Burson-Marsteller relaunches design arm in integrated offering

Marsteller, the UK design arm of WPP-owned public relations group Burson-Marsteller, is being absorbed into a new, integrated branding, design and digital department.

The restructure has resulted in senior job losses at the digital consultancy. The head of Marsteller, managing director Desiree Collier, is among two or three staff that were made redundant last month. Burson-Marsteller UK will launch its new, integrated offer, Digital, Design and Brand, on 21 January.

Digital, Design and Brand will see Burson-Marsteller’s brand marketing, design and digital offers united, creating a team of between ten and 20 people headed by Philippe Pendaries.

Pendaries had been a director at Burson-Marsteller UK for about 18 months before his appointment. In his role as director, Pendaries has been looking after the group’s relationship with Sony Ericsson, claimed to be one of the company’s biggest clients.

‘We wanted a structure that would provide a more integrated offer to our clients, and that is what has driven the restructure’ says Burson-Marsteller UK chief executive Jonathan Jordan, denying that the recession played a part in the decision to create a combined practice.

‘The Marsteller brand is still integral to our identity,’ says Jordan, but suggests that the name could be phased out following a review next year.
Burson-Marsteller’s US office has undertaken a similar restructure to bring together the branding, design and digital offers, says Jordan.

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