Hill & Knowlton Returns to Its Root, Rebrands as H&K

Hill & Knowlton has reverted to its former name as part of a bigger agency rebranding aimed at "reflecting the company's near 100-year equity."

The firm's rebranding includes a new logo, website, and social presence, as well as "the next phase of Hill & Knowlton's evolution as a strategic partner to today's leading innovators," according to the agency's announcement of the makeover.

"Since 2019, our leadership team has been focused on becoming the preeminent partner to help our clients drive growth, manage risk, and build reputation in today’s complex operating environment,” said global chairman and CEO AnnaMaria DeSalva. “ Our body of work increasingly demonstrates that strategic communications, elevated by creativity, is a primary force for sustainable value creation and modern leadership.”

The moves also include adding new H&K Advisory services including FutureSight, which helps executives anticipate the impact of international political and regulatory issues; and Global Horizons, which focuses on the economies of Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Gulf.

The new capabilities stem from Hill & Knowlton's effort to redefine the role of creativity in a modern communications company, the agency said. The firm has built a comprehensive network of innovation and creative hubs located around the world that bring together creative, digital, media and sector specialists among others.

“We know the power of ideas builds brands and creates breakthroughs. What’s new is the scope and intensity of the creative process – it’s getting bigger, more profound and more interdisciplinary,” said DeSalva. “Business leaders need this powerful creative engine to help address today’s emerging risks. By every measure, global risk is intensifying and coming from a widening array of sources. Today’s risk domains in the areas of reputation, disinformation, and geopolitics demand focused intelligence, creativity and stakeholder-centricity – attributes that lie at the heart of the communications discipline. Risk and reinvention go hand in hand. It is this intersection of risk and opportunity, innovation and transformation that is visibly energizing Hill & Knowlton’s purpose today.”

Hill & Knowlton's rebrand comes on the heels of other significant moves including leadership appointments that have expanded its executive bench; the acquisition of JeffreyGroup, expanding the firm's presence in Latin America, making it the region's largest international public relations network; and launching Brazil-based Ideal company as an international brand, catering to disruptive and emerging technology companies. In addition, the 2023 acquisition of 3K strengthened the company’s healthcare footprint in Europe and extended its operations in Germany, the agency said.

“Hill & Knowlton is a category originator, born in 1927. I’ve learned through the years how much our company means to countless clients and alumni who have worked with us to shape their stories and successes at various points in their careers,” said DeSalva. “We hope our extended network of colleagues and friends will resonate with the vibrancy and inherent heritage of our renewed brand and with the aspiration it reflects for the future. We also intend that it will meaningfully enrich the experience of our employees, as they grow in their professional lives and change the world.”