Fleishman-Hillard and Bernard Hodes Partner for Full-Service UK Reputation and Talent Engagement Offering

LONDON, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleishman-Hillard and Bernard Hodes today announced a strategic partnership in the UK to create a more complete corporate reputation, brand and talent engagement offering across the full corporate and employer brand lifecycle.

The partnership will see Bernard Hodes in the UK operating as a Fleishman-Hillard company.  The two agencies will retain their individual identities and continue to offer their individual specialisms, as well as an extended dual offering.

Bernard Hodes in the UK is a market leader in employee branding, employee engagement and talent acquisition, and the agency's depth of expertise will complement Fleishman-Hillard's integrated communications and reputation capabilities. The partnership will strengthen the established expertise of both agencies, bridging a narrowing gap between corporate and consumer brand experience, through brand storytelling, talent engagement and reputation management across the spectrum of audiences and channels.

John Saunders, Fleishman-Hillard president for the EMEA region, said: "The increased role of employees in the building and management of reputation, and the growing synergy between the human resources and corporate communications agenda, has fuelled the move. With reputation increasingly a total boardroom issue, the combined capability means we can truly integrate and activate reputational campaigns across all stakeholder audiences."

Helen Rosethorn, CEO of Bernard Hodes in the UK, added: "Employees, both current and future, are pivotal to the building and communication of a company's narrative, brand and reputation and yet are often addressed as a siloed audience. Our partnership with Fleishman-Hillard provides us with an exciting opportunity to build deeper conversations with both our respective clients and to diversify into innovative, new areas."

About Bernard Hodes
Bernard Hodes UK is recognized as a leading provider of solutions in employer branding, talent engagement and attraction.  Known in particular for its intelligence and creativity and its commitment to bring people and brands together, it boasts a varied portfolio of UK and global clients - public, charity and private sector including a number of FTSE 100 companies. For more information visit the Bernard Hodes UK website at www.hodes.co.uk. It is part of the Bernard Hodes Global Network, the world's largest employer branding and recruitment communications group with 98 offices in 38 countries. Bernard Hodes is also part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Inc.

About Fleishman-Hillard
Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading strategic communications firms, has built its reputation on creating integrated solutions that deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America through its 80 owned offices. For more information, visit the Fleishman-Hillard website at www.fleishmanhillard.com. Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

SOURCE Fleishman-Hillard Inc.