The Dublin office of high-profile public relations agency FleishmanHillard, whose clients include the National Lottery, is closing with the loss of around 30 jobs.
In a surprise move, the agency’s owner, global communications giant Omnicom, announced the closure on Thursday.
Founded by John Saunders with current general manager Rhona Blake and Julian Davis, Fleishmann is one the Republic’s best-known public relations and communications agencies.
Omnicom did not respond to a request for comment. Up to 30 jobs could be hit as a result of the move.
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Brian Harrison, chairman of industry body, the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), said the closure marked the end of an important chapter for the Irish communications industry.
“While disappointing, this appears to reflect global agency restructuring following international consolidation rather than weakness in the Irish market,” he added.
The closure of long-established public relations agencies is rare in the Republic, Harrison pointed out.
Staff heard the news on Thursday morning. The move took many by surprise as the business is profitable.
The Dublin office had been working in recent years on the group’s international clients.
However, Omnicom has not been investing in its Irish business for several years, according to an industry source.
Omnicom told trade publication PR Week that it has been reviewing how its global network operates.
“As part of that ongoing work, we have made the decision to close the FleishmanHillard Dublin office,” the company said.
Omnicom added that it would continue supporting clients in Ireland through its broader networks.
“We are working directly with each client to determine the approach that best meets their individual business needs,” said the group.
Omnicom confirmed to the publication that it was consulting with staff, noting that this would proceed in accordance with Irish law.
Saunders is FleishmannHilliard’s chairman. He was global president and chief executive up to October 2024.
Blake has been running the agency in Ireland for 36 years. Davis retired in 2020.
Omnicom bought rival Interpublic Group late last year, bringing several public relations businesses into one organisation.
In December it wound up DDB, the legendary New York ad agency as an independent business and incorporated it into TBWA Worldwide.
New York-listed Omnicom owns multiple public relations, advertising and communications businesses. The group is worth around $22 billion.
Harrison said the Republic continued to have a “vibrant, competitive, communications sector” with agencies working for domestic and multi-national clients.
