Burson-Marsteller Names Terri-Helen Gaynor Asia-Pacific CEO

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NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced that Terri-Helen Gaynor has joined the company as President and Chief Executive Officer, Asia-Pacific, effective immediately.  Gaynor succeeds Patrick Ford, who had been Chair of the Asia-Pacific region since October 2012. Ford will continue as Worldwide Vice Chair and Chief Client Officer and as Chair of the Asia-Pacific region through the leadership transition, serving as a senior advisor to Gaynor. Both Gaynor and Ford will report to Burson-Marsteller Worldwide Chair and Chief Executive Officer Donald A. Baer.

Gaynor's 30-year career spans the full spectrum of corporate communications, from internal communications to investor relations and marketing communications programs. She has led numerous teams on initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers & acquisitions (M&As) and takeover bids. She also has deep knowledge of the global health industry and offers vast experience counseling government officials. During her career in Asia and Australia, she served clients including Bupa, IBM, Jardine Matheson, Kimberly-Clark, Manulife, Nike, Philips and UTC Building & Industrial Systems. She will be based in Hong Kong.

For the past 12 years, Gaynor served as Managing Director and Founding Partner of Reputation Pty Ltd in Australia. While leading Reputation Pty Ltd, she specialized in corporate communications, government relations and investor relations assignments for a variety of top global brands, including Becton, Dickinson and Company; Deutsche Bank; KPMG; Marriott International; Optus; and Qantas, among many others. In addition, she advised a number of departments within the Australian government, including the departments of Education, Health, Finance, Human Services and Sport.

"Terri-Helen is widely respected across Asia-Pacific and the global communications sector as an expert strategist with broad expertise managing complex issues in partnership with CEOs, boards of directors, financial authorities and government ministers," said Baer. "She is an extraordinary communications professional who brings strong entrepreneurial drive to the role of building our business prospects and expanding our reach in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. Her success in building a leading firm across Australia, her unparalleled commitment to client service and her great passion for nurturing the next generation of communications professionals will make her a tremendous addition to our firm.

"All of us are very grateful to Pat Ford for leading the region during these past two years," Baer continued. "Under his strong guidance, we have grown our business, added exceptional talent and produced award-winning work, all while leading the region in ideas-driven, evidence-based communications. Pat's dedication to excellence and professionalism has made him one of the greatest contributors to Burson-Marsteller and the entire public relations industry, and we are very fortunate to have his continued service as a leader and colleague in his ongoing role as our Worldwide Vice Chair and Chief Client Officer."

Before founding Reputation Pty Ltd, Gaynor spent two years with a leading global firm in Australia as an Account Director on the corporate and investor relations team, specializing in M&As and IPOs. Gaynor also advised the firm's financial services team in Greater China. Prior to that, she was an Executive Director with Forrest International, developing and implementing internal and external communications programs for clients in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Gaynor began her career in the Commonwealth Government sector, working for 10 years in the areas of policy development, communications and training and development for various government agencies in Australia. 

"I am absolutely delighted for the opportunity to lead Burson-Marsteller's operations in Asia-Pacific," said Gaynor. "The firm has built an outstanding business in its more than 40 years in the region and boasts an enviable roster of talent and clients. I am eager to build on this most impressive foundation."

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.

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