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The industry was shaken this week by news that Omnicom is set to buy its holding company rival to create the world's biggest marketing communications group, with a combined revenue of $25.6bn.

PRWeek journalists Danny Rogers, Siobhan Holt and Evie Barrett discuss their initial reactions to the news, which could have huge implications for some of the world's biggest PR agencies. Omnicom's stable includes FleishmanHillard, Ketchum and Porter Novelli, while IPG owns The Weber Shandwick Collective, Golin and several more.

The trio discuss the likely main reasons for the merger, and what it could mean for the PR agencies. Are we likely to see mergers of existing Omnicom/IPG shops, or even sell-offs of some of the PR assets?

Separately, the team take a close look at the PRWeek UK Communicators of the Year list for 2024 - the winner was announced this week as Sir Alan Bates, the Post Office campaigner.

They discuss the process of choosing the UK's best communicators and pick out some of their favourite people on the list.

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