PR News
Celia Harding

LEOPRD extends global reach with EMEA partnership

Sydney-based LEO (Language Engine Optimisation advisory), LEOPRD, has signed an exclusive EMEA partnership with global communications firm, The Remarkables, to launch its services in the region.

Under the agreement, The Remarkables will distribute LEOPRD's proprietary expertise and methodology across the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa, while LEOPRD will gain access to a network of more than 50 senior consultants spanning various markets and specialities, including campaigning, purpose and ESG, cybersecurity, and crisis and issues management.

Founder of LEOPRD, Celia Harding, said the team is already working with multinational consumer and B2B brands across Europe, uncovering significant blind spots in their AI visibility.

"This partnership allows us to scale that first-to-market framework globally, helping brands audit their presence, benchmark competitors, and build strategies to improve how they show up in AI responses," she said. 

Kerry Parkin, founder of The Remarkables, said: "Across every industry, leaders are asking how AI is shaping the way their brands are seen and understood.

"Partnering with LEOPRD allows us to answer that question with a robust methodology, giving communications a new level of clarity and measurability. We are investing behind this partnership because we believe LEO/GEO will become as fundamental to marketing and reputation management as SEO once was, and we want to help our clients lead that change.”

LEOPRD has also announced the appointment Caroline Page as PR Director. Caroline brings more than 15 years of international experience across multiple sectors including blockchain, cryptocurrency, government, entertainment and technology. She was recently Head of Communications at Virtually Human Studio, a Web3 entertainment company. As part of her role, she will lead LEO strategy for Australian startups, scaleups and enterprise brands.

Commenting on Caroline's appointment, Celia mentioned that she brings tech expertise that will define the next era of communications. 

"She joins at a time when the lines between reputation, relevance, and retrieval are blurring. Having her join the team means we can keep setting the standard for how brands are found and trusted in the digital age.”

(Pictured: Celia Harding)

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Burson
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Burson to welcome new Corporate Affairs Head

Jonty Summers (pictured) will start a new role at Burson as Head of Corporate Affairs in Dubai at the end of June. He joins from Hanover, where he spent ten years as Regional Managing Director, establishing and running Hanover's advisory business in the Middle East.

“We are thrilled to welcome a leader of Jonty’s calibre to our team,” said Fouad Bou Mansour, CEO, MENAT, Burson.

“In a region as dynamic and fast-paced as the Middle East, clients require senior counsellors who combine a deep, nuanced understanding of the region with a proven track record of delivering results. Jonty embodies this. He has over 20 years of experience providing strategic, C-suite-level counsel to top-tier organisations, helping them navigate challenges, growth, and transformation. His expertise will be a tremendous asset, and I am confident he will play a pivotal role in continuing to elevate our corporate offering and helping our clients win in this complex environment.”

Jonty's career includes senior leadership roles at Edelman, where he was Senior Vice President for corporate practice across the Middle East. Prior to this, Jonty was Managing Director at Bladonmore in London, before transferring to Abu Dhabi in 2009. He began his career as a journalist and then worked in publishing in London.

"Having spent my career helping organisations build and protect their reputations through periods of transformation, growth and change, I am excited to join Burson as it continues to grow and evolve its offering across the Middle East,” said Jonty.

“This is one of the world’s most dynamic and strategically important regions, and organisations here face both extraordinary opportunities and increasingly complex operating environments. Burson's sector expertise, global reach and local relevance position it exceptionally well to help clients navigate, lead and grow in this breathtakingly disruptive landscape." 

DDB
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DDB Group Philippines becomes GGC Group Asia

DDB Group Philippines has rebranded as GGC Group Asia following the retirement of the DDB brand globally by parent company Omnicom Group after its acquisition of Interpublic Group.

The agency group, which has operated as DDB's affiliate in the Philippines since 1992, will continue to operate independently while maintaining access to Omnicom's global marketing communications tools and resources as needed.

Chairman and CEO Gil G. Chua (pictured) said the rebrand marks a new chapter for the business while recognising its longstanding partnership with DDB Worldwide and Omnicom Group.

As part of the transition, DDB Philippines has been renamed Velocity+, DDB MNL becomes Alab MNL, and Tribal Worldwide Philippines will now operate as The Tribe. Other agencies within the group, including Optimax Communications, Agile Intelligence, Ripple8, Touch XDA, and Bent and Buzz, will retain their existing brands.

The rebrand also brings together several sister companies from the FCT Group under the GGC Group Asia umbrella, including FOSA, Caishen, Track Mnl, Xpress Move, Strawberry Jam, and PhilMovers.

According to the company, the group now comprises 14 companies across 18 locations nationwide with more than 7,500 employees. It added that the transition will not affect leadership, client relationships, talent, contracts, or ongoing operations. 

North
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North Seventy Five sets up Abu Dhabi operations

Paritee-backed North Seventy Five has expanded its operations into Abu Dhabi. The move marks a pivotal step in the communications agency's growth strategy and responds to growing demand from clients operating in the UAE capital.

"Abu Dhabi is a distinct and extraordinary market in its own right. Between us, Iman and I have advised its governments, institutions, and businesses for over two decades. The emirate demands communications expertise that is as deeply rooted in local context as it is globally connected, and we are proud to bring North Seventy Five's full capabilities to the clients building its future,” said Lisa Welsh, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, North Seventy Five.

The agency offers its full suite of integrated communications services to Abu Dhabi clients, including strategy, creative campaigns, design and identity, content and publishing, leadership training, corporate communications, crisis response, and data intelligence, all delivered by senior and bilingual advisors embedded in the region.