africapractice and Richardson & Briggs announce merger to form new full service corporate communications consultancy in Nigeria
Date: 13/03/2009
africapractice, the pan-African corporate communications specialists and Richardson & Briggs (R&B), one of the leading public relations companies in Nigeria have announced a merger to create a new company, africapracticeR&B.
The announcement, which took place at a high level drinks reception at the British High Commissioners’ residence in Ikoyi creates the only international corporate communications consultancy to operate a fully staffed office in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch, the Chairman of Richardson & Briggs and incoming Chairman of africapracticeR&B Ambassador Dr Patrick Dele Cole said: “Nigeria is set to join the international community in terms of best practice in corporate communications and investor relations. Through this merger, africapracticeR&B is able to offer its clients the full range of corporate communications services at an international standard. We have strong management and account servicing teams alongside access to markets across Africa and internationally. We are ideally positioned to enhance the capability of local companies to deliver strong, strategic corporate communications campaigns comparable with the rest of the world.”
Managing Director of the africapractice group, Marcus Courage said: “Nigeria has continued to demonstrate immense innovation and creativity in public relations and we believe that the country is now positioned to transition to a higher level of strategic counsel to bring communications campaigns in line with international best practice. We have spent 3 years building our presence in Nigeria and this is the culmination of a long term commitment. I am delighted that we have found such a strong local partner to work with and look forward to growing our business over the coming years.”
africapracticeR&B will provide the full range of corporate communications services including investor relations, public relations, corporate communications, media relations, public affairs and issues management, business strategy and research and event management.
Led by a team of expatriate managers with international expertise and supported by strong team of local consultants, africapracticeR&B is committed to increasing the capacity of the Nigerian PR industry and to implementing communications campaigns to world class standards.
Local Media Contact
Coss Williams, Media Manager, africapracticeR&B, cwilliams@africapractice.com, 08034840482
International Media Contact
Tim Newbold, Managing Director, africapracticeR&B, tnewbold@africapractice.com, 08054949866
Notes to editors
About africapractice R&B
africapracticeR&B is the only international communications consultancy to operate a fully staffed office in Nigeria. The company is majority owned by the Africa Practice Group, with a strong local shareholding. The company also operates an office in Accra, Ghana and has affiliates across the West Africa sub-region.
africapracticeR&B combines long term experience of implementing public relations campaigns in Nigeria with international expertise in the design and implementation of corporate communications including investor relations, media relations, CSR activities and internal communications.
About the africapractice Group
africapractice provides strategic communications, corporate citizenship and environmental consulting services and works with clients to enhance their performance and communicate their commitment to African development. We are headquartered in London with offices in Accra, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi, each coordinating a network of regional affiliates.
About Richardson & Briggs
Richardson & Briggs (R&B) is one of the leading public relations firms in Nigeria, with over 15 years experience providing PR and events management services to high- level corporate and institutional clients. Founded in 1992, R&B has contributed to major events to honour President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II (CHOGM 2003). For the last five years the company has provided Guinness Nigeria with public relations support as well as working closely with clients including General Electric and the Nigerian Conservation Society/UNICEF.