Ruder Finn Innovation Studios Expands with UK launch

April 14, 2009

Ged Carroll joins the UK team as director, digital strategies

Ruder Finn’s corporate and technology division is today launching a new service branded Ruder Finn Innovation Studios.  The new services span digital communications including social media, website development, community development, training and education. Clients from all industry sectors will be able to benefit from an integrated approach to on-and-offline communications.

Ged Carroll, previously at Waggener Edstrom, joined Ruder Finn as director, digital strategies to drive Ruder Finn Innovation Studios in the UK. He reports jointly into Becky McMichael, head of corporate and technology division in London and Scott Schneider, EVP, RFI studios in New York. (www.rfistudios.com)

Ged has a long heritage in the digital space. He currently trains and speaks at e-Consultancy events: prior to his former agency, he was European PR Manager for Yahoo!, where he created and directed pan European consumer PR, buzz marketing and influencer programmes for Yahoo!’s web 2.0 businesses including Yahoo! Search, flickr, del.icio.us, upcoming.org and Yahoo!360.

“We’ve been looking for somebody for a while who not only shares our vision, but also has a high profile in the space and a proven track record of delivering high profile online communications strategies for clients. Ged fits the bill in all areas, and we are delighted that he has decided to join us,” said Nick Leonard, managing director of Ruder Finn UK.  “His track record speaks for itself – he has one of the most impressive Google searches I have seen - and under his leadership Ruder Finn Innovation Studios will really take off in the UK.”

Ruder Finn has the largest interactive communications division in the PR industry - launched in 1999 - but previously the majority of strategy and project management for European clients was handled from the agency’s New York office.  The London team had a trained group of consultants led by Becky McMichael that handled small scale digital comms and social media projects but demand from clients has grown so much over the past twelve months that the agency has decided to expand the range of services it can offer from London.

“Having an on-the-ground strategic presence such as Ged will ensure Ruder Finn Innovation Studios makes as much of an impact in the UK as it has in the US, France and Asia,” Scott Schneider, EVP, RFI studios in New York. “We are proud of our heritage in this area and Ged is 100% the right person to build on that during the course of 2009.”

 

Digg It | Reddit | De.lic.ious