Clemenger Group NZ today announced the merger of its two
New Zealand-based specialist consulting firms: public
affairs and strategic communications firm GRC Partners and
public relations and reputation management agency Porter
Novelli.
Part of the Clemenger Group network of
companies, GRC Partners + Porter Novelli
will serve clients across a broad range of industries with a
single reference point for their public affairs, corporate
and financial communications needs, as well as
multi-disciplinary special projects.
Strengthening the
two agencies’ capabilities, experience, and strong
government and business networks, GRC Partners will be led
by Managing Partner Mark Watts. Brad Pogson will become the
firm’s first New Zealand partner. More than half of the
firm’s consultants are shareholders in the
Group.
GRC Partners + Porter Novelli will operate
offices in Auckland and Wellington, and will maintain its
existing, and deep connections throughout Australia via
GRACosway, Australia’s longest-standing public affairs and
corporate financial communications firm. The new firm will
also retain its connection to Porter Novelli
worldwide.
Managing Partner, Mark Watts says:
“For our clients, the establishment of GRC Partners +
Porter Novelli means one firm for expert advice in public
affairs, corporate and financial communications. For our
teams, it means greater collaboration and opportunities for
development, building on our existing cross-agency
partnership.
“I’m now looking forward to
leading GRC Partners + Porter Novelli, working closely with
Brad and the rest of our unified team, and to showing our
current and prospective clients what we can
offer.”
Current clients include NZX-listed
businesses, multinational brands and other companies drawn
from a diverse range of industry sectors in New Zealand,
Australia and beyond.
Clemenger Group New Zealand CEO,
Strahan Wallis says: “Together GRC Partners + Porter
Novelli will form a formidable force in government, public
and corporate communications. Clients will have access to
best-in-class consultancy services from a phenomenal team of
experts in Auckland, Wellington and beyond. This is one of
the best teams I’ve seen in many years, and I am excited
to see what they will deliver together.”
GRC
Partners + Porter Novelli has a trans-Tasman board, led by
Kirsten Mulley, CEO of GRACosway, who also serves as a
director of Clemenger
Group.
