Fleishman-Hillard Appoints Ryan Peal General Manager of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleishman-Hillard International Communications today announced the appointment of Ryan Peal as senior vice president and general manager of its Los Angeles office.

Peal, a Hill+Knowlton veteran, brings nearly 20 years of local and international experience counseling clients and leading integrated campaigns for a number of Fortune 500 brands across the technology, automotive, beverage, entertainment and lifestyle sectors. Since joining Hill+Knowlton in 1993, he has held leadership roles in LA; Sydney; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago, as well as regional roles across North America and Asia Pacific.

"The appointment of a dedicated general manager for Los Angeles is an important milestone for the agency, and we're thrilled to have Ryan on board," said J.J. Carter, Fleishman-Hillard president for the U.S. West region. "We're in a period of strong growth in Southern California under the direction of Della Sweetman, and adding Ryan to our leadership team will enable us to better meet the changing needs of our clients and to capitalize on opportunities in the nation's second-largest market. This appointment both reflects the opportunities we look to secure as well as the evolution of our firm as we combine our corporate and social heritage with an additional focus on creative and integrated media capabilities."

Before rejoining Hill+Knowlton as a creative and strategic consultant in LA, Peal spent several years based in Australia working across Asia Pacific. He served as the APAC creative director for Hill+Knowlton and was a member of the senior leadership team for the firm's regional operations, contributing to significant growth during that time. While in Australia, Peal also was PR and social media director and director of integrated marketing for the creative firm Momentum Worldwide.

Prior to Australia, Peal was with Hill+Knowlton LA for nearly a decade, leading a portfolio of consumer lifestyle brands that included adidas, Boost Mobile, Pernod Ricard, THQ and Yahoo! During that time, he also managed the Motorola U.S. and global business and ran the agency's youth marketing practice.

"As I've come to know Fleishman-Hillard, I've been impressed with the evolution of the firm and its ambitions to provide a more integrated offering to clients," Peal said. "I'm excited to join this smart, driven team and to assume this important leadership role in Los Angeles."

Peal has led a number of award-winning campaigns. In addition, he was named one of Ad Age's top marketing bloggers in Asia Pacific during his time abroad.

Peal will report to Sweetman, who continues to oversee the agency's Southern California operations, which include offices in LA, Orange County and San Diego. Under Sweetman, Fleishman-Hillard has become one of the region's leading communications agencies, specializing in full-service and integrated communications in the areas of consumer products and services, technology, healthcare, clean energy and corporate services.

About Fleishman-Hillard
Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading strategic communications firms, has built its reputation on creating integrated solutions that deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America through its 80 owned offices. For more information, visit the Fleishman-Hillard website at www.fleishmanhillard.com. Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

SOURCE Fleishman-Hillard Inc.