Clarity, the global marketing communications agency, has announced a deal with Political Intelligence Ltd, the UK division of the independent public affairs and strategic communications consultancy Political Intelligence. Clarity has acquired the company’s UK business and operations, meaning Clarity now offers public affairs as a part of its wider integrated services. The Independent Political Intelligence businesses in Belgium, Spain and Portugal are not part of this agreement and will continue to operate under the Political Intelligence brand. They will continue to maintain a collaborative working relationship with Clarity moving forward.
By adding Political Intelligence UK to the Clarity Group, Clarity is able to provide deeper advice and a greater array of services ranging from government relations and campaign lobbying to stakeholder management, policy insights and research, as well as market access support.
“Technology is changing the world as we know it, and it will continue to do so. The sector advances so quickly that it’s hard for government policy to keep up. That’s why our clients need specialist expertise at the intersection between technology and policy, which the team at Political Intelligence UK brings,” says Sami McCabe, founder and CEO of Clarity. “Their 27-year heritage in tech policy and public affairs delivery provided a perfect synergy and I’m elated to welcome them to the Clarity family. I look forward to introducing our incredible clients to a new range of services that can leverage and amplify their marketing and communications campaigns.”
With the team from Political Intelligence UK joining the Clarity office in London, the company’s global headcount is now 160. Political Intelligence founder and UK chairman Nicholas Lansman as well as managing partner Philip Reid will join Clarity to head up the offering and expand the practice under the leadership of Rachel Gilley, president, global communications.
Speaking of the move, Nicholas Lansman commented “It's been quite the journey since setting up the company in London in 1995, to expanding the brand in other European markets, which continue to thrive. The acquisition of the UK business is the right one for this market, given both Clarity and Political Intelligence UK’s extensive tech heritage and our complementary skill sets. That fusion of comms and public affairs expertise is central to the work and reputation of the organisations we support both now and in the future. I’m hugely excited by the opportunities that this combined approach can provide and look forward to integrating our team with Sami, Rachel and the rest of Clarity, whilst continuing to collaborate closely with our friends and colleagues in the other Political Intelligence markets.”