COPENHAGEN — WPP PR firms H+K Strategies and Burson-Marsteller are merging operations in Denmark to create a new agency.

The new firm will be led by Burson-Marsteller CEO Nikolaj Buchardt, while Mikkel Andersen, previously director of H+K Strategies, becomes COO. 

The working name of the new agency is HKBM, although employees will be asked to participate in a rebranding project. The firm will represent both Burson-Marsteller and Hill & Knowlton in the Danish market.

“Hill & Knowlton has successfully created an agency with expertise and insight on behavioral science and creative and integrated campaigns, and Burson-Marsteller’s competitive strengths are rooted in strategic communications, issues management and public affairs,” said Buchardt. "Merging our expertise will create a strong and agile agency that meets and exceeds the market’s expectations."

A Burson-Marsteller spokesperson told the Holmes Report there would be no staff redundancies as a result of the merger. The combined headcount of the new operation is around 35 people.

The news comes as Omnicom unveils plans to merge its three global PR brands in four European markets.