FleishmanHillard and Fishburn merge UK operations

FleishmanHillard has agreed to merge its UK operations with that of fellow Omnicom PR agency Fishburn.

This will result in the creation of a new London-based entity called FleishmanHillard Fishburn, which will employ more than 200 people, with an estimated annual fee income of between 25 million and 30 million pounds.

The new name will be used from the beginning of 2016, with Jim Donaldson, current managing director of FleishmanHillard's UK operations, to become chief executive of the new agency, while Fishburn agency head Ali Gee becomes his deputy.

It is expected that the merger will result in the combined organisation becoming one of the top ten PR agencies in the UK.

Mr Donaldson told PRWeek: "The synergies between our two agencies are obvious – we bring our fabulous global network to Fishburn and they bring a great track record and an excellent team to enhance our offer in London."

FleishmanHillard's key clients include SAP, Tata Consulting Services, Danone Nutricia, Starwood Hotels and Philips, while Fishburn represents Shell, EE, Virgin Trains, Gatwick Airport, AB Sugar, Lendlease and G4S.