Former Australian leaders from Porter Novelli have launched MGR&CO, a new independent communications and advisory firm focused on high-trust strategic counsel and hands-on delivery.
Founded by Arj Ganeshalingam, Patrick McClelland and Rhys Ryan, MGR&CO will provide full-service communications and advisory support to corporations, brands, non-profits and government agencies.
The founders bring a combined 65 years’ experience across reputation management, corporate affairs, national public awareness campaigns and crisis response.
A move backed by Clemenger Group leadership
The launch has been backed by Clemenger Group chairman Robert Morgan, who worked closely with the trio during their time leading Porter Novelli Australia.
“Arj, Rhys and Patrick are the best communications professionals I’ve ever worked with and did a brilliant job with Porter Novelli for Clemenger Group,” Morgan said.
“From the knottiest problems to the biggest opportunities, they are exceptional practitioners who always deliver for their clients.
“Starting their own firm as MGR&CO is the best move they could make. I believe they will do brilliantly, unshackled,” Morgan said.
Focus on senior counsel and delivery
MGR&CO is positioning itself around direct access to senior consultants, with founders leading both strategy and execution for clients.
“Communications has become big and expensive, or small and shallow, but we’ve always stayed on the tools,” said MGR&CO director Rhys Ryan.
“That means our clients work with experienced consultants who know their business, actually do the work, and help leaders make decisions when the stakes are high.”
Ryan said the model would remain as the firm hires new staff in the coming months.
“We’re excited to be able to give 100 per cent of our focus to our clients and our people without interference or large overheads. We curated a strong culture at Porter Novelli, and we’re looking forward to making MGR a great place to work.”
Sector depth across regional, government and cyber
The firm will work across sectors, including education, financial services, government, health, food manufacturing, professional services, retail, and technology, with particular depth in agribusiness, regional development, and land-use change.
McClelland, who is deputy chair of Agribusiness Australia, said credibility and deep networks are essential when working in regional Australia.
“In agribusiness and regional Australia, you need to know. You need to know what you’re talking about, you need to know agriculture and regional communities, and you need to know the right people,” McClelland said.
“Over the past 20 years, I have been driven by helping farmers, businesses and regional communities build strong, successful enterprises that sustain prosperity.”
MGR&CO will also specialise in cybersecurity and cyber incident response, drawing on the founders’ experience advising organisations through more than 100 data breaches and working alongside insurers and specialist law firms.
A new chapter after Porter Novelli
Ganeshalingam said the founders were building on the foundations established during their time at Porter Novelli.
“We’re grateful for everything we learned leading one of Clemenger Group’s most respected operating companies,” he said.
“We were taught to focus on exceptional client service, the quality of our work and growing careers for our people at Porter Novelli.”
The firm has launched with several clients already engaged across its priority sectors and will operate nationally, initially from Melbourne before expanding into Sydney and other markets.
Top Image: Arj Ganeshalingam, Patrick McClelland and Rhys Ryan