NEW HORIZONS: The Lede Company is expanding its talent division to Paris as it continues to strengthen its foothold in Europe.

The agency, which represents celebrities including Rihanna, Reese Witherspoon and Pharrell Williams, is known for pioneering the integration between brand communications and talent management.

It plans to use its French office as a strategic hub to support brands in developing impactful and culturally relevant talent strategies; accompany its clients when activating projects, campaigns and appearances during key moments in the European calendar, including Paris Fashion Week, and explore international opportunities for local talent.

Led by Olivier Bourgis, president, and Carlos Freixeda, senior vice president of global communications and marketing for The Lede Company and Ritual Projects, Lede Paris will offer a full-spectrum service spanning brand partnerships, events, media relations, public image consulting and representation.

Bourgis said it plans to work with a wide spectrum of celebrities, beyond those already signed to the agency. “If it’s a Lede talent, all the better, but the idea is to devise a broader strategy for brands,” he explained.

The launch of the Paris talent division comes on the heels of the creation last year of a similar branch in London, led by Matthew Avento. Lede, which also has offices in New York City and Los Angeles, gained a foothold in Paris with the acquisition of Paris-based communications and marketing agency OBCM in 2023.

“With this expansion, The Lede Company strengthens its position as a trusted partner at the intersection of talent, brands and media. By blending international expertise with local insight, Lede Paris aims to craft innovative campaigns, build meaningful partnerships, and amplify voices that shape contemporary culture,” it said in a statement.

For instance, Lede handles both Rihanna’s artist representation and the singer’s Fenty and Savage x Fenty brands, spanning beauty, fashion and lingerie, ensuring her persona, product launches and campaigns are tightly integrated across PR, branding and impact messaging. It also represents Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon’s media and lifestyle company.