Welcoming Burson: A Global Communications Powerhouse for Modern Leadership

To redefine the landscape of PR and modern communications, WPP has announced the alliance of its two notable agencies, Hill & Knowlton and BCW, giving rise to the birth of Burson. This newly-formed, full-service communications agency will be operational from July 1, 2024 and is poised to be an industry leader in building and safeguarding reputations globally.

Corey duBrowa, the current global CEO of BCW, will take the helm as the global CEO of Burson, while AnnaMaria DeSalva, the current global chairman and CEO of Hill & Knowlton, will be the global chairman to steer the agency's strategy, client service, employee experience, and culture together. 

The agency will have over 6,000 employees in 43 markets worldwide, and aims to leverage the strengths of both Hill & Knowlton and BCW to provide interdisciplinary solutions demanded by clients today. Its immediate focus will be on navigating the complexities of stakeholder communications in an ever-changing environment. 

Burson is built on the foundational principles of honesty, transparency, integrity, and excellence, epitomizing Harold Burson's enduring legacy. Furthermore, the agency plans to set a new standard for modern communications through its AI-first innovation pipeline. The merger also positions Burson at the forefront of sectors driving innovation and economic growth, including healthcare and technology.

According to PRWeek’s Agency Business Report 2023, Burson is said to be the largest PR agency in the world by revenue adding H&K's $455 million in 2022 revenue to BCW's $812 million to create a $1.27 billion-in-revenue network, pushing Edelman to the No. 2 position globally. 

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “Hill & Knowlton and BCW are two high-performing businesses with complementary strengths, shared ambitions and many shared clients. I am delighted to see the Burson brand brought back to unite them. The new agency will be the standard bearer as the most modern, strategic, technology-driven, full-service communications offer in the industry.”

The new agency will serve a prestigious client roster, encompassing more than half of the Fortune 100 across various sectors. Following this, GCI Health and AxiCom will also remain as specialized brands within Burson, offering healthcare and technology communications expertise at scale.