NEW YORK—Ruder Finn has launched a formal corporate social responsibility practice, which will be led by senior vice president Sarah Coles (pictured) and based out of a new agency hub in Boston.

Ruder Finn currently works with several clients in the CSR space, supporting PepsiCo’s Dream Machine program for recycling and the Novartis Coartem Malaria Initiative, which provides malaria treatments to developing countries at cost, while Ruder Finn China chairs a CSR program at Tsinghua University aimed at contributing to academic debate and building business leadership skills by collaborating between public and private sectors.

The company’s digital agency, RFI Studios, won a Webby Award for its work on behalf of Liz Claiborne’s “Love is Not Abuse” campaign, a program dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and teen dating abuse.

According to CEO Kathy Bloomgarden. “CSR should not be seen as an afterthought but, rather, integrated into the core of a company’s values and best practices. Further, an integrated CSR program that leverages the business’ core competencies is more likely to build trust and relationships with consumers.”