Hill and Knowlton expands operations to East Africa in joint venture with Scangroup

The new company, Hill & Knowlton East Africa Ltd, builds on H&K's already strong representation in Africa and further extends the agency's ability to serve its rapidly expanding client interests in African countries.

Paul Taaffe, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hill & Knowlton said, "Hill & Knowlton has historically pioneered the development of international public relations and has been an early entrant into several international markets. We believe that Africa is perhaps the last great emerging market opportunity globally, and both our international client base as well as domestic clients in key African markets are seeing strong growth as well as rapid and positive change."

"While 2009 sees turmoil in some global markets, all the indicators are very positive for Africa and we will be there to guide and advise clients who want to capitalise on the many opportunities on this growing continent," Taaffe added.

Hill & Knowlton East Africa Ltd will cover Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and will be headquartered in Nairobi. The creation of the company follows the acquisition of 27.5% in the ScanGroup by WPP in 2008. The company will begin operations at the beginning of May 2009.

Dave Robinson, CEO Middle East, Turkey & Africa for Hill & Knowlton said, "The launch of H&K East Africa is an important step in the expansion of our African network. Our focus is on building on and further developing our regional strengths within the African continent that both reflect and adapt to that diversity and provide our clients with appropriate resources, insight and expertise. H&K East Africa will provide us with an important platform for the East African region which we believe will show strong growth in the coming years."

Under the arrangement, Scangroup's existing PR business will run under the joint venture, and all current public relations consultancy work being undertaken by Scanad PR will in future be offered under the H&K East Africa brand. The company will offer full service public relations advice to clients and will benefit from being part of one of East Africa's most prominent marketing communications groups.

Bharat Thakrar, CEO of Scangroup commented, "We are delighted to extend our collaboration with WPP further with the establishment of H&K East Africa. The East African market is strong and set for a bright future, and our strategy to bring the best of breed brands from across the communications and marketing spectrum to the region is enhanced further with this new joint venture."

"H&K is one of the most well known and well established PR companies in the world and its unrivalled expertise, extensive network and innovation in public relations best practice will ensure that standards are raised across East Africa and that clients benefit from truly world class advice and support," Thakrar added.