WASHINGTON, DC—APCO Worldwide has launched an expanded service offering to help its clients in Big Data. The expansion of D2B, or Data to Business, will provide counsel on opportunities in innovation, product development and marketing as well as deal with the sensitive issues of privacy and protection.

“The volume of data flows among individuals, devices, machines and companies around the world is unprecedented,” says APCO chief executive Margery Kraus. “This has led to clearer communication, more relevant and better-made products, improved efficiency and increased innovation. However, this also creates a new set of challenges for companies, organizations, individuals and consumers concerning data use, privacy and protection.

D2B will work with clients to articulate the value of Big Data to internal and external stakeholders; prevent and manage data privacy and cyber security issues; and optimize data insights to create new communication strategies revealed by analyzing the data.

“There are significant opportunities from smart use of Big Data in creating both commercial and societal value,” says Evan Kraus (pictured), executive director for digital strategy at APCO. “By combining our diverse talents in a more integrated manner, we can significantly increase the level of service to our clients working to navigate the risks and rewards of big data.”

Kraus says the team will deal with big data’s impact on business outcomes, local privacy laws, cyber security issues, marketing and development opportunities, and effective stakeholder engagement across cultures. The firm has previously counseled clients on issues associated with such key data regulations as Safe Harbor.

Experts include Tina Stow, former senior director of privacy and communications for technology and information company LexisNexis; Andrew Serwin, executive director of the Lares Institute, a think tank focused on privacy and information management, and general counsel of the RIM Council of the Ponemon Institute; and Cliff Stearns, former member of Congress and Republican leader on the Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee.