US-based Apco Worldwide, an award-winning global communication consultancy, has acquired JiWin Public Relations, an entity of Tecom Investments, a member of Dubai Holding.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Apco Worldwide has offices in major cities across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Abdullatif Al Mulla, Group CEO of Tecom Investments, said: “We are extremely proud of shaping a public relations firm that has credentials to be a part of a global consultancy major such as Apco Worldwide."

According to him, JiWin has played a crucial role in contributing to Tecom Investments’ overall deliverables.

"Its professional consultancy services are embedded with profound market intelligence that supports the communication requirements of a diverse portfolio of clients," he noted.

"Apco’s acquisition ensures a promising future for JiWin that safeguards its achievements and provides ongoing growth opportunities for its people and business," Al Mulla remarked.

"In Apco, we found complementary values and business ethics, as well as a shared history of strong leadership, erformance and growth, and a unique business model for strategic consulting that will further enhance JiWin’s client service offerings," he added.

Margery Kraus, founder and CEO of Apco, said: "This is a tremendous opportunity to extend our global capabilities by combining Apco’s 25-year history of developing and implementing corporate advisory and strategic communication programs with JiWin’s extensive knowledge and contacts in the Middle East."

"The Arab region is an increasingly important region not only to our industry but also to the global economy, with Dubai at the intersection of global trade and commerce connecting Asia, Africa, Europe and the wider world," she added.

Founded in 2006, JiWin comprises a team of over 35 professionals and employs a multidisciplinary approach to communication, offering services that include community relations, corporate communications, crisis communications and issues management.

The firm works with a diverse number of clients throughout the Arab and Northern Africa regions, including Dubai Holding, Johnson & Johnson, Noor Islamic Bank, Merck, the Landmark Group, Nasdaq Dubai and Young Arab Leaders.

While JiWin will become part of Apco’s global team, JiWin’s current leadership, headed by managing director Mamoon Sbeih, will manage on-the-ground resources in the UAE and build regional capabilities for Apco’s premium service offerings. Other senior leaders include Malcolm Ward, Elizabeth Sen and Tarek Sakik.-TradeArabia News Service