Nicoletti Takes Helm of APCO's Brussels Office; Walsh Assumes Leadership Role for Southeast Asia Region, Global Management of Key Client Microsoft

BRUSSELS, June 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- APCO Worldwide's Paolo Nicoletti today was named managing director of the company's European headquarters office in Brussels, announced Brad Staples, chief executive officer of APCO's Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Former managing director Garry Walsh was named managing director of the firm's Southeast Asia region based in Singapore and global account lead for Microsoft, one of APCO's key clients.

"Paolo's experience and energy will enable him to enhance the status of our European headquarters as the market leader in European public affairs and a key international business hub for the company," said Staples. "Garry's tremendous record of managing multinational clients presents great opportunities for companies based in Singapore and throughout the region, and his trusted counsel and partnership with Microsoft will be sure to drive our work with this key client in new and important directions."

Nicoletti is the former deputy managing director of the Brussels office and brings extensive public affairs expertise and a deep knowledge of European policy issues to his new position. He has been based in Brussels since 1993. Prior to his work at APCO, Nicoletti was managing director of the Brussels office of Confindustria, the association of Italian industrialists. Before joining Confindustria, he worked with Business Europe and with the European Commission as an assistant to the directorate-general for external relations. He was also a member of the European Economic and Social Committee. He began his career as an accountant at Arthur Andersen.

"Given our exceptional team of practitioners in Brussels, I am looking forward to focusing on building additional business, driving new growth for APCO in the heart of the EU institutions and ensuring our clients continue to receive best-of-class service," said Nicoletti. "Clients are preparing to address the critical policy challenges being driven by the new EU administration, and there promises to be many new and interesting opportunities ahead."

In addition to his leadership role with the company's Southeast Asia region, Walsh also assumes a new global position with overall responsibility for APCO's relationship with Microsoft, working as a key member of APCO's Microsoft client teams in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific as well as promoting global best practices in standards of client service. Walsh joined APCO in 2004 and had served as managing director of Brussels since 2007.

"Companies today, many of which are represented in the Southeast Asia region, are experiencing great growth in emerging markets. Different strategies are required to take advantage of these opportunities, and our clients in this region are looking to implement new ideas," said Walsh. "APCO's work with Microsoft has been my significant area of focus for some time, and I am looking forward to working on the development and global management of our partnership with Microsoft in this new role. In an ever globalizing world, I am delighted to take on a challenge within APCO that will afford me the opportunity to work across three regions to better serve our client's needs."

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune's Global 500. APCO offers services related to business, industry and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit http://www.apcoworldwide.com.

SOURCE APCO Worldwide Ltd