Burson-Marsteller Names Rowan Benecke Global Technology Practice Chair

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced that Rowan Benecke has joined the company as Global Technology Practice Chair, effective October 6. Benecke will be responsible for expanding the firm's Technology Practice globally and building on its reputation as a leader in this dynamic sector.

Benecke has more than 20 years of experience developing strategic communications campaigns for consumer and technology brands in the U.S., Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He joins Burson-Marsteller from Text100 Global Communications, where he worked for nine years. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President, North America Regional Director. In that role, he was responsible for managing a team of senior client leaders, developing key client relationships and strategic partnerships and driving business growth across markets. Previous roles with the firm included a two-year stint as Senior Vice President, Regional Director, EMEA and five years as Vice President, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific. Before Text100, he held senior executive roles with Waggener Edstrom Worldwide and Zeno Group.

"We are thrilled Rowan is bringing his world-class reputation and capability to Burson-Marsteller, leading our efforts to build on our strong foundation representing some of the most important and exciting technology companies in the world," said Donald A. Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO of Burson-Marsteller, to whom Benecke will report. "As the technology sector continues to drive dramatic change in every part of business, government and life overall, we are committed to providing the most innovative, ideas-driven and results-oriented service to tech clients, and Rowan's experience, creativity and leadership will be essential to our achieving new success in every part of the industry."  

Benecke has managed communications campaigns for emerging and established technology brands such as Airbnb, Cisco, Dropbox, IBM, Lenovo, NXP Semiconductors, PayPal, Philips, SanDisk, Stripe and Vodafone.

His corporate communications experience includes digital media, corporate branding, executive identity and thought leadership, mergers and acquisitions, new product introductions and crisis communications.  His sector expertise includes electronic commerce, enterprise software, consumer electronics, semiconductors, satellite and aerospace systems, and telecommunications.

"Technology is arguably the most exciting practice area to work in today, as it is at the foundation of every business and no longer a siloed specialty," said Benecke. "I'm looking forward to shaping a practice that not only serves traditional technology brands but also drives technology leadership for Burson-Marsteller's clients across all practice areas."

Benecke has spoken at conferences around the world on technology communications and social media. He was a panelist at South by Southwest Interactive 2014 in Austin, Texas and a keynote speaker at events sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing; The Pacific Conference, Singapore; The Public Relations Consultants Association India in New Delhi; and The Public Relations Institute of Australia in Sydney.

About Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller, established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications 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 leading communications services network. For more information, please visit bm.com.

SOURCE Burson-Marsteller