Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] announced that it has acquired 100% of Qorvis Communications, one of the most respected independent public relations firms in the United States. The agency will become part of MSLGROUP, Publicis Groupe’s strategic communications and engagement network.
Counting over 80 professionals and based in Washington, D.C. Qorvis will greatly increase MSLGROUP’s presence in the important market. Founded in 2000 by Managing Partner Michael Petruzzello, Qorvis counts numerous high-profile sovereign nations, organizations and global brands among its clients, such as AAMCO, Cisco Systems, The Mayo Clinic, The United States Institute for Peace and the American Pharmacists Association. While much of the firm’s work is in public affairs, it also offers strong social and digital and is known for its seamless, fully integrated approach.
Qorvis’ ties to numerous governments in emerging markets strengthen an important dimension of MSLGROUP’s world-class global network that is already recognized as the largest of its kind in Asia, India, China and Europe.
The combined MSLGROUP and Qorvis operations in Washington, D.C. will operate under the name of Qorvis MSLGROUP with Petruzzello as President. He will also be the agency’s North America Practice Director of Public Affairs and will report to Renee Wilson, President of MSLGROUP North America.
“The acquisition of Qorvis allows us to bring our clients around the world important new relationships and capabilities inside the Beltway and beyond,” said Renee Wilson, President, of MSLGROUP North America.
Michael Petruzzello added, “Today, markets and capitols are more closely linked than ever. Issues no longer recognize national boundaries and the capability to manage issues and reputation demands global reach. With MSLGROUP, we will be able to expand the limits of what we can do for our clients around the world.”
“This acquisition makes us much stronger in Washington D.C., and a highly engaged player in top economic, public affairs and government issues on the global stage,” said Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MSLGROUP.
Qorvis’ exceptional corporate and public affairs offerings align well with other best-in-class consultancies that Publicis Groupe has brought into the MSLGROUP network, including the JKL Group in the Nordics and Brussels, CNC in Germany and Kekst & Company in the U.S. Additionally, MSLGROUP’s agency PublicisLive has long been the producer for the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Qorvis MSLGROUP: A New Powerhouse in Washington, DC
1. A New Powerhouse
in Washington
PUBLICIS GROUPE'S ACQUISITION OF QORVIS COMMUNICATIONS CREATES A STRONG PRESENCE FOR MSLGROUP IN THE U.S. CAPITOL CITY.
TOP 5
Great brands in consumer marketing, financial
services, health, media and technology
A
AGENCY
120+
in the Washington,
DC Market.
STAFF MEMBERS
Renowned
Experts
CLIENTS
U.S. Federal Budget
U.S. Health Policy
Current
MSLGROUP
location
3
international in scope,
including global corporations
and sovereign governments
Political Campaigns and
Digital Strategies
Environmental/Green
Strategies
Government Contracting
Insights and Research
White House and U.S. Congress
U.S. Capitol
4
+50% of the client base is
Assignments that Make the World Take Notice
Street
Knowledge
inside the Beltway*
Qorvis Location and New
Home of the Combined
Qorvis MSLGROUP office
2
Defense,
Energy,
Health and IT
Middle East
U.S. State Department and
Public Diplomacy
1
Strong track record in
White House
Reinventing the News Media
In August 2013, Qorvis launched Al Jazeera America. Qorvis’
relationship with Al Jazeera began when Stan Collender got a
call that the Middle Eastern network was about to purchase Al
Gore’s Current TV. Starting then, Collender and the Qorvis team
worked non-stop preparing for the launch of Al Jazeera America,
which is competing with CNN, FOX and MSNBC as an all-news
network in the U.S., though with fewer commercial interruptions
than its competitors. This allows Al Jazeera to practice longerform television journalism in the style of the BBC.
*based on strong working
relationships past & present
Rethinking Healthcare
5
British Embassy
6
Royal Embassy
of Saudi Arabia
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation engaged MSLGROUP in
2005 to help rethink the future of the U.S. health care system.
MSLGROUP advances RWJF’s signature effort to lift the overall
quality of health care in targeted communities across the
country, provide models to propel national reform, and identify
new ways to pay for care. The agency also helps establish
credibility around emerging concepts such as Positive Health
and launch ground-breaking reports on the U.S. health care
system.
5
13
2
7
6
PhRMA
Headquarters
8
American
Chemistry
Council
4 10 7
9
Energizing Thought Leadership
Cisco hired Qorvis to support its public-sector public relations
efforts by driving thought leadership with key customers and
influencers in the intelligence, defense and civilian
communities. To accomplish this, Qorvis has been executing an
aggressive plan to ensure Cisco is top of mind with key
stakeholders through media, speaking engagements, videos,
awards and events. Qorvis has been effective in exceeding
Cisco’s goals.
3
Keep
America
Beautiful
9
11
1 14
8 12
12
Association for
Professionals in Infection
Control and Epidemiology
Building a Powerful Online Resource
10
American Institute
of Certified Public
Accountants
13
American Institute
for Cancer Research
11
United States
Institute for Peace
14
Forum for
Collaborative HIV
Research
Qorvis created MexicoToday.org, an initiative to help promote a
positive image of Mexico. It’s a leading-edge portal to keep
audiences from around the world informed about the latest on
the Mexican economy, tourism, culture and environment, as well
as Mexican and world news.
Strong Relationships with Policymakers, Diplomats and Governments
Mexico
Great
Britain
United
States
France
Egypt
Bahrain
Slovakia
Kingdom
of
Saudi Arabia
The Republic
of
Cyprus
Kurdistan
Regional
Government
of Iraq
Equatorial
Guinea
Fiji
Sri Lanka
China