SenateSHJ merges with PR Partners in Auckland

SenateSHJ merges with PR Partners in Auckland

• SenateSHJ merges with PR Partners to create a powerful communications team and combined communications offering.

• Julien Leys is to become Auckland General Manager.

• SenateSHJ will be one of the largest privately owned communications consultancies in Australasia.

SenateSHJ is merging with PR Partners in Auckland, in a move that will create a powerful communications team and deepen the firm’s offering in Auckland, nationally and on both sides of the Tasman, SenateSHJ Chief Executive Neil Green said today.

With offices in Auckland, Wellington, Sydney and Melbourne, the merger will also make SenateSHJ one of the largest privately owned communications consultancies in Australasia.

PR Partners Managing Director Julien Leys will become General Manager of SenateSHJ’s Auckland office, bringing with him his team of four specialists.

“We know Julien well and have been talking with him for a long time about this move. He and his team bring additional expertise to our financial, public affairs and technology sector communications, which will enable us to offer stronger reputational risk management services in Auckland,” Mr Green said.

“We have a very high regard for the award-winning work of PR Partners. By coming together, we will offer an Auckland team that we believe is second to none. Auckland is an important area of growth and the combination of our teams provides us with the strength of experience we need to continue our growth in this market.”

Julien Leys said the merger would bring his team into a like-minded, wider trans-Tasman business.

”Our combined senior team and our strength in public affairs, government relations and financial communications firmly establish us as national leaders in reputation management. We will also advance the strong growth we have experienced over recent years across our whole trans-Tasman group.”

Mr Leys said that SenateSHJ clients and staff would gain access to a large group of senior colleagues in two countries, with proven expertise in reputation management, government relations, corporate and financial relations, Māori communications, change communications, crisis management, social marketing and healthcare communications.

The merger will also bring PR Partners’ specialisations in ICT and consumer marketing to the SenateSHJ table.

Mr Green said there was growing demand from public and private organisations for advice in managing reputational risk and developing communications that actively tell their story. He stated, “Directors understand their senior executives are operating under new levels of intense – and often unforgiving – public scrutiny. To manage reputational risk, their performance must constantly build, or maintain credibility.

“We look forward to introducing this new SenateSHJ team to clients in New Zealand and across the Tasman.”

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