Weber Shandwick's Chris Vary and Brooke Worden Named to PRWeek's 2010 '40 Under 40' List

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Aug 02, 2010, 05:31 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick today announced that Chris Vary and Brooke Worden were named to PRWeek's 2010 "40 Under 40" list profiling professionals, nominated by colleagues, who have made significant contributions to their agencies, clients and organizations.

According to PRWeek, this year's entries were more impressive than ever, with 200-plus entries competing to make the list.

Vary, who was recently promoted to SVP, digital communications and emerging media, has been in the public relations industry for more than 15 years. He oversees the digital communications practice for the Dallas office and leads the Southwest regional group's digital and social media programs. One of his many noted accomplishments has been supporting American Airlines' social media initiatives. In 2009, he led a well-received online campaign to celebrate the airline's 10,000th Facebook fan by offering a 10% discount code – solely through social media – generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales. Vary is a regular conference speaker, a member of the Dallas Social Media Club and also assists his local Texas community with social media consultation for non-profit organizations.

Worden, a 17-year industry veteran, is a vice president in the financial services practice at Weber Shandwick's Minneapolis office. For the past three years, Worden has directed the PR campaign for the U.S. Census. Leading a team of 50, Worden has earned impressive coverage across multiple media – including more than 102 million media impressions in the first week of the 2010 Census "Portrait of America" road tour campaign. She began her career in financial services and journalism, serving as staff reporter for Twin Cities Business. Worden also volunteers her time to several organizations, including the Girl Scouts and the Citizens League, and serves on the board of the PRSA's Minnesota chapter, for which she is president-elect for 2011.

"We are very proud of Chris and Brooke for making PRWeek's esteemed '40 Under 40' list. Both are passionate professionals with an unwavering commitment to the industry, who continually act as advocates on behalf of our clients and our organization," said Andy Polansky, president, Weber Shandwick. "We congratulate them on this wonderful and deserved recognition of their work."

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 76 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.