SINGAPORE — Progressive Communications, the PR consultancy launched last year by Tarun Deo, has formed a strategic partnership with social creative agency Reson8 Asia.

The alliance between the firms brings together a 22-strong team which will offer a range of communications and storytelling services, including PR and reputation management, digital and social media content creation, as well as creative and digital strategy.

The partnership follows a successful project with Temasek-backed digital transformation company Temus – where Progressive and Reson8 will continue to collaborate on earned, owned, and paid media to drive awareness and conversion for the Step IT Up x Temus programme, to develop Singapore’s tech talent pool, among other corporate reputation mandates.

Deo launched Progressive in 2021 with S$500k (US$372k) in seed funding, after departing Interpublic Group, with Dole Sunshine Company as the new consultancy's anchor client. Established in 2009, Reson8 Asia rebranded in 2018, providing digital solutions from its Singapore and Bangkok offices.

"Our partnership with Reson8 is a step forward for Progressive following our successful launch 20 months ago," said Deo. "No PR firm can truly call themselves ‘progressive’ without strong creative and social-digital capabilities, and we are thrilled to be moving into exciting territory with Reson8 – a fantastic partner with an impressive track record – where we will create content that resonates with our clients’ audiences."

Deo confirmed that the alliance currently involves a partnership only, with no changes to the equity in either firm.

“Reson8 has come a long way over the last four eventful years, and we are thrilled to join forces with Progressive to build out and expand our services portfolio,” added Reson8 Asia director Weijie Chow. "Combining our offerings with Progressive’s impeccable reputation in making magic for clients across earned and owned media completes the puzzle for marketers; I believe we now have an extraordinary offering that gives our clients a future-ready roadmap."