PR giant APCO Worldwide just inked a deal with a data startup to advise clients facing scrutiny over climate change

<p><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/60119a586dfbe10018e00421-1056/Kraus_Margery.jpg" border="0" alt="Margery Kraus" data-mce-source="APCO Worldwide" data-mce-caption="Margery Kraus, founder and executive chair of APCO Worldwide"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>PR firm APCO Worldwide is partnering with a startup that specializes in climate and water intelligence to help clients facing scrutiny over their role in climate change.</p><p>The deal with Vector Center is part of an effort by APCO to grow in areas like management consulting and compete with the likes of Accenture and McKinsey. To that end, APCO has already acquired consulting firms <a href="https://apcoworldwide.com/news/apco-acquires-global-philanthropy-group/">Global Philanthropy Group</a> and <a href="https://apcoworldwide.com/news/apco-worldwide-acquires-twc-associates-uk-business-strategy-consultancy-with-strong-international-ties/">TWC Associates,</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apco-hires-oracle-vet-bob-winslow-to-expand-into-tech-2020-12">hired</a> high-profile execs like Oracle vet Bob Winslow to lead a new tech unit with investment from Erie Street.</p><p>APCO is also trying to keep up with the PR industry's move to be more data-driven. For example, ad holding company <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/omnicom-launches-a-new-public-relations-measurement-platform-2021-1">Omnicom</a> recently launched its own platform to provide more precise measurements for its PR campaigns and IPG-owned <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weber-shandwick-ceo-on-data-analytics-consultancy-and-digital-2020-11">Weber Shandwick</a> launched a data analytics division in January 2020.&nbsp;</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apco-hires-oracle-vet-bob-winslow-to-expand-into-tech-2020-12">PR firm APCO Worldwide just nabbed a top Oracle vet to help technology firms facing regulatory backlash</a></em></p><p>APCO's clients, which include corporations, cities, and multinational corporations, increasingly face reputational risk related to their role in climate change. APCO also advises utility companies on their role in addressing climate change.</p><p>APCO also wants to advise governments, nonprofits, and multinational groups on climate change, a need that will become more important as the US and other governments&nbsp;prioritize the subject, said APCO senior director Judit Arenas.</p><p>Vector is backed by investors including Data Collective, Scott Minerd from Guggenheim Partners, Tassaka AB, and Courtney Reum from M13. It gathers satellite and climate data from sources like NASA and social media that APCO will use to predict crises that could hurt its clients' reputations, said Vector founder J. Carl Ganter.&nbsp;</p><p>APCO and Vector hope the deal will lead to more business wins for both companies as they have complementary services and a similar client basefor example, they share Microsoft as a client. Vector monitors water levels for Microsoft that is used to cool its data centers and has received a grant from Microsoft's $50 million AI for Earth initiative. APCO has <a href="https://apcoworldwide.com/case_study/microsoft-unlimited-potential/">helped</a> Microsoft on a range of sustainability issues.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apco-partners-with-vector-center-to-win-sustainability-business-2021-1#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-symphony-seas-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-deals-with-waste-2020-3">How waste is dealt with on the world's largest cruise ship</a></p>
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