NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR), an integrated communications firm, today announced the launch of Insight & Strategy (I&S), a newly formed group composed of experienced senior staff and rising mid-level talent across North America. Led by Executive Vice President and Director of Insight & Strategy Michael Briggs, the group will enhance the agency's capabilities to generate research-based insights and develop or identify the best strategies to help clients better capitalize on emerging opportunities and threats.

Insight & Strategy will train, connect, and support a small group of carefully chosen senior-level Partners and mid-level Fellows among Ogilvy PR's US offices and practices. I&S Partners and I&S Fellows will serve their respective offices through hands-on assistance with in-depth research and thinking for clients as well as training for staff. The team will also contribute to the agency's business development and thought leadership initiatives.

"Developing meaningful insights that inform smart strategies are paramount to achieving our clients' business goals," said Robert Mathias, CEO North America. "With Michael at the helm, Insight & Strategy will bring together our best and brightest across North America to further strengthen our position in these core disciplines--which in turn will enhance our creative thinking and our ability to deliver top-notch results that fulfill our clients' needs."

Michael Briggs, a 15-year veteran of Ogilvy PR, is one of the agency's most strategic and creative thinkers. He has partnered with account teams and clients to develop award-winning campaigns across various industries and practices. A creative problem solver, Briggs is a proven leader within the Ogilvy network known for leading staff trainings, helping others effectively use proprietary Ogilvy tools such as the Big IdeaL and Fusion and leading messaging and storytelling workshops. In his new role, Briggs will bring these skills together to build the agency's capacity for sharper thinking, stronger points of view, and bigger ideas.

"From deep insights and smart strategies comes amazing work. Insight & Strategy will help us create bolder programs for clients, grow our business, and deliver results that exceed even our own high expectations," said Briggs.

Integral to supporting Insight & Strategy is Ogilvy PR's world-class Research Group, based in New York and led by Executive Vice President Heidi D'Agostino. D'Agostino and her team will ensure that I&S, and the entire agency, are better able to access the data and expert opinion in which all our insights should be rooted. In addition, the Research Group will continue to support custom qualitative, quantitative, traditional/social media, and secondary research needs for Ogilvy PR in North America and globally as well as for the larger Ogilvy & Mather network.

About Ogilvy Public Relations

­­­­­­Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR) is a global, multi-disciplinary communications leader operating in more than 85 offices across six continents. In 2013, for the second consecutive year, Ogilvy was named Cannes Lions Network of the Year and Most Effective Agency Network by the Effie Global Effectiveness Index. Ogilvy was also named Best Digital Consultancy in the World, Most Creative Agency and Best South-East Agency by the Holmes Report. Ogilvy PR integrates deeply with all Ogilvy & Mather disciplines (advertising, direct marketing, activation, promotional, digital and entertainment) through the proprietary Ogilvy Fusion(TM) approach to delivering comprehensive, business solutions through content creation, community building, and communications with measurable results. Ogilvy PR is a unit of Ogilvy & Mather, a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY), and one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. For more information, visit our website at www.ogilvypr.com or follow us on Twitter at @ogilvypr.

SOURCE Ogilvy Public Relations