PARIS—Christophe Ginisty, founder of French technology public relations pioneer Rumeur Publique and most recently deputy managing director of Edelman’s EMEA region technology practice, has returned to his entrepreneurial roots with the launch of a new firm, Open Agency.

The firm will be what Ginisty describes as “a PR social network,” drawing on the expertise of senior professionals in public relations and digital and social media.

Among those partnering with Ginisty on the venture are Frédéric Chevalier, a Brussels-based digital and social media strategist; Olivier Cimelière, CEO and founder of Heuristik Communications and former global communications director at Ipsos; Virginie Debuisson, founder of Valeur D’Image; Natacha Heurtault, a technology PR veteran who previously held positions at SixApart and bluewiki Software; and Matthieu Ladiray, of e-marketing agency TacTicWEB.

Open Agency is “inspired by the opportunities created by social media and social networks are creating for organizations and leaders,” Ginisty says. It will have a strong focus on issues management, because Ginisty believes reputation risk has increased significantly with the growing importance and influence of social media.

The firm has several launch clients, including a large French communications agency, for digital strategy; a prominent CEO who is looking to expand his digital footprint; and an insurance company, seeking brand content counsel.