WPP Launches Public Sector Practice

Marcoms giant WPP has launched a global Government & Public Sector Practice to drive 'excellence' in government communications. The new initiative is led by Dr Michelle Harrison, who is also CEO of the group's TNS BMRB agency.

The new practice will provide a range of services such as communications for development, public policy and services; public sector recruitment; country branding and tourism, trade and investment marketing; and digital government. In addition, it will provide a single point of access to WPP's combined resources and multidisciplinary teams of agencies; will serve as a hub for the group's best thinking on government communications; and will partner with academics and innovators on research and development initiatives.

No work will be conducted for politicians, political parties or political causes, and the division will not carry out government relations and advocacy work on behalf of third parties.

Harrison (pictured) comments: 'This practice is timely because we are seeing a paradigm shift in the way governments think about the role of communications in delivering public policy. Some of the most pressing problems of the 21st century will be best solved by government working in partnership with citizens to help them make the right choices. That puts deep citizen insight, human understanding and creativity at the heart of successful policymaking.'

Web site: www.wpp.com .