Key Takeaways
- The Ballard Global Alliance was launched in 2024 to provide seamless global public affairs solutions.
- Three Latin American firms now play a key role in strengthening the alliance’s regional reach.
- Cefeidas Group offers deep expertise in public policy, regulatory affairs, and crisis management across Latin America.
- Esfera contributes nonpartisan thought leadership and dialogue in Brazil’s political and economic landscape.
- Global Nexus bridges policy and business engagement between Latin America and the United States.
As Ballard Partners has expanded into a public affairs firm with a global reach, it has established a presence in the key international markets of Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Nigeria, and Saudi Araba. Through these offices, which are led by government relations consultants with deep connections in their respective regions, Ballard Partners offers cross-border advocacy to its more than 700 clients.
In recent years, Ballard Partners has further expanded its cross-border capabilities through the Ballard Global Alliance. Launched in 2024 under the leadership of founder and president Brian Ballard, the alliance brings together public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, and similar firms to create a pioneering a network aimed at providing seamless world-class solutions to clients.
Upon its launch, the Ballard Global Alliance included Ballard Partners, the Tokyo-based KyodoPR, and the UK-based SABI Strategy Group. Since then, the alliance has six added new partners, each of which is a regional leader is helping clients achieve their business goals. Among these partners are three from Latin America.
Cefeidas Group
The first Latin American firm to join the Ballard Global Alliance, Cefeidas Group has more than 15 years of experience providing top-tier advisory services designed to help organizations doing business in Latin America reach their objectives. Public policy, public affairs, regulatory affairs, crisis management – the Argentina-based firm does all this and more, drawing on its expert team to deliver research-based solutions and unsurpassed support.
Cefeidas Group is led by managing directors Santiago Chaher and Juan Cruz Díaz. Chaher, who founded the firm in 2009, is a graduate of the London School of Economics. Previously, he managed Latin American and Caribbean projects for the International Finance Corporation’s Global Corporate Governance Forum. Díaz, a lawyer who studied at Tufts University, is a former director of Public Policy Programs at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, where he continues to serve as a special advisor.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of Cefeidas Group joining the Ballard Global Alliance, Ballard Partners president Brian Ballard said that “Through this collaboration, both our firms will be positioned to offer premier services.” Díaz noted his firm is “thrilled to collaborate with Ballard Partners,” adding that, through the partnership, “our clients will be positioned to take full advantage of the cooperation throughout the hemisphere.”
Esfera
Brazil has seen much strife in recent years. A nonpartisan think tank, Esfera seeks to bring balance to the country by facilitating dialogue between business leaders, government leaders, and institutions. With expertise in public affairs, policy, and the economy, the firm strives to serve as a unifying hub for its nation.
Esfera is led the Camargo family. Influential media investor João Camargo founded the firm and oversees it today as board chairman; experienced entrepreneur and executive Camila Funara Camargo serves as chief executive officer; and nonprofit professional Ana Lucia Funara Camargo, who cofounded the firm with João Camargo, is an executive advisor.
According to Brian Ballard, Esfera’s “expertise in Brazil’s political, social, and economic environment” makes it a “perfect fit” for the Ballard Global Alliance. João Camargo, meanwhile, noted how joining the partnership will give his firm “unique access” to Ballard Partners’ deep knowledge of the US political landscape.
Global Nexus
The most recent Latin American firm to join the Ballard Global Alliance is a leader in bridging the divide between Latin America and the United States. From offices in Mexico City and Washington, DC, Global Nexus has a more than 10-year record of leveraging its full suite of public affairs and government relations services to foster mutually beneficial cross-border relationships.
Global Nexus was founded in 2013 by Rubén Olmos, who draws on his decades of combined government, policy, and business experience to direct the firm’s operations in the United States and Latin America. Global Nexus also benefits from the leadership of vice president Miren Berganza, senior director Ana Margarita Martínez, and senior director Alejandro Vales.
Through the alliance, Ballard Partners and Global Nexus will partner across the United States and Latin American, strengthening each other’s services while collaborating with the Cefeidas Group and Esfera. “Together, we are positioned to deliver enhanced expertise and a broader suite of government affairs capabilities,” said Brian Ballard. For Olmos, the collaboration is a welcome development, one that will allow “our clients to fully leverage hemispheric cooperation and respond to dynamic policy environments with agility and confidence.”
FAQs
What is the Ballard Global Alliance?
The Ballard Global Alliance is a network of leading public affairs, government relations, and strategic communications firms serving clients worldwide.
Why are Latin American firms important to the alliance?
Latin American members provide regional expertise and local insight that strengthen cross-border advocacy and hemispheric cooperation.
What services does Cefeidas Group provide?
Cefeidas Group offers advisory services in public policy, public affairs, regulatory strategy, and crisis management throughout Latin America.
What role does Esfera play within the alliance?
Esfera serves as a nonpartisan platform for dialogue among business, government, and institutions in Brazil’s political and economic environment.
How does Global Nexus support cross-border engagement?
Global Nexus connects Latin America and the United States through public affairs and government relations expertise across both regions.