SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allison+Partners announced today that it has finalized all legal proceedings in China to acquire the clients and employees of Century PR. The transaction is part of the agency’s expansion throughout Asia, with further offices in China and Southeast Asia planned through 2015.
Century PR was established in 2010 by Jerry Zhu, Richard Zhang and Jackie Zhang with an emphasis on B2B and corporate communications for clients such as Honeywell, Reed, Happy Life and CITIC Group. Comprising 15 professionals in its offices in Beijing and Shanghai, Allison+Partners and Century PR partnered in 2013 on mutual clients and business development, winning accounts such as Emerson Climate Technologies and STULZ.
At this time all current clients and former employees of Century PR have been integrated into Allison+Partners’ core business and alongside the Global China Practice managed by David Wolf. Launched in January of last year, the Global China Practice advises Chinese and Western companies across industries on new market entry, corporate positioning, issues management and integrated communications campaigns.
“From the first moment we met Jerry and his team, we felt the chemistry and culture of Century PR dovetailed exactly with our own business philosophy and cultural touch points,” said Andy Hardie-Brown, co-founder and COO of Allison+Partners. “We are perfectly aligned in our vision for building a global PR firm that sets new standards for quality of work and return on investment for clients. Winning business together throughout 2013 transcended proof of concept and created a strong platform for growth in 2014. We are seeing huge opportunities to accelerate the expansion of our global footprint. Our model is simple: If you hire the most talented professionals delivering the best work in the industry, client demand will remain strong.”
With the transition process now complete, Chinese and regional multinational clients will benefit from the increased resources available within Allison+Partners’ worldwide network of 14 offices.
“We’re thrilled to join one of the fastest growing agencies in the industry,” said Jerry Zhu, managing director for Allison+Partners in Beijing. “Their dedication to client service and collaborative culture resonate with the philosophy we have been upholding. Our integration will fuel growth and bring additional resources to clients.”
Prior to joining Allison+Partners, Mr. Zhu held senior positions at several international communications agencies including PPR, FleishmanHillard, Hill & Knowlton and Manning Selvage & Lee. He served as a core team member of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, providing counsel and crisis management for the government agency. Mr. Zhu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Nanjing University of International Studies and a postgraduate diploma in Marketing from Beijing University.
About Allison+Partners
Allison+Partners, an MDC Partners company, is a global communications firm driven by a collaborative approach to innovation and creativity. The firm is organized around seven practices: Consumer Marketing, Corporate, Global China Practice, Health + Wellness, Public Affairs, Social Impact, and Technology + Digital Media and has offices in San Francisco, New York, London, Beijing, Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and Dallas. The company has a 50-state grassroots network and deep affiliations with quality firms worldwide through MDC Partners (NASDAQ: MDCA, Toronto Stock Exchange: MDZ.A), a progressive marketing and communications network, championing the most innovative entrepreneurial talent. Visit us at: www.allisonpr.com or m.allisonpr.com.
