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Ruder Finn, an independent global communications and creative agency headquartered in the United States, has acquired Atteline, a full-service communications agency based in the United Arab Emirates. In a move that marks Ruder Finn’s first acquisition in the Middle East, Atheline will now serve as Ruder Finn’s new hub in the region.
Founded in 2016 by Sophie Simpson, Atteline operates across three communications sectors: consumer, corporate and digital, serving contemporary and established brands across the UAE.
Ruder Finn, on the other hand, is a 75-year-old company that, in the last year alone, has delivered communications strategies across key sectors including healthcare, enterprise technology, reputation management, and crisis management. Ruder Finn also launched RF Studio 53, his artificial intelligence (AI)-powered creative hub, and RF TechLab, a technology incubator. Both offer predictive analytics, creative and customer-centric digital engagement.
As Ruder Finn recorded double-digit revenue growth in 2023, company CEO Kathy Bloomgarden recognized this was the time to begin the company’s expansion plans in the Middle East. And while the global agency had a roster of public relations (PR) and communications companies to choose from, Atteline was an ideal acquisition candidate as Ruder aligned with his Finn vision. found. “When I met Atteline’s management team, I knew they shared our high standards of expertise, our curiosity about emerging technologies and new tools, and our core values of building strong partnerships with our clients. “We found that there were,” Bloomgarden explains. “Our teams are united in our ambitions for the Middle East market.Atteline is a company built on strong foundations and significant growth, and is truly embedded in the culture and communities it represents. We saw great cultural synergy between our two companies, with a shared goal of being the best in public relations, communications and storytelling.”
Kathy Bloomgard, Ruder Finn CEO.Source: Ruder Finn
Atteline’s Simpson believed that the cultural insight and expertise her company could provide would make the acquisition successful, given a similar trend toward achieving synergies. “Ruder Finn brings her over 75 years of experience, which will be of great benefit not only to Atteline but also to her rapidly evolving GCC market,” she says. “Together, we integrate global thinking and localized insights in all of our communications work. It’s a powerful combination. What’s more, our values are aligned. Ruder Finn and Atteline are passionate about creating a rewarding and positive work culture and we are our clients. This is essential for both organizations as people are at the heart of what we do. is. With this acquisition, we will bring an even stronger offering to the region through pioneering expertise, new technology and tools. “It’s a unification of global thinking and local insight. Everything we do in the GCC and beyond will be deeply embedded in cultural understanding.”
Related: Are you negotiating a global acquisition of a MENA business? Here’s what you need to know
In addition to working closely with Blomgarden, Mr. Simpson will also be heavily involved in working with Atul Sharma, head of Ruder Finn’s Middle East operations. And while the decision will clearly take away some of Simpson’s leadership autonomy over the company, her founder said she is ready to bring her own expertise to it. “I want to continue championing the diversity and unique skills of people who contribute to an ever-changing communications landscape,” Simpson declares. “Her Atteline’s success to date has been the result of bringing together the best and most ambitious communicators, and we look forward to continuing that.”
Sophie Simpson, Founder and Managing Director of Atteline, said:Source: Atheline
From Ruder Finn’s perspective, the acquisition and opening of a new office in the Middle East will meet the region’s growing demand for PR, marketing communications, digital and corporate reputation. “The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a center of innovation and economic growth,” Bloomgarden said. “We are therefore looking forward to expanding our footprint in the UAE and GCC countries and are excited to offer our skills and insights to businesses in the region to help them expand their potential. .Atteline’s B-Corp Certification [a designation deemed by B Lab, a US-based non-profit organization, that a business is meeting high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency on factors such as employee benefits and supply chain practices, among others] It also means we meet the highest standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency for factors ranging from employee benefits and philanthropy to supply chain practices. ”
Bloomgarden now looks forward to the success of its Middle East operations, but reiterated that its decision to acquire Atteline is simply a continuation of the values with which the company was founded in 1948. We empower our employees to embody the spirit of our founder David Finn: our values of individuality, non-hierarchy, hunger, listening, experimentation and independence. “While we have been in business for his 75 years and look forward to the future of our work, our ‘secret sauce’ is to partner with clients on projects we believe in. It comes from doing. Real-world impacts on the people, communities, and markets we interact with. This special acquisition marks an exciting moment not only for Ateline and Ruder Finn, but also for the MENA region, as we unite around common values and a culture of caring. As one voice, we drive impactful communications with local approaches and global capabilities. ”
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