Fleishman-Hillard Takes Majority Interest in Leading Moscow Consultancy; Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard to Serve as Hub in CIS Countries

MOSCOW, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleishman-Hillard Inc., the St. Louis-headquartered global communications network, has raised its stake in Moscow-based Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard to a majority interest. Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard will also serve as a hub for growth in the CIS region.

Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard, a joint venture created by Fleishman-Hillard Inc. and Vanguard PR in 2007, has achieved double-digit growth year on year. Today it is one of the leading communication consultancies in Russia, and its client base includes leading multinationals as well as prominent Russian companies and institutions spanning the broad spectrum of commerce, industry and government.

Fleishman-Hillard President and CEO Dave Senay said the deepening of the firm's relationship with Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard is a clear reflection of the confidence in its leadership and the long-term growth of the Russian economy.

"In General Director Elena Fadeeva and her team, we have great partners with whom to achieve our growth objectives," Senay said. "Under her leadership, Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard has met the growing needs of our clients to build their brands and strengthen their reputations in this important part of the world. As a mark of their success, Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard has outperformed the Russian PR market year on year over the past three years.

"Russia's place amongst the BRIC countries is firmly established, and we are committed to increasing our presence in these countries. We expect Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard to become a hub for the future expansion of our interests in Russia and the CIS," he added.

Ms. Fadeeva said the partnership with Fleishman-Hillard enabled Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard to bring to the markets in Russia and CIS a potent blend of local knowledge and experience and Fleishman-Hillard's international expertise and renowned corporate culture. 

"Our team of best-in-class communications professionals has proved its ability to provide high-level consulting services and communications solutions to clients spread across a variety of sectors and disciplines," she said. "Since forming the joint venture with Fleishman-Hillard, our turnover has more than doubled. We expect to continue growing as we extend our footprint within the region."

Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard offers counsel in all the major communications practice areas. These offerings include public affairs, corporate reputation management, financial and marketing communications, technology, and healthcare, all integrated with digital and social media capabilities. 

John Saunders, Fleishman-Hillard regional president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, joins the board of Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard. Lucien Vallun, Fleishman-Hillard regional director and senior partner for Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East, continues as chairman. Olivier Beheydt, Fleishman-Hillard EMEA chief operating officer; Elena Fadeeva, general director, Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard; and Sofia Kuryan, financial director, Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard, remain the other board members.

Ms. Fadeeva is current chairperson of the Russian Association of Communications Consultancies (AKOS) and head of the Communications Group of Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. She is also a special education program leader at the Department of Philosophy, Moscow State University, and a professor at the Higher School of Economics University. 

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 fleishmanhillard.com.

Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (omnicomgroup.com). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, interactive, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to more than 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard is a joint venture created in December 2007 by Fleishman-Hillard and Vanguard PR, a Russian communications consultancy founded in Moscow in 1993. Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard is a founding member of the Association of Communication Consultancies (country member of the International Communications Consultancies Organization).  The agency is also actively involved in work for the Russian PR Association, Association of European Businesses, Russian Association of Managers and Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.  www.fhv.ru 

SOURCE Fleishman-Hillard Inc.