Giustino O'Dowd and Polk to Strengthen Weber Shandwick's Chicago Corporate Affairs Practice

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Jan 31, 2012, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, a leading global public relations firm, today announced two key Corporate practice appointments in its Chicago office.

Maryanne Giustino O'Dowd, currently an executive vice president at the firm, will transition into the role of Corporate practice lead, effective immediately. Additionally, David Polk, formerly executive director of corporate communications at Amgen Corp., joined the practice as an executive vice president.

"Maryanne and David will be instrumental in our driving continued growth and momentum for our Corporate practice as we expand our client offerings to help companies build and protect corporate reputation and drive strong business results," said Susan Howe, president, Weber Shandwick's Chicago office.

O'Dowd is a multi-dimensional public relations professional with more than 25 years of experience. She has been a leader in the firm's Consumer practice since 2004, focusing on creating initiatives aimed at diverse audiences for many of the firm's top clients. Her wide variety of corporate expertise includes reputation management, media relations and media training and issues management.

Polk has more than 20 years of corporate communications experience at several Fortune 500 companies, including Amgen, Tyco International, Raytheon, Amoco and General Motors. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Polk worked for five years at Amgen, where he directed the biotechnology leader's financial and executive media relations, and issues management programs.

His experience includes counseling C-suite executives, managing media relations and developing reputation management initiatives. He is a graduate of Bradley University and has his law degree from Chicago-Kent.

"Maryanne and David will collaborate with our broader corporate practice team to bring the group's point of difference – driving one, powerful, enterprise brand voice for clients – to life in the Chicago market," said Paul Jensen, chair, Weber Shandwick's North America Corporate practice. "They each bring a wealth of experiences to support client efforts and unlock the full value of their enterprises."

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 81 countries around the world. The firm's success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates - engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an 'Agency of the Decade' by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, a Digital Firm of the Year by PR News, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.