Adfactors PR has acquired a majority stake in Australian communications consultancy SenateSHJ, expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific market.
The deal brings together two independent communications firms with expertise across reputation management, critical issues, stakeholder communications and organisational change.
SenateSHJ will continue to operate under its existing name, with its Sydney and Melbourne offices and client teams remaining in place. Co founder and Chair Angela Scaffidi AM and CEO Darren Behar will continue to lead the business.
Adfactors PR CEO Nijay N Nair will join the SenateSHJ board. He also oversees the Indian firm’s mergers and acquisitions and international expansion initiatives.
For Adfactors PR, the acquisition adds an established Australian operation to its international network. For SenateSHJ, the deal provides access to Adfactors PR’s larger network and resources while keeping its existing leadership and operating structure.
The two firms will work across markets on reputation, stakeholder issues and change communications, particularly as businesses increasingly operate across India, Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region.
Madan Bahal, Co-founder & Managing Director, Adfactors PR, said, “SenateSHJ is a formidable business with an outstanding reputation, exceptional leadership and proven expertise in solving complex communication challenges. There is a strong alignment in the way our two organisations think about the world, clients, people and the role we can play in shaping the future.”
He further added, “India and Australia are emerging as a strategic business corridor, and we trust the new partnership will help clients in both markets to create new opportunities in the wider Asia Pacific region. We hope to explore more opportunities in the region to create a strong Asia Pacific presence.”
Rajesh Chaturvedi, Co-founder and Chairman, Adfactors PR, said, “We have had the privilege of serving India Inc. for the last 29 years through many cycles in the global and domestic business environment. I am happy that with this new partnership our relationship capital will expand to a significant market like Australia.”
Angela Scaffidi AM, Co-founder and Chair, SenateSHJ, said, “We’re incredibly proud of the business SenateSHJ has become over the past 24 years – our people, the work we do and our relationships with clients. We have built a relationship of deep trust with Adfactors PR over the past decade. We feel a deep connection to the way they think and feel about the world, their people and the work they do with clients.”
She further added, “There is strong alignment and great respect. The problems clients bring us increasingly cross borders. Being part of a group with real scale across India, Asia Pacific and beyond means we can help them with more of those problems – without changing what has made this firm what it is.”
FAQs
- What is Adfactors PR?
Adfactors PR is an Indian public relations and communications consultancy founded in 1997. The firm works across reputation management, critical issues advisory, financial communications and sector focused communications, with offices across India, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
- What is SenateSHJ?
SenateSHJ is an Australian independent communications consultancy founded in 2002. Based in Sydney and Melbourne, the firm works across reputation, stakeholder engagement, change management, digital communications, research and intelligence.
- What did Adfactors PR acquire in Australia?
Adfactors PR acquired a majority stake in SenateSHJ, expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific communications market and strengthening its ability to support clients with cross border communications requirements.
- Who leads SenateSHJ after the acquisition?
SenateSHJ will continue to be led by co founder and chair Angela Scaffidi AM and CEO Darren Behar. Adfactors PR CEO Nijay N Nair will join the SenateSHJ board.
