WASHINGTON and TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleishman-Hillard International Communications and Smith & Ballard, Inc., one of Florida's leading government relations and public affairs consultancies, today announced a strategic partnership to provide a full range of government, public affairs, and public relations services to clients in Florida and Washington, D.C.
"Fleishman-Hillard and Smith & Ballard share a common commitment to developing and implementing strategies that drive results for our clients," said Fleishman-Hillard Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John D. Graham. "The powerful combination of Smith & Ballard's government affairs and advocacy expertise with Fleishman-Hillard's depth of experience in public affairs, corporate, consumer, healthcare, and multicultural communications, will help clients expand their opportunities in the dynamic Florida market."
Smith & Ballard is led by prominent Florida attorney Brian Ballard. Both Ballard and his partner Jim Smith have served the state of Florida in many roles: Smith as Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor, and Ballard as Chief of Staff for former Governor Bob Martinez. Ballard also has held positions in the U.S. Government; he followed Governor Martinez to Washington, D.C., when Martinez was appointed White House Drug Czar.
Smith & Ballard's capabilities encompass all aspects of government advocacy, with particular emphasis on matters pending before Florida's executive and legislative branches of government. Their array of private sector clients and industry coalitions comprise the leadership of virtually every major economic sector in Florida and complement Fleishman-Hillard's existing operations in Miami.
"This partnership has enormous potential for both our firms and more importantly, our clients," said Brian Ballard. "Jim and I are very excited about the future of our new relationship with Fleishman-Hillard and the strength of our combined forces to address client needs in Florida and Washington, D.C. Together we will provide clients wishing to do business in Florida an unmatched offering in terms of breadth, depth, and quality of service."
Fleishman-Hillard's public affairs network includes extensive operations in Washington, D.C., California, Missouri, New York, and Texas, as well as international capabilities in Latin America, Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The partnership with Smith & Ballard expands Fleishman-Hillard's public affairs offerings into another critical electoral state that often drives regulatory and legislative change in the United States, further strengthening what was already considered to be the world's premier public affairs consultancy.
Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading public relations firms, has built its reputation by using strategic communications to deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive, and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity, and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and South Africa through its 80 owned offices. For more information, visit the Fleishman-Hillard Web site at http://www.fleishman.com/ .
Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. . Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations, and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
