Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, announced today that it has entered an exclusive partnership with Chapter4 Communications Consulting.

Headquartered in Austria, Chapter4 manages a comprehensive network of agencies across Southeastern European (SEE) countries including Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYRMacedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro.

Chapter4 cooperates closely with Burson-Marsteller’s new affiliate in Austria, Ecker & Partner. Chapter4 replaces Burson-Marsteller’s former affiliate Hochegger CEE.

“I am pleased to announce the exclusive affiliation between Burson-Marsteller and Chapter4. Given the growing economic importance of the countries in Southeast Europe, it is crucial to be able to offer our current and future clients a strong and reliable network in that region”, said Jeremy Galbraith, CEO of Burson-Marsteller EMEA.

“With its broad agency portfolio in the SEE region, Chapter4 will significantly contribute to our already existing agency network in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Chapter4 develops and implements communications strategies and provides clients with a comprehensive communications services offering and professional expertise on site across the entire SEE region.

“We combine extensive international know-how with local expertise to better serve international clients and we are proud to act as the regional hub for a leading and globally operating communications firm such as Burson-Marsteller“, commented Severin Heinisch, Managing Director of Chapter4.

“Chapter4 offers custom-made communication solutions while keeping consistent quality standards across the region. The new partnership ensures our seamless network in Eastern and Southeast Europe and we are convinced that Chapter4 is the best partner for our clients”, said Roman Geiser, Chief Operating Officer of Burson-Marsteller EMEA.

Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com, www.burson-marsteller.eu), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and programme execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising and web-related services.

The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 68 offices and 73 affiliate offices, together operating in 98 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP, (NASDAQ: WPPGY), the largest communications services group.

Chapter4 (www.chapter4.at) was developed from an initiative of four agencies. Headquartered in Vienna the agency now manages a comprehensive network of more than 10 agencies in Southeastern European (SEE) including Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYRMacedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro.

Chapter4 develops strategies and offers clients the management of all communication services in this region providing simple contractual fundaments under Austrian law consolidated reporting and professional expertise on site.