Weber Shandwick Hires Digital Leader Stephanie Agresta as Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Social Media

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Oct 25, 2010, 02:34 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, a leading global public relations firm, today announced that Stephanie Agresta is joining the agency as executive vice president and managing director of social media in its Digital Communications practice, effective immediately.

Based in New York, Agresta will focus on social strategy and digital thought leadership activities, build relationships and partnerships to further bolster the firm's social media offering, and support major client assignments. She will report to Chris Perry, president of Digital Communications.

"Understanding the power and perils of social media is of vital importance to brand builders and corporate communicators," said Chris Perry. "Stephanie is one of the top experts in the field and will be instrumental in helping to drive continued momentum for the Digital Communications practice. She will play a vital role helping clients continue to take full advantage of social tools, and behaviors they facilitate, to shape brands and protect reputation in highly dynamic ways."

Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Agresta was an executive vice president and global director of digital strategy and social media at Porter Novelli. In 2004 she founded Stephanie Agresta Consulting, a digital media and marketing firm that forged partnerships with noted digital thought leaders and emerging technology companies.

A popular speaker at industry events, Agresta has sat on panels at numerous conferences including BlogHer, SXSW and Mashable. She was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Social Media Advertising Consortium (SMAC), where she serves alongside the executives of global brands. Her first book, Perspectives on Social Media Marketing, co-authored with B. Bonin Bough of PepsiCo, was released in October 2010.

"Weber Shandwick's exceptional digital growth, coupled with its proven track record in the social media space, stellar leadership team and esteemed clients attracted me to the firm. I look forward to helping to continue the momentum by leveraging my knowledge and experience to exceed client's expectations and drive results," said Agresta.

A testament to the firm's digital growth and success, at the recent 2010 Digital Awards sponsored by PR News, Weber Shandwick was named a Digital Firm of the Year and won more awards for its digital work than any other PR firm.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 73 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, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world including "Best Multinational Firm to Work For in EMEA" by The Holmes Report and a "Top Place to Work in PR" by PR News. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

Contacts	Jennifer Norton	Rachel Hoey
Company	Weber Shandwick	Weber Shandwick
Phone	212-445-8314	212-445-8171
Email	[email protected]	[email protected]