Blue Rubicon buys Open Road

Blue Rubicon, which recently opened offices in Doha and Dubai, plans to extend its existing strategic, corporate and crisis communications offer through its acquisition of London agency Open Road.

The newly combined business will boast 200 staff and be 'capable of advising at the most senior levels across the world's leading businesses and institutions', Blue Rubicon and Open Road said in a joint statement.

In addition to strengthening existing offerings, the company plans to add new capabilities, including public affairs, employee engagement and healthcare communications in the UK, along with, hopefully, supporting clients in Brussels and Washington in the future.

“We're bringing together two independent consultancies with a similar mind-set, approach, reputation and strategic communications offer,” said Blue Rubicon CEO, Gordon Tempest Hay.

“Without question, Open Road is the stand-out independent political and regulatory advisory firm in the market and we're delighted to have them become part of the Blue Rubicon family.”

While forming part of the Blue Rubicon family, Open Road will initially retain its name and location.

“We believe we have found the perfect partner in Blue Rubicon. We are very excited about the synergies between the two agencies and about what we believe we can achieve together,” said Graham McMillan, Open Road CEO, who will report to Tempest Hay.

The acquisition is the latest step in Blue Rubicon's strategy of investing in important markets as it works to become a global leader in transforming and enhancing reputations.

Further international expansion is expected in the coming year, Tempest Hay told PMLiVE: “We hope to open offices in Singapore, Brussels, DC and possibly NYC in the future”.

“We'll be focused on achieving a successful integration of the consultancies over the months to come. Our first priorities will be bringing the teams together as part of a family that is able to advise holistically across the full landscape,” he said.