Global PR agency Hume Brophy gets acquired

 Global public affairs, communications strategy firm Hume Brophy has been acquired by Penta, a data-driven solutions provider for stakeholder strategy and engagement.

This acquisition will further expand Penta's global reach and consolidate the company's position a comprehensive stakeholder solutions firm, combining analytics and research with deep expertise to drive measurable impact for clients.

Hume Brophy provides digital, and reputation management services to clients in the corporate, public and nonprofit sectors. Some of its clients include Euroseeds, Bayer and the Glyphosate Renewal Group. Founded in 2005, Hume Brophy has offices in Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore.

According to Penta, the team of nearly 100 professionals worldwide at Hume Brophy comes from a diverse range of backgrounds and will enhance Penta's strategy offerings to multiple major global markets, providing additional expertise in sectors including energy, transportation and mobility, agribusiness and financial services.

Penta was established in September 2022 following the merger of market-leading firms Ballast Research, Hamilton Place Strategies, Flag Media Analytics, alva, Gotham Research Group, and Decode_M. Following this latest acquisition, Penta will now comprise over 300 professionals located across New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Vail, London, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong, and Singapore

"Leaders are increasingly required to solve complex challenges under public scrutiny and engage with a growing set of stakeholders. As we look to provide the actionable intelligence businesses need to inform their decision-making, we are excited to welcome the Hume Brophy team to Penta," said Penta president Matt McDonald.

"Their deep understanding of the issues that matter most to our clients and unmatched access to the highest level of international decision-making will significantly bolster Penta's strategy offerings across the globe."

John Hume and Eoin Brophy (pictured left and right), Hume Brophy co-founders who will continue as senior advisors at Penta, said: "This is a natural and exciting progression for Hume Brophy. It is an opportunity for our talented and dedicated colleagues to lead Penta's growth in Europe and Asia, and to work as one team on a new and exciting global platform that will compete with the very best in the world.”

“Our business model, based on strong local businesses in key strategic hubs, combined with specialist international practices, is a differentiator in a highly competitive market. We look forward to bringing this approach to Penta as we begin our journey together," they added.

Hume Brophy's chief executive, Conall McDevitt (pictured centre), will become a senior partner and managing partner, Europe and Asia, at Penta.

In 2021, Hume Brophy Singapore has appointed Shawn Balakrishnan as director for its Southeast Asia operations. He was previously market leader for Singapore and Southeast Asia at Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW).

Prior to joining BCW in 2018, he was the general manager of The Hoffman Agency’s Singapore office for five years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He focused on developing end-to-end integrated communication strategies in response to market needs, and rolled out digital media campaigns across the region on behalf of the agency’s stable of clients, his LinkedIn said.

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