New Shanghai Leadership Team Strengthens Firm’s Strategic Communications and Consulting Offerings
SHANGHAI, Jan. 25, 2010 — Fleishman‐Hillard International Communications today announced its new leadership team in Shanghai. The firm has appointed Alex He as senior vice president and general manager, and Shijun Ma as vice president and deputy general manager.
Mr. He will assume the day‐to‐day responsibilities of managing Fleishman‐Hillard Shanghai and lead further expansion of the office’s operations and range of client services. He reports to Li Hong, president and senior partner of Fleishman‐Hillard’s Mainland China network.
With over 12 years of experience in consumer, retail, media and real estate business and strategy consulting, He will leverage his business insights and expertise to help global companies expand in the China market, as well as to counsel Chinese companies expanding abroad. Prior to joining Fleishman‐Hillard, He spent six years consulting for McKinsey & Company after obtaining a master’s degree in business from the The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. Before his post‐graduate studies, He worked at Ogilvy and British American Tobacco.
“China continues to play a leading role in Fleishman‐Hillard’s aggressive global expansion strategies, and strategic hires like these are a key driver of our success,” said Fleishman‐Hillard President & CEO Dave Senay. “Alex and Shijun not only increase the depth and sector expertise of our China management team, they will truly take our Shanghai operation to the next level, as we deliver results‐focused communications and marketing solutions for our multinational and local clients in China.”
Mr. Ma will take a leadership role in further strengthening Fleishman‐Hillard Shanghai’s existing business‐to‐consumer client portfolio, as well as spearheading the growth of corporate communications and strategic integrated marketing offerings. After beginning his career in China’s broadcast journalism field, Ma sharpened his consulting skills at Edelman Public Relations and Manning Selvage & Lee in Shanghai, where he counseled clients in a range of industries including automotive, electronics, pharmaceutical, financial services and manufacturing. He holds a master’s degree from Cranfield University School of Management in the United Kingdom.
“Our China business is growing and evolving rapidly to meet our clients’ need for strategic counsel on the communications challenges that directly impact their success, both in Shanghai and across China,” commented Li Hong. “Alex and Shijun bring a powerful combination of consulting excellence, business insights and experience to the task of helping our clients meet those challenges at a time of enormous change and opportunity.”
“More than ever, our clients’ Asia Pacific strategy is central to their global growth ambitions,” said Lynne Anne Davis, the firm’s president of Asia Pacific. “As a major financial and consumer hub, Shanghai figures prominently in that equation. The addition of seasoned consultants such as Alex and Shijun positions Fleishman‐Hillard as a premier provider of sound reputation management and brand‐building initiatives that will move the needle for our clients in China and beyond.”
About Fleishman-Hillard
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 was named “Asia Pacific Network of the Year” in 2004 and again in 2008 in the Asian PR Awards, held by Haymarket, publishers of MEDIA and PRWeek magazines. For more information, visit the Fleishman‐Hillard Web site at www.fleishman.com.
Fleishman‐Hillard Asia Pacific was founded in Beijing in July 1994. Today, the firm’s China network also includes offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Among the fastest growing operations in the firm, Fleishman‐Hillard China provides communications consulting in areas of government relations and public affairs, healthcare, consumer marketing, crisis and issues management, corporate reputation management, travel and tourism, automotive, and information technology. To learn more, visit www.fleishman.cn, the firm’s Chinese site.
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 more than 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
