NEW YORK, May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Burson-Marsteller, a leading strategic communications and
global public relations firm, today announced the addition of two
top media and political experts to its U.S. team: Jeremy Gaines has joined the firm as a Managing
Director on the U.S. Strategy team, and Benjamin Chang has joined as a Managing Director
in the U.S. Public Affairs and Crisis practice. Both are based in
Washington, D.C.
"Jeremy and Ben represent the level of outstanding talent
Burson-Marsteller is renowned for:
They are world-class strategic counselors who bring creativity,
judgment and relationships with impact to our work to drive
powerful results for our clients," said Don
Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO, Burson-Marsteller. "They are two of the most
accomplished and respected communications professionals in America
with deep experience at some of the nation's top media
organizations and in public service."
Gaines has more than 20 years of experience in crisis, corporate
and financial communications and will focus on executive level
client counsel and media strategy in his new role. Before joining
Burson-Marsteller, Gaines was Vice
President, Corporate Communications for Gannett (renamed TEGNA in
2015) in McLean, Va., where he led
all internal and external communications and spearheaded
communications planning for several acquisitions, including the $2
billion+ acquisition of Belo Corporation. Before that, he was Vice
President, Corporate Communications (2003-2012) and Director of
Strategic Development (1999 – 2003) at MSNBC, where he directed all
corporate communications, media relations and internal
communications for the cable news network, liaising with reporters
from top-tier consumer and trade media. Earlier in his career, he
was the Deputy Director of Press Advance (1996-1998) and a Press
Assistant (1993-1996) in the Clinton White House.
"Jeremy is a terrific addition to our U.S. team," said
Michael Law, Burson-Marsteller U.S.
CEO. "In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, his expertise
will be enormously valuable to our current and prospective clients.
We are excited to welcome Jeremy to Burson-Marsteller, and look forward to him
becoming an important driver of our U.S. business."
Chang is a seasoned communications and policy practitioner with
more than 20 years of experience in both public service and the
private sector. His domestic and international responsibilities
have included directly advising senior White House and Cabinet
officials and supporting the implementation of U.S. foreign and
national security policy across three different presidential
administrations, from political analysis and multilateral
negotiations to strategic communications, media relations, event
planning and convening, and crisis management.
Before joining Burson-Marsteller, Chang was Vice President
& Events Editor for the Los Angeles
Times, where he expanded the Times' leadership in
events. He helped build The California Conversation, an event
series focused on policy, social and cultural issues of importance
to California and the nation.
Before that, he was Senior Vice President for Communications for
the Albright Stonebridge Group (2013 -2015), and Principal of The
Podesta Group (2012 – 2013). Earlier in his career he held numerous
senior positions while in the Foreign Service, including Director
for Public Affairs & Communications and Deputy Spokesman for
the White House's National Security Council; Senior Advisor for
Strategic Planning & Crisis Communications in the Bureau of
Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; and Deputy
Spokesman at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
"With a rich background in government, foreign policy and media,
Ben's experience will be of substantial value to our clients," Law
added. "I am very much looking forward to working with Ben
and know that he will add a great deal to our Public Affairs and
Crisis Practice."
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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