MEDIA RELEASE PR39726
Corporate Communications Veteran John Blyth Joins Fleishman-Hillard
ST. LOUIS, May 27 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Fleishman-Hillard International Communications today announced that
longtime McDonald's Corp. communications executive John Blyth has joined the
firm as a senior vice president and partner.
Blyth, who joined McDonald's in 1981, has served since 2005 as the
company's corporate vice president of corporate communications, leading a
global team of 80 communications professionals representing executive
communications, internal communications, global Web communications, meetings
and events, and creative services. He also was a member of McDonald's
Worldwide Corporate Relations Council and Global Communications Council, both
of which set policies for the company's corporate responsibility efforts,
issues management and brand-building activities worldwide.
In his new position, Blyth will be based in Fleishman-Hillard's Dallas
office, where his primary role will be to provide senior client counsel and
oversee strategic initiatives for the agency's top clients.
"At a time when our clients' communications are more integrated and
global than ever, it's a real pleasure to welcome John Blyth to our agency
team," said Dave Senay, the firm's president and chief executive officer.
"His experience spans 35 years and, in the course of helping to manage the
McDonald's brand across 170 countries, his duties have included an integrated
mix of everything from crisis communications to sponsorships to strategic
marketing assignments. John brings with him a wealth of experience in
managing one of the most respected global brands. It will be a tremendous
asset to draw on that experience to further strengthen our work for our major
clients around the world."
"After so many years with a company built on providing consistently high
quality and value to customers, I feel fortunate indeed to join another
global player that has quality service and client value so much at the heart
of its reputation," said Blyth. "Add to that Fleishman-Hillard's strong
culture of teamwork, its commitment to developing the full potential of its
people and the chance to work with industry-leading clients, and this was
simply too good an opportunity to pass up. I'm looking forward to the
challenges ahead."
Blyth originally joined McDonald's in his native Australia as advertising
manager and went on to assume positions of increasing responsibility for the
company's global communications, ultimately taking on leadership of its
reputation management and marketing efforts in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East
and Africa. He co-chaired McDonald's efforts as a co-sponsor of the 2000
Olympic Games in Australia and led the regional communications for the
company's sponsorship of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. Before
joining McDonald's, Blyth also spent several years developing a solid
foundation in marketing and brand building at Unilever and DDB.
In addition to his professional duties, over the years Blyth has been an
active supporter of the Ronald McDonald House programs in Australia,
Singapore and Chicago and also has served on the boards of Meals on Wheels
Chicago and the Chicago Tourism and Convention Bureau. He holds a certificate
of advertising from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and also
studied business and marketing at the Caulfield Institute of Technology.
About Fleishman-Hillard
Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading strategic
communications firms, has built its reputation on creating integrated
solutions that 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, Africa and Latin America through its 80 owned offices. For more
Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC)
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.
SOURCE: Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
CONTACT: Danielle Hurtt of Fleishman-Hillard Inc.,
+1-314-982-7738,
danielle.hurtt@fleishman.com
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