Weber Shandwick Introduces The X Practice, A New Agency Model to Drive Innovation

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and marketing services firms, announced the formation of The X Practice, integrating the firm's global innovation and technology-focused capabilities into a connected, client-centric service model. As a centralized hub of specialized expertise, The X Practice will support client engagements of all types – across industry sectors and global markets – to bring solutions-oriented ideas to unprecedented client challenges.

"The challenges our clients face are more complex and increasingly depend on our ability to tap into the specialized, often technical expertise needed to address new problems," said Gail Heimann, president, Weber Shandwick. "By aggregating our technical competencies with The X Practice, our clients across sectors can more easily leverage our chops in technology, data intelligence and innovation to bring the kinds of solutions needed today."

The X Practice is powered by hundreds of specialists around the world with deep expertise in the technology sector, data sciences, digital strategy and media R&D. The practice will also leverage the cadre of specialist firms Weber Shandwick has added to its global roster in recent years – including mobile agency Flipside, digital creative agency Cappuccino, social creative agency ThatLot, data intelligence firm Bomoda and digital & performance marketing firm Resolute Digital.

Weber Shandwick Chief Digital Officer Chris Perry will oversee The X Practice globally in collaboration with a newly formed leadership team. Hugh Baillie, who currently serves as head of client experience in EMEA, will become president, The X Practice, EMEA & APAC. Adam Wall, currently EVP, digital operations & client services for North America, will become president, The X Practice, Americas. Lydia Lee, head of Technology in APAC, and Wayne Hickey, EVP and senior Technology strategist for North America, will both become global co-heads of Technology within The X Practice. Patrick Chaupham, EVP, business integration, takes on the new role of EVP, corporate development for The X Practice.

"Every organization today is grappling in some way with how to keep pace with changes in technology, customer expectations, social behaviors and media habits," Perry said. "Whether it's building social programs that drive sales or developing new AI-driven platforms to manage customer inquiries, we've been helping our clients understand and employ new methods of engagement in today's business landscape. Our intent is to continue to expand the range of solutions we can offer and do it at a global scale that few other agencies can offer."

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications and engagement firm in 78 cities with a network extending to 128 cities around the world. The firm's diverse team of strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work. Weber Shandwick was the only public relations agency included on the Advertising Age Agency A-list in 2014 and 2015 and the only PR firm designated an A-List Agency Standout in 2017 and 2018. Weber Shandwick was honored as PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, The Holmes Report's Global Agency of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017, and The Holmes Report's Global Digital Agency of the Year in 2016. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, employee engagement, social impact, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

Contact: Kimberly Dixon
Company: Weber Shandwick    
Phone: 212-546-7876
Email: [email protected]

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