LONDON — David Gallagher, the former president of international growth and development at Omnicom, has launched his first solo venture, an advisory firm to help agencies with business planning, development and growth.

Gallagher left Omnicom PR Group (OPRG) in August after 26 years with the group. He moved into the holding company-level role in 2016, after 22 years at Ketchum, latterly as CEO of Ketchum Europe and before that as London CEO.

DG Advisory, which formally launches on 20 January, is already working with a number of independent agencies in a board advisory capacity, including KWT Global, Curzon PR, Lynn PR, Proof Analytics and Launch.

Its services include agency development, helping agency leaders to define and reach their aspirations, and consultancy on projects including refining service propositions, marketing plans, culture, M&A support and investment planning.

The firm also offers support for purpose-led companies and brands looking to find new agency partners, define their narratives, and improve their work around stakeholder engagement and ESG.

Gallagher told PRovoke Media: “When I left Omnicom I realised that the quickest way I could make a contribution to the community was to help agencies that I otherwise wouldn’t have contact with – who have interesting, integrated offers, big ambitions for the future, and a lot of promise – move up to their next level of excellence.

“The response I’ve had has been enormously rewarding, encouraging and gratifying and there has been so much warmth and support from the community. It’s really a testament to the collaborative spirit of the PR and communications industry – those in the corporate, advisory and agency space have been really generous with their own experiences and advice. Hopefully I will be collaborating with lots of different people.”

Gallagher said that during the year ahead he would also be “launching other ventures in adjacent spaces.”

In a LinkedIn post at the end of last year, Gallagher – who is a former chairman of the PRCA and former president of ICCO – wrote: “I think 2022 will be a year of even greater enormous change and renewal for the worldwide communications community, as growing numbers of professionals reconsider or recommit to their careers. New agencies will launch, and established consultancies will set new definitions for success. Clients will re-evaluate their options and everyone will look to balance the demands of growth with the urgent appeals of purpose, sustainability and inclusion. They’ll need advice, investment and honest, ethical encouragement.”