Weber Shandwick Hires Heidi Sinclair to Lead Global Technology Practice

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Nov 29, 2010, 01:11 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, today announced that Heidi Sinclair is joining the firm as president of the Global Technology practice. Sinclair is well known as a technology strategist, corporate executive and successful entrepreneur. Based out of her native Seattle, Sinclair begins immediately, reporting to Weber Shandwick's president Andy Polansky.

Most recently, Sinclair headed Heidi Sinclair & Co, a marketing communications and philanthropic consulting firm. Prior to this position, Sinclair was the Chief Communications Officer for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she oversaw global communications and was a member of the foundation's management committee. Previously, Sinclair had been CEO for Burson-Marsteller in Europe, Middle East and Africa with operational broad oversight across Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and Russia. While at Burson-Marsteller, she had also been Global Chair of Technology where she spearheaded the award-winning work of global teams working on technology clients in over 50 countries. Several of the large clients she led include SAP, HP, Sun Microsystems and Apple.

"Heidi's client service, strategic business development and leadership talents will be tremendous assets to our technology clients and internal teams across the world," said Andy Polansky. "We are confident that her keen insights, global expertise and passion for technology will help drive our clients' success as they compete in an ever-changing marketplace. Her leadership further strengthens our fast-growing technology offering."

Commenting on her appointment at Weber Shandwick, Sinclair said: "This is the ideal time for me to join Weber Shandwick. The firm's excellent resources, global footprint, strong leadership and best-in-class technology services are well-regarded around the globe. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with this world-class firm's clients and employees."

In addition, Sinclair's rich background includes having founded two companies and built several new businesses within corporate structures for public relations agencies and companies such as International Creative Management. She is a four-time Young Entrepreneur award winner and has been the recipient of numerous marketing and communications honors. She is on several corporate advisory boards and belongs to the Young/World President's Organization and International Women's Forum. Sinclair frequently writes and lectures about branding and the future of media, is a regular commentator on CNBC and CNN, and authors a blog for The Huffington Post.

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.