Chris Foster Returns To Burson-Marsteller; Joins As Worldwide Executive Vice President

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced that Chris Foster has joined the firm as Worldwide Executive Vice President. Foster joins Burson-Marsteller's executive team and will focus on global strategic growth initiatives, executive-level client counsel and business development. He will report to Donald A. Baer, Worldwide Chair and CEO of Burson-Marsteller.

Most recently, Foster was a Senior Vice President with Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C., managing teams across the firm's global civil health, strategic communications and civil commercial business units. He was responsible for developing and managing the reputation and communications analytics capabilities across the firm's civil commercial group.

Earlier in his career, Foster served two stints with Burson-Marsteller. From 2007 to 2010, he was a Managing Director in, and subsequently Chair of, the firm's U.S. Healthcare Practice, responsible for business development, client satisfaction, revenue growth and staff development. From 1998 to 2001, Foster was a Director in the Healthcare practice, for which he developed a multicultural and ethnic marketing capability. He also has held leadership positions with FleishmanHillard, CarryOn Communications and the American Association of Health Plans.

"Chris Foster is an extraordinary addition to Burson-Marsteller's worldwide leadership team," said Baer. "He is a highly respected expert who understands the dynamic mixture of strategic counseling with integrated, data-driven communications that is changing our sector by the day. His background and deep knowledge across a variety of industries will make him an invaluable asset to our clients and our colleagues, and his previous work with Burson-Marsteller means he will have a strong positive impact here right away."

Added Foster, "I am delighted to rejoin Burson-Marsteller, particularly now as the communications industry is at a critical inflection point. Thanks to smart investments in talent, infrastructure and capabilities, Burson-Marsteller is well-positioned to lead the future of the communications industry. I look forward to working closely with Don Baer, an extraordinary communications professional whose expertise and passion for this business are second to none."

Foster is on the Board of Directors of variety of organizations, including The International Association for Measurement of Communications (Vice Chair); Inroads, Inc.; and Burgundy Farms Country Day School. He is also a current member of the Executive Leadership Council. Named to the 2008 PRWeek "40 Under 40" list, Foster has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University School of Continuing Studies – Communications Department; University of Maryland, School of Journalism; and Western Kentucky University.

Foster co-authored the "Reputation Analytics & Corporate Strategy" chapter published within the NYSE Corporate Governance Guide in November 2014, and is working on a publication centered on "Reputation Strategy," scheduled for release in 2016.

He earned an M.S. in Applied Behavioral Counseling from The Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. in Philosophy from The University of Virginia.

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 www.burson-marsteller.com.

SOURCE Burson-Marsteller

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