SAN FRANCISCO — Visa has brought on Allison+Partners to support its work across corporate, security and innovation communications in North America, the Holmes Report can reveal.

Visa's chief communications officer Paul Cohen confirmed that Allison + Partners is "one of several firms" the company uses. "The work aligns with their product, tech and  innovation focus," Cohen said.

The Holmes Report understands that Allison+Partners began its work earlier this year with a broader strategy of helping consumers and media think of Visa as more than a credit card company. 

Specifically, the MDC-owned agency is supporting Visa with executive thought-leadership programs; research and media relations around many of its products, including Visa Direct; fintech support; and a positioning and push to drive contactless card adoption in the US. Other work includes analyst relations, a digital strategy project for the Visa News social media channels, and executive media training.

Longtime Visa veteran Cohen returned to the company nearly three years ago to lead communications, following a two-year stint at PayPal.