P.R. & COMMUNICATIONS

Banking giant FNB appoints Razor as its new public relations agency

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Partnership marks a strategic communications shift for the bank, as brands can no longer just broadcast and hope to make an impact’.

Following a competitive pitch process, South African-based FNB bank has appointed Razor PR as its agency partner for communications and reputation management. 

 

This is a multi-year partnership and marks a strategic shift in the bank’s approach to PR and communications, the two parties say. 

Photo: FNB

Razor is the strategic communications, reputation and public relations agency of the M&C Saatchi Group South Africa. FNB is one of the country’s traditional ‘big four’ banks and offers personal, private, business, commercial and corporate banking services. Its history dates back to the formation of the Eastern Province Bank in 1838. 

 

According to a joint statement, Razor will support FNB in the development and execution of its earned corporate and brand narratives – including integrated earned-media campaigns, stakeholder engagement and reputation strategy across its complete retail and commercial operations. 

 

We can no longer ‘just broadcast’ 

 

“In a world where consumers face thousands of messages daily, we can no longer just broadcast and hope to make an impact,” says Jacqui O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Executive at the bank. 

 

“This change is about radical simplicity and clarity, two fundamental points of culture alignment between Razor and FNB. Razor was chosen for its proven ability to deliver high-impact storytelling and measurable business value.” 

 

O’Sullivan adds: “We felt that its fresh energy, new approach to reputation management and strong creative capability would create the right blend of skills for what it is we are doing as a broader communications team in the bank.”  

 

Razor’s client base includes mining company Anglo American, Dimension Data, Discovery Channel and FMCG specialist Tiger Brands. 

 

Says the agency’s CEO, Dustin Chick: “Building trust is critical in today’s fractured, high-risk world, especially for an institution like FNB that plays a vital role in society. We are thrilled to partner with FNB in its brand and reputation journey.” 

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Jason Lottering