United Partners and Pembroke and Rye Enter Strategic Partnership
Agencies join forces to redefine agile, global collaboration and build the next generation of PR services
Sofia, Bulgaria and London, United Kingdom - 3rd February, 2026: Today, United Partners and Pembroke and Rye announced the conclusion of a strategic partnership designed to strengthen and complement their respective public relations (PR) capabilities, thereby enhancing their combined service offerings in both global and local markets.
The collaboration gives London and Manchester-based Pembroke and Rye immediate access to more than 60 markets worldwide via United Partners’ international network. Meanwhile, United Partners will leverage Pembroke and Rye’s local expertise to tap into emerging opportunities in the UK.
This collaboration comes at a time when the communications industry is evolving rapidly and PR practitioners must demonstrate more agile and effective business operations. These models are increasingly combining innovation, such as the ethical and thoughtful application of AI, with human insight at the forefront. This ultimately delivers greater value and impact for clients.
Kevin Read, CEO and Co-Founder of Pembroke andRye, said: “We are excited about the potential this partnership holds for both Pembroke and Rye, as well as for agencies throughout the United Partners network. We are confident that we can deliver a distinctive and compelling strategic addition to United Partners’ network in the UK, while enabling sustainable growth across multiple sectors where we maintain deep expertise and a proven track record.”
The two agencies will begin working together immediately, focusing on structured knowledge sharing and a series of joint initiatives. These efforts will demonstrate how hybrid business models enable lean operations, speed, flexibility and agility in an era of a rapid change. In such models, PR practitioners must be able to meet the needs of their clients across their global footprint while swiftly accessing relevant technology and AI innovations. Such an approach is expected to be a key factor in the success of PR firms' in the years ahead.
“The partnership with Pembroke and Rye is a clear example of how one plus one can truly equal more than two,” said Maria Bengtsson, Owner & CEO of United Partners. “By combining United Partners’ global reach and collaborative network model with Pembroke and Rye’s strong UK presence, PR knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset, we are creating a more powerful and agile offering for our clients. Together, we can move faster, share innovation more effectively, and build leaner, smarter ways of working that reflect how modern PR businesses need to evolve.”
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About Pembroke and Rye
Grounded in authenticity and driven by evidence, we design communications campaigns that inform, inspire, and drive meaningful change. Through meticulous planning and creative storytelling, we ignite curiosity, shift perceptions, and influence behaviour. In a rapidly evolving world, we harness the transformative power of AI while staying firmly human-led—guided by passion and purpose. Our clients trust us to challenge conventions, adapt to change, and deliver measurable, high-impact results that engage their stakeholders and advance their organisational objectives.
About United Partners
United Partners (UP) is an independent global PR and communications agency with more than 25 years of experience helping B2B and B2C brands grow through strategic media relations, compelling storytelling, digital and integrated communications, and impactful audience engagement. With a collaborative network of partner agencies spanning over 60 markets worldwide, United Partners combines local expertise with seamless international execution to support clients in navigating today’s complex communications landscape. The agency’s mission is to make international communications accessible, effective and deeply human, delivering tailored solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.
Media Contacts:
· Pembroke and Rye:
Kevin Read and Charlie Hampton
Tel: +44 (0)7771 885902 / +44 (0)7884 187297
Email: charlie@pembrokeandrye.com
· United Partners:
Maria Bengtsson: maria.bengtsson@united-partners.com
Svetla Stoyanova: svetla.stoyanova@united-partners.com
