Weber Shandwick buys boutique PR agency Public City
Independent public relations agency Public City, owned and founded by Marie Najjar, is to join forces with multi-national agency Weber Shandwick after a buyout of the small consumer focused agency.
The deal announced this morning sees Najjar appointed director of the firm’s consumer practice with the staff at the boutique agency to be folded in to the broader Weber Shandwick group. The company declined to comment on the price paid for Public City.
“The decision to move my business into Weber Shandwick was not an easy one, but it is a tremendous opportunity for our Public City staff to be part of such a talented team, and for our clients to enjoy the advantages of a leading global, creative network,” said Najjar.
Najjar is former staffer of Weber Shandwick who is 2007 launched her own agency Public City, which caters to a variety of consumer electronics, media, travel, retail and fashion brands. In her new position of director of consumer practice she will report to Ava Lawler, managing director, Weber Shandwick Australia.
“Our Australian business has been growing at a tremendous pace, and bringing Marie and her Public City team on board will be a significant boost to our Consumer practice, and to our overall business in Australia,” said Lawler.
“Having worked with Marie in the past, I am confident that her unique talent, expertise and enthusiasm will be highly valued by our existing staff and clients.”
Nic Christensen
Well done Marie!
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Wow! Brilliant move, I remember you starting PC some years back, and look at this! Go girl!!!
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Congrats to all
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Amazing news!! I worked with Marie at Public City for just under 6 years. She was a brilliant mentor, with one of the smartest and creative PR minds in the business. Lucky Weber!
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