PR agency Edelman acquires Dubai-based DABO & Co

Global PR agency Edelman has completed the acquisition of Dubai-based agency DABO & CO to create a new co-branded entity, it was announced on Sunday.

The value of the deal, first announced in April this year, was not disclosed.

Called Edelman DABO, the new entity will club communications marketing, experiential and digital capabilities of both the companies.

The combined agency will have over 150 employees across Dubai and Abu Dhabi and a roster of 50 clients across the Middle East, a statement said.

“This acquisition leaves us perfectly positioned for dynamic growth,” said Edelman’s chief executive officer for South Asia, Middle East & Africa Robert Holdheim. “We now have scale, local and regional expertise, and a business that is well balanced between brand communications and reputation management.”

Edelman UAE opened its first office in Abu Dhabi in 2008 and is now the fastest growing operation in the firm’s global network. It offers services across corporate, digital, technology, health and consumer communications.

President and CEO of Edelman Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa David Brain added: “The communications marketing landscape is evolving at a pace where yesterday’s innovation horizon is reached at a speed that was unimaginable even a couple of years ago.”

One of the new units being created within the company is Edelman DABO Experiential, which will be headed by Lucy d’Abo, former managing partner of DABO & CO.

The unit has made new senior hires including Stefano Milan as production director and Lynette Bond as business creation director.

The 20-strong team is already working on projects for The Abraaj Group, Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, ICAEW and GMG, the statement added.