InterContinental Hotels Group consolidates its global PR duties with WPP

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has expanded its relationship with WPP by awarding it the global public relations business for its Mainstream and Upscale brands. 

The global consolidation of PR responsibilities will now be handled by Ogilvy, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe) and will be led out of Ogilvy’s New York office. WPP will provide PR counsel and support for Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels and voco Hotels in key markets around the world. 

Emma Corcoran, Vice President of Global Corporate Communications at IHG, said, “With some of the world’s largest and well-known brands, such as Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, each of our hotels provides guests with a unique travel experience. Partnering with WPP to tell engaging stories that drive greater awareness and preference among consumers is an important part of how we differentiate ourselves in the industry.” 

Mark Read, CEO, WPP, said, “It is always gratifying to win business from existing clients, particularly from such a strong global brand as IHG. It shows that clients are reacting positively to our efforts to simplify our offer and make our talent more accessible.” 

Jaime Prieto, Global Client Leader for WPP Team IHG, added here, “IHG has a diverse and impressive portfolio of brands, and we are proud to be deepening our relationship with them globally.” 

This marks an expanded partnership between WPP and IHG, who have worked together in select regional markets since 2012.