Portland and GPLUS are now operating as a single agency under the Portland brand, following the integration of the two agencies in autumn 2019. The move signals the official launch of the agency’s expanded international offer.
The partnership means Portland and GPLUS’s clients will benefit from a multi-disciplinary, international service, building on both companies’ decades of experience in their respective markets.
It will strengthen Portland’s European capabilities, with GPLUS bringing impressive experience in European public affairs and political and regulatory engagement in Brussels, Paris and Berlin.
GPLUS’s three European offices will combine with Portland’s existing footprint to total eight international practices, spanning the UK, mainland Europe, the Middle East, the US, Africa and Asia. In total, the combined agency teams have experience in more than 100 countries.
All offices will be able to provide clients with access to the full range of Portland’s integrated offer – including public affairs and policy, corporate communications, healthcare communications, financial communications, government advisory, digital and content creation, and research and insight.
The merger reflects a growing appetite among Portland and GPLUS’s clients for international advice and delivery, spanning communications disciplines.
The two Omnicom-owned agencies have a long history of collaboration and already work together on clients across healthcare, technology and media.
Mark Flanagan, Portland’s Chief Executive, said “While the external environment might be uncertain, this partnership reflects what we know clients want today, and will continue to want in the future: a premier, integrated, international offer. We look forward to drawing on GPLUS’s many strengths, particularly in political communications and regulatory risk, in delivering this together. I’m very pleased to officially welcome the GPLUS team into the Portland fold.”
Steve Morris, Portland’s International Chair, a former European Commission spokesperson and an EU adviser to Tony Blair, said: “The history of Portland and GPLUS has long been intertwined. I was working in Brussels when GPLUS was founded, and we have worked together many times over the years. While the UK may have left the EU, the importance of European markets and regulation won’t diminish. Clients are increasingly looking for advice which can explain not just the view from London or Brussels, but the full picture. We are proud to be deepening, not reducing, our engagement in Europe.”
Thomas Barros-Tastets, GPLUS’s Managing Partner said “Portland and GPLUS have a long history of collaboration and deepening our partnership had been a longstanding ambition. We firmly believe there is demand for a global network that can deliver boutique quality at scale. Both companies have a strong legacy in delivering on high stake issues, with seamless service across borders. We are excited about the perspective to bring additional capabilities and reach to our clients.”