Drury engaged by IAG to help with efforts to acquire Aer Lingus

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) has hired public relations firm Drury Porter Novelli to handle communications around its efforts to acquire Aer Lingus.

The firm's chairman and co-founder, Billy Murphy, is working on the group's account.

It’s another high-profile engagement for the man who, most recently, was the public face of the resolution of the long-running legal battle between golfer Rory McIlroy and his former management company, Conor Ridge’s Horizon, where Murphy was on Horizon’s media team.

Drury, whose other clients include CRH and Paddy Power, has a bit of form with airlines.

The firm was an advisor to Aer Lingus and was on board when IAG chief executive, Willie Walsh was leading the Irish flag carrier.

It also worked on Aer Lingus’ defence to two of Ryanair’s three bids for the company, all of which have been seen off.