“Landing Google really put us on the map”: Karl Brophy on the success and sale of Red Flag

Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

Earlier this month, Red Flag Global, an Irish-based strategic communications firm was acquired by New York-based Ankura Consulting Group, a global management consulting firm.

The financial details weren’t revealed but it is understood that the price tag on the deal was €45 million.

Founded in 2013 by Karl Brophy, the company was chaired by Gavin O’Reilly, son of Tony O’Reilly and a former chief executive of Independent News & Media.

Karl joins host Ciarán Hancock on this episode of the Inside Business podcast to discuss his career that began as a Fine Gael press officer before stints covering politics for the Daily Mirror and the Irish Examiner.

He later went to work as a journalist and editor with INM, including a six-year stint editing an edgy tabloid title in South Africa.

In January 2011 he was appointed as Director of Corporate Affairs and Content Development at INM, reporting to Gavin O’Reilly.

It was a turbulent period in the history of the company, with a well-publicised battle for control of the business between the O’Reilly family and Denis O’Brien, who became a major shareholder.

Karl left INM in October 2012, setting up Red Flag just months later.

Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.