Weber Shandwick Adds New Talent, Promotes Two to Deepen Creative and Strategic Planning Function

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Jun 27, 2011, 09:30 ET

NEW YORK, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick today announced leading digital creative expert, Josh Rose has joined the firm as Chief Creative Officer, Multi-Platform Campaigns, effective immediately. In addition, Josh Gilbert has been promoted to Executive Vice President for Strategy and Alan Kercinik has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Director of Engagement for North America.

"These appointments demonstrate our continued commitment to deliver innovative and strategic programs for our clients to effectively engage consumers and other stakeholders across all channels and platforms," said Gail Heimann, vice chair, Weber Shandwick. "The convergence of content, creativity and digital has become a game-changer for our industry, and you'll continue to see new initiatives and approaches from Weber Shandwick this year that lead our clients in this always changing marketing landscape."

Rose hails from Deutsch Los Angeles where he developed award-winning brand experiences and strategies for top global companies. Reporting to Gail Heimann, he will be based in the firm's Los Angeles office. In this new position, Rose will work closely with Weber Shandwick's leadership team focusing on extending the firm's digital creative capabilities into new areas and providing strategic counsel for clients and staff.

Most recently, Rose was head of digital creative at Deutsch, where he spent the past 10 years. He has been developing content, communities and brands online for 17 years, from the early days of online content. He was instrumental in developing the first shows for the Internet and helping to establish some of the largest brands in the country. Rose is heavily involved in the digital community as a regular award show judge, speaker and contributor to industry publications like Mashable, Huffington Post, Contagious and many others on subjects ranging from integration to creativity to social media. He has received numerous awards for his online work including Addys, Webbys, Clios, Beldings and Effies.

"Josh Rose has the foresight, leadership, digital expertise and creative muscle to help clients deliver a compelling vision for their brands. We are thrilled he has joined our firm," Heimann added.

As executive vice president for strategy, Gilbert, who is based in New York, works with companies and organizations to develop positioning strategies and brand ideas that help them stand out in the marketplace, strengthen reputation, innovate and grow. He works with client teams across the range of Weber Shandwick's practice areas to develop cross-platform engagement campaigns that generate the kind of consumer advocacy and influencer support brands need today.

"Josh Gilbert has been a driving force behind much of the high-level brand planning work we do for our clients in North America. He is a true innovator in every sense of the word," said Heimann.

As executive vice president, director of engagement, Kercinik, who is based in Chicago, brings nearly two decades of expertise in leading and developing integrated communications campaigns, launching products and amplifying campaigns. He leads strategic and creative campaign development for multiple client brands, making real engagement happen.

"The road to engagement starts with fresh thinking and Alan has continually delivered on this for our clients, taking them to new places while winning creative accolades. He is an immensely talented leader and collaborator whose contributions to the firm and our clients have been invaluable," Heimann said.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 74 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.