NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Burson-Marsteller,
a leading global strategic communications and public relations
firm, today announced that Mike
Fernandez has been named U.S. CEO, effective immediately.
Fernandez succeeds Michael Law who
becomes Worldwide Executive Vice President, also effective
immediately. Both Fernandez and Law will report to Worldwide
President Kevin Bell.
Fernandez joined Burson-Marsteller in September 2016 as Chair, Global Corporate and
Financial Practice to spearhead client development, strategy and
new offerings for the Practice. "Mike
Fernandez is one of the most highly respected leaders in the
entire strategic communications field, and we are thrilled to have
him step up to run our firm's all-important U.S. region," said
Don Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO,
Burson-Marsteller. "Mike's deep experience leading corporate
affairs and communications for some of the world's most important
companies and his understanding and excitement about the vast
changes in public relations make him ideal for this time of
transformation at Burson-Marsteller and across our sector."
Added Bell: "Mike's extensive in-house experience, managing
agencies and managing client businesses, will provide us with
additional insight into how to best solve our clients'
communications challenges. I look forward to partnering with him to
grow our U.S. business and continue building on our strength in
combining world-class strategic counsel with cutting-edge,
integrated creative communications to drive measurable results for
our clients.
"In his new role, Michael Law
will work with me on major client engagements and new business
opportunities," Bell added. "I look forward to working closely with
Michael in this new capacity."
Fernandez has served as the chief communications officer for
five large U.S.-based corporations across diverse industries,
including financial, technology, consumer goods and services, and
health care. Most recently, he led global corporate affairs
at Cargill, where for six years he was responsible for
communications, brand and marketing services, government relations,
and corporate social responsibility. He and his teams have won
numerous awards and recognitions, and he is known for leading teams
that serve business aims, manage corporate crises successfully and
build stakeholder relationships that solve real-world problems and
enhance reputations.
Before joining Cargill – the world's largest privately held
company and one of the world's leading producers and marketers of
food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services
– Fernandez was chief communications officer for four Fortune
500 companies, including State Farm Insurance, ConAgra Foods,
Cigna and US West, and before that he held marketing and public
relations roles at Kodak. Earlier in his career, he served as Press
Secretary to U.S. Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, where at age 23
he was the youngest U.S. Senate Press Secretary ever and only the
second Latino to serve in such a role.
"Burson-Marsteller's world-class talent and expertise combined
with second-to-none capabilities that are driving business results
and solving real-world problems make this an extraordinary
opportunity," said Fernandez. "I look forward to working with both
our U.S. and global clients to help them win in the marketplace and
thrive."
Added Law, "This is a great opportunity to work closely with
Kevin as we work to build our global business and ensure the
continued success of the firm."
About Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller, established
in 1953, is a leading global strategic communications and public
relations firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and
program execution across a full range of public relations, public
affairs, reputation and crisis management, advertising and digital
strategies. The firm's seamless worldwide network consists of 73
offices and 85 affiliate offices, together operating in 110
countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of
Young & Rubicam Group, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), the
world's leader in communications services. For more information,
please visit www.burson-marsteller.com.
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SOURCE Burson-Marsteller