FleishmanHillard Appoints Former NFL Communications Lead to International Advisory Board

Joe Browne, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Joins Agency's Panel of Expert Counselors, Bolsters Growing Sports Group

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FleishmanHillard

Mar 10, 2016, 11:22 ET

ST. LOUIS, March 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Joe Browne, the NFL's Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, has been named the newest member of FleishmanHillard's International Advisory Board (IAB), the firm announced today. As a member of the IAB, Browne joins 12 well-respected professionals to provide hands-on, expert counsel for FleishmanHillard and its clients. Browne's appointment is effective April 1 following his retirement from a half-century career with the National Football League.

Browne will immediately bolster the thriving FleishmanHillard sports practice, which supports more than 75 clients globally, leveraging their investments in sports to build business, protect reputation and connect with key audiences. Clients include sports brands, sponsors, professional teams and leagues and national governing bodies. The firm recently supported nine clients at Super Bowl 50 and is currently working with top brands and organizations to leverage opportunities surrounding the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Browne began his career at the NFL in 1965 as a college intern in former Commissioner Pete Rozelle's office. Throughout the next 50 years, he held various positions in the public relations office, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs in 2002. For the last five years, he held the post of Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, dealing with issues related to the League's 20,000-plus retired players. As the NFL's longest tenured employee, Browne's extraordinary career reflects the incredible growth of pro football in the U.S. and internationally. His experience covers the entire spectrum of communications, from government affairs to media relations. He attended the last 49 Super Bowls, helping to grow the "big game" into the most popular one-day sporting event in the United States. Browne currently serves on the Board of Directors for USA Football and the Pat Tillman Foundation, and recently completed a six-year term on the national Board of Governors for the United Way of America.

"Joe Browne's appointment comes at a time when FleishmanHillard's sports capabilities have never been stronger," said John Saunders, FleishmanHillard president and CEO. "However, his value goes way beyond sports. I have known Joe for more than 20 years, and I am honored that this MVP of America's most popular sport has accepted our invitation to join the IAB."

FleishmanHillard's International Advisory Board provides clients with direct, hands-on counsel from some of the world's most prestigious thought leaders and influencers from the private and public sectors. This strategically assembled panel understands how to navigate the difficult issues faced by the firm's clients, and provides valuable insider knowledge when it matters most. Other distinguished members of the board include Anna Chennault, Adm. Vernon E. Clark, Edwin 'Mac' Crawford, Keki Dadiseth, former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Shoichiro Irimajiri, Mickey Kantor, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, John Onoda, Leon Panetta, Janet L. Robinson and Guenter Verheugen.

About FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard specializes in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard was named PRWeek's 2014 Global Agency of the Year, "Standout Agency" on Advertising Age's 2013 A-List; NAFE's "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" for 2010-2016; and among PRWeek's 2013 "Best Places to Work." The firm's award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of the DAS Group of Companies, and has more than 85 offices in 30 countries, plus affiliates in 43 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.

About The DAS Group of Companies

The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

SOURCE FleishmanHillard