
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is said to be consolidating its global public relations, and has shortlisted three companies to lead the effort.
The three are Weber Shandwick, Waggener Edstrom and Hill & Knowlton, according to Melissa Milburn, the foundation’s deputy director of media relations.
The organization currently delegates PR activities to different agencies, with Weber Shandwick covering microfinance and food programs, The Holmes Report says.
“It is thought that the Gates Foundation is looking to consolidate its various programmes, which also include global health and agricultural development, with one network,” the report adds.
A source involved in the final review of firms expects the assignment to come with a “healthy” payment.