Diana Marszalek 15 Feb 2023 // 8:10PM GMT
NEW YORK — Edelman Global Advisory Services has expanded in Latin America with the acquisition of Brazilian government relations firm Distrito Relações Governamentais.
The addition of Distrito, which is based in capital city Brasília, expands EGA to a third city in Brazil. EGA — an Edelman boutique specializing in government and business advisory — already has offices in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The addition of Distrito’s networks across Latin America and regulatory insights will strengthen EGA in the fast-growing region, while providing Distrito clients access to EGA experts worldwide, EGA said in announcing the deal.
Distrito is a full-service consultancy firm that provides integrated government relations services to public and private stakeholders. The firm, which was founded six years ago, has a deep understanding of Brazil’s government and politics, including its legislative processes and regulatory environment, EGA said.
The integration of Distrito into Edelman Latin America will be led by Leigh Wedell, COO of EGA, and Mariana Sanz, CEO Edelman Latin America Region, along with leadership from Distrito’s co-founders, Públio Madruga and Danilo Gennari.
Madruga, an experienced government relations lawyer who previously served as government affairs manager and head of the parliamentary cabinet, will serve as EGA’s new chair of Latin America. Gennari will bring his 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, including as special secretary of parliamentary affairs of the presidency of the republic and special advisor to the minister of finance, to serve as EGA’s president for Brazil.
“With this strategic move, EGA is bolstering its presence in Latin America, one of our largest growth markets, and allows us to provide a broader range of services as well as quality insights into the ever- changing political, economic and social landscape in the region to support our clients,” Wedell said. “Launched in August 2021, EGA provides tailored business and government advisory services to its clients around the world, and this acquisition is in line with our goal to provide a global strategic vision combined with the ability to navigate the local markets to ensure our clients’ success.”