GolinHarris, a leading global communications agency, and member of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), announced today the addition of a new office in Milan to serve clients in Italy and Europe. Draftfcb veterans Franco Ricchiuti and Diego Ricchiuti have been appointed president and managing director, respectively. In addition to leading Golin’s operations, both will retain their roles as president and EVP, chief growth officer, of Draftfcb Italy.

 

“GolinHarris Italy has been designed for the digital world,” said Matt Neale, president, GolinHarris EMEA. We’re coupling our real-time marketing, social media and public relations capabilities with Draftfcb’s digital and creative clout; it’s a powerful proposition.

 

“By joining forces with GolinHarris, we are immediately able to offer our current clients the most advanced, global network of real-time engagement centers, The Bridge, and social media expertise,” said Franco Ricchiuti. “Unlike other agencies’ offerings, The Bridge is more than a social media listening center, it’s part production studio. Teams aren’t just listening or pitching stories, they are also focused on creating hyper-relevant content based on insights for clients in real-time. No one else in the Italian market has this capability.”

 

Diego Ricchiuti added: “The Bridge, along with Golin’s innovative g4 model is a compelling differentiator that will help us attract new clients and top talent.”

 

The agency’s g4 model is organized around four specialist communities: strategists, creators, connectors and catalysts. It is an integrated approach that delivers what’s most important to clients today: insights, ideas, engagement and integration. Nicola Rovetta has been appointed as creative director.

 

Rovetta, another Draftfcb vet, will relinquish his role as creative director for Draftfcb, Milan. He will join GolinHarris’s creator community and will report to Charlie Coney, creative director, GolinHarris EMEA.

 

“Consumers and stakeholders expect brands to be able to speak to them in real time with the appropriate brand voice,” said Rovetta, ”Creating this content for the Italian market will be my immediate focus.”