Former HSBC executives launch new financial comms agency, Via
Former HSBC communications executives, Tala Booker and Dan Fitzpatrick, have left the business to start their own financial communications agency, Via.
The announcement:
Two executive corporate affairs veterans from HSBC will look to disrupt the international financial marketing and communications industry with the launch of their new agency, Via.
Specialising in strategic reputation advisory, news and content, Via will support the finance ecosystem – including banks, venture capital, private equity, insurers and asset managers – with their cross-border communications and brand building needs in both Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Via is founded by Tala Booker and Dan Fitzpatrick – who are both leaving executive communications postings at HSBC after 12 years.
The duo will have HSBC as their anchor client including being appointed the lead global communications firm for further building the profile of ‘HSBC Innovation Banking’, the global bank’s new subsidiary brand focused on banking tech and new economy businesses, which was launched in mid-June. The portfolio includes brand building, reputation and content across the UK, Hong Kong, Israel and the US.
Talking about Via’s geographic emphasis, Dan shared: “Asia and the Middle East’s economic growth is incredible, but the two regions remain largely unknown and misunderstood to many in the west. Yet through this complexity will come opportunity, and we want to help firms enter and navigate these markets with impactful brand building, commercialisation strategies and razor-sharp content.”
Tala added: “Via will be laser focused on firms across the finance spectrum who are seeking capital raising, investment, and business expansion across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Via will act as the connector for western firms in these dynamic markets.”
The two leave HSBC where they have helmed several of the bank’s most prominent positions. They bring together complementary passions of strategic advisory and content generation.
Tala’s been managing director and global head of communications for commercial banking for HSBC Holdings plc, where she’s led the successful launch of HSBC Innovation Banking – propelling the bank into the innovation ecosystem; the bank’s visibility programme in China; the navigation of major geopolitical and ESG issues; and designed several of its marquee global campaigns for its Commercial Banking business.
Dan led the set-up of the bank’s global internationalism thematic. As head of communications for HSBC Singapore and more recently Australia, he has built the bank’s South and Southeast Asian thought leadership programme globally where it dominated the earned share of voice amongst all international banks. Prior to HSBC, he held several roles across other banking and insurance sectors.
In moving from in-house to agency, Dan explained: “I entered communications because I loved finding and telling the story. Starting Via brings me closer to this passion, and I’m thrilled to be doing this with Tala. We’ve been working together for 12 years. Whilst we bring different skill sets, we have always converged in our energy and grit for driving results for the businesses we support and our teams.”
Commenting on Via’s debut, Tala said: “We feel the sharpness of our sector and geographic focus is a gap in the market. When you combine that with our cross-border communications experience, high-touch advisory and sector knowledge, Via brings a unique point of difference. We’re here to disrupt the finance agency landscape with our unmatched dynamism and ability to bring commercial impact for our clients.”
Source: Via
