BERLIN — DeVries Global has opened its first office in Germany, expanding its global footprint into continental Europe for the first time.

The Berlin office will be led by Kerstin Diehl (pictured), who joins as managing director. She has more than 15 years’ experience in the beauty, fashion and lifestyle industries, most recently as director of lifestyle marketing at Nicole Weber Communications in Hamburg.

Diehl will work closely with DeVries Global’s European managing director, Helena Bloomer, with both reporting to global CEO Heidi Hovland.

The office opens with an AOR relationship with Zippo Manufacturing Company, an extension of the global remit that DeVries has handled for more than 10 years.

Diehl said: “Becoming part of the DeVries family makes me very proud, and because the agency’s values very much reflect my own, it also feels like coming home.”

Bloomer said, “Given Germany’s position as one of the strongest performing markets in Europe, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing increasing interest in dedicated support there, both with existing clients and in new business.”

DeVries Global, which is headquartered in New York and is part of the IPG network, has seven other offices in London, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei.