ST. LOUIS, Oct. 5, 2007 — Fleishman-Hillard International Communications today announced the appointment of Keith Hughes to the position of senior vice president, partner and managing director, global marketing communications. In this newly created role, he will report to Jack Modzelewski, president and senior partner, client relations.
Hughes, a 23-year industry veteran and leading innovator in integrated marketing communications, has joined the firm after nearly 10 years at Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L). He most recently served there as senior vice president, North America consumer practice director.
“Keith has built an impressive reputation as a creative thinker who drives programming into uncharted territory — who has greatly expanded his clients’ vision of the impact marketing communications can have,” said Dave Senay, president and chief executive officer.
“His track record for building new capabilities, growing client relationships with some of the world’s most admired brands, and working in the international arena, will be a tremendous asset for us as we look to enhance our global leadership in this core practice area.”
Based in Fleishman-Hillard’s New York office, Hughes will work with the firm’s seasoned marketing leadership to fuel the global growth of its marketing communications practice. He will work to drive programming innovation, establish new expertise and thought leadership, and identify talent, as well as provide counsel to some of the agency’s largest clients.
During his years at MS&L, Hughes served as the North America account director and later, global director of innovation and development, for the agency’s relationship with Procter & Gamble. He also acted as account director, North America, for Philips Electronics, and provided strategic counsel to a broad array of clients ranging from Kraft, Best Buy, Coca-Cola, and Western Union to General Motors, Western Union, Nike, and Absolut.
Earlier in his career, Hughes was senior manager of international public relations for Pepsi-Cola Company. There he helped orchestrate one of the largest media events in the company’s international history behind the launch of “Project Blue” — a $500MM marketing offensive to reposition the Pepsi brand. He also worked as a vice president at Ketchum Public Relations for clients ranging from Reebok and Sony to Fidelity Investments and Chase Manhattan Bank. He began his career at Creamer Dickson Basford.
Hughes is a graduate of Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and pursued a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Georgia.
Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world’s leading public relations firms, has built its reputation by using strategic communications to deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive, and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity, and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, South Africa, and Latin America through its 80 owned offices. For more information, visit the Fleishman-Hillard Web site at www.fleishman.com.
Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, interactive, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
