As the merger of WPP agencies BCW and Hill & Knowlton is complete, Burson UK's Simon Whitehead appears on the latest episode of “Beyond the Noise” with PRWeek UK editor John Harrington.
Beyond the Noise explores some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. To download a podcast apple, Spotifyor listen on any browser above or your favorite platform.
This week, Whitehead talks about the background to the merger that created global advertising agency giant Burson, and how the move was communicated internally within the company.
He talks about the challenges of merging two giant agencies, including the impact on employees, logistical and cultural issues, and customer reaction.
Whitehead will discuss future priorities and provide an update on Burson’s AI capabilities and offerings.
Current trading trends and lessons learned from Cannes Lions will also be examined, with the UK CEO explaining why the launch was brought forward by around two weeks earlier than originally announced.
Additionally, Whitehead, who has worked in PR since working in PR for the Conservative Party in the 1990s, shares her views on how the UK general election campaign and Starmer's government will affect the PR industry.
