Weber Shandwick Names Chris Perry Chief Digital Officer, Deepens Global Focus on Content and Media Innovation

NEW YORK, June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, announced today that it has named Chris Perry Chief Digital Officer to continue to elevate and expand digital strategy, content production and media innovation capabilities around the world. Today the firm's global network includes more than 600 digital, creative, social media, content and analytics specialists. In addition, the firm announced the appointment of Ian Cohen to global executive producer and president, Content Creation and Innovation; Adam Wall to executive vice president, Digital Operations and Client Services, North America; and Cheryl Cook to senior channel strategist, North America, to further bolster its global digital leadership ranks.

In his new role, Perry will accelerate digital business change across the organization, including further build-out of the firm's digital footprint and operating system to deliver engagement-driven programs. He will also continue to serve as global chair of Mediaco, the firm's award-winning content consulting and publishing practice. As part, he will focus on advancing new technology development, exemplified by the firm's Mediaco Publish content management system, as well as drive strategic media, distribution and production partnerships.

"The role of content and digital engagement is central to storytelling for brands today. It's not only a media evolution, but a creative and cultural one, and no one understands the strategy, dynamics and operations required to deliver content programs and business results in this new landscape more than Chris," said Gail Heimann, president of Weber Shandwick. "His ability to infuse a culture of innovation throughout our global network has been pivotal to our success and that of our clients, and we look forward to his continued leadership."

The firm's focus on driving digital and creative programs for clients helped earn Weber Shandwick recognition as the only PR firm named to the Advertising Age Agency A-List in both 2014 and 2015, as well as Agency of the Year honors from both PRWeek and The Holmes Report in 2015.

Cohen, Wall, Cook Promotions Deepen Senior Digital Ranks, Elevate Multi-Channel Strategy Offering

The promotion of Cohen to lead content creation and innovation globally, in addition to the promotion of Wall and Cook to digital and channel strategy roles in North America, mark the growing depth and breadth of Weber Shandwick's digital network and content creation expertise.

As global executive producer and president, Content Creation and Innovation, based in Boston, Cohen will build and expand Weber Shandwick's visual content production capability, working in partnership with the firm's global leaders. This includes creative video production, news content and production innovations that recognize the rise of visual influence in culture, media and marketing.

Since joining Weber Shandwick in 2011, Cohen has led a team of more than 125 creators, producers, directors and editors worldwide in his role as global executive producer and co-founder of GoLive, Weber Shandwick's real-time production and live-streaming capability that incorporates live storytelling, broadcast quality-production and social distribution. An Emmy-award winning producer, Cohen's leadership in live content creation earned Weber Shandwick a role as an Official Partner of The Sundance Film Festival daily live streaming show, Live@Sundance, in both 2014 and 2015. Cohen was also named to PRWeek's 40 Under 40 list in 2014.

Based in Toronto, as executive vice president of Digital Operations and Client Services, North America, Wall will drive deployment of digital strategy and consultation services, creative technology and interactive experiences. In his prior role as executive vice president and general manager of Weber Shandwick's Toronto office, Wall led operations for offices across Canada, driving the growth and development of the firm's digital and content capabilities in the market.

In her new role as senior channel strategist, North America, based in Chicago, Cook will utilize deep media experience to work with clients in the region to execute strategic content distribution programs, leveraging creative storytelling and influencer engagement, and identifying the right platforms to engage key constituencies. Cook has counseled clients on a wide variety of programs with particular attention to influencer and media engagement. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Cook founded a communications consulting firm, CPR Media Group. Before entering the public relations field, Cook was a journalist for local television stations including the Orange County News Channel, KNBC-TV, KCBS-TV and KCOP-TV.

"One of Weber Shandwick's greatest strengths is the specialized talent and expertise across our network," said Heimann. "Ian, Adam and Cheryl have proven to be among the elite strategists in digital and content innovation, and delivering for clients. Their leadership presence is certain to elevate these capabilities across our entire global network and the degree to which we continue to fine-tune and deliver creative content solutions that drive our clients' businesses."

About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries. The firm's diverse team of strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work, including being honored as an Ad Age A-List Agency in 2014 and 2015, PRWeek's 2015 Global Agency of the Year and The Holmes Report's 2014 Global Agency of the Year. Weber Shandwick and its Prime unit have won a combined 23 Cannes Lions since 2009. Weber Shandwick was also named a Best Place to Work by Ad Age in 2014 and PRWeek in 2013 and 2014. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate social responsibility, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.   

Contact:       Michelle Selesky Giuda
Company:     Weber Shandwick
Phone:          212-445-8088
Email:           [email protected]

SOURCE Weber Shandwick

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http://www.webershandwick.com

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