The agency focused on building and protecting reputation will be led by Corey duBrowa, from BCW, and AnnaMaria DeSalva, from Hill & Knowlton
WPP announced the merger of its two largest communications agencies, Hill & Knowlton and BCW, to form Burson, a communications agency focused on building and protecting reputation.
To lead the new agency, Corey duBrowa, current global CEO of BCW, will also occupy the position of CEO of Burson while AnnaMaria DeSalva, global president and CEO of Hill & Knowlton, will take on the role of global chairman of the company.
“Together, as Burson, we will bring insights, expert strategic advice and technology solutions into a higher value offering for our clients to help them innovate and lead in today’s complex operating environment,” said the CEO.
According to WPP, Burson will begin operations on July 1, 2024 and the brand will be introduced later this year.
Also according to the holding, the new agency will take advantage of the talent base of both BCW and Hilll & Knowlton, in addition to global networks, investments in technology, creativity, public affairs and consulting specialties to boost reputation and create value for the clients.
The combination of Hill & Knowlton and BCW is highly synergistic, creating a partner for business leaders focused on business growth, risk management and reputation capital. Our work demonstrates that strategic communication, elevated by creativity, is a primary force for creating sustainable value, highlighted AnnaMaria DeSalva.
Burson has more than 6,000 employees in 43 global markets and is named after the late Harold Burson, founding figure of modern public relations and strategic communications.
Harold Burson firmly believed that actions are stronger than words and established honesty, transparency, integrity and excellence as the guiding principles of his business. These principles are Burson’s core ideals, upon which we will set the standard for modern communications through our AI-powered innovation pipeline,” said Corey duBrowa.
Burson’s leadership team will be comprised of a group of former communications directors and other senior agency executives from both companies. Appointments will be announced throughout 2024.
The new agency will support a client list that includes more than half of the Fortune 100 companies in corporate and public affairs, healthcare, technology and brand marketing.
Hill & Knowlton and BCW are two high-performing companies with complementary strengths, shared ambitions and many shared customers. I’m so happy to see the Burson brand brought back to unite them. The new agency will be the standard-bearer for the most modern, strategic, technology-driven and full-service communications offering in the industry, concluded Mark Read, CEO of WPP.
