NEW YORK, June 23—Edelman Public Relations Worldwide has expanded its presence in the Latin American market with the acquisition of Birô de Assessoria de Imprensa of Rio de Janeiro. BASI has 28 employees, 22 of whom are former journalists or have experience in television, radio or the Internet. The firm’s strength is in media relations, but it has branched out into crisis and issues management, community relations, corporate reputation, sports and entertainment marketing and media training.  

“The time was right for Edelman’s expansion into Rio de Janeiro, and BASI’s capabilities and experienced staff complement our existing capabilities in Sao Paulo,” says Vivian Hirsch, president of Edelman Latin America and CEO of Brazil.

BASI founder Andrea Gouvea Vieira will continue as general manager of Edelman/BASI. Clients include Banco Icatu, an investment bank; Icatu Hartford, an insurer; Rio Sul Airlines; CEG, a gas company; White Martins, a supplier of industrial and medical gases; and the Brazilian Volley Ball Association.

SINGAPORE—Edelman Public Relations Worldwide has named Mitchell Presnick as managing director of Edelman China. He succeeds Timothy Heberlein, who becomes managing director of Edelman Taiwan. Pressnick joined Edelman earlier this year, and was previously managing director of APCO’s China practice.