Burson-Marsteller Brings On Jeremy Gaines As Managing Director, U.S. Strategy Team And Benjamin Chang As Managing Director, U.S. Public Affairs And Crisis Practice

NEW YORK, May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Burson-Marsteller, a leading strategic communications and global public relations firm, today announced the addition of two top media and political experts to its U.S. team: Jeremy Gaines has joined the firm as a Managing Director on the U.S. Strategy team, and Benjamin Chang has joined as a Managing Director in the U.S. Public Affairs and Crisis practice. Both are based in Washington, D.C.

"Jeremy and Ben represent the level of outstanding talent Burson-Marsteller is renowned for: They are world-class strategic counselors who bring creativity, judgment and relationships with impact to our work to drive powerful results for our clients," said Don Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO, Burson-Marsteller. "They are two of the most accomplished and respected communications professionals in America with deep experience at some of the nation's top media organizations and in public service."

Gaines has more than 20 years of experience in crisis, corporate and financial communications and will focus on executive level client counsel and media strategy in his new role. Before joining Burson-Marsteller, Gaines was Vice President, Corporate Communications for Gannett (renamed TEGNA in 2015) in McLean, Va., where he led all internal and external communications and spearheaded communications planning for several acquisitions, including the $2 billion+ acquisition of Belo Corporation. Before that, he was Vice President, Corporate Communications (2003-2012) and Director of Strategic Development (1999 – 2003) at MSNBC, where he directed all corporate communications, media relations and internal communications for the cable news network, liaising with reporters from top-tier consumer and trade media. Earlier in his career, he was the Deputy Director of Press Advance (1996-1998) and a Press Assistant (1993-1996) in the Clinton White House.

"Jeremy is a terrific addition to our U.S. team," said Michael Law, Burson-Marsteller U.S. CEO. "In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, his expertise will be enormously valuable to our current and prospective clients.  We are excited to welcome Jeremy to Burson-Marsteller, and look forward to him becoming an important driver of our U.S. business."   

Chang is a seasoned communications and policy practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in both public service and the private sector. His domestic and international responsibilities have included directly advising senior White House and Cabinet officials and supporting the implementation of U.S. foreign and national security policy across three different presidential administrations, from political analysis and multilateral negotiations to strategic communications, media relations, event planning and convening, and crisis management.

Before joining Burson-Marsteller, Chang was Vice President & Events Editor for the Los Angeles Times, where he expanded the Times' leadership in events. He helped build The California Conversation, an event series focused on policy, social and cultural issues of importance to California and the nation. Before that, he was Senior Vice President for Communications for the Albright Stonebridge Group (2013 -2015), and Principal of The Podesta Group (2012 – 2013). Earlier in his career he held numerous senior positions while in the Foreign Service, including Director for Public Affairs & Communications and Deputy Spokesman for the White House's National Security Council; Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning & Crisis Communications in the Bureau of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; and Deputy Spokesman at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

"With a rich background in government, foreign policy and media, Ben's experience will be of substantial value to our clients," Law added.  "I am very much looking forward to working with Ben and know that he will add a great deal to our Public Affairs and Crisis Practice."

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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