NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- Burson-Marsteller, a leading global strategic
communications and public relations firm, today announced that
Helaine S. Klasky has been named
Chair, U.S. Public Affairs and Crisis Practice, effective
immediately. Klasky will be responsible for building the practice's
extensive client portfolio and helping clients achieve their
corporate and public-policy objectives.
"Helaine is a world-class strategist with deep corporate,
non-profit and government experience in communications and public
affairs," said Mike Fernandez, U.S.
CEO, Burson-Marsteller, to whom
Klasky will report. "Having worked with some of the top leaders in
business, government and academia, she has built teams and
cutting-edge programs that have enhanced reputations and solved
real-world problems. From developing powerful thought leadership
efforts to navigating crises, Helaine is one of the best, and she
will be a tremendous asset to Burson's clients."
Klasky worked at GE for more than seven years serving as Chief
Communications Officer for GE Energy Management, and creating and
then leading GE's global public affairs function. She also served
as Senior Adviser for GE Business Innovations. Throughout her
tenure at GE, she advised senior leaders on communications, public
affairs and outreach strategies, including thought leadership and
digital engagement. She also developed and drove strategies and
data analytics to maximize customer engagement and business growth.
Through identifying and creating relationships with key
stakeholders, she helped further position the company as an
industry leader and improve the market conditions for growth.
Before GE, Klasky spent eight years as Chief Communications
Officer and Associate Vice President at Yale
University, where she developed and implemented strategic
communications plans for the University and spearheaded
communications for many of its science and global
initiatives. Before that, she was Deputy Assistant Secretary
at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, advising then-Secretary
Lawrence Summers and other senior
Treasury officials on all media matters and coordinating with White
House offices and other government agencies. Earlier in her career
she was Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Public
Affairs and Spokesperson, where she managed the communications
strategies relative to China's
accession to the World Trade Organization and helped the government
navigate a response to the public demonstrations surrounding the
WTO meetings in Seattle. Earlier in her career she was
Director of Media Relations at the U.S. Department of State and
worked for two members in the U.S. Senate.
"In this period of accelerated change, businesses and
organizations need partners who understand how to help them advance
and achieve their corporate and policy objectives," said Klasky. "I
am excited to lead Burson-Marsteller's extraordinary team of
public affairs and crisis experts and to work with them to ensure
our clients achieve their goals."
Klasky earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley; a Master's in
International Relations from American
University; and a Master's in Education, Global Emphasis,
from the University of Virginia.
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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SOURCE Burson-Marsteller