Weber Shandwick Hires Michael Stopford as Executive Vice President, Senior Global Corporate Strategist

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, today announced that Michael Stopford has joined as executive vice president and senior global corporate strategist, effective immediately.

Stopford will be a key strategic resource for the firm's global corporate clients, particularly in the areas of corporate reputation and social responsibility. He is based in the Washington, D.C. office, working closely with the Corporate practice and its clients, under the leadership of Micho Spring, chair of the Global Corporate practice.

Stopford brings high-level experience in public affairs and communications from both the private and public sectors to his new role. Most recently, he served as the deputy assistant secretary general for strategic communications services for NATO.  His public sector experience includes assignments for the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Washington, D.C., including director of the United Nations Information Center and chief of media and public relations for the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank's private sector arm. In the corporate sector, leading multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Syngenta International, and ExxonMobil have relied on Stopford's public affairs, government relations and reputation management expertise.  Stopford's role has ranged from forging strategic partnerships across sectors to the development and execution of global corporate reputation strategies, integrating sustainable growth with social, environmental and business reputation leadership.

"Michael brings invaluable knowledge and expertise in corporate reputation and social responsibility to the firm and will provide clients with keen insights, strategic guidance and creative solutions," said Andy Polansky, president of Weber Shandwick. "His depth and breadth of experience will be an asset to both our firm and our clients."

Stopford currently sits on the boards of the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver and the Von Karman Institute in Brussels. He is a member of the Cercle de la Grande Societe de Berne (Swiss Foreign Policy Council) and has served on various non-profit and higher education boards.  In addition, he was a 2007 member of the Clinton Global Initiative. Stopford has held adjunct professorships at Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University and American University and has lectured widely in the U.S. and overseas.  A graduate of Oxford University, he received an honorary degree from New England College.  

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.

SOURCE Weber Shandwick

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