Burson-Marsteller's Patrick Ford Named Diversity Champion, Agency, At 2016 Diversity Distinction In PR Awards

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Burson-Marsteller, a leading global strategic communications and public relations firm, today announced Patrick Ford, Worldwide Vice Chair and Chief Client Officer, was named Diversity Champion in the PR Agency category in the 2016 Diversity Distinction in PR Awards. Sponsored by the PR Council in association with PRWeek, the awards recognize individuals and organizations that play a key role in facilitating the recruitment, retention and promotion of diverse PR practitioners. The winners were announced at the PR Council's annual dinner in New York on September 21.

Since joining Burson-Marsteller in 1989, Ford has led a variety of diversity initiatives both at the firm and industry-wide. He founded the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Council, which he personally chaired for five years. He instituted diversity training at Burson-Marsteller, and he is deeply committed to mentoring and reverse mentoring initiatives through which he has maintained numerous relationships with diverse talent. He is a long-time, active supporter of The LAGRANT Foundation and the Scripps Howard School at Hampton University, and also actively mentors ethnically diverse students at several U.S. universities.

"There is no one more deserving of the Diversity Champion award than Pat Ford," said Don Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO, Burson-Marsteller. "Pat truly understands that for us to do our best work, we must deeply understand and be representative of the world at large. He has worked tirelessly to help Burson-Marsteller and the entire communications industry achieve this goal. We are inspired by his commitment to creating opportunities for diverse talent, and we are delighted he is being recognized for his hard work and achievements."

Burson-Marsteller was awarded honorable mention for Best Large PR Firm Diversity Initiative Award for its "Together Being More" campaign. The program is designed to promote greater diversity at Burson-Marsteller and the PR industry as a whole by enhancing partnerships and programs that attract diverse talent, promoting a culture of inclusion among all employees and elevating the PR industry as an optimal and rewarding career path.

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.

SOURCE Burson-Marsteller

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