreach, and tradeshow marketing.
Chris Rosica, president of the agency, said: “Act-On is a quality marketing automation tool with a robust analytics engine that will help our clients achieve their business objectives, while making our PR programs more measurable. This will aid us in better serving and supporting them to boost sales and reach influencers. This software is a solid adjunct to our current thought leadership, PR, and online marketing suite of services. We’ll also use Act-On for agency marketing.”
AMGA Picks Qorvis MSLGROUP as Agency for Public Relations
Transformation healthcare leader AMGA represents integrate health systems and multidisciplinary medical groups, and they recently signed an AOR with Qorvis MSLGROUP, the DC subsidiary of MSLGROUP, to provide assistance in building their premier healthcare brand. AMGA, a leading trade association, used to be known as American Medical Group Association. They empower, educate, innovate, and advocate for nearly 450 multi-specialty medical group members including 175,000 physicians. Some of their those in AMGA are Kaiser Permanente, the Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic.
According to Sharon Grace, VP Of PR for AMGA, “We wanted an agency with roots in the healthcare industry and were impressed by Qorvis MSLGROUP’s extensive experience working with associations and nonprofit healthcare organizations. Their work in thought leadership on healthcare delivery systems and health payment reform issues, in addition to their digital marketing expertise, will help us to better engage current members and support larger organizational objectives.”
Caroline Couillard Joins TACT as Senior Director
Caroline Couillard brings 20 years’ experience in PR, public affairs, and communications to her new position as senior director at TACT Intelligence-conseil. Couillard has been working out of Montreal at a PR firm specializing in corporate, financial, pharma, legal, and cooperative areas. She also worked as a press officer at a major law firm in their politics and PR areas training attorneys in communications.
TACT was founded in 2011 and has offices in Quebec City and Montreal. They offer PR, and services in government affairs and employ more than 50 professionals. Daniel Matte, co-founder of TACT, said: “Caroline brings a wide range of experience, knowledge, and contacts to TACT. Over the years, she has proven herself to be a valuable advisor to a number of organizations and public, parapublic, and private companies.”