NEW YORK — Intercontinental Hotels Group has restructured its PR agency partnerships, consolidating the bulk of its PR responsibilities with WPP while handing DeVries Global its luxury and boutique brands, the Holmes Report can reveal.

Officially, WPP’s Ogilvy, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and BCW will handle PR in key markets around the world for the UK-based hotel giant’s mainstream and upscale brands, which include Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Crowne Plaza. The work will be led out of Ogilvy’s New York office.

"With some of the world’s largest and well-known brands, such as Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, each of our hotels provides guests with a unique travel experience. Partnering with WPP to tell engaging stories that drive greater awareness and preference among consumers is an important part of how we differentiate ourselves in the industry," said Emma Corcoran, IHG VP of global corporate communications.

The consolidation marks an expansion of WPP’s work for IHG, adding key markets including the US, Mexico and Latin America to its remit. WPP agencies have worked with IHG in markets including the UK, Greater China and Canada since 2012.

It is understood that BCW retained its work in China and Europe, while Ogilvy adds North America. 

The move, however, also puts an end to Weber Shandwick’s role as IHG’s US PR agency, which it has been for more than a decade. Weber was among more than 25 IHG agency partners worldwide.

Under the new structure, WPP will be working with IPG's DeVries Global, which has been named agency of record for IHG’s Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton and Indigo brands.

DeVries has been tasked with raising awareness of IHG’s luxury hotels and resorts. The remit includes brand PR campaigns, media relations and supporting key new hotel openings.