FleishmanHillard Appoints J.J. Carter Global Chief Operating Officer and President of the Americas
Jack Modzelewski Named Global President of Business Development and Partnerships
St. Louis, Jan. 20, 2016 – Today, FleishmanHillard (FH) named J.J. Carter as the firm’s first Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President, Americas. Carter will be responsible for the worldwide business operations of FleishmanHillard and in that capacity, will focus on enhancing the FleishmanHillard experience for its employees, clients, agency partners and with the DAS Group of Companies. Carter will report to president and CEO, John Saunders.
“The role of global Chief Operating Officer and President, Americas is vital to the overall success and the future growth of FleishmanHillard,” said Saunders. “Throughout his career, J.J. has taken on some of our most important work and he has successfully risen to each challenge. He has led numerous global accounts, becoming one of the firm’s most decorated client relationship managers. He has launched and run a successful practice, and served as general manager and regional president with sustained excellence. Importantly, J.J. is a champion of the FH culture and he is known for his integrity, his creativity and his ability to attract and develop great talent. I am thrilled to see his impact on the firm at the highest level.”
“Throughout the history of our firm, our leaders have always created conditions that set people up for success,” said Carter. “It is an enormous honor and responsibility to carry that tradition forward, and I’m grateful for the trust that John and the firm have placed in me. Our industry continues to evolve at an incredible pace, and as our clients embrace an integrated approach, I believe FleishmanHillard can serve as a catalyst for this era of creative communications.”
Carter joined FleishmanHillard in 2005, and previously served as President of the U.S. East, U.S. West, Canada and Mexico. He has led a variety of key growth areas, including one of the firm’s largest offices in San Francisco and one of the firm’s largest clients, Visa Inc., as global client relationship manager. In 2007, he helped launch the agency’s global sports marketing practice, calling on his experience as the head of communications for professional sports teams and leagues which include director of public relations and digital properties for the international Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP Tour), and director of public relations for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communication with a concentration in public relations.
Jack Modzelewski Appointed to Global President, Business Development and Partnerships
Transitioning to the role of global President, Business Development and Partnerships is Jack Modzelewski. In this new position, Modzelewski will focus on growing partnerships with clients through relationships at the highest levels to help existing and new clients better address their business and marketplace challenges. He also will focus on relationship engagement with the many organizations with which FH shares both client and strategic business interests.
“Jack has served FleishmanHillard and our clients with distinction over three decades,” Saunders said. “In this newly created position, he will focus on strategic partnerships and expanding our opportunities with new and prospective clients. His vast experience and reputation are enormous assets for the firm and I’m pleased he has stepped forward for this role.”
Modzelewski has served as President, Americas since 2011 and under his leadership, the region has delivered outstanding performance year over year. He facilitated a number of leadership transitions in key markets. Modzelewski also led the expansion of the region, establishing a presence in Brazil and facilitating the partnership with DDC Advocacy. In May 2015, Modzelewski was inducted into the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications’ Hall of Achievement. Previously, Modzelewski led global client relations for the firm, and served as both President of the EMEA region and as General Manager of FleishmanHillard’s Chicago office.
Modzelewski received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. He attended Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and has participated in the Omnicom Senior Management Program taught by Harvard Business School faculty members. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Club.
About FleishmanHillard
FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard was named PRWeek’s 2014 Global Agency of the Year, “Standout Agency” on Advertising Age’s 2013 A-List; NAFE’s “Top 50 Companies for Executive Women” for 2010-2015; and among PRWeek’s 2013 “Best Places to Work.” The firm’s award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of the DAS Group of Companies, and has 88 offices in 30 countries, plus affiliates in 43 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com
About the DAS Group of Companies
The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.
